CUSCO – PUNO TOUR PACKAGE

Upon arrival in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,150 ft above sea level), you will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will have a short time to acclimatize to the altitude before starting your first adventure.

• 13:00 – 13:30 | Hotel pick-up
  We will pick you up from your hotel located in the historic center of Cusco and transfer you to the starting point of the tour. The first site we will visit is:
  we visit the first place  Temple of Qorikancha or Temple of the Sun, one of the most sacred enclosures of the Inca Empire.
• Then we will visit nearby archaeological sites:
  • Sacsayhuamán, imposing ceremonial fortress with gigantic stone walls.
    
  • Q’enqo, ceremonial worship center.
    
  • Puka Pukara, ancient military construction.
    
  • Tambomachay, water sanctuary dedicated to fertility worship.

Return to Cusco
At the end of the tour, we will return to the city of Cusco by tourist transportation.

(Chinchero – Maras – Moray – Urubamba – Ollantaytambo – Pisac)

Breakfast at the hotel

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel to gain energy before exploring one of the most fertile and important valleys of the Inca Empire, surrounded by sacred mountains (apus), rivers, and traditional villages.

Pick-up from the hotel in Cusco and departure by tourist transport to the Sacred Valley, accompanied by a professional bilingual guide. During the journey, the guide will provide historical and cultural information about the agricultural, political, and spiritual importance of the valley.
Our first stop will be:

• Chinchero – Traditional textile center and archaeological complex.
• Moray – Inca circular agricultural laboratory.
• Maras Salt Mines – More than 3,000 active salt pools.
• Buffet lunch in Urubamba.
• Ollantaytambo – Living Inca fortress and town.
• Pisaq – Archaeological complex and artisan market.

Return to Cusco
At the end of the visits, we will return to the city of Cusco by tourist transport.
Approximate arrival at the historic center or agreed meeting point.

• Very early we will head to the train station to board the panoramic tourist service that will take us to the town of Aguas Calientes. During the journey, you will enjoy an unforgettable experience as you travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas and gradually enter the Andean cloud forest, observing impressive landscapes, mountains, rivers, and picturesque Andean villages.
• Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, our representative will assist us in boarding the tourist bus that ascends along a winding road to the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
• We will begin a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, led by our specialized local guide, who 0will explain the history, architecture, and spiritual significance of the main sectors of the citadel.
• After the visit, we will descend by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and later board the return tourist train. Upon arrival at the station, our transportation will transfer us back to the city of Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Important Information about Entrance to Machu Picchu

• Entrance is subject to availability and to the official circuits established by the Ministry of Culture of Peru.
• Spaces are limited per day.
• It is recommended to make the reservation at least 3 months in advance, especially during high season (April to October).
• Once issued, Machu Picchu entrance tickets do not allow date changes, name changes, or refunds, in accordance with official regulations.

• Very early we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to begin our adventure toward the southern valley. As we move forward, we will see how the landscape changes between crop fields, Andean mountains, and small traditional villages awakening with the first light of the day.
• In the community of Cusipata, we will enjoy an Andean breakfast prepared with local products, ideal for recharging energy and preparing for the high-altitude experience.
• We will continue by transport to the starting point of the hike, from where we will begin our ascent surrounded by high Andean landscapes. During the journey you will observe herds of llamas and alpacas, as well as the imposing presence of Ausangate Snow-capped Mountain, the highest sacred mountain in the region.
• Upon reaching the summit of Vinicunca (5,036 m.a.s.l.), the view is simply breathtaking: natural stripes in reddish, ochre, and turquoise tones create one of the most surprising geological formations on the planet. Our guide will explain the mineral origin of its colors and the spiritual significance that this mountain holds for the Quechua communities.
• After enjoying the landscape and taking photographs, we will begin the descent to return to Cusipata, where a buffet lunch with typical and vegetarian options awaits us.
• Finally, we will return to the city of Cusco for a well-deserved rest.

Overnight at hotel in Cusco.

History, Culture, and Landscapes of the Andean Altiplano

• After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to begin this fascinating land journey toward the city of Puno. The so-called Route of the Sun is not just a transfer, but a cultural experience that connects the ancient heart of the Inca Empire with the sacred lands of Lake Titicaca.
• Our first stop will be in Andahuaylillas, where we will visit the famous colonial church known as the “Sistine Chapel of America.” Inside, you will admire impressive murals, canvases from the Cusco School, and extraordinary gold leaf work that reflects the Andean evangelization process during the viceroyalty.
• We will continue to the archaeological complex of Raqchi, also called the Temple of Wiracocha. Here we will discover one of the most monumental constructions of the Inca period, with enormous stone and adobe walls that demonstrate the religious and strategic importance of this ceremonial center.
• Further ahead we will arrive in Sicuani, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch with a variety of Andean dishes and international options, ideal for regaining energy and continuing the journey.
• The route will then take us to the highest point of the journey: Abra La Raya (4,335 m.a.s.l.), the natural boundary between Cusco and Puno. From this viewpoint you will appreciate impressive high Andean landscapes, vast plains, and snow-capped peaks that mark the transition to the altiplano.
• Before arriving in Puno, we will visit the lithic museum of Pukara, belonging to one of the oldest pre-Inca cultures of the altiplano. Here you will learn about ceremonial sculptures and monoliths that reveal the cultural richness prior to the Inca Empire.
• Finally, we will continue the journey to the city of Puno, arriving in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel and free time to rest.

Overnight in Puno.

2 Days / 1 Night Community-Based Tour

Day 1: Puno – Uros Floating Islands – Amantaní Island

• After breakfast, we will begin our journey across Lake Titicaca (3,812 m / 12,507 ft), considered the highest navigable lake in the world and one of the most important cultural spaces of the Andean Altiplano.
• Our first visit will be to the Uros Floating Islands, impressive artificial platforms built from totora reeds, an aquatic plant that grows in the lake. Here, we will learn about the ancestral traditions, social organization, and way of life of the Uros people, who preserve ancient techniques for building their homes, boats, and handicrafts.
• We will continue sailing to Amantaní Island, one of the most authentic islands on the lake, characterized by its tranquility and strong cultural identity. Upon arrival, we will be welcomed by local families who will host us in their homes, offering a genuine community-based tourism experience.
• In the afternoon, we will take a light walk around the island, enjoying agricultural terraces, natural landscapes, and panoramic lake views. Optionally, we will hike up to the pre-Inca temples of Pachatata or Pachamama, where you can enjoy an unforgettable sunset.
• In the evening, we will share a traditional dinner prepared with local products and participate in cultural activities with the host family.

Overnight in a family home on Amantaní Island

Day 2: Amantaní Island – Taquile Island – Return to Puno

• After a traditional Andean breakfast with the host family, we will say goodbye and continue our navigation to Taquile Island, internationally recognized for its extraordinary textile tradition, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
• On Taquile, we will take a guided walk along ancient Inca paths while learning about the community organization, local customs, and the deep symbolism of their textiles, which are woven exclusively by the men of the island.
• We will enjoy a typical lunch made with fresh products from the lake, accompanied by spectacular panoramic views of Lake Titicaca. Free time for photos and the purchase of authentic handicrafts.
• In the afternoon, we will board our boat back to the city of Puno, concluding this unique cultural experience.

Overnight in Puno

• After breakfast, we will transfer you to Inca Manco Cápac International Airport in Juliaca (1 hour from Puno) for your departure flight.

End of the experience