Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive at Lima airport and take a private transfer to your hotel in Miraflores. This gives you time to settle in and get your bearings before the trip really starts.
- Day 2
Lima to Cusco
After a transfer to the airport, you'll fly to Cusco (55 minutes). Once there, check into your hotel and spend the morning adjusting to the altitude. At 2 PM, join a guided city tour hitting archaeological sites north of Cusco including Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Tambomachay, and Pucapucara.
Included Activities
- Cusco City Tour visiting Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Tambomachay, and Pucapucara
- Complimentary coca tea at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Sacsayhuaman Q'enqo Tambomachay Pucapucara - Day 3
Cusco to Sacred Valley
Check out and head 30 minutes northeast to Pisaq, an ancient Inca site. You'll hike through agricultural terraces for 3 to 4 hours reaching the citadel at the top. Then comes a 2-hour scenic drive through the Sacred Valley. Stop for lunch in Urubamba, then check in at Ollantaytambo.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Urubamba)
Included Activities
- Pisaq archaeological site guided tour with medium difficulty 3-4 hour hike through agricultural terraces
- Lunch in Urubamba
Landmarks/POIs Pisaq - Day 4
Ollantaytambo
Leave your bags in hotel storage and spend the day exploring Ollantaytambo with a guide. Walk around the ancient fortress walls to see Inca construction techniques up close. The pueblo's back streets still show their original Inca style and layout, so there's plenty to wander through.
Included Activities
- Ollantaytambo archaeological site guided tour with wall hike and pueblo exploration
Landmarks/POIs Ollantaytambo - Day 5
Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
In the afternoon, retrieve your bags and board the Backpacker Train heading to Aguas Calientes. Your Machu Picchu guide will meet you at the hotel in the evening to go over tomorrow's itinerary.
Included Activities
- Backpacker Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Day 6
Machu Picchu
Take a bus up to Machu Picchu where your guide leads you through the Sacred District, Popular District, and District of Royalty. You'll see the Temple of the Sun, Room of the Three Windows, and Temple of the Condor. If you leave early, you can climb Huayna Picchu. Return by bus to Aguas Calientes then take the train back to Cusco.
Included Activities
- Bus transfer to Machu Picchu entrance
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu including Sacred District, Popular District, District of Royalty, Temple of the Sun, Room of the Three Windows, and Temple of the Condor
- Bus transfer from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Train from Aguas Calientes to Cusco (Poroy)
Optional Activities
- Huayna Picchu climb (requires early departure by 5 AM and name on list)
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu Huayna Picchu Temple of the Sun Temple of the Condor - Day 7
Cusco to Puno
Board the 7 AM tourist bus for an 8-hour guided tour to Puno. Stop at Andahuaylillas to see the cathedral with its ornate frescoes, then visit the temple ruins at Raqchi. Have a sit-down outdoor buffet lunch in Sicuani, then pass through La Raya (4,300 meters/14,100 feet, the highest point). Stop at a museum in Pukara before reaching Puno.
- Meals
- Lunch (Sit-down outdoor buffet Andean lunch in Sicuani)
Included Activities
- 8-hour guided bus tour Cusco to Puno
- Visit to Andahuaylillas cathedral (Sistine Chapel of the Andes)
- Raqchi temple ruins and Incan church site
- Sit-down outdoor buffet Andean lunch in Sicuani
- La Raya viewpoint at 4,300 meters
- Museum visit in Pukara with pre-Incan artifacts
Landmarks/POIs Andahuaylillas Raqchi La Raya Pukara - Day 8
Lake Titicaca
After breakfast, head to Lake Titicaca for a group motor yacht tour visiting the floating Islands of Uros. Meet locals who maintain traditional ways and create the islands and reed crafts. Continue to Taquile Island where Quechuas inhabit the steep terrain and sell handmade crafts. Have a typical lunch on the island, then return to Puno by boat.
- Meals
- Lunch (Typical lunch on Taquile Island)
Included Activities
- Group motor yacht tour of Uros and Taquile Islands
- Uros Islands demonstration of island construction and reed crafts
- Taquile Island visit with handmade crafts shopping
- Typical lunch on Taquile Island
Optional Activities
- Short optional reed boat ride on Uros Islands (approximately 5 soles per person)
Landmarks/POIs Uros Islands Taquile Island - Day 9
Puno to Copacabana, Bolivia
Check out and head to the bus terminal for a scenic drive around Lake Titicaca to Copacabana, Bolivia. Bus staff help with the border crossing. Once there, explore this beachside town and climb to the top of La Virgen de la Candelaria de Copacabana for panoramic views spanning both Peru and Bolivia.
Included Activities
- Bus from Puno to Copacabana with border crossing assistance
- La Virgen de la Candelaria de Copacabana viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs La Virgen de la Candelaria de Copacabana - Day 10
Copacabana to Isla del Sol
Store luggage you won't need for the next 2 days, then board a motor yacht for a 2-hour scenic boat ride to Isla del Sol. Walk uphill for about an hour to reach the Estancia Eco-lodge with staff helping carry bags. Have coca tea and relax. Spend the afternoon exploring, with dinner served family-style.
- Meals
- Dinner (Family-style dinner in main house)
Included Activities
- Roundtrip motor yacht from Copacabana to Isla del Sol
- Uphill walk to Estancia Eco-lodge (approximately 1 hour)
- Coca tea at lodge
- Afternoon island exploration
Landmarks/POIs Isla del Sol - Day 11
Isla del Sol
This day is for relaxation, meditation, and reflection on this remote island. Hike, read, contemplate, or just explore at your own pace. You might meet local children who enjoy having photos taken for a few Bolivianos. Dinner is family-style, followed by stargazing after dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Country breakfast), Dinner (Family-style dinner in main house)
Included Activities
- Island exploration and hiking
- Nighttime stargazing
Optional Activities
- Photography of local children (tips in Bolivianos appreciated)
Landmarks/POIs Isla del Sol - Day 12
Isla del Sol to Puno
After breakfast, walk down to the shores where porters or donkeys carry your packs. Board the motor yacht for a 2-hour ride back to Copacabana. Then take a bus for a 3-hour ride back to Puno and check in at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast)
Included Activities
- Descent to boat with porter or donkey assistance
- Roundtrip motor yacht from Isla del Sol to Copacabana
- Bus from Copacabana to Puno
- Day 13
Puno to Lima
Check out after breakfast and head to Juliaca airport for your flight to Lima. Once you arrive, meet your guide for a Lima City Tour visiting Plaza Mayor and the 16th century Cathedral of gold. Explore the catacombs at Convento de San Francisco and the Museum of Gold. End in Miraflores viewing Huaca Pucllana.
Included Activities
- Lima City Tour
- Plaza Mayor de Lima
- 16th century Cathedral of gold
- Convento de San Francisco catacombs
- Museum of Gold
- Huaca Pucllana pre-Inca ruin in Miraflores
Landmarks/POIs Plaza Mayor de Lima Cathedral of Lima Convento de San Francisco Museum of Gold Huaca Pucllana
