A Touch of the City, Titicaca’s Floating Islands and Machu Picchu (8 days)

Explore Peru and the amazing Andes mountains on this 8-day adventure! First you will see the old colonial heart and modern city of Lima. Next is a flight to Puno to see Lake Titicaca and the floating islands of Uros before moving on to the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cuzco. From Cuzco, you will venture out to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and the Sacred Valley, where you will see the unique Andean markets of Pisac. The tour continues by train to the highlight of the trip, the sacred site of Machu Picchu. You will have an entire day to explore the hidden ruins and learn about the history of the Lost City of the Incas. This Peru Venture is perfect for travelers of all ages seeking a vacation with a touch of cultural adventure.

Day 1: LIMA

• Upon arrival to Jorge Chavez Lima International Airport, you will be transferred with one of our guides by first class van to your selected hotel.
• You will be given a radio for the duration of your trip to communicate with us for any last-minute needs or any emergency you may have
• Depending on arrival time, we can arrange:
  • optional museum visits
  • city tours
  • culinary tours
  • a crash course in Spanish
  • or even paragliding off the cliff tops of Miraflores!
• You will finish the day with an overnight stay in the Miraflores District or near the Lima airport.

Day 2: LIMA to LAKE TITICACA

• Start the day with breakfast in your hotel, with an a.m. pickup for transfer to the Lima airport for your a.m. flight to Juliaca (the flight to Lake Titicaca through the Andes Mountains is absolutely beautiful, keep your eyes looking out the window!).
• Morning or early afternoon you will arrive to the Juliaca airport. On the way to your selected hotel, you will have a box lunch and a visit to the necropolis of Sillustani, 12,000 feet above sea level, followed by the lagoon of Umayo and the fabulous “chullpas”, or tombs in the shape of cylinders.
• The rest of the day is free to adjust to the altitude and explore the unique city of Puno.
• End your day with an overnight stay in Puno.

Day 3: FLOATING ISLANDS OF UROS & TAQUILE

• Start the day with breakfast in your hotel, followed by an early morning pickup to go to the docks at Lake Titicaca.
• From the docks we will go by boat to visit the Floating Islands of Uros and see the famous Lake Titicaca (the world’s highest navigable lake). We will visit various floating islands made all natural of reeds from the lake (there are a total of about 30 islands). You can take short trips on the all reed boats from island to island and see the amazing life of the Aymara speaking Uros Indians.
• After visiting the floating islands we will move on to the Taquile Island, known for its good quality woven and alpaca goods, to eat your included lunch.
• In the evening you will return to your hotel.

Day 4: PUNO to CUZCO

• Morning transfer to bus station and bus to Cuzco (7 hrs). On the way you will visit an Incan site, a pre Inca site and a historical Spanish Cathedral.
• Upon arrival to the Cuzco Bus station you will be met by our staff and driven to your selected hotel, where you are advised to rest to acclimatize to the altitude.
• End the day with an evening dinner show with a large variety of local foods and local dances.

Day 5: CUZCO

• After breakfast your Cuzco adventure begins with a guided tour of:
  • A guided tour of the Plaza de Armas: the main cathedral
  • The amazing Coricancha: the temple of the sun
  • The guided tour continues to the beautiful Incan sites of Sacsahuaman: an impressive Incan military fortress overlooking Cuzco
• The rest of the day is free to adjust to the altitude and explore the unique city of Puno, with an overnight stay in Puno.

Day 6: SACRED VALLEY to AGUAS CALIENTES (base of Machu Picchu)

• After breakfast you will take the amazing scenic drive through the famous Andes Mountains to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• Here you will visit Pisac with its beautiful ruins and its wonderful Andean market, following your included lunch, an excursion to the great fortress of Ollantaytambo is waiting.
• In the afternoon/early evening you’ll take the train to Aguas Calientes (the base of Machu Picchu).
• Bathe in the natural hot springs or dine in one of its numerous restaurants.
• End with an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.

Day 7: MACHU PICCHU

• After an early breakfast at the hotel, go see the ruins at sunrise before other tourists arrive and climb the beautiful towering peak of Huayna Picchu to see the ruins from above.
• You can take a short bus ride or do the 1 hour hike to the awaiting ruins of Machu Picchu.
• Once there, you will have a guided tour of the ruins and time to explore the ruins on your own.
• A late lunch or early dinner is included (at our top pick restaurant) followed by a late afternoon or early evening return train to Cuzco.
• You’ll transfer to your hotel and end with an overnight stay in a Cuzco hotel.

Day 8: CUZCO/LIMA

• Start with breakfast at your hotel, then transfer to the Cuzco airport and flight to Lima for your flight home.