Multi-day tour · 8 days
Eight days between Cusco and Lake Titicaca: city tour, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake and a night with a family on Amantaní Island. For those who want the southern Andes without going through the coast.
Highlights
Itinerary
Days 4 and 5 leave at 4:30 a.m. and reach over 4,000 m; the nights of days 5 and 7 are on overnight buses.
We welcome you on arrival in Cusco (3,399 m) and take you to your hotel, where you have a cup of coca tea to begin acclimatizing and a briefing on the trip details.
At 12:45 p.m. we pick you up for the city tour: the Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, the Qoricancha or Temple of the Sun and, just outside the city, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. You return to the city around 6:30 p.m.
Overnight: Cusco
At 7:30 a.m. we pick you up to tour the Sacred Valley. You stop at the Taray viewpoint (3,200 m), visit the Pisaq archaeological complex and its handicraft market, and follow the Vilcanota River to Urubamba, where you have a buffet lunch.
In the afternoon you explore Ollantaytambo (2,792 m), one of the last living Inca towns, with its archaeological complex and stone streets. When you finish, you take the train from the Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes (2,040 m), where you spend the night.
Overnight: Aguas Calientes
After breakfast you take the bus from Aguas Calientes (2,040 m) up to Machu Picchu (2,430 m). With your guide you tour the citadel for about 2 hours, depending on your ticket's circuit, with explanations of its history and architecture.
You take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and have free time. In the afternoon you take the train to Ollantaytambo and from there tourist transport to Cusco.
Overnight: Cusco
You leave Cusco at 4:30 a.m. for Cusipata, where you have a buffet breakfast. From Phulawasipata (4,600 m) you hike about 1 hr 30 min to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint (Vinicunca, 5,200 m), among llamas and alpacas, with a view of the Ausangate range.
After the guide's explanation and time for photos, you go back down the same way, have lunch in Cusipata, and return to Cusco. You arrive around 5:00 p.m.
Overnight: Cusco
You leave at 4:30 a.m. for Mollepata (2,900 m), where you have a buffet breakfast, and continue by vehicle to Soraypampa (3,900 m). From there you hike about 1 hr 45 min, at a moderate pace, to Humantay Lake (4,200 m).
After the guide's explanation and time for photos, you go back the same way, have lunch in Mollepata, and return to Cusco. You arrive around 5:00 p.m., and at 9:00 p.m. we take you to the bus terminal for the overnight bus to Puno.
Overnight: Overnight bus Cusco – Puno
At 7:30 a.m. we take you to the pier. First you visit the floating islands of the Uros (3,810 m), where you learn how they build their islands and totora reed boats. If you like, you can take an optional 20-minute ride in one of their boats.
You continue to Amantaní Island (4,150 m), where a local family welcomes you with a traditional lunch. In the afternoon you walk to the Pachata and Pachamama temples; then you have dinner and, if the weather allows, take part in a show with the islanders. You sleep at the family's home.
Overnight: Family home on Amantaní
In the morning you sail to Taquile Island (3,950 m) and walk about 35 minutes to the village. You learn about its customs and its textile art, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. You have lunch with a view of the lake, walk through its stone arches, and then return to Puno.
In the evening we take you to the bus terminal to catch the overnight bus to Cusco at about 10:00 p.m.
Overnight: Overnight bus Puno – Cusco
At the scheduled time we take you to the airport, 2 hours ahead of your flight. Our services end here.
Machu Picchu tickets and Inca Trail permits are issued through the Peruvian government in each traveler’s name (full name and ID or passport number) and must be paid in advance. Once issued, they are non-refundable and non-transferable. See cancellation terms
Frequently asked questions
It includes transfers, 4 nights in hotels in the chosen category, one night in a family home in Amantaní, the overnight buses between Cusco and Puno, guided excursions with entries, Machu Picchu by train and bus, and the meals listed in the itinerary.
No. The program begins when you arrive in Cusco and ends with the transfer to the airport. Ask us and we will help you with your arrival and departure flights.
There are two consecutive days at altitude: Rainbow Mountain, with 1 hr 30 min of climbing to 5,200 m, and Humantay Lake, with 1 hr 45 min to 4,200 m. Both leave Cusco at 4:30 a.m.
In a local family's home on Amantaní Island. You spend the nights of days 5 and 7 on overnight buses between Cusco and Puno.
45 days or more in advance, 70% is refunded; between 30 and 44 days, 50%; less than 30 days or no-show, no refund. Machu Picchu tickets are non-refundable once issued.
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