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Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno
Easy
These activities are a walk in the park! You will be able to enjoy the scenery, history, and time with loved ones without exhausting yourself. You do not need any special training, gear, or acclimatization for an “Easy” trek or tour. Terrain will be generally flat and comfortable, highly traveled.
Mild
A step up from “Easy,” these tours require a little more physical effort but are still 100% manageable to anyone with or without adventure experience. Again, you do not need special training, gear, or acclimatization for a “Mild” trek or tour. Terrain is generally flat but with possible gentle up- and downhills.
Moderate
Before embarking on a “Moderate” trek or tour, you should be at least partly acclimatized to the high altitude of the Andes as it affects your oxygenation, energy levels, and hydration. These tours are still very manageable without special training as long as you have spent a day or two at high altitude. Terrain often includes moderate up- and downhill walking with possible rough patches or infrequently-traveled sections.
Challenging
“Challenging” treks or tours require that you are acclimated to the Andes’ high altitude before leaving as it affects your oxygenation, energy levels, and hydration. Spending 2-3 days or more at high altitude will help you on the trek. You will need hiking shoes and possibly trekking poles for these treks. You will need to be in good physical shape, and it’s recommended that you train at least some beforehand, possibly with running, biking, or strenuous workout videos. Terrain is often rough, sometimes with steep up- and downhills and often not highly traveled. Generally, these last several hours.
Formidable
These “Formidable” treks are our most difficult treks and require serious effort but are also the most rewarding. It is necessary to be in pristine physical condition. Again, you must be acclimated to the Andes’ high altitude before leaving as it affects your oxygenation, energy levels, and hydration. Spending 4-5 days or more if possible at high altitude will help you on the trek. You will need hiking shoes and possibly trekking poles for these treks. It is important to train physically before these treks so that your body is prepared for the strenuous nature of the trip. Generally, these last at least an entire day in infrequently-traveled areas with rough paths.
Highlights
07 Day Cusco & Machu Picchu and Puno “Southern Treasures”
This Tour 07 Day Cusco & Machu Picchu and Puno “Southern Treasures” will let you become familiar with the anomalies that the Incas have left behind with this sweet 08 Day Cultural Tour of Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca. Enjoy the phenomenal views of the Andes mountains during this journey. Feel upon arrival the magic and wonder that permeates the Cusco and Puno regions and how every moment impacts your being with its power and enchantment throughout your visit.
Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO “NAVEL OF THE WORLD”
Upon your arrival at the airport in Cusco, an Inkayni Peru Tours member will be there to greet you and take you to our partner lodge, located in the charming historic district of San Blas. The lodge is centrally located and only a few minutes walk from the Plaza de Armas, the beautiful and bustling town center. This day will be reserved for resting and acclimatizing to the altitude, approximately 3400 meters (11,000 feet).
Meet your expedition group at 5:00 pm
Lodging: Cusco Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY (CHINCHERO – MORAY – SALT MINES)
This day we will begin our adventure up to the high plains, stopping first at Chinchero, an important ancient site for the Inca, known as the birthplace of the rainbow. We will visit the main site with its picturesque colonial church located upon the ancient archaeological site and continue to a local textile center where we will learn about the ancient science of weaving from the very artisans themselves and how they bring to magic these wonderful pieces of art dyed with minerals, plants, and seeds. Continuing through the rolling hills we will visit the enigmatic circular terraces of Moray where we will learn about how these constructions served as an experimental agricultural center to selectively cultivate the best breeds of Andean staple crops at different temperatures. Near Moray we will stop at the town of Maras to then visit the ancient salt mines, used for thousands of years by local families to supply salt not only to the Incas but still to this day offering us an example of the natural art of salt harvesting straight from the land. In the afternoon, we will travel to Ollantaytambo and board our train to Aguas Calientes for our visit to Machu Picchu.
Lodging: Golden Sunrise *** or similar
DAY 3. MACHU PICCHU
Today we will wake early to have breakfast and board the bus up to Machu Picchu, and, if we are lucky, receive the first rays of the sun as dawn breaks and lights up this magical mountain. Your guide will be with you at every moment to inform you about the site and answer any questions. The guided tour through the Sanctuary will last roughly 2 to 3 hours. Later we will begin our return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and rest to your hotel.
Lodging: Golden Sunrise *** or similar
DAY 4: RETURN TO PISAQ – AWANANCANCHA
In the afternoon we will arrive at Ollantaytambo and continue onwards to the town of Pisaq, offering us a spectacular encounter with the engineering of the Incas demonstrated by mountainsides full of terraces and buildings on steep hillsides and high peaks. As we journey to the top of this mountain the heights will offer us the best views of the Sacred Valley below. Later we will return to the town of Pisaq and visit the local artisan market of craftsmen, complete with products of all kinds, offering you everything from weavings to musical instruments and all sorts of souvenirs. After completing our visit to the market we will aboard our transportation back to Cusco. Along the way, we will stop at Awanacancha, weaving center and also an opportunity to meet the Andean species of camels, such as alpaca, llama, vicuña, and guanaco, as we continue to dive deeper into the science of weaving and appreciate this hand-made art by Andean women.
Lodging: Tandapata Hotel Boutique *** or similar
DAY 5: DEPARTURE TO PUNO (ROUTE OF THE SUN)
In the morning we will depart from the bus terminal and head towards Puno. This is a special journey by bus which allows us to visit the many diverse locations along the way on the route of the sun. There will we planned stops to visit the following:
- Andahuaylillas: (the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, this temple is one of the best examples of the fusion between Catholic and Andean religions)
- Raqchi: A Inka temple dedicated to the God Wiracocha, construction of monumental dimensions, an estimated 100 meters long, 26m wide, 14m high. This is the only known temple dedicated to the God Wiracocha, creator of the Universe.
- La Raya: Midway point on our journey and the highest point on the road – 4335 m.s.n.m. The impressive views here allow us to admire the rugged high altitude, full of tall peaks, many of which are snow-capped, and herds of llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. This is the geographic border between two cultures, the Quechua of Cusco and the Aymara of Puno.
- Pucara: This ceremonial center is one of the oldest and most important of the high plains, well known for its lithic structures and tombs.
Lodging: Royal Inn Puno or similar.
DAY 6: UROS (FLOATING ISLANDS) – TAQUILE ISLAND
Between 7.40 am and 8 am we will transfer you from the hotel to the port and by motorboat, we take you to one of the legendary Uros Islands where you can observe the lives of the Uros people who live on floating reed islands, some only 20 meters in length. After a beautiful 3hr boat ride we reach Taquile Island where we will break into smaller groups to stay with the local families. You have the opportunity to trek to the top of the mountain (4150 m.a.s.l) to see the Temples of the Pachamama and Pachatata and enjoy the traditional customs of the island people. Food and authentic music prepared and performed by your designated family. Then we return to Puno and transfer back to your hotel.
Lodging: Royal Inn Puno or similar.
DAY 7: PUNO – JULIACA – FLY TO LIMA
A brief transfer from Puno to the neighboring city of Juliaca. Upon arrival in Lima there will be assistance for an international connecting flight, or if preferred, transfer for a hotel. (End of tour)
What´s Included
INCLUDED:
- 6 night’s accommodations 3 stars hotels.
- 6 breakfasts.2 lunches.2 dinners
- All transportation.
- All transfers.
- Bus to Puno.
- Uros, Amantani tours.
- Turistic bus to Puno.
- Train to Machu Picchu.
- Tourist ticket
- Buses to Machu Picchu.
- All entrances in Cusco.
- Private guided tour in Machu Picchu.
- Entrances to Machu Picchu.
- Tour leader during the whole trip
NOT INCLUDED:
- International flights.
- Intra-flights. (Lima- Cusco / juliaca- Lima).
- Single Supplement US$300
- Meals where are not stated
- Gratitudes
- Huayna Picchu entrance fee US$35
- Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
THINGS TO BRING:
- Original Passport
- Current University Card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
Prices & Dates
Useful Things
PACKING LIST
Sturdy shoes, a good raincoat, and warm layers for the evening are the only essential items. Bring comfortable and modest clothes for the time in Cusco. There is no need to bring a sleeping bag or any gear as you’ll be staying in lodges throughout the expedition.
Documents and Logistics:
- International flights booked and confirmed to Cusco
- Flight information submitted
- Passport valid through the end of the trip (*Passport and entry receipt must be carried at all times during expedition!)
- Medical insurance card
- Cash for tipping guides, buying souvenirs, incidental costs, etc. (*Note: Please bring crisp US bills. Many places will not accept torn, wrinkled, or worn bills)
