9-Day Best of Peru Tour from Lima: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and Lake Titicaca | 11 Meals Included

What you'll experience

Highlights

9 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Welcome to Lima + Lima City Tour

   When you arrive in Lima, a member of the Valencia travel team will be waiting for you at the airport and will take you, in private transportation, to your hotel. You will then have the whole day to relax and enjoy the beauty of Lima and its surroundings.
   
   In the afternoon Lima City Tour, the first stop on our Lima city tour is Huaca Pucllana, a huge archaeological site in Miraflores, one of the most popular districts of Lima. Huaca Pucllana was an important ceremonial and administrative center of the Lima culture. After exploring Huaca Pucllana with your bilingual guide, we'll head to the historic center of Lima, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will go to the beautiful Plaza de Armas (Lima's main square) which is surrounded by impressive buildings from the colonial and republican eras, many of which have ornate wooden balconies.
   
   Next, we will visit the Cathedral of Lima, which was completed in 1649. It is a huge structure, with a large central nave and 14 side chapels. Inside, we will see the sculptures and paintings that decorate the interior. The cathedral also houses the tomb of the conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Then we will walk one block to the Santo Domingo Convent. Founded in the 1530s and completed in 1766, it is one of the most important religious buildings in Peru and its large bell tower is a landmark in the historic center of Lima.
   
   Services Included:
   Transport: Lima Airport – Hotel (2.5 hour approx.).
   Excursion: Lima City Tour by 4 hours.

    

   
    

   

   Cathedral of Lima

   

   Historic Centre of Lima

   

   Huaca Pucllana

   

   Cusco Plaza de Armas

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Casa Andina Miraflores Centro
2. 2

   Day 2 — Lima - Cusco

   Once you arrive in Cusco, a member of the Valencia Travel team will be waiting for you at the airport to pick you up in our transportation and take you to your hotel. Then you will have the whole day to relax and enjoy the beauty of Cusco and its surroundings.
   
   Services Included:
   Transport:
   Hotel - Lima Airport (2.5 hour approx.).
   Cusco Airport – Hotel in Cusco (20 minutes approx.).

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Casa Andina Standard Cusco Plaza
3. 3

   Day 3 — Cusco Open Day

   After breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore Cusco at your ease. The capital city of the Inca Empire is now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, as well as the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Casa Andina Standard Cusco Plaza
4. 4

   Day 4 — Cusco – Machu Picchu

   Our tour begins in Cusco, where we'll pick you up at 09h00 and then head to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo). The train leaves at approximately 11h30, although the exact schedule does change sometimes. The two-hour train journey is a memorable experience in itself, as we pass through river canyons and rolling hills.
   
   Aguas Calientes is the gateway to Machu Picchu, sitting in a deep gorge at the foot of the mountain upon which Machu Picchu is located. It's a pretty town that mixes traditional life with a huge tourism infrastructure, with plenty of markets, souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants. It's also largely pedestrianized, making it a fun place to explore on foot.
   
   Aguas Calientes is surrounded by jungle-covered mountains and cliffs, and the Urubamba River flows right next to the town, sometimes roaring through the canyon. Aguas Calientes is also surrounded by thermal hot springs, and when we arrive you'll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy a dip in one of the steaming natural springs. You'll also have time to walk around the town, exploring the colorful markets and general buzz of this unique Peruvian settlement.
   
   It's an early start the next day, so we'll make sure you're settled in to your hotel and all set for the following day and your first glimpse of Machu Picchu.
   
   Services Included:
   Transport: Cusco – Ollantaytambo Train Station (2 hours approx.).
   Train Tickets: Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes (Expedition Train – 2 hours approx.).

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hatun Inti Boutique
5. 5

   Day 5 — Aguas Calientes – Cusco

   To best appreciated Machu Picchu, we'll wake up early in the morning so we can get to the citadel in good time. You'll have time for breakfast first, and then your guide will pick you up from the hotel at around 05h40 We'll then walk to the bus departure point for the short but zigzagging ascent up the road to Machu Picchu.
   
   We'll then pass through the gates into the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Here you'll begin your guided walking tour with an experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about two hours, and will take you to all the most famous and most spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza and other key locations. And as we walk around, we'll have spectacular views across the agriculture terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges.
   
   Once we've finished our tour of Machu Picchu, we'll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you can relax and have lunch (not included) before we board the train back to Poroy and Cusco. Upon arrival at the station, we'll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you can think back to your incredible tour of one of the world's most famous and most impressive attractions.
   
   Services Included:
   Bus Tickets Consetur: Aguas Caliente – Machu Picchu – Aguas Caliente (Per route: 25 minutes)
   Entrance Fee: Machu Picchu City.
   Train Tickets: Aguas Calientes – Poroy (Expedition Train 34 at 15h20 – 19h05).Transport: Train Station Poroy – Hotel in Cusco (30 minutes approx.).

   

   Machu Picchu

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Casa Andina Standard Cusco Plaza
6. 6

   Day 6 — Cusco - Puno

   After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel at 06h30 and dropped off at the bus station to take a bus trip, more like a tour - a guide will be on board, and you'll stop at four exciting sites:
   
   • Andahuaylillas: The Sistine Chapel of South America. This church is one of the most beautiful examples of Andean popular religious art.
   • Raqchi (Wiracocha God Temple): This was an Inca church of considerable dimensions; 328 feet long, 85 feet wide and 45 feet high. The temple is divided into two naves, and each nave has 11 large columns.
   • La Raya: This is the half-way point between Cusco and Puno and also the highest point (14,222 feet above sea level). The landscapes here are stunning and typical Andean animals like the llama, alpaca and vicuña are familiar sights. It is also the geographic border between two cultures - Quechua and Aymara.
   • Pukara: This is the most important and oldest ceremonial center of the altiplano. There are new lite-sculptures and tombs. Arrival time to Puno will be around 5: 00 pm.
   
   Services Included:
   Transport: Hotel – Bus Station Cusco (20 minutes approx.).
   Touristic Bus: Puno – Cusco (10 hours approx.).
   Transport: Bus Station Puno – Hotel (15 minutes approx.).
   Entrance Fee: Along the way.

   

   Saint Peter the Apostle of Andahuaylillas

   

   La Raya

   

   Puka Pukara Archaeological Complex

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Royal Inn Puno
7. 7

   Day 7 — Luquina Island Homestay (Uros floating, Taquile & Luquina islands)

   Our Titicaca adventure begins at 7:30 a.m. when we pick you up from your hotel in Puno and head down to the port. We'll then take a comfortable motorboat out to the floating islands of the Uros people. The artificial islands are located about 14 km from the port, and it takes about 30 minutes to get there – but you won't be in any rush, as the scenery is spectacular.
   
   Stepping onto the islands is quite an experience, as the springy reed floor feels strange beneath your feet. We'll explore the main island, and see the houses, watchtowers and other structures, all built of reeds. One of the locals will then give a brief presentation about how the islands are made, and then you can meet one of the local families to see how they live.
   
   Next we'll board the boat for the wonderful Taquile Island, which is about 1.5 hours away. We'll arrive at a secluded and picturesque section of Taquile Island, which also has a pristine sandy beach where we can stretch our legs for a while. From which we'll set off to explore this stunningly beautiful island for at least four hours. We'll go to the less touristy northern area, where we'll have spectacular panoramic views across Lake Titicaca. After relaxing here for a  while, we'll hike along a pre-Inca trail, visiting families of weavers to learn about their textile art and the rich symbolism that decorates their textiles. After a traditional lunch in a local restaurant – quinoa soup and grilled trout being particularly popular – we'll walk to the main port and descend some steps to the pier. At around 2:45 p.m. we'll board a boat and continue on to Luquina.
   
   Luquina is a small and rarely visited rural community in the peninsula of Chucuito. Here, we'll be welcomed by the friendly inhabitants and housed in a local family home. You'll have plenty of time here to immerse yourself in the traditional culture, and in the afternoon there is an optional hike to the top of a nearby hill for majestic views of the sunset over Lake Titicaca. After dinner, you can enjoy a small celebration with music and traditional dances. We will spend the night at the local family home, which has basic but comfortable facilities, including good blankets and sheets (it can get quite chilly at night!), and private bathroom with a hot shower.
   
   Services Included:
   Transport: Hotel – Puno Port (8 minutes approx.).Bout Trip: Puno Port – Uros Island (25 minutes approx.), After Taquile Island (2 hours approx.), After
   Luquina (1 hour approx.).
   Entrance Fee: Uros – Taquile Island.

   

   Uros Islands

   

   Taquile Island

   

   Lake Titicaca

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Home Stay Luquina
8. 8

   Day 8 — Luquina Island - Puno

   In the morning you'll have a traditional breakfast with your host family – and feel free to help cook if you like! After breakfast, you are free to join in with any of the daily activities, which could include cultivating crops, tending to the animals or even building a house or other structure in the traditional way. Your experienced guide will ensure that this part of the trip is a totally authentic experience.
   
   After a morning of cultural immersion, it will be time for a family lunch at around midday. Afterwards, we'll walk to the port, where we will say thanks and goodbye to the family and have a small and traditional farewell ceremony with coca leaves and wine. At around 1: 00 p.m. it will be time to board the boat for the return trip to Puno, arriving at 2:30 p.m. On arrival, we'll take you back to your hotel.
   
   Services Included:
   Bout Trip: Luquina – Puno Port (2 hours approx.).
   Transport: Puno Port – Hotel in Puno.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Royal Inn Puno
9. 9

   Day 9 — Puno - Lima

   After Breakfast, transfer Hotel to Juliaca Airport for your flight to Lima.
   
   Services Included:
   Transport: Hotel – Juliaca Airport (1 hour approx.).

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

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