Cusco Tours and Titicaca Lake 8 Days / 7 Nights

Trip Overview:

This tour showcases the highlights of Cusco and the Sacred Valley bringing you to key archeological sites found in the folkloric story told over 500 years ago. Be deeply moved as you take in the citadel of Machu Picchu firsthand before finally traveling to the ethereal Lake Titicaca: the birthplace of the Inca.

Trip Itinerary:

Day 1: Arival to Lima – Transfer to the Hotel.

Welcome arrival by our 24/7 staff member at Lima airport. Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, we will have a tour through Lima’s streets and plazas.

Starting at the Love Park in Miraflores, with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, and then heading to the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial center of the Lima culture. After this, we go on to the Main Square where the Government Palace and the Town Hall are located. We will visit the Cathedral and explore the Santo Domingo Convent, along which corridors San Martin de Porras and San Rosa de Lima used to walk around in 17th century, and where their remains rest today

• Accommodation: Hotel in Lima.
• Meal Include: None.
• Entrance Ticket: Included

Day 2: Arrive to Cusco + City Tour.

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head to the airport to catch your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be transported to your hotel where you will have the morning to relax and freshen up.

You will be picked up from the hotel at 1:30 pm to tour the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), a very important Inca shrine. Later, you’ll visit the impressive Cathedral in the main square. Our tour continues in Sacsayhuaman on a hill that looms over the city. Then, you’ll visit the old temple of the Puma in Qenqo, a singular limestone outcrop used for religious purposes. You’ll also visit Puca Pucara and the sacred fountains of life and health in Tambomachay. Finally, the tour ends with a tour of the city of Cusco.

• Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco.
• Meal Include: Breakfast.
• Entrance Ticket: Included.

Day 3: Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu town).

After breakfast, meet your guide for a tour of the Sacred Valley, which in Inca times was littered with royal palaces and temples and today is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes.

Your first stop is Pisac town, with its famous market and impressive hilltop ruins. At the market, your guide will point out local products like potatoes, giant corn, and natural dyes, and you’ll have a chance to browse the souvenir stalls for one-of-a-kind gifts. Next, you’ll drive up the hill to the Pisac ruins, which sprawl across a narrow mountain ridge and most likely protected the southern entrance to the Sacred Valley.

You’ll continue down the road to Urubamba and stop for lunch (included) at a buffet restaurant serving Peruvian specialties. The final stop is in Ollantaytambo, where you’ll climb to the top of the fortress ruins for panoramic views across the former Inca heartland.

Later in the afternoon in Ollantaytambo we’ll catch the train to Aguas Calientes to get ready to explore Machu Picchu early the next morning.

• Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• Meal Include: Breakfast and Buffet Lunch.
• Entrance Ticket: Included.

Day 4: Machu Picchu Full Day.

Today you will be visiting the famous Sacred City of the Incas, the crystal city of the Inca civilization. You will determine, with your tour guide, the best time to start your day. Most people prefer to rise at 4:45 a.m. walk to the bus station to take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. It can be enjoyable to arrive at the ruins as soon as they open, at 6 a.m., to catch the magical mists on the ruins as the sun rises. After a 25 minute bus ride to Machu Picchu, your tour guide will take you to the best views before the day trippers arrive.

Then, we will start the two hour guided, walking tour, exploring all of the famous places of this impressive citadel: The Temple of the Sun, The Royal Tomb, The Intiwatana (sun dial rock), Main Plaza, Temple of the 3 Windows, The Artisan Sector, the Condor Temple and many others. If you have booked permits to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will head to that adventure.

If you chose not to book a hike, you can climb to the Sun Gate and witness its amazing views. After that you will need to take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch (Not included) at one of the many restaurants there. Be sure to arrive at the train station 30 minutes before your departure. Our train schedule is usually at 14:30 p.m. to Ollantaytambo, where you will catch our transportation for another two hour drive back to Cusco. 

Upgrade options:

Climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for views over the ruins or add an extra day in Machu Picchu.

• Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco.
• Meal Include: None.
• Entrance Ticket: Included.

Day 5: Cusco – Free Day

Today is a free day in the Incan Imperial Capital. We’ll do our best to discover Cusco’s enchanting network of narrow streets and white wash mud-brick walls, all built atop Incan stone foundations. A true amalgamation of cultures! Explore the many markets, churches, museums, plazas and first-rate restaurants, all at your fingertips while exploring the city center on foot.
Also recommended is stop by the Incan Archaeological Museum located a block from the Plaza de Armas. Then, time permitting, visit the recently opened ‘Casa Concha’, which houses hundreds of pieces removed from Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham in 1912 and recently returned in 2011 (Centennial Anniversary of Machu Picchu’s scientific discovery) to Peru by Yale University in the United States.
Also worth a visit is the colorful local market at San Pedro and the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, full of artists, craftsmen and street vendors, both only minutes from the hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel in Cusco.
• Meal Include: Breakfast.
• Entrance Ticket: None.

Day 6: Cusco – Andahuaylillas – Raqchi – La Raya – Puno.

We pick you up at your hotel at 6:30am to take you to the bus station (Inca Express or First Class). Both companies provide excellent service with an English-speaking tour guide, and a waiter who is ready to assist you with hot, and cold drinks on board. During the trip, you will stop to visit some Inca ruins, museums and the Andahuaylillas Church, which is considered to be the Sistine Chapel of South America because of its amazing frescos.

Then, we stop at the Racchi Inca ruins, which used to be a religious and resting place for Inca travelers. The next visit is at La Raya, the border between the regions of Cusco and Puno, where the most traditional animals of Peru can be seen, llamas and alpacas. In Pucara, we will visit a museum where it is possible to see some pre-Inca remains. Finally, by 5:30 pm we arrive in Puno, where our representative will pick you up to take you to your hotel.

• Accommodation: Hotel in Puno.
• Meal Include: Breakfast and Lunch.
• Entrance Ticket: Included.

Alternative travel options:

1.- Peru Rail Titicaca Train or Belmond Andean Explorer Train to Puno.

Travel in style on the Andean Explorer from Cusco to the shores of Titicaca Lake where Puno is located. Morning transfer to the local train station of Cusco where the Andean Explorer is waiting for your spectacular rail journey to Puno.

The glass-walled observation coaches provide the perfect opportunity to view the beautiful scenery. The journey is broken by a scenic stop at La Raya, which is also the highest point on the route. First class lunch is served aboard the train in style. A music and fashion show and a bar-tending lesson will also be part of your experience aboard. On arrival in Puno we take you to your hotel.

Day 7: Puno – Uros Island – Taquile Island.

After having breakfast in your hotel, the tour leader will pick you up to take you to the port of Puno. There, you will embark on a 30-minute boat ride until arriving at the floating islands. You will be welcomed by the locals, who will show you the island and the products they weave.

Then, we will have a two-hour boat ride to arrive at Taquile Island. The inhabitants still live according to their ancestral traditions and dress with gorgeous colored traditional ropes. They are also famous for the magnificent weavings which are traditionally made by men, not women. You will have some time to learn about ancestral farming techniques and try to use a few Inca tools.

We will have lunch in a traditional restaurant, where you can try local dishes. Then, we take the boat back to Puno and your hotel for the end of the tour.

• Accommodation: Hotel in Puno.
• Meal Include: Breakfast and Lunch.
• Entrance Ticket: Included.

Day 8: Juliaca Airport – Lima – Connection to International Flight.

After breakfast, at the scheduled time we will transfer you to the airport to take the flight back to Lima, where you will take your flight back to your country.

• Meals included: breakfast.

Cusco Tours and Titicaca 8 Days / 7 Nights Packing List:

After spending a lot of time travelling around Cusco Tours and Titicaca Lake 8 Days / 7 Nights, we have come up with our definitive list of what to pack for a trip to Cusco Tours and Titicaca Lake.

• Worn in hiking boots or walking shoes
• Light weight rain poncho
• Down or thermal jacket and fleece
• Sun protection; sunscreen and providing hat
• Layerable clothing: t- shirts, heavy shirts and jackets, thermals, hiking pants, shorts
• Toiletries pack with toilet paper, tissues and a lightweight towell
• Day pack
• Reusable water bottle to help reduce plastic waste
• Personal first aid kit with prescriptions, pain relievers, antihistamine & stomach aids
• Spare prescription glasses, contacts & lens solution plus a copy of prescription
• Small flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
• Ear plugs for sleeping comfort
• Warm hat, scarf & gloves (these are abundant in Cusco if you’d prefer to purchase here
• Extra zip lock bags of various sizes always come in handy
• Insect repellent
• Camera with extra batteries and SD cards
• Combination locks to protect luggage, useful while traveling & in hotel rooms

Required & Useful Documents for Peru

• Valid passport with at least six months remaining
• Photocopies of important documents like passport, tickets and prescriptions
• Travel insurance, we recommend World Nomads or Travel Guard
• Blood donor/type card

Price per person:

Discounts:

• Student Discount: US$25.00.
• Under 15 years will pay as student: US$20.00.
• Under 7 years Discount: US$35.00.

Optional Extras (Need to Book in Advance):

• Machu Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance).
• Huayna Picchu Mountain climbing: USD 75.00 (Need to book in advance).

By booking or participating in a tour and any related products or services (a “Tour”) with Cusco Journeys, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

Booking:

1. Your booking is confirmed and a contract exists when the Tour Operator or your travel agent issues a written confirmation after receipt of the applicable deposit amount. Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to the Tour Operator or authorized agent immediately. Please ensure that names are exactly as stated in the relevant passport.
2. You will pay a deposit which is completely non-refundable in any situation. There are no exceptions.
3. You will be required to show the original passport (not a copy) that you booked with, at the checkpoint to enter the Inca Trail. If you originally booked with an old passport and then renewed your passport, you must also bring your expired passport along with your new, valid passport to permit entry or they will refuse your entrance to the trail.
4. The only acceptable ID to receive a Student Discount is your University Card with a clear expiration date that must be the same year as trek. IDs with expiry dates the following year, even though clearly valid, will not be accepted by the Peruvian government. You must submit a copy of this card at time of booking.

Cancellations:

1. Cancellations: In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 40% is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing (we do not accept medical notes of any kind) as our out of pocket expenses are non-refundable to us.. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:

ONCE BOOKED, DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. CHART BELOW OUTLINES WHAT FURTHER FEES WILL BE DUE.

Inca Trail Tours:

1. Permits: Permits for the Inca Trail are in your name and can not be transferred to anyone else under any circumstances. Change of dates is also not possible once a permit has been purchased. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The deposit will be forfeited. Please note that this is a regulation of the Peruvian government and not Cusco Journeys (or any agency).
2. In extreme cases when the “Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” is declared closed for safety reasons, Cusco Journeys will replace your trek with an alternative trek.
3. Those who booked PERMITS with a Student ID must bring that ID with them on the trek. If they fail to show this card to the Park Rangers, they will not be allowed entry onto the trail.

Medical Information:

1. You must advise Cusco Journeys of any medical problems or allergies you may have. You need to be in good physical health, and if your health is questionable, then you should consult a doctor. If you are over the age of 70 years old, then you will need to present us with a current good health medical certificate.
2. You are responsible for assessing whether a Tour is suitable for you. You should consult your physician to confirm your fitness for travel and participation in any planned activities. You should seek your physician’s advice on vaccinations and medical precautions. The Tour Operator does not provide medical advice. It is your responsibility to assess the risks and requirements of each aspect of the Tour based on your own unique circumstances, limitations, fitness level and medical requirements.
3. Cusco Journeys reserves the right to deny you permission to travel or participate in any aspect of a Tour at any time and at your own risk and expense where the Tour Operator determines that your physical or mental condition renders you unfit for travel or you represent a danger to yourself or others.
4. Pregnancy is considered a medical condition and must be disclosed to the Tour Operator at the time of booking. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry pregnant women over 24 weeks. The Tour Operator may refuse to carry anyone with certain medical conditions if reasonable accommodation or alternatives cannot be arranged.
5. It is strongly encouraged to purchase Travel Insurance to protect you in case of medical emergency or any tour cancellations.

Tours and Treks:

1. All balances need to be paid in either cash, Western Union, Transfer Bank or PayPal (in full) prior to the briefing which will be held the night before your tour. Visa incurs a 5% service fee and if you need to use another card, it must be through PayPal which incurs a 5.5% service fee.
   You must advise your guide if you wish to leave the group or the camping area for independent walks or sightseeing. If you are experiencing any problems with the services of the guide or tour, please advise the guide in that moment, so that he can resolve any problems.
2. All Adventure Treks include transportation to Cusco. The return train route depends on train availability.
3. If you become ill or injured on the trail and are unable to continue, a porter will be provided to accompany you back to an area with emergency assistance capabilities. Helicopter air lifts and medical assistance are at the expense of the trekker. If you are unable to complete the tour due to illness, we will assist you in meeting your group at Machu Picchu to recommence your tour at that point. There will be no refund of the original payment. However, we will prepare a document to certify illness which can be presented for your travel insurance.
4. Cusco Journeys will take all reasonable care in providing to our clients avoidance of accident, illness, and loss of personal property, and will only employ suitably qualified staff. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Cusco Journeys cannot, however, be responsible for any action of third parties. You are totally responsible for your own personal property and rented equipment.
5. Cusco Journeys does not take responsibility for unfavorable weather conditions, natural catastrophe, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal ítems, etc. It is the client’s responsibility to carry insurance to cover these types of events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the unforeseen conditions listed above.
6. Cusco Journeys may modify your itinerary where reasonably required in its sole discretion.
7. Group tours might be as large as 16 participants. Groups are open to everyone no matter skill or age. By accepting a Group Tour you acknowledge that others might change the speed and timing of the tour.
8. All tours are done in English.

Delays:

1. Any costs, whether direct or incidental, incurred by the Customer as the result of delays caused by bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, sickness, government intervention or other contingencies which are beyond the control of southern explorations will not be reimbursed.

Thank you so much for choosing Cusco Journeys!!!