Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca

This is a superb tour taking in some incredible sights in the South of Peru, including one of the new Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu near the ancient Inca capital, Cusco and the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca.

Day 1 - Lima

After your arrival at Lima airport we will transfer you to your chosen hotel in the Miraflores area of the city. For some you will be staying at the Casa Andina Classic or similar. For luxury travellers it could be the 5* Miraflores Park Hotel or the superb Casa Andina Private Collection (subject to space of course). Enjoy the rest of the day as free time to wander the parks and browse the shops, and enjoy the world renowned Peruvian food.

Day 2 - Lima City Tour

Today you will be collected from your hotel for full day tour of colonial and modern Lima, visiting the Lima cathedral and the church and convent of San Francisco amongst other places of interest. After lunch, which we can arrange for you if you wish, you could visit a museum of your choice, such as the Gold Museum or the National Museum. The evening could continue with a visit to the spectacular fountain park in the center of Lima. It´s a full day of sightseeing in this crazy but historic metropolis. After you will be worn out and we recommend recovering at a dinner / show at one of our favorite restaurants, visit our Restaurant Guide where you will hear traditional music and see dances from all over Peru.  

Alternative "Culture and Contrasts" Lima City Tour

Day 3 - Lima to Cusco, Cusco City Tour

This morning you will be transferred to Lima airport for your short flight (1 hour) to Cusco.  Upon arrival in Cusco we will meet you and transfer you to you chosen hotel.  For some travellers this could be the boutique hotel Casa San Blas or similar and for luxury travellers the fabulous Monasterio Hotel, subject to space of course.

In the afternoon you will enjoy a Cusco City Tour visiting the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán, the Cusco cathedral and the most important temple of the Inca Empire, the Coricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun.

Day 4 - Sacred Valley

After pick-up from your hotel today you will enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we will be visiting the Inca ruins of Pisac (if on a private tour), the Market at Pisac (on all tours), a great place to buy souvenirs and the lovely Inca site at Ollantaytambo. You will have an English-speaking guide all day and a great buffet lunch in Yucay included in the sunny valley. You will then spend the night down in the valley to take advantage of a change of scene, more oxygen (as you are 800 meters lower), and a shorter journey tomorrow on the train to Machu Picchu.

We recommend these 3 hotels but there are many more that we use in all price ranges. Casa Andina PC Valley, Aranwa and Sol y Luna are our favorites.

Day 5 - Machu Picchu

Today you will have an early start to catch your chosen train to Machu Picchu which will be one of the services described in the link below. The advantage you have is that you have stayed in the valley overnight and therefore don´t have to get up as early as you would in Cusco to catch the train. A transfer will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the station or if you are staying in one of the hotels really close to, or in the station itself, you can walk there.

Comparison of the Trains to Machu Picchu

After being met in Aguas Calientes by your guide you can drop off your overnight bags at your hotel and then take your bus transfer to the Machu Picchu site to enjoy a private tour with a qualified English speaking guide. Take the rest of the day as free time to enjoy this incredible site.  In the late afternoon you will return to your chosen hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town that nestles in the valley below Machu Picchu. 

For some travellers we recommend the Inti Inn or similar.  For luxury travellers we recommend the Pueblo Hotel or the Sumaq Hotel, both excellent high end hotels down in the village. If you prefer to stay right at the gate of Machu Picchu you could choose the Sanctuary Lodge as its location cannot be beaten.

Day 6 - Machu Picchu

Today you will be able to re-visit Machu Picchu and enjoy this fabulous site at your leisure.  You may choose to climb Huayna Picchu, the peak that overlooks Machu Picchu (400 people per day only) and affords fantastic views and photo opportunities.  In the late afternoon you will board the train for your trip back to Cusco.  You will leave the train at Poroy, the last station before Cusco, for a faster and more convenient transfer by road back to your hotel.

Day 7 - Cusco

A free day to enjoy Cusco at your leisure. Your vacation package with us includes the "Cusco Tourist Ticket" which gives you access to many museums, art galleries and Inca sites in and around Cusco. If you wish, we can arrange additional activities for you on this day. Please ask us for more details and options.

Day 8 - Inka Express to Puno

Today you will be transfered to the Inka Express bus station for your full day trip to Puno. During the comfortable 9 hour journey to Puno there will be several interesting guided visits and a buffet lunch. You could also choose to upgrade your tour to use the luxury Andean Explorer train to Lake Titicaca. This is a superb 10 hour train journey which takes you across the spectacular Peruvian Altiplano in great comfort. Whichever service you use, upon arrival in Puno we will transfer you to your chosen hotel which could be the moderately priced Casona Plaza or Casa Andina Classic, or the more luxurious Libertador or Casa Andina Private Collection.

Day 9 - Lake Titicaca

Today you will enjoy a full day visit to the strange Uros floating islands and the large island of Taquile on the highest comercially navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. This lake is the fabled birthplace of the Inca nation, from where its founders Mana Ocllo and Manco Capac traveled to Cusco to establish the capital of the Empire. You will have an English-speaking guide all day and lunch included on Taquile Island. Make sure you have plenty of memory space on your camera!

Day 10 - Puno to Lima

Today we will take you with a private transfer and guide from Puno to Juliaca airport via the pre-Inca Sillustani funerary towers for your flight back to Lima. Sillustani is a spectacular site, very otherworldly, and is a great way to round off your time in the Peruvian highlands. If you are staying over then speak to us about arranging this and anything else you might need in and around Lima, otherwise you will conect with your homeward flight in Lima.

We can add / modify days anywhere if you wish. You could visit the Ballestas Islands and the Nazca Lines, or indeed anywhere else in Peru or across Latin America, the options are endless.

To see our entire range of Peru tours please CLICK HERE.