Discovering Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and Arequipa

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY Discovering Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno and Arequipa

• Day 1: Arrival to Lima & Overnight in Lima

  Upon you arrival to Lima you will be met and transferred to your hotel, where you will spend a well-deserved overnight stay.

• Day 2: Lima City Tour, Museum Visit & Overnight in Lima (B, L)

  After breakfast you will be picked-up from your Hotel and you will star a tour of the Peruvian capital. During the City Tour, we will visit Lima’s main square, get a snapshot of the most important sites, and visit a world-class museum to learn about pre-Inca cultures. Sites to be visited are: the Main Square, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the City Hall, the San Francisco Monastery (including catacombs), old streets with colonial houses, and a great driving tour through the beautiful San Isidro and Miraflores districts. You will have a delicious traditional Peruvian lunch at one of the best restaurants in Lima. After lunch you will visit the Museum of Anthropology, or Museum Larco, where you will learn about the Peruvian culture from the Pre-Inca societies up to colonial Peru era. *While in Lima we highly recommend adding culinary activities such as cooking classes and tasting dinners in the best restaurants in Latin America, for more information check out our website: taste-of-peru.com and ask our travel specialists for our culinary activities.

• Day 3: Flight to Cusco, Afternoon City Tour & Overnight in Cusco (B)

  You will be transferred to the airport for the short domestic flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas located at 11,100 feet above sea level. You will be met upon arrival by one of our representatives. You will have the remainder of the morning to rest and freshen up. It is best to take it easy this morning to let your body adjust to the altitude. Both lunch and dinner are on your own this day. After lunch, you will set out on grand tour of Cusco, the former capital of the once vast Incan Empire. We visit Cusco’s impressive Plaza de Armas and both the Spanish cathedral and Incan temple of the sun, Qoricancha. After the first part of the tour we visit the archeological site above the city that were considered an essential part of the ancient capital. We start from Sacsayhuaman, where Inti Raymi the Festival of the Sun, is held during the Summer Solstice, Tambomachay, the Temple of the Sacred Waters, which is a marvel of hydraulic engineering and Q´enqo where we will see the remains of a ceremonial site used for fertility rites and for celebrations of the solstice and equinox. * An extra day in Cusco can be added upon request as well as any additional activities and meals.

• Day 4: Sacred Valley Tour & Overnight in Aguas Calientes (B, L)

  After breakfast we set out into the Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will start our visit at Pisac Ruins,one of the most beautiful archeological site that combines a beautiful architectural structure with a stunning landscape. Pisac site is located on the highest hill of the city, on a dry and rocky surface. Then we will have some time to have lunch and recover energies to continue with the tour. Finally, we head deeper into the Sacred Valley and visit the Inca town of Ollantaytambo. At the end of the tour you will be transferred to the Ollanta train station to catch the train to the town of Aguas Calientes. According to Peru rail regulations you can only bring a 5 kilos-backpack on the train, so the rest of your luggage will be taken to your Hotel in Cusco. A hotel staff member will be waiting for you at the train station. *An extra overnight at the Sacred Valley can be added upon request, as well as additional activities and meals.

• Day 5: Machu Picchu & Overnight in Cusco (B, S)

  After breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, we take the early morning bus to the Machu Picchu citadel. This day you will enjoy a full tour of the lost city and have lunch on your own after the tour. In the afternoon we say farewell to Machu Picchu as we take the train to Poroy station, where a transportation will be waiting for you to bring you to Cusco. You will arrive at night at your hotel in Cusco. * An overnight in Machu Picchu can be added upon request, as well as bus and entrance tickets for a second day at the citadel. Please let us know if you would like to add other activities and meals.

• Day 6: Tourist Bus to Puno & Overnight in Puno (B, L)

  After breakfast at your hotel in Cusco you will be picked up, and taken from your hotel to the bus station in Cusco, in order to start your journey to Puno. Your bus from Cusco to Puno will take you through many interesting stops:

  Andahuaylillas: A beautiful and charming town, where you will visit the unique Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, the most popular tourist attraction. Raqchi: a charming town with a unique church that dates back to the Colonial period. After a our kilometers ride you will arrive to the archaeological site of Raqchi, an Inca sanctuary built by Pachacutec after his victory over the Chancas Nation. La Raya: this is a community dedicated to sheep farming. This is the highest point on the route to Puno and the doorway to the region. Pucara: This is a quiet village located in the Vilcanota Valley. The potters of Pucara are famous for the small ceramic toritos or bulls they make. Lunch will be at the town of Sicuani. At the end of the bus tour you will be met at the bus station by one of our representatives, who will escort you to your hotel in Puno. * Optional train or flight to Puno could be arranged.

• Day 7: Uros, Taquile Island tour & Overnight in Puno (B, L)

  After breakfast we will pick you up for your guided tour of Uros Island. While in Uros you will learn about culture and traditions of this region thanks to a local family, who has a unique experience of sharing them with visitors. After visiting Uros you will be transferred to Taquile, where you will have lunch and visit the island. After the tour you will go back to Puno where dinner is on your own.* An extra day or two in Puno can be added upon request. There are tours to Amantani, the unique Suasi Island and other places in Puno that can be arranged.

• Day 8: Touristic bus from Puno to Chivay & Overnight in Chivay (B)

  After an early breakfast we will depart from Puno by bus. Our first stop is Lagunillas for bird-watching and see little lakes and stretch your legs. Then continue to Pampa Cañahuas and have a panoramic view of Reserva la Aguada, one of the biggest Vicuñas reserve. Our last stop is Patapampa where we will see volcanoes. Finally we arrive to Chivay where we spend the night. Lunch and Dinner on your own .*An extra day in Chivay can be added upon request.

• Day 9: Colca Canyon Tour, Back to Arequipa & Overnight in Arequipa

  After breakfast at your hotel in Colca you will be picked up to continue your guided tour of the stunning Colca Canyon and continue until reaching the lookout known as the Cruz del Condor (the cross of the condor), near the town of Cabanaconde. It will be at this point of the tour that, based on climate and a whole deal of luck, you may or may not have the once-in-a-lifetime chance of seeing the flight of the condor, in its native habitat, and the impressive scenery of one of the most naturally gorgeous spots on the Earth. After the flight of the condor we will continue our tour by heading out to the ancient towns of Pinchollo, Yanque and Maca. Pinchollo is a small town, famous for its miniature carved handicrafts depicting the valley’s traditions. The highlight of this small town is the church of San Sebastian, with its unique doorway to the baptistery painted with large flowers. At the Yanque town we will visit the church, which is the most important Barouqe-mestizo building in the Colca Valley. At Maca we will visit the beautiful church of Santa Ana. You then head back to the town of Chivay in order to enjoy a lunch on your own. Shortly after lunch you will return to your Arequipa route where you will pass through the Antahuilque and Choquetico viewpoints. The rest of the afternoon will be at your leisure, in order for you to enjoy the sites and have the freedom to see Arequipa at your own pace. * An extra day in Arequipa can be added upon request, as well as any additional activity.

• Day 10: Arequipa City Tour, Free afternoon & Overnight in Arequipa (B)

  After breakfast one of our representatives will meet you at your hotel to start the guided tour of the city of Arequipa. The city tour begins visiting the Santa Catalina Monastery, one of the most beautiful convents in Peru, founded in 1580. Next stop will be the Cathedral, located in the main square, which is the prime example of nineteenth-century religious architecture in Peru. You will then visit the district of San Lorenzo and downtown Arequipa, where you will visit the Tristan del Pozo Old House, a large mansion of the 1738. Your next stop will be the Carmen Alto viewpoint where you can see Arequipa’s three volcanoes. Our next stop will be the picturesque district of Yanahuara perched on a hill overlooking the city. At the conclusion of the tour you will be taken back to your hotel, where you will have a chance to rest and gear up for the next day’s activities. *An optional tour to see “Juanita” mommy could be arranged as an extension to your city tour. Please also let us know if you like to add other activities or meals.

• Day 11: Flight to Lima & Flight Back Home (B)

  After breakfast at your hotel in Arequipa you will be met and taken to the airport in Arequipa, where you will catch your short-flight back to Lima, and your international connection back home. The time of your flight to Lima will depend on the time of your international flight back home. * Please let us know if you would like to add extra activities or a day-use in a hotel if your flight is late at night.

IMPORTANT:

As price depends on each passenger choices, please contact us to send you an updated price based on your specific request. Please send us the following information and we will respond within 24 hours with your updated price.

• Number of people in your party
• Level of accommodation (3 Superior,4,5*). Please see options
• Private or Group Tour
• Train choice. Please see options
• Adding options: if you like to add day tours, extra days, meals, etc
• Need domestic or international flights?
• Have a special request (ie: special diet, wheelchair, children, senior, etc)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

About Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets 

As the popularity of Machu Picchu has increased in the last few years, and in order to preserve the ancient paths of Machu Picchu, the Peruvian Cultural Institute (INC) has restricted the number of people that could enter Machu Picchu to 2,500 people per day. This means that, once the 2,500 tickets are sold out, no further entrance tickets will be available. Also, please note that to avoid a secondary market for these tickets, all tickets are issued with the name of the passenger, his/her passport number, nationality and date of birth. Therefore, tickets are non refundable and non transferable.

About Huayna Picchu Tickets

Entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu are no longer free. They are now US$ 12.00 per person. There are two scheduled visits per day, with a limit of 200 people per visit (total of 400 per day). If you are interested in hiking Huaynapichu, we will need you to let us know at the same time you book your trip since Huaynapichu tickets need to be purchased in conjunction with Machu Picchu tickets.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?

TYPE OF TOURS

All of our tours are offered in both Group and Private services; however, as we like to maintain control of the quality of our tours, even our group tours include PRIVATE transfers.  This is important, as when you get picked up; you will go directly to your hotel without having to drive around the city to drop off other people in their hotels.  Transportation is just for you. 

MIXED GROUP/PRIVATE
Destinations Tours: Private Transfers + Group Cultural Tours 
Special Interest Tours: Private Transfers + Private Special Interest Activities + Group Cultural Tours

All PRIVATE
Destinations Tours: Private Transfers + Private Cultural Tours 
Special Interest Tours: Private Transfers + Private Special interest Activities + Private Cultural Tours 

ACCOMMODATIONS

We offer all level of accommodations.  When creating an itinerary it would be important to know which your preferred level of accommodation is.  Please be sure that at all levels our recommended hotels offer great service and nice comfortable rooms. Our team has personally tried all our recommended hotels. 

MODERATE 
3-star Superior: These are 3-star that should really be considered has 4-star Hotels. Nice location, great rooms and charming decoration. Excellent service, with restaurant, room service, business centre, laundry, etc. Buffet breakfast. Best value. Perect for someone looking for an inexpensive option and still have some superior services. 
4-star Hotels: Good location, very nice rooms, great decoration and excellent service. This hotel includes more services such as room service, business center, laundry, spas, more room features, etc. Some have gourmet restaurants. Buffet breakfast. Perfect for someone looking for some luxury and special services and do not need a 5-star option.

LUXURY 
4-star Suites: Some 4-star hotels have suites that offer the same room features of a 5-star option. Perfect for someone looking to upgrade from a 4-star standard room and get more space and features. 
5-star Hotel: What you usually imagine a 5-star hotel is. Great location, luxury accommodations and excellent service. Gourmet restaurants, spas, room service, business center, etc. Perfect for someone looking for a 5-star service but do not need the 5-star Deluxe option. 
5-star Deluxe: These 5-star deluxe hotels offer ultimate luxury with outstanding service, luxurious rooms with deluxe room features and “you ask-you will get” concierge service. Properties have privileged locations or particular history behind it. Gourmet restaurants and spas. Ideal for the luxurious traveler.

TRAINS

Expedition: The least expensive tourist train, recently renovated offers nice seats and good train service. 
Vistadome: A higher category of train service, with panoramic roof windows. It offers a snack and fashion show. 
Hiram Bingham: Luxury train which offers lunch, tea-time and dinner service. 
Andean Explorer: Train service from Cusco to Puno or Puno to Cusco. Departs only on certain days of the week, depending on the season. 

FLIGHTS

LOCAL AIRLINES

Peruvian Airlines: Peruvian owned airline that offer the least expensive prices but has few frequencies. Both Peruvian and Foreigners pay the same. 
Star Peru: Peruvian owned airline. It flyes to many destinations and offers good value prices, but has few frequencies. Both Peruvian and Foreigners pay the same.

INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES 

Taca Airlines: Central American owned airline that offers great service but few frequencies to Cusco. It is moderately expensive. It offers sale prices for Peruvian Residents ONLY that cannot be purchased by tourists. 
Latam Peru: Chilean owned airline.  It offers great service and many frequencies to Cusco (almost 13 flights per day).  Prices are the highest on the market. It offers sale prices for Peruvian Residents ONLY that cannot be purchased by tourists.

DOMESTIC TICKETS 

Lima/Cusco/Lima: From US $ 350.00 per person. This is an example price, since prices depends on the airline, date and time of booking. 

DOMESTIC TICKETS (PARA LOS TOURS DE GALAPAGOS)

Lima/Cusco/Lima: From US $350.00 per person. This is an example price, since prices depend on the airline, date and time of booking. 
Quito/Galapagos/Quito: From US $421.00 per person. This is an example price, since prices depend on the airline, date and time of booking.