8-Day Odyssey to Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca
Price
Duration
Min Age
Tour Type
Discover the Heart of the Andes: A Journey Through Time and Nature
Embark on “Andean Splendors,” an 8-day journey unveiling the mystical allure of Peru. Start your odyssey in Cusco, a city where traditional Inca architecture melds with colonial splendor, narrating tales of its glorious past as the heart of the Inca Empire. Traverse the enchanting Sacred Valley, a canvas of lush terraces and ancient ruins. The pinnacle of your adventure is the iconic Machu Picchu, one of the World’s Seven Wonders. Witness the majesty of these ancient ruins and immerse in the surrounding cloud forests. Continue to Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, dotted with floating islands and rich in indigenous cultures. This tour balances breathtaking natural wonders with profound cultural experiences, offering intimate group settings, sustainable travel practices, and a commitment to local community support.
Highlights
- Cusco’s Historical Fusion: Immerse in Cusco’s rich history, where Inca architecture and colonial heritage merge, echoing the grandeur of the ancient Inca Empire.
- Sacred Valley’s Inca Heritage: Explore the Sacred Valley, a picturesque landscape of lush terraces and historic ruins, revealing the intricate legacy of the Inca civilization.
- Machu Picchu’s Ancient Wonder: Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Machu Picchu, one of the World’s Seven Wonders, nestled in mystical cloud forests.
- Lake Titicaca’s Cultural Richness: Discover the unique wonders of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, adorned with floating islands and vibrant indigenous cultures.
- Sustainable Andean Exploration: Join a sustainable journey through the Andes, emphasizing intimate group experiences and a commitment to local community support and environmental stewardship.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lima
Arrive at Lima’s international airport. Transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the vibrant city at your leisure.
Day 2: Lima Colonial Walking Tour
Embark on a guided walking tour of Lima’s historic colonial center, experiencing the city’s rich history and culture. Enjoy Lima’s culinary scene or explore more of the city.
Day 3: Flight to Cusco and Walking Tour
Take a flight from Lima to Cusco, the heart of the former Inca Empire. Enjoy a colorful walking tour, visiting key historical sites in this ancient city.
Day 4: Sacred Valley Tour (Pisac & Ollantaytambo)
Visit the traditional market in Pisac and explore the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo. Learn about the history and culture of the Incas.
Day 5: Visit Machu Picchu
Travel to the iconic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and enjoy a guided tour of this world-renowned archaeological site. Spend the evening in Cusco, reflecting on the day’s extraordinary experiences.
Day 6: Bus Journey to Lake Titicaca
Board a bus to Lake Titicaca, enjoying various stops along the way to observe the Andean landscapes and local culture. Settle into your accommodation in Puno.
Day 7: Lake Titicaca Exploration
Visit the unique Uros Floating Islands and the culturally rich Taquile Island. Experience the traditional lifestyle and craftsmanship of the local communities.
Day 8: Departure from Puno, Visit Sillustani, and International Departure
Before your departure, explore the pre-Incan burial ground of Sillustani. Transfer to the airport for your international flight, concluding your memorable journey through Peru’s rich history and stunning landscapes.
Prices for this trip
Hotel Category | Double or Triple room | Single room Additional cost |
---|---|---|
Budget | US$ 1198 | US$ 211 |
Tourist | US$ 1324 | US$ 242 |
Superior Tourist | US$ 1518 | US$ 371 |
* Minimum 2 passengers to confirm the booking; solo traveler is subject to an additional fee.
* Small group min 2, max 12 — group tour; join other travelers at each destination (If you want a private tour just for you, ask your travel agent).
Includes and excludes
Included
- Accommodation: 7 nights in Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and Puno Hotel.
- The itinerary includes all admission costs (Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca).
- English-speaking local guides lead the tours.
- All transfers: airport, train station, bus station transfers, Hotel pickup, and drop-offs.
- Train ticket: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Cusco (Expedition Class).
- Meals: According mentioned in the itinerary (vegetarian or special diets are available).
- All ground transportation.
- 24-hour support by our local staff.
Not included
- The price does not cover domestic or international flights. Consult a travel agency if necessary.
- VISA procedures, travel insurance, pre, and post-tour accommodation.
- Additional personal costs (alcoholic beverages, laundry).
- The price does not cover gratuities for tour guides, drivers, and support staff.
- Guidance in another language (Germany, French, others), in case you request them, please ask your travel agent.
- Additional items are not included explicitly in the itinerary description.
- Entrance fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
Trip code: MLT8D01-SIC
Day 1 – International Arrival in Lima
- Lima Airport Transfer: Arrive in Lima at any time. Our representative will be waiting at Lima airport with a customized sign with the client’s name.
- Upon arrival in Lima, assistance at the airport and transfer to the lodging.
- No scheduled activities exist, so check into lodging and restore the energy.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Lima.
- Meals included: None.
Day 2 – Lima Colonial Walking Tour
- Hotel breakfast; enjoy a free morning to explore the city alone.
- At 14:00, pick up and transfer to Lima historical center. We will take a fascinating walking tour. We will show our clients the palaces, castles, magnificent Saint Francisco Monastery, and spectacular subterranean Catacombs throughout our city.
- We visit the main square, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Municipal Palace, the train station Palace, the unique old-fashioned “Cordano Bar,” colorful mansion palaces, the Jiron del Union Pathway, the Post Office Palace, the Dominicans Tower, and the Historical Rimac Bridge, as well as the lovely surrounded wooden Balconies.
- The historical center is considered a World Heritage protected by UNESCO.
- The tour will end around 18:00.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Lima.
- Meals included: Breakfast.
Day 3 – Flight to Cusco & Colorful Cusco Walking Tour
- Hotel breakfast; at 06:30, picked up from the hotel and escorted to the airport to trip to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital.
- Upon arrival in Cusco, assistance at the airport and transfer to the lodging.
- The rest of the day is free for relaxation to minimize the adverse effects of the high altitude and explore this wonderful city.
- Hotel pickup at 14:30. The walking tour starts in the colorful San Pedro market; there is probably no better place to witness Cusquean life. Enjoy a firsthand look at how residents live day-to-day outside the postcard perfection of Cusco’s main square. The guide explains this market’s history as its wanders through the narrow aisles laden with colorful fabrics, meals, fruit juice, bread, and shaman stalls.
- After, we visit Cusco’s main square. This busy and vibrant space marks the city’s colonial center, featuring wide stone pathways and well-kept colorful gardens.
- Afterward, we will go to Qorikancha, where Santo Domingo’s convent sits atop the ancient temple. For some unknown reason, numerous invaders were awed by the splendor of this temple when they first arrived because, according to tradition, it was fully gold-plated.
- The tour ends around 18:00.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast.
Day 4 – Tour to the Sacred Valley (Pisac & Ollantaytambo)
- Hotel breakfast; pick up from the hotel at 07:30. We embark on a journey to the Inca’s Sacred Valley, beginning in Pisac, 31 km from Cusco. The old Incan archaeological site is on the summit of a mountain. There have the chance to witness the impressive stonemasonry skill of our ancient ancestors.
- Afterward, go down into the quaint little town and wander through its colorful market to buy intricate, beautifully hand-crafted products.
- Afterward, have lunch at a nearby restaurant.
- We next go to Ollantaytambo, an Inca military, religious, and agricultural hub perched on a mountain. Unlike other little villages, this one has retained its original Incan architecture, with magnificent stone structures and winding alleyways.
- Following the tour, we go to the Ollantaytambo railway station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, guests will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 5 – Visit the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu & Back to Cusco
- Hotel breakfast; at 06:00. Take a bus to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (2,430m/7,972ft). Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the mountaintop fortress earned every bit of its notoriety.
- Around 07:30 am, the guided tour begins; the guide expertly directs through the astounding ruins and main streets. Then wander around the town squares and climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.
- The guided tour takes around two hours and 30 minutes.
- From 12:30 pm to 13:30, take the bus to Aguas Calientes.
- From 13:30 to 15:00, take lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
- Board the train to return to Cusco later in the day. Arrive at Poroy station and then be picked up and transported to the Cusco hotel.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 6 – Bus journey from Cusco to Puno with stops
- Hotel breakfast; pick up from the hotel at 06:00. Transfer to the bus station, and take the bus to Puno. Enjoy spectacular countryside views on this full-day travel from Cusco to Puno through the high Altiplano.
- Have numerous brief pauses for panoramic views and a visit to a historical ruin at Pucara, La Raya, Raqchi, and Andahuaylillas.
- Stop in Sicuani town to have lunch. Then we continue our trip to the city of Cusco.
- Upon arrival in Cusco, assistance at the Bus station and transfer to the lodging.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Puno.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 7 – Lake Titicaca (Uros Floating Islands & Taquile)
- Hotel breakfast; pick up from the hotel at 07:00. and transfer to Puno’s port. Our journey will begin with the Uros Floating Islands. The Uros are the native people who live on these artificial islands made with cattail grown on Lake Titicaca. The houses are built atop, while outside cooking to avoid fires.
- After an hour on the Island of Uros, we will proceed to the Island of Taquile. Here become aware that these locals speak Quechua instead of the predominant Aymara. The Island of Taquile was once a part of the Inca Empire, which still influences the style of the buildings today.
- Upon arrival on the island, we will receive some brief information and a tour until lunchtime. In the afternoon, the boat will take back Puno.
- The clients will be transferred back to the hotel from Puno’s port.
- Overnight at the Hotel in Puno.
- Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 8 – Departure from Puno, Visit Sillustani, and International Departure
- Hotel breakfast; pick up from the hotel at 07:00 and transfer to Juliaca airport.
- On the way to the airport, stop at the Chullpas at Sillustani to see one of the world’s most significant cemeteries, home to almost 100 Chullpas (old funeral towers).
- According to the specifications, each tower is about 12 meters tall, with the breadth rising from the bottom. According to traditional traditions, objects like gold, food, and ceramics were deposited in the graves.
- After the visit, we will continue to the Juliaca airport.
- Take the flight to Lima, then connect at home at the same airport.
- Lima International departure.
- Meals included: Breakfast.