9 Day – The Best of Peru

Once you arrive in Cusco, a member of Valencia travel's team will be waiting at the airport to pick you up in our private transport and take you to your hotel. This is an acclimatization day so there are no planned activities on arrival. You will have all the day to relax and enjoy the beauty of Cusco and its surroundings.  

Once called the ‘Navel of the World’ by the Incas, Cuzco remains a city that blends colonial Spanish charm with older, more austere remains of pre-Columbian glory – one can still see the foundations of Inca structures on many of its city streets today. Cuzco’s most important landmarks include sites from both Inca and colonial times, such as the Korikancha (the ancient Temple of the Sun), the Inca street of Loreto with its 12-cornered stones, the cathedral, the Museum of Colonial Art, the archaeological park of Saqsaywaman (the fortress-temple), the nearby funerary shrines of Kenqo, and the water-worship site of Tambomachay. 

Included: 

• Transport: Hotel - Lima Airport (1 hour approx.). Then Cusco Airport –                       Hotel in Cusco (20 minutes approx.). 
• Local Tour Guide: English/Spanish.

After breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore Cusco at your ease. The capital city of the Inca Empire is now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, as well as the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. 

Our tour begins in Cusco, where we’ll pick you up at 09h00 and then head to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo). The train leaves at approximately 11h30, although the exact schedule does change sometimes. The two-hour train journey is a memorable experience in itself, as we pass through river canyons and rolling hills.  

Aguas Calientes is the gateway to Machu Picchu, sitting in a deep gorge at the foot of the mountain upon which Machu Picchu is located. It’s a pretty town that mixes traditional life with a huge tourism infrastructure, with plenty of markets, souvenir shops, hotels and restaurants. It’s also largely pedestrianized, making it a fun place to explore on foot. Aguas Calientes is surrounded by jungle-covered mountains and cliffs, and the Urubamba River flows right next to the town, sometimes roaring through the canyon.  

Aguas Calientes is also surrounded by thermal hot springs, and when we arrive you’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy a dip in one of the steaming natural springs. You’ll also have time to walk around the town, exploring the colorful markets and general buzz of this unique Peruvian settlement.  

It’s an early start the next day, so we’ll make sure you’re settled in to your hotel and all set for the following day and your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. 

Services Included: 

• Transport: Cusco – Ollantaytambo Train Station (2 hours approx.). 
• Tour Guide: Spanish/English.  
• Train Tickets: Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes (Expedition Train – 1.5 hours approx.). 

To best appreciated Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up early in the morning so we can get to the citadel in good time. You’ll have time for breakfast first, and then your guide will pick you up from the hotel at around 05h40 We’ll then walk to the bus departure point for the short but zigzagging ascent up the road to Machu Picchu.  

We’ll then pass through the gates into the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Here you’ll begin your guided walking tour with an experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about two hours, and will take you to all the most famous and most spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, Intihuatana, Temple of the Sun, Sacred Plaza and other key locations. And as we walk around, we’ll have spectacular views across the agriculture terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges.  

Once we’ve finished our tour of Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you can relax and have lunch (not included) before we board the train back to Poroy and Cusco. Upon arrival at the station, we’ll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you can think back to your incredible tour of one of the world’s most famous and most impressive attractions. 

Services Included: 

• Bus Tickets Consetur: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes (Per route: 25 minutes)  
• Tour Guide: Spanish/English  
• Entrance Fee: Machu Picchu City. 
• Train Tickets: Aguas Calientes – Poroy (Expedition Train 34 at 15h20 – 19h05). 
• Transport: Train Station Poroy – Hotel in Cusco (30 minutes approx.). 
• Tour Guide: Spanish/English. 

 Optional Service:  Wayna Picchu – Cost per person $ 30  

There is time for those whit enough energy to climb Wayna (Huayna) Picchu (at your own expense). For many people climbing Huayna Picchu is one of the highlights when visiting Machu Picchu. Wayna Picchu is the mountain behind Machu Picchu. The climb itself is interesting as you will see how the Inca did cut out some steps out of the rocks and as you wind around the side of a mountain will see Machu Picchu from different angles.  

After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel at 06h30 and dropped off at the bus station to take a bus trip, more like a tour - a guide will be on board, and you'll stop at four exciting sites: 

• Andahuaylillas: The Sistine Chapel of South America. This church is one of the most beautiful examples of Andean popular religious art.  

• Raqchi (Wiracocha God Temple): This was an Inca church of considerable dimensions; 328 feet long, 85 feet wide and 45 feet high. The temple is divided into two naves, and each nave has 11 large columns. 

• La Raya: This is the half-way point between Cusco and Puno and also the highest point (14,222 feet above sea level). The landscapes here are stunning and typical Andean animals like the llama, alpaca and vicuña are familiar sights. It is also the geographic border between two cultures - Quechua and Aymara.  

• Pukara: This is the most important and oldest ceremonial center of the altiplano. There are new lite-sculptures and tombs. 

Arrival time to Puno will be around 5 pm.  

Set on the shores of glistening Lake Titicaca, on the Altiplano of Peru, this large city is dubbed the ‘folklore capital' of the country, well known for its traditional music and dance. It is also famous for its incredible collection of floating islands - man-made islands created from reeds, which exhibit the unique survivalist culture that has been alive here since pre-Incan times. Other highlights include visits to the atmospheric, historical Church of San Pedro,the gorgeous Sistine Chapel of the Americas, and a stroll along the boardwalk on the shoreline of Lake Titicaca.  

Active types should take on the challenge to climb up the 700 steps to the Kuntur Wasi viewpoint, which is presided over by a massive metal condor sculpture, for the reward of breathtaking vistas across the city and Lake Titicaca beyond. 

Services Included:

• Tour Guide: Spanish/English.  
• Transport: Hotel – Bus Station Cusco (20 minutes approx.). 
• Touristic Bus: Cusco - Puno (10 hours approx - with stops) 
• Transport: Bus Station Puno – Hotel (15 minutes approx.). 
• Entrance Fee: Along the way. 

Situated high in the Andes Mountains on the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is considered the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. The area was once a stronghold of Inca culture – and this  

ancient legacy is still evident in the many Inca ruins dotted across the shoreline, as well as the vibrant traditional handwoven textiles and clothes. Among the lake’s most popular attractions are the 42 floating reed islands of the  

Uros people, accessible from Puno in the east. On Santa Maria, the largest of these, tourists can arrange tours into private local homes to experience traditional culture. 

Our Titicaca adventure begins at 07h30 when we pick you up from your hotel in Puno and head down to the port. We’ll then take a comfortable motorboat out to the floating islands of the Uros people. The artificial islands are located about 14 km from the port, and it takes about 30 minutes to get there – but you won’t be in any rush, as the scenery is spectacular.  

When we arrive at the floating islands, you’ll probably be amazed by the scale of these floating reed constructions. The Uros originally built these islands for defensive reasons: if a threat appeared, they could move their island homes to a safer location. The islands are made from the totora reeds that grow around the lake, and each island is in a constant state of reconstruction, as old reeds are preplaced by new.  

Stepping onto the islands is quite an experience, as the springy reed floor feels strange beneath your feet. We’ll explore the main island, and see the houses, watchtowers and other structures, all built of reeds. One of the locals will then give a brief presentation about how the islands are made, and then you can meet one of the local families to see how they live.   

Next we’ll board the boat for the wonderful Taquile Island, which is about 1.5 hours away. We’ll arrive at a secluded and picturesque section of Taquile Island, which also has a pristine sandy beach where we can stretch our legs for a while. From which we’ll set off to explore this stunningly beautiful island for at least four hours. We’ll go to the less touristy northern area, where we’ll have spectacular panoramic views across Lake Titicaca. After relaxing here for a while, we’ll hike along a pre-Inca trail, visiting families of weavers to learn about their textile art and the rich symbolism that decorates their textiles. After a traditional lunch in a local restaurant – quinoa soup and grilled trout being particularly popular – we’ll walk to the main port and descend some steps to the pier. At around 2:45 p.m. we’ll board a boat and continue on to Luquina. 

Luquina is a small and rarely visited rural community in the peninsula of Chucuito. Here, we’ll be welcomed by the friendly inhabitants and housed in a local family home. You’ll have plenty of time here to immerse yourself in the traditional culture, and in the afternoon, there is an optional hike to the top of a nearby hill for majestic views of the sunset over Lake Titicaca. After dinner, you can enjoy a small celebration with music and traditional dances. We will spend the night at the local family home, which has basic but comfortable facilities, including good blankets and sheets (it can get quite chilly at night!), and private bathroom with a hot shower. 

Serviced Included:

• Transport: Hotel – Puno Port (8 minutes approx.). 
• Boat Trip: Puno Port – Uros Island (25 minutes approx.), After Taquile Island (2 hours approx.), After  
• Luquina (1 hour approx.). 
• Local Tour Guide: Spanish/English (TourLeader: + 10 paxs). 
• Entrance Fee: Uros – Taquile Island. 

In the morning you’ll have a traditional breakfast with your host family – and feel free to help cook if you like! After breakfast, you are free to join in with any of the daily activities, which could include cultivating crops, tending to the animals or even building a house or other structure in the traditional way. Your experienced guide will ensure that this part of the trip is a totally authentic experience, after a morning of cultural immersion, it will be time for a family lunch at around midday. Afterwards, we’ll walk to the port, where we will say thanks and goodbye to the family and have a small and traditional farewell ceremony with coca leaves and wine. At around 1 p.m. it will be time to board the boat for the return trip to Puno, arriving at 2:30 p.m. On arrival, we’ll take you back to your hotel. 

Services Included: 

• Boat Trip: Luquina – Puno Port (2 hours approx.). 
• Transport: Puno Port – Hotel in Puno. 
• Local Tour Guide: Spanish/English. 

After Breakfast, transfer Hotel to Juliaca Airport for your flight to Lima. 

Services Included: 

• Transport: Hotel – Juliaca Airport (1 hour approx).