6-Day Best of Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca Tour

Day 1: Welcome to Cusco: Smooth Arrival & Rest

1. 20m
   Welcome to Cusco! Once you pick up your bags and step completely outside the terminal doors into the main waiting area, your Concierge will be right there waiting to greet you with a sign showing your name and our company logo. We will take care of your luggage, walk with you to our private vehicle in the parking area, and drive you directly to your hotel.
2. Cusco
   12h
   Your Arrival Concierge will walk into the lobby with you to assist at the front desk. Please note that standard hotel check-in begins around 12:00 PM. If your room isn't quite ready upon morning arrival, the hotel will securely store your bags so you can start enjoying the city! We will sit down together to double-check your upcoming activities, review your travel details, and answer any questions.

Day 2: Sacred Valley Classic and train to Aguas Calientes

1. Cusco
   Pass by
   7:00am: After breakfast at your Cusco hotel, our Machupicchu Latin America expert guide will greet you in the lobby. From there, we board our comfortable transport to begin a breathtaking journey into the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
2. Manos De La Comunidad
   30m
   Animal rescue center (Manos de la comunidad):
   7:50am: After a short drive, we will arrive at a local animal rescue center where you can get up close with native Andean camelids, including graceful alpacas, curious llamas, and rare vicuñas
3. Mirador Taray
   15m
   Taray viewpoint:
   8:50am: Our journey continues as we descend to the Taray Viewpoint, a stunning spot where you can capture the classic and best panoramic photos of the Sacred Valley
4. Parque Arqueologico Pisac
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   Pisac Archaeological Park:
   9:30am: Explore the impressive Inca citadel perched high above the Sacred Valley. This must-see site is renowned for its magnificent, cascading agricultural terraces and well-preserved ceremonial center, including the Temple of the Sun. It offers breathtaking panoramic views and a fascinating insight into Inca engineering.
5. Pisac Market
   30m
   Pisac Market:
   10:30am: Then, we will stop at the village of Pisac to visit its famous market and purchase some local handicraft souvenirs.
   11:20am: Following this beautiful visit, we will take a scenic one-hour drive to Urubamba town for lunch.
6. Urubamba
   50m
   Urubamba (stop for lunch)
   12:20pm: Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch (not included)
7. Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo
   40m · Admission ticket not included
   Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park:
   13:20pm: A stunning Inca fortress, religious sanctuary, and living city located in the Sacred Valley. Renowned for its magnificent, massive stone architecture and extensive agricultural terraces, this site offers dramatic panoramic views and a unique historical insight into Inca resistance against the Spanish conquistadors, making it an essential and captivating stop before continuing your journey to Machupicchu.
   
   Ollantaytambo train station:
   15:10pm: Finally, we will take you to the train station located in the same town of Ollantaytambo and board the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
   
   Train Journey to Aguas Calientes
   15:37pm: This train journey allows you to appreciate the fascinating scenery along the sacred Urubamba River (also known as the Vilcanota River).
8. Aguas Calientes
   12m
   Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo):
   17:02pm: Arrive at the train station, meet our representative by the exit gate who will walk you to the hotel. After check-in at the hotel, the balance of the day is all yours to spend at leisure
   
   Overnight: Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu pueblo)

Day 3: Machupicchu guided tour by local expert guide - Cusco

1. Aguas Calientes
   1h
   Aguas Calientes hotel:
   5:30am: Breakfast at your hotel
   6:00am: Meet our Machupicchu Latin America expert guide who will pick you up from your hotel lobby and walk with you to the bus station (about a 5-minute walk).
   
   Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machupicchu:
   6:20am: Board the 30-minute shuttle bus ride up to the main entrance/gate of Machu Picchu.
2. Machupicchu
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Machupicchu guided tour:
   7:00am: Finally, this is your time for Machupicchu! Explore this unique and magical place accompanied by our professional and expert guide, who will share all his knowledge about the history, traditions, and more that surround this mysterious and enigmatic Inca citadel of Machupicchu, and allow time to capture the most amazing photos
   
   Bus back to Aguas Calientes:
   10:00am: After we are done with the visit, board the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and enjoy some extra time in the town to get some local souvenirs
   Aguas Calientes Train station:
   12:20pm: Board the train back to Ollantaytambo train station; the return train ride takes 90 minutes.
3. Ollantaytambo
   Pass by
   Ollantaytambo Train station:
   14:30pm: Arrive at the train station, meet our representative by the exit gate who will be holding a sign with your name and our Machupicchu Latin America logo, and then board our comfortable transport to make our way to Cusco
4. Cusco
   12m
   Cusco:
   16:30pm: After an almost two-hour drive, we will arrive in Cusco and drop you off at your hotel

Day 4: Sightseeing bus to Puno - Sun Route

1. Cusco
   Pass by
   5:30am: Breakfast at your hotel
   6:15am: Meet our Machupicchu Latin America representative who will pick you up from your hotel lobby and drop of you you to the bus station (about a 25-minute drive).
   7:00am: Bus departure time with destination to our first stop of this amazing Sun route sightseeing bus tour.
2. San Pedro Apostol de Andahuaylillas
   25m · Admission ticket included
   Visit Andahuaylillas, home to the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas," where a simple adobe exterior hides an opulent explosion of Spanish and Indigenous Andean art. The interior features magnificent gold leaf, vibrant frescoes, and priceless paintings, making this a vital stop on your journey along the scenic Andean Baroque Route.
3. Parque Arqueologico De Raqchi
   25m · Admission ticket included
   Discover Raqchi, home to the colossal Temple of Wiracocha—the largest single-roofed structure the Inca Empire ever built. This unique archaeological gem features towering 14-meter adobe walls, rare cylindrical columns, and a massive complex of ancient granaries (colcas) and administrative centers
4. Sicuani
   40m
   Restaurant at Sicuani (stop for lunch)
   Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch
5. La Raya Pass
   15m
   We will stop for a few minutes at Abra La Raya, the spectacular border between Cusco and Puno. Here, you will enjoy amazing, panoramic sights of snow-capped Andean peaks and traditional vicuña and alpaca herds grazing in the high-altitude plains.
6. Museo Litico Pukara
   25m · Admission ticket included
   Visit the beautiful Pucará Lithic Museum and step into the cradle of Andean civilization. This amazing museum showcases impressive monoliths and stone sculptures from the pre-Inca Pucará culture, including the famous Rain Stele and Beheader monoliths
7. Puno
   12m
   17:30p: Arrive at the Puno bus station where your Machupicchu Latin America representative will greet you warmly. They will provide a comfortable transfer to your hotel, assist with check-in, and offer a brief orientation for our upcoming visit to the Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titicaca. The balance of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure

Day 5: Full Day Adventure on Lake Titicaca: Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island

1. Puno
   Pass by
   6:30am: Breakfast at your hotel
   7:00am: Meet our Machupicchu Latin America representative who will pick you up from your hotel lobby and drop of you you to the Lake Titicaca harbor (about a 10-minute drive).
2. Uros Floating Islands
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Embark on an unforgettable adventure across Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake on Earth. Our first stop is the extraordinary Uros Floating Islands. You will step onto islands entirely made of Totora reeds, learn directly from the resilient locals about their unique way of life, and interact with the families who call these floating marvels home
3. Taquile Island
   2h · Admission ticket included
   After we complete our visit to the Uros Islands, we embark on a 90-minute sail to Taquile Island, a genuine "land island" where time-honored traditions thrive. This location offers a profound immersion into a lifestyle that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Upon disembarkation, a picturesque twenty-minute ascent leads us through ancient, terraced landscapes to our host family’s private restaurant. Here, we enjoy an exquisite, traditional lunch while accompanied by the captivating sights and sounds of authentic traditional dances and folk music. After lunch, a scenic 25-minute walk takes us back to the harbor. From there, we embark on our final two-hour sail across Lake Titicaca to Puno harbor.
4. Puno
   12h
   Upon arrival, our transport will be waiting to provide a seamless drop-off at your hotel, allowing you to enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
   
   Overnight: Puno

Day 6: Departure from Puno (Juliaca airport)

1. Puno
   Pass by
   After a final breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a seamless private transfer to Juliaca Airport according to your departure schedule, concluding your journey with ease.
   
   Note 1: Juliaca's Inca Manco Capac International Airport (JUL) is located approximately a one-hour drive (45-55 km) from Puno city center.
   
   Note 2: Extend Your Stay, Puno offers convenient connections to extend your journey. We can facilitate all necessary arrangements:
   1.- La Paz, Bolivia: Connect with daily tourist buses or private transfers to the Bolivian capital.
   2.- Arequipa & Colca Canyon: Travel via scenic bus or private transport to Arequipa, the gateway city for tours of the Colca Canyon

Pickup details

We are happy to pick you up at any time from Cusco airport.

Note 1: We suggest to arrive by 11:00am so you will have the afternoon to explore the cusco city.

Note 2: If you arrive in Cusco prior to your travel date, we can still pick you up from Cusco airport.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Passport name, number, date of birth, gender and country is required at time of booking for all participants
• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel. (6+ months expiration dates are valid)
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
• Accommodations In Aguas Calientes: Waman Hotel, Gringo Bill´s, Intipunku & Suites and more
• Accomodations in Cusco: Casa Andina, Munay Wasi Inn, San Agustin International, Midori, Sueños del Inka, Siete Ventanas and more
• Accomodations in Puno: Casa Andina, Intiqa, Balsa Inn, Qelqatani, Hacienda and more.
• Airport pickup and drop off will be provided according your flight information.