Andean World: Private Tour to Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca

$1,383
Duration
7 days
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About This Tour

Nature, history and living culture; Peru has all the ingredients of a dream destination. We invite you to experience this seven-day tour of some of the most fascinating features of a country that was cradle of one of the most enigmatic civilizations in history. You will witness colonial cities, archaeological sites and breath-taking landscapes as you cross the Andes. And, of course, the tour culminates with a visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, a World Heritage Site and one of the seven wonders of the world.

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

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Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a unique blend of a pre-Columbian past and Spanish architecture. Its temples, squares and streets are surrounded by hills that hide fantastic archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay.

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Coricancha: An impressive example of a blend of Incan and Colonial architecture. The original complex was dedicated to the veneration of the sun and it was one of the most important temples in the Inca Empire. After the arrival of the Spaniards in Cusco, the temple foundations and walls were used as a base for the construction of the convent of Santo Domingo.

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Machu Picchu: The ‘lost city of the Incas’ is what draws thousands of people to Peru each year. Hidden among the vegetation, this mountain-top citadel, built in complete harmony with the landscape, hosts a wealth of rooms, temples, bridges and religious sites that offer the visitor a chance to get closer to Peru’s fascinating past.

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Lake Titicaca: The highest navigable lake in the world, a combination of nature and living culture. Embark on a boat ride to the islands of Taquile and the Uros, where the indigenous people maintain their legendary heritage to this day.

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Activities
Suitable For
Accessibility
Max People
10
Operator

Inclusions

TOUR GUIDE:

  • Operated with English, Spanish, Portuguese or French-speaking local guide on a private basis

 ACCOMMODATION:

  • 6 nights of accommodation. 

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1 Lima:

Standard Hotel Category = Tierra Viva or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = José Antonio Deluxe or similar 3*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Pullman Lima Miraflores or similar 5*

Day 2 Cusco:

Standard Hotel Category = Tierra Viva or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*

Day 3 Sacred Valley:

Standard Hotel Category =  AVA Spots or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba or similar 5*

Day 4 Cusco:

Standard Hotel Category =  Tierra Viva or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*

Day 5-6 Puno:

Standard Hotel Category = Hacienda Puno or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = José Antonio Puno or similar 3**

Deluxe Hotel Category = GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca or similar 5*

OPTIONAL EXTRA:

Pre-night in Lima:

Standard Hotel Category = Tierra Viva or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = José Antonio Deluxe or similar 3*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Pullman Lima Miraflores or similar 5*

Post-night in Puno:

Standard Hotel Category = Hacienda Puno or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = José Antonio Puno or similar 3*

Deluxe Hotel Category = GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca or similar 5*

MEALS:

  • 6 Breakfasts
  • 4 lunches on days 3, 4, 5, 6

TRANSPORT:

  • Private transfers from and to the airport
  • Private transfers from and to the train stations
  • Roundtrip train to Machu Picchu in Expedition Service (PeruRail) or Voyager (IncaRail) for Standard and Superior category and Vistadome Service (Perú Rail) or 360° (Inca Rai) for Deluxe category.

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:

  • Admission to all major monuments and sightseeing attractions mentioned in the above itinerary: Coricancha, Cathedral, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara in Cusco; Linving Museum of Yucay, the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo and Chinchero in the Sacred Valley; Machu Picchu on day 4; Andahuaylillas, Racchi and Pucará Museum on the route Cusco - Puno, the excursion to the Uros and Taquile islands in Puno
  • Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC)

Exclusions

  • Expenses of a personal nature. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during meals. Meals not stated in the programme
  • Tips for driver and guide 
  • Optional visits mentioned as not included.
  • International flights to Peru
  • Domestic flights : Lima - Cusco (Day 2)(we advise booking the first flights in the morning)
  • International and domestic airport departure taxes

Tour Plan

Expand All
Day 1 ARRIVAL LIMA

Arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima. Upon arrival, a representative will be waiting to greet you at the airport and the transportation service will transfer you to your hotel at the scheduled time. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure in Lima, the capital of Peru and a city steeped in history. During Colonial times, the Historic Centre of Lima, known as the “Ciudad de Los Reyes” (City of Kings), was the political, administrative, religious and economic centre for the Spanish in Peru. The historical centre is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Lima is now a modern metropolis and is currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic change. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru´s sprawling capital city. Alternatively, you can book our optional Magic Water Circuit with Dinner: Magic Water Circuit with Dinner (private basis):A modern system of fountains certified as the largest in the world by the Guinness World Records. Built-in Exhibition Park, the Magical Water Circuit attracts crowds during summer and winter, being one of the new favourite attractions of Lima. See yourself and enjoy our water cruise which is followed by a unique gastronomical experience at a restaurant, accompanied by a delicious dinner.Notes: Private service. Not available on Sundays and Mondays Start time: 17:30 hours. Duration of 4 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Magic Water Circuit, and Dinner.Overnight in Lima.

Day 2 LIMA – CUSCO: CITY TOUR & ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES (90 min by flight; not included)

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, then take a transfer to the airport to fly to Cusco. You will be met by one of our representatives in Cusco who will transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the former capital of the Inca Empire. The tour begins at the Santo Domingo Convent, a building constructed on the site of Coricancha, one of the most important Incan complexes dedicated to sun worship. According to historic records, the original temple walls depicted scenes of nature and were covered in gold leaf. After Coricancha, visit the imposing cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, then head to the Cusco hills, where you’ll find the fortress of Sacsayhuamán and panoramic views of Cusco. Continue on to Qenqo, an archaeological site where it is believed the Incas carried out religious rituals to improve harvests. Your tour ends in Puka Pukara, meaning 'strong red' in Quechua. Puka Pukara is believed to be an ancient military site comprising numerous rooms, courtyards, baths, aqueducts and towers. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight in Cusco.

Day 3 CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY – CHINCHERO – OLLANTAYTAMBO (75 km – 1.5 hrs)

Today breakfast at the hotel is followed by a visit to the town of Chinchero, a small high-altitude town offering beautiful views of the valley and the chance to witness traditional clothing, customs, and local handicrafts. Visit archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. You will then be transferred to the Yucay Museum of Living Culture, where you can see textiles, adobe pottery, and silverware being crafted using techniques dating back to the Incas. This center not only gives you an insight into local Andean traditions, but you also have the opportunity to feed the llamas, sheep, and alpacas! Feel the true spirit of the Sacred Valley as you sample lunch of local cuisine in a cosy restaurant in Ollantaytambo. After eating, explore the streets of Ollantaytambo, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress built into the mountainside. At the end of the day, return to your hotel to rest full of the spirit of the Incas. *On Sundays, you may also visit the local market.
Overnight in Sacred Valley.

Day 4 SACRED VALLEY - MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO (115 km – 2 hrs)

Wake up to breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the Ollanta station to begin your trip to Machu Picchu. Enjoy the approximately two-hour scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, also known as "Machu Picchu Pueblo", the last stop before entering the most important archaeological site in Peru. In Aguas Calientes, you’ll find a craft market, restaurants, and, for those who prefer to spend the night at the foot of the mountain and climb early in the morning, hotels for all budgets. Take a short bus ride up to Machu Picchu, the architectural and engineering masterpiece that once served as a sanctuary and refuge for the Inca ruler Pachacútec. Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain", is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site and one of the seven new wonders of the world. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then board the train back to Cusco.Overnight in Cusco.

Day 5 CUSCO – PUNO (290 km – 6 hrs)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the bus station to start your journey through the impressive landscape of the Andes to Puno. Your first stop of the day is in Andahuaylillas, a town located around 40 kilometres away from Cusco. The main attraction here is the local Church, known as the "Sistine Chapel of America" owing to the high quality of art found inside. Continue the journey to Racchi, home to the Wiracocha Temple, a striking rectangular structure measuring 30 metres wide and 20 metres high. Lunch will be taken in the town of Sicuani before you head to La Raya, the highest point of the trip between Puno and Cusco, at the dizzying altitude of 4,313 metres above sea level. The next stop is the town of Pucara, the first urban settlement on Lake Titicaca, established between 100 and 300 A.D. Visit some of the monoliths from the town’s pre-Inca site at the Pucara Lithic Museum before completing the final leg of the journey to Puno, where a representative will check you in to your hotel.
Overnight in Puno.

Day 6 PUNO – LAKE TITICACA: UROS & TAQUILE

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to the port of Puno where a boat will be waiting to take you to the beautiful Uros Islands. The Uros are an indigenous people of Peru that live on a series of man-made islands, created entirely from the buoyant totora reeds that grow abundantly in the shallows of the lake. The islands are composed of layers of woven totora, which are constantly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom. The Uros people also use reeds to construct their homes, so cooking is done outdoors to avoid possible fires! After visiting this fascinating island, sail to Taquile, a small slice of heaven that once belonged to the Inca Empire. Look around and you will notice traces of its Incan past in the ruins that still exist around the island. After a brief introduction,  the local community will give you an insight into their customs and traditions with a cultural demonstration. Lunch is enjoyed on the island before the return trip to Puno.
Overnight in Puno.

Day 7 DEPARTURE PUNO

After finishing your breakfast at the hotel transfer from Puno to the airport. Although this is the last day of your journey through some of the most fascinating places Peru has to offer, we hope that your memories of this remarkable country, bursting with both culture and history, will last a lifetime.

Meeting / Pickup

Pick-up only: Customers must be picked up from selected pick-up locations.

What to Bring

Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area; use of warm clothing is ALSO recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.

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Please Note

  • Day 1: Optional extra Magic Water Circuit with Dinner does not operate on Sundays and Mondays. 
  • Rates do not apply to Peruvians or residents with more than 60 days of stay. If passengers are Peruvians or exceed 60 days of stay, sale taxes (18%) will be collected by our local operator
  • Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive no later than 10:30hrs. Noon arrivals are too late.
  • Please note that Check-In in most hotels begins at 13:00 hrs. Clients will be subject to the availability of the room if they arrive before, waiting in the hotel lobby
  • If your trip includes a visit to high altitude cities such as Cusco and Puno located at more than 3400 meters (11 200 feet above sea level), do not forget to take precautions in order to avoid altitude sickness. Passengers who have heart problems or high blood pressure should check with their doctor before traveling
  • We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW ENTRANCE REGULATIONS TO MACHU PICCHU

  • The current restrictions on visits to Machu Picchu allow a maximum stay of 4 hours in the citadel (2 hours and a half accompanied by a guide). If the visitor tours an alternate route (Mountain Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu) the passenger will have 3 hours for this purpose, additional to the 4 hours in the citadel. If the passenger wishes to enter the citadel again during the afternoon shift or the next day, he must acquire previously an additional ticket to enter in the new shift. There is no ticket sale in the archaeological zone.
  • To help preserve the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary and maintain its World Heritage status, the Ministry of Culture has designated various visitor circuits. The specific circuit and schedule will be assigned based on availability at the time your reservation is confirmed.
  • The following objects are forbidden: professional cameras that require lights and tripods, or with telephoto lenses heavier than 2 kilos (in order to use them, special authorization is needed, as well as the payment of an additional fee), drones, selfie sticks, sprays, high heels, walking sticks without rubber tip, banners and posters, sharp objects and backpacks bigger than 40cm x 35 cm x 20 cm.

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Carry the same document that you presented to the agency, given that the train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu will be issued with the same information
  • In all train services to Machu Picchu, the passenger can carry only hand luggage (backpack, bag, or briefcase) weighing no more than 5kg / 11lb on the train to/from Machu Picchu. You will find your luggage at the chosen hotel. Allowed size: 62 linear inches 157cm (height + length + width)

NEW PLASTIC REGULATION:

  • After the prohibition of the access of single-use plastic items to 76 natural areas including Machu Picchu, it is important to use reusable bottles. 

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