National Program: Cusco – Puno and Arequipa 9D/8N
National Program: Cusco – Puno and Arequipa 9D/8N
Overview
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco / City Tour
Your exciting trip to Cusco begins with your arrival at Velasco Astete International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. At 13:00 hours, our city tour will begin. We will start by visiting the impressive Qoricancha Temple, which represents the fascinating fusion of Inca and colonial architecture. Then, we will drive to the fascinating archaeological sites nearby. Our first stop will be Sacsayhuaman, famous for its enormous polished and moulded stones, and its strategic location offering spectacular panoramic views of Cusco. We will continue to Qenqo, an ancient Inca temple where religious sacrifices were performed. Then, we will explore Puka Pukara, a control and military centre of the Incas. Finally, we will visit the enigmatic Tambomachay Temple, known for its water fountains. We will return to the hotel around 6:30 p.m. to spend the night in Cusco.
Day 2: Super Sacred Valley
The tour starts with the pick up of the group at 6:30 am, we will go to our first point to visit Chinchero, we will visit its traditional market and the archaeological centre. There we will be able to observe the impressive Inca architecture, the cultivation areas, we will admire the incredible agricultural terraces, there, we will spend about 1 hour, exploring this Inca citadel. Next, we will visit the archaeological site of Moray, also known as “The greenhouses of the Incas”. It consists of an evolving bowl of ecological terraces. The terraces are carved out of a huge basin, which were excavated by the Incas for agricultural purposes. The terraces have varied microclimates depending on the depth of the basin. It is believed that the Incas used them to discover the ideal growing conditions for their different crops. We will also visit the salt mines known as SALINERAS DE MARAS. This place was of great importance in the PRE INKA – INKA- COLONIAL period and nowadays. The inhabitants of the village benefit from the salt extracted from these mines. We will continue our tour heading to the village of urubanba where we will have a delicious lunch (buffet) finally we will arrive to Ollantaytambo, having time to explore the ancient and bustling Inca village next to the huge Inca ruins, with a tour provided by our guide. We will then take the train to Aguas Calientes, where we will spend the night in a hotel.
Day 3: Machu Picchu
1 hour before our entrance time to Machu Picchu you will be assisted by our staff who will drive you to the bus station to board the bus which will take you to the Inca City of Machu Picchu (a 25 minute ride). You will spend approximately 2 hours exploring this world wonder in the company of our guide, who will show you the Sacred Square, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priests, the Inca Baths, among others. Once the tour is over, you will have free time to enjoy lunch on your own before boarding the train back to Cusco. You should be at the train station 30 minutes before the time indicated on your ticket. Then, you will board the train that will take you back to Ollantaytambo, where you will be picked up by our bus that will take you back to the city of Cusco.
Day 4: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
The tour starts early in the morning, we will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco between 04:00 and 04:30 am. To travel by bus for approximately 1:30 hours to the south, until we reach the district of Cusipata (3310 m.a.s.l.) where we can enjoy a semi buffet breakfast. ) where we will be able to enjoy a semi buffet breakfast, we will continue travelling for 2 hours more via trocha (dirt road) until we arrive to the control post and start the trek (kayrahuiry), before this we will make a small stop to pay our income (30 foreign soles and 15 Peruvian soles) the trek will last approximately 50 minutes, We will observe the typical flora and fauna of the Andes, among which stands out the presence of llamas and alpacas, we will pass through beautiful gorges and we will see snow-capped peaks, when we arrive at the viewpoint of vinikunka or Montaña de Colores (5080 masl. ) our guide will give us an explanation about the orography, ecosystem and colour of the mountain, we can also take advantage of the moment to observe the mountain range of vinikunka (5020 m), take pictures and admire the beautiful landscape. We will return by the same path to the point where we started the trek (kayrahury) where our transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusipata, where we will enjoy a semi buffet lunch. After lunch we will start our return trip to Cusco, arriving between 4 and 5 in the afternoon. 21:00 hrs, we transfer you to the bus terminal for the trip to Puno.
Day 5: Puno - Uros Island - Taquile
To make the most of this exciting tour, it is recommended to leave Cusco the night before, preferably on a comfortable sleeper bus, which allows you to travel smoothly to Puno and arrive at your destination early the next morning. The bus from Cusco to Puno departs at 9:00 p.m. and arrives in Puno at 5:30 a.m. the following day. Our team will be waiting in Puno to assist you and transfer you to the designated hotel, where you can leave your luggage, freshen up, and, if you wish, enjoy an additional breakfast on your own.
Itinerary:
Shortly before 7:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in Puno and take you to the main port. There, you will embark on an exciting journey across the world’s highest navigable lake, the majestic Lake Titicaca. Our first stop will be at one of the Uros Islands, whose culture spans over 3,000 years and is reflected in the construction of their floating homes made from totora, a local reed. You will have the opportunity to learn how they build their homes and gain fascinating insights into their way of life. Additionally, you can opt to sail on a traditional totora boat.
Next, we will continue to Taquile Island, which functioned as a prison during colonial times. On this island, you will interact with the local inhabitants, who will demonstrate their textile craftsmanship and share some of their ancestral customs. You will also have the chance to explore less touristy parts of the island, where you can find ancient temples, tombs, and terraces dating back to the pre-Inca era.
Afterwards, you will enjoy lunch on the island. Following a day full of discoveries, we will return to the port to board our boat and head back to Puno. Arrival at the Puno port is scheduled for around 5:30 p.m. You will spend the night in Puno to rest and recharge for future adventures.
Day 6: Puno - Colca
Between 6:00 – 6:30 a.m., our vehicle will pick up travelers from their respective hotels in Puno to begin a fascinating journey towards Chivay in Caylloma. Along the way, we will make strategic stops, each accompanied by explanations from our guide:
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Lagunillas: This is the habitat of Andean flamingos and is approximately 2 hours from Puno.
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Patahuasi and Pampa Cañahuas: In Pampa Cañahuas, you will have the opportunity to visit a restaurant where you can enjoy, at your own expense, a coca or muña infusion, as well as use restroom facilities.
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Patapampa: Located at 4,910 meters above sea level, this is the highest point between the two cities and is known as the volcano viewpoint. From here, you can admire breathtaking views of Misti, Ampato, Hualcahualca, and other volcanoes. Along the way, we will also spot vicuñas, llamas, alpacas, and other Andean wildlife.
Around 12:30 p.m., we will arrive in the city of Chivay, where we will go to a buffet restaurant for lunch (lunch not included). Afterwards, we will transfer you to the corresponding hotel, where you can check in and rest. At the agreed time, we will take you to the relaxing La Calera Hot Springs (optional). Overnight in Chivay.
Day 7: Cross of the Condor - Arequipa
Early in the morning, we will head towards the «Condor Cross“, located 41 km from Chivay, a place that offers one of the most spectacular views of the Colca Canyon. Here, you will have the opportunity to witness majestic condor flights, a truly impressive experience. Then, we will return to Chivay, making stops in the picturesque towns of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, Yanque, as well as at the viewpoints of Antahuilque and Choquetico. Arriving in Chivay, they will have enough time for lunch. Afterwards, we will continue our journey to the city of Arequipa. The tour will end at approximately 5:00 p.m. m. They will spend the night in Arequipa.
Day 8: City Tour Arequipa
We will start our City Tour at 9:00 hrs from your starting point. Our first stop will take us to the district of Cayma, one of the most traditional neighborhoods of Arequipa. Along the way, we will travel through the panoramic “Chilina Bride”, which gives us beautiful views of the city, its terraces and the Chili River. In Cayma, we will explore the Plaza Mayor and its church, which dates from 1544 and today houses the chapel of the Virgen de la Candelaria, built by the Dominican monks. Then, we will go to the area of Añashuayco, famous for the extraction of the volcanic stone “sillar”, used in the construction of the colonial buildings of Arequipa. Here, our guide will provide information on the origin and geology of the quarries, and will be able to witness the hard work that this work implies. We will continue to Yanahuara, where we will visit the main square with a spectacular view of the city and its volcanoes. Later, we will go to the San Camilo market for an authentic experience and, after the visit, we will move to the Plaza de Armas of Arequipa. Here, the guide will offer information about the history and architecture that surrounds the square. We will end our tour leaving passengers at the entrance to the Santa Catalina Monastery (optional) or, at the request of passengers, in the main square. They will spend the night in Arequipa.
Day 9: Arequipa / Departure
At the coordinated time, transfer to the airport of Arequipa. End of service.
Included:
- Transfer airport – hotel – airport (both in Cusco and Arequipa)
- 02 nights of accommodation in Cusco.
- 01 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
- 01 night accommodation in Puno.
- 01 night accommodation in Chivay (Colca).
- 02 night accommodation in Arequipa.
- 01 Buffet lunch on the Sacred Valley Tour.
- 01 Breakfast, 01 Lunch in the Tour of the Colors Mountain.
- 01 Lunch in Taquile.
- Tourist transport on tours
- Bilingual professional guide on tours.
- BTG (Cusco General Tourist Ticket).
- Entrance ticket to Qorikancha.
- Entrance ticket to Machupicchu.
- Aguas Calientes bus ticket – Machupicchu – Aguas Calientes.
- Voyager or Expedition tourist train ticket (Ollantaytambo route – Machupicchu and vice versa).
- Bus Ticket Cusco – Puno.
- First aid kit, oxygen balloon in the Tour of the Mountain of Colors and Laguna Humantay (group use).
- Permanent guidance and monitoring to the passenger.
Not included:
- International air tickets
- Internal air tickets Lima – Cusco / Arequipa – Lima
- unmentioned meals
- Entrance to the Parque de la Montaña de Colores (25 soles)
- Entrance to the salt mines Maras (10 soles)
- Entrance ticket to the Colca Valley (40 soles)
- Entrance to the thermal baths “La Calera” (15 soles)
- Consumption or personal expenses of passengers.
Recommendations
- Travel documents and money.
- Suitable clothing and footwear.
- Personal hygiene items and medicines.
- Sun protection and water bottle.
- Camera or phone.
- Plug adapter (if necessary).
- Map, travel guide and book.
- Padlock and resealable bags.
- Umbrella or raincoat (depending on the weather).
- Insect repellent (if necessary).
- Travel insurance and copies of itinerary and important contacts.
