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Cusco & Puno (6 Days)
- Duration6 days / 5 nights
- DifficultyEasy
- Max. altitude3,830 m
- Group sizeMax. 18
Overview
Cusco & Puno — Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca
For travelers seeking an experience more deeply connected to Andean culture and Peru's landscapes. This itinerary combines the magic of Cusco and Machu Picchu with Puno and Lake Titicaca, for a trip full of history, tradition and unique scenery.
Who this package is for
Ideal for travelers curious about the living culture of the Andes who prefer relaxed tours to demanding hikes. Keep in mind that Puno sits at about 3,800 m (12,500 ft), so your days in Cusco help you acclimatize.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included by default: you can choose your hotel category when booking or ask us to add it to your package. Keep in mind that the itinerary includes one night in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu, in addition to your nights in the other cities on the route. If you like, our team can suggest options to suit your travel style and budget.
Highlights
- Machu Picchu with a professional guide
- Sacred Valley and train to Aguas Calientes
- Route of the Sun: Andahuaylillas, Raqchi and Pukara
- Uros floating islands
- Taquile Island on Lake Titicaca
Itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Cusco and acclimatization
As soon as you leave the airport, our private car will be waiting to welcome you and take you comfortably and safely to your hotel.
This is a free day, designed so you can rest from your journey and let your body adjust gently to Cusco's altitude of approximately 3,400 meters (11,150 ft) above sea level.
No rush and no commitments: take the time to rest, stay hydrated and start soaking up the magical atmosphere of the Andes.
Day 2Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes
Check out of your hotel. We recommend taking only a backpack with what you need for the night in Aguas Calientes, while your larger luggage can stay in Cusco.
After breakfast, at around 7:30 am, we set off for the Sacred Valley of the Incas, starting with the charming Pisac Archaeological Complex, where you will learn about Andean culture and history.
Next we continue to Urubamba for a lunch break, before heading on to Ollantaytambo, one of the most impressive and best-preserved Inca towns in the Sacred Valley.
At the scheduled time, you will board the train to Aguas Calientes, the charming town at the foot of Machu Picchu.
On arrival, our team will be waiting for you at the station to meet you and take you to your hotel, so you can travel with complete peace of mind.
Day 3Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
The big moment of the trip has arrived!
In the morning we head up to Machu Picchu with a professional guide, who will lead you through the sanctuary and share every detail of this incredible city built by the Incas.
During the visit you will learn about the history and architecture of Machu Picchu: the impressive agricultural terraces, ancient buildings, temples, ceremonial spaces and the way the Incas made the most of nature and the mountain's strategic location.
After the visit we return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time for lunch, a stroll around this charming town or simply a rest until it is time to board the train back to Cusco.
At the scheduled time you will board the train back to Cusco, taking home not only beautiful photos but the unforgettable experience of having visited one of the greatest wonders of the world.
Day 4Route of the Sun – Cusco to Puno
Today you travel from Cusco to Puno on a beautiful journey through stunning Andean landscapes, visiting some of the main sights along the way.
At around 6:00 am we pick you up at your hotel to begin the experience. En route we stop at the church of Andahuaylillas, known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas"; the Raqchi Archaeological Site, with its impressive Inca remains; and the Pukara Museum, where you will learn more about one of the oldest cultures in the region.
Arrival in Puno is expected at around 5:00 pm. On arrival, a car will be waiting to take you comfortably and safely to your hotel.
A journey that combines history, culture and Andean scenery in a single day!
Day 5Lake Titicaca – Uros floating islands and Taquile
After breakfast, at around 7:00 am, we pick you up at your hotel for a special day on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.
We board a motorboat to visit the famous Uros Floating Islands, handcrafted from totora reeds, where you will learn about the history and way of life of their inhabitants. We then cross the lake to Taquile Island, known for its beautiful scenery, ancestral traditions and local culture.
At the end of the tour we return to Puno, finishing at around 5:00 pm.
A day to experience Andean culture, the landscapes of Lake Titicaca and the age-old traditions of its peoples.
Day 6Departure / return home
Time to say goodbye to Puno!
At the agreed time, we will pick you up at your hotel for a comfortable, relaxed transfer to Juliaca airport, the closest to Puno for your flight home via Lima.
We hope you take home not only wonderful memories, but also the desire to come back and discover even more of Peru.
What's included
Included
- 1 transfer in Cusco: airport / hotel
- 1 transfer in Puno: bus terminal / hotel
- 1 transfer in Puno: hotel / Juliaca airport
- Professional Spanish- and English-speaking guides on all tours
- Tourist transportation on all tours
- Sacred Valley of the Incas tour with lunch (entrance fees not included)
- Machu Picchu tour with a professional guide
- Round-trip train ticket, Expedition or Voyager class
- Bus up and down between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Standard Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Route of the Sun tourist bus Cusco–Puno with stops at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi and Pukara
- Lake Titicaca tour: Uros floating islands and Taquile Island
Not included
- Domestic and international flights
- Accommodation and meals not mentioned
- Entrance fees: Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) for the Sacred Valley
- Snacks
- Water
What to bring
- Bring your passport or ID (needed to purchase entrance tickets)
- Dress in layers
- Comfortable sneakers
- Sunscreen, cap and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Water
- Snacks
- Motion-sickness medication for the winding roads
- Rain poncho during the rainy season
- Cash in Peruvian soles
- A small backpack for the night in Aguas Calientes
- Avoid alcoholic drinks
- Avoid raw food
- Drink only bottled water
- Keep your documents with you at all times
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be physically fit for the tours?
No special fitness is required: this itinerary is rated easy and does not include demanding hikes. There are still gentle walks at the archaeological sites, and the altitude can make you tire more quickly than usual, so we recommend respecting the acclimatization period.
Tours such as Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) are demanding high-altitude hikes that call for good physical condition.
How does acclimatization to Cusco's altitude work?
The first day is planned to be relaxed, giving your body time to rest and adjust to the altitude. We recommend staying hydrated, eating light meals and avoiding strenuous activity during the first few hours.
Can the 6-day itinerary be customized?
Yes! The itineraries shown are suggestions and can be adapted to each traveler's profile, pace and interests, subject to availability.
Are the tours shared or private?
We offer both group tours and private tours. With private services you get an exclusive vehicle and guide, more flexible timing and a more personalized experience.
Isn't 6 days too rushed?
The itineraries are designed to make the most of the available days, covering the main tours and experiences. That said, if you can stay a few extra days in Peru, we highly recommend it!
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