Peru Tour 10 Days: A Journey Through the Best of Perú “Machu Picchu, Cusco and Puno”

Peru Tour 10-day a package with the best of Machu Picchu, Cusco and Puno, where you can feel the magic that reverberates in the sacred Inka city of Cusco. Pass through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, interact with the living ancient culture, and arrive to the enigmatic city of Machu Picchu. Also navigate Lake Titicaca through the floating inhabited islands of the Uros and the island of Taquile. An incredible journey to discover the magic that enshrouds the Andes and its cultures.

ITINERARY PERU TOUR WITH MACHU PICCHU CUSCO AND PUNO

DAY 1: CUSCO – INKA MUSEUM AND KORICANCHA

Shuttle from the airport to hotel. The rest of the morning will be reserved for resting to adapt to the altitude, approximately 3400 meters (11,000 feet). In the afternoon we will visit the Inka Museum, home of thousands of years of Andean culture. Here we will become more familiar with the origens and beginnings of Andean civilizations.

Continuing with the tour we will move onto the temple of Koricancha, the famous Sun Temple of Qosqo, that was and still remains the pinaccle of organization, architecture, and religion of Inka civilization. During its construction they had already achieved the greatest advances of their time, and this temple may have been the exact representation of the center, or “Navel of the World” and therefore the center of the world, as dictated by the pre-hispanic Andean cosmovision.

• Lodging: Cusco Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 2: SAQSAYHUAMAN – TEMPLE OF THE MOON – TRANSFER TO AGUAS CALIENTES

We will begin our day with the journey to Saqsayhuaman. This Inka architecture with its magnificient qualities and colossal stones is considered in humanity’s history one of the greatest constructions on the face of the Earth. From here we will continue on to the Temple of the Moon, a place for spiritual connection and encounter with the feminine energy of the Moon Goddess.

In the afternoon we will travel by car to the town of Ollantaytambo where the train station to Machu Picchu awaits our transfer to the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes).

You will have the option to visit and enjoy the hot springs.

• Lodging: Aguas Calientes Golden Sunrise ***  or similar.

DAY 3: MACHU PICCHU

Today we will rise very early for breakfast and ascend to the citadel Inka of Machu Picchu (approx 25 minutes by bus) to appreciate sunrise in this magical place, a famous masterpiece of architecture and engineering, believed to have been a santuary and energetic center.

The guided tour of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu will last approximately 2 hours, exploring one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and a World Heritage Site, the latter is a recognition by UNESCO. In addition, the advantage of the guided tour is that your guide will be with you at all times to inform you about the site and answer any questions.

Later we will begin with our return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then spend the night there.

Optional: The trek to the peak of Huayna Picchu, a rigorous climb on steep trails with impressive ruins and spectacular views, a round-trip of 2 hours.

• Lodging: Aguas Calientes Golden Sunrise *** or similar.

DAY 4: OLLANTAYTAMBO – MORAY

Return to “living” Inka town of Ollantaytambo by train and continue by car to Moray, an ancient construction designed for agricultural investigations and studies of different crops in a range of altitudes. Here the many concentric “rings” of terraces produce a fine gradient of micro-climates; the warmth of the lowest central ring slowly dissapates as the rings ascend outward and upward, creating reductions in temperatures until reaching the ground-level norm.

• Lodging: Chinchero Boutique.

DAY 5: CHINCHERO (TEXTILE INTERPRETATION CENTER)

Chinchero: the rainbow village, home of the ruins of the royal palace of the Inka Túpac Inca Yupanqui, a picturesque community located on a high plateau overlooking the many snowcapped peaks of the Cusco region. Here we can admire the well-preserved Inka walls of the main square as well as the many altars. We will also visit the beautiful colonial church, unique for its interior artwork and imagery.

Moving on we will participate in a wonderful introduction and learning experience of the art of Andean textiles; throughout the afternoon we will become acquainted with the wisdom of Andean weavings as maintained since long before Inka times. Traditional food will be prepared for lunch here.

• Lodging: Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 6: ANIMAL SANCTUARY – PISAQ – PISAQ MARKET

Travel to the Sacred Valley of the Inkas towards the town of Pisaq. We will stop on the way to visit the Animal Sanctuary of Cochahuasi: here we may observe many of the native Andean species such as the puma, andean cóndor, alpacas, and many more. Further en route we will stop for at a spectacular viewing location to observe the Urubamba river as it curves like a serpent through the mosaic-like agricultural lands.

As we continue towards the town of Pisaq, we may also observe the construction design of the Archaelogical Site of Pisaq, which many say portrays the profile of a condor. Pisaq is known mainly for two reasons – for its famous craft market and for its archaelogical site. Here we will have free time for wandering the market to interact with the many local artisans. The ruins of Pisaq, high above the modern town on the mountain, are one of the most important of the Sacred Valley.

• Lodging: Cusco Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.

DAY 7: 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 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 geografic 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 8: UROS (FLOATING ISLANDS) – AMANTANI ISLAND

A full day of boat excursion afloat Lake Titicaca. We will visit the ancient culture of the Uros and step foot on their floating islands. The islanders will give us a presentation about their lifestyle upon their man-made islands, built using the totora reed which grows among the shores of the lake. We will learn about their existence on these small islands and how they have adapted to its conditions.

Continuing across the lake we will arrive to the island of Amantani. Here we will meet the Quechua families that will offer us a cosy home-stay style lodging and prepare us traditional food for lunch. After lunch we will make the short ascent to the two hilltops of the island while observing the daily lifestyle of the local people. Atop of the island we will visit two ancient pre-Inka temples, Pachatata and Pachamama (father & mother cosmos). In the evening after dinner the community members will hold a small welcoming party for us.

• Lodging: Amantani (HOME STAY)

DAY 9: TAQUILE – PUNO

After breakfast on Amantani we will board the boat again to make the short trip to the neighboring island of Taquile. Here we will ascend the beautiful stone paths to the community, a small and quite shy population, not to mention very hard-working and wise, a culture full of art and tradition. Taquiles’ people are cheerful and proud of their origen and culture, happy to share with us the beautiful atmosphere of island life upon the immense lake Titicaca.

• Lodging: Royal Inn Puno *** or similar.

DAY 10: DEPARTURE DATE FROM JULIACA – PUNO

A brief transfer from Puno to the neighboring city of Juliaca to board your flight back to Lima.

(End of the 10-day Peru Tour with Machu Picchu, Cusco and Puno).

INCLUDED:

Our package 10-Day Peru Tour with Machu Picchu, Cusco and Puno, includes the following:

• 08 night’s accommodations: 04 nights in 3 stars hotels, 02 nigths in Hotel Lodge, 02 nights in 04 stars hotel in Puno (Based on double occupancy)
• 01 night at Amantani island with a home stay.
• 09 breakfasts, 02 lunches and 01 dinner.
• All transportation.
• All transfers.
• Bus to Puno.
• Uros, Amantani, Taquile tours.
• Turistic bus to Puno.
• Vistadome train to Machu Picchu (Round trip)
• Tourist ticket.
• Buses to Machu Picchu.
• All entrances in Cusco.
• Private guided tour in Machu Picchu.
• Entrances to Machu Picchu.
• Tour leader during whole trip.

NOT INCLUDED:

Our package 10-Day Peru Tour with Machu Picchu, Cusco and Puno, does not include:

• International & intra flights.
• Single suplement US$ 400.00.
• Meals where are not stated
• Gratitudes
• Huayna Picchu entrance fee US$ 35.00.
• Route of the sun entrance fee
• 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

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 end of 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)

WHY CHOOSE INKAYNI PERU TOURS ?

Inkayni Peru Tours has been working hard to become one of Peru’s most responsible tour operators. with Small Groups not more than 10 people. Since we operate all of our own treks we have complete control over the quality of our service. We want to make sure that you have a great experience on the Inca Trail, and our alternative trek to Machupicchu.

However, it is also important that everyone involved in the operation of our treks is well treated and cared for and that the benefits brought by tourism are shared throughout the Peruvian communities. We now employ Local professional Peruvian guides (all bilingual), porters the majority of whom have worked with us for over 02 years. All of our porters are picked from one of three mountain villages: Amaru (in the mountains behind Pisac), Cuper Alto (a small community beside Lake Piuray near Chinchero).

GROUP SIZE:

Small Groups from 2 – 12 people (could be 2, 4, 5 as maximum 12 people), a small group will make your experience different with a personalized attention depart of the whole team, where you can also enjoy the route according to its rate hike.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS:

In light of the communities where we were born and that saw us grow, laugh, and learn the wisdom of the Andes, most importantly the meaning of Ayni or “sacred reciprocity”, we appreciate our origins here and through our work we seek to support the communities that have supported us.

Inkayni Peru Tours is dedicated to promoting and organizing community projects within the Cusco region. Although tourism plays an important role in Peru´s economy and provides employment for many people, small communities are often denied the direct financial support of large scale commercial tourism.

We hope that these ideas and many more projects to come may also be shared by large international tourism operators for the mutual and shared benefit of both locals and visitors.