Overview
  • Day 1: LIMA
  • Day 2: CUSCO
  • Day 3: FULL DAY SACRED VALLEY TOUR
  • Day 4: FULL DAY MACHU PICCHU TOUR
  • Day 5: CUSCO - PUNO
  • Day 6: UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS
  • Day 7: SILLUSTANI - LIMA
  • Day 8: TRANSFER OUT
Map Special #1

This package is for those who want to see as much of the Andean region that they can in just 8 days. The experience consists of an exciting tour of Cusco city, the capital of the Inca empire. It also traverses the beautiful Sacred Valley, where you can catch a glimpse of small weaving villages, artisan markets, and impressive ruins such as those in Pisac and Ollantaytambo—not to mention the stunning mountain and river vistas throughout.

Right at the midpoint of your tour, on day 4, you’ll get to see the famous ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Enjoy a guided tour and plenty of time to take in the sights and wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next continue on a touristic bus to Puno and Lake Titicaca, the proclaimed capital of Andean folklore and the legendary birthplace of the Incas. Here you will have a chance to see the floating Uros Islands and the island of Taquile, as well as the impressive Sillustani ruins on your way out.

Itinerary

Day 1: LIMA

Pick up upon arrival at the Lima airport and transportation to your scheduled hotel. Overnight in Lima.

Day 2: CUSCO

Transfer to the Lima airport for your flight to Cusco (airfare not included). Upon arrival at the Cusco airport, you will be greeted by one of our staff members and transported to your hotel, where you will receive a briefing with everything you need to know about your trip.
Afterward, you will have the morning free to rest and grab a light lunch either at your hotel or in one of the nearby restaurants. In the early afternoon, you will depart on a guided city tour, and visit six sites of interest, including the main square, Cathedral, and Koricancha (temple of the sun). In addition, you will get a glimpse of archaeological centers like Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. The tour finishes at approximately 6:30 pm in the main square. Enjoy the rest of your night at your leisure. Overnight in Cusco.
NOTES:
*City tour: From 1:45 pm to 6:30 pm approx. Hotel pickups start at 1:15pm.

Day 3: FULL DAY SACRED VALLEY TOUR

Enjoy an energizing breakfast at your hotel. Afterward, you will be picked up for your full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley. Stops include the colorful handicraft market and archaeological complex of Pisac, a charming village at the start of the Urubamba Valley.
You will then have a chance to eat lunch at a typical restaurant in Urubamba before continuing on to Ollantaytambo—an attractive little town located at the western end of the valley. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their channels that date back to Inca times, evoke their ancestral inheritance. You will also have a chance to see the impressive fortress that Manco Inca used during the Spanish conquest.
End your tour in Chinchero, a small Andean village believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market, which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. Afterward, spend the night in the Sacred Valley or return to Cusco.
The night is free for you to eat in a restaurant of your choice; although we always have plenty of suggestions for you—just ask!
Note: Take this tour on market days: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday / Bilingual Guided tour on different days

Day 4: FULL DAY MACHU PICCHU TOUR

Early breakfast and pickup to catch your train to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. The trip takes about 4 hours from Cusco or 1 hour 45 minutes from the Sacred Valley. During the trip, you will have an amazing view of the mountains and high jungle landscape, providing a small hint as to how much Peru has to offer.
Upon arrival to the little town of Aguas Calientes, you will continue to the bus station for a 20-minute ride to Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas.” Here you will receive a professionally guided tour of this historic sanctuary visiting the main plaza, the circular tower, the sacred sundial, the royal quarters, the temple of the three windows and various burial grounds. You will also have some free time to explore the zone on your own, snap some photos, and experience the energy and force of the site. You will then return to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco. Upon arrival at the Cusco train station, you will be greeted and transferred back to your Cusco hotel.
TRAIN SERVICES:
Hiram Bingham. The Hiram Bingham is the most luxurious way to journey between Cusco and Machu Picchu. For many visitors a trip to Machu Picchu is a once in a lifetime experience, and the Hiram Bingham assures a magical journey never to be forgotten.
The carriages are painted a distinctive blue and gold and the interiors are luxurious, warm and inviting with elegant decoration in the style of the 1920's Pullman trains.
Each of the carriages have been furnished in polished wood and brass with large chairs and plenty of space to stretch out. As you board, the tables are exquisitely laid, ready for your meal, with gleaming crystal and polished cutlery.
On board you will be served by a team of dedicated waiters who will attend to your every need and make sure your journey is as comfortable and luxurious as you imagined.
Vistadome. The Vistadome offers a sophisticated and sensory travel experience—the ideal train for those who want to be in contact with the environment and appreciate the wonderful journey to Machu Picchu.
Surrounded entirely by glass, the wagons have large panoramic windows offering incomparable scenic views and innumerable opportunities to capture pictures. Vistadome travelers have the opportunity to feel fully immersed in the magical Andean landscape.
The Vistadome also has air conditioning and heating, adjustable leather seats for comfort and relaxation, music, traditional dance, and even food carefully prepared with local ingredients.
Expedition. The Expedition is a travel experience with all the quality and comfort, but at a lower cost. The service is designed for the traveler’s enjoyment and ease, with sets of two seats facing each other in pockets of four, so you can share your experience with loved ones or newfound friends. There are also overhead racks above the seats to place personal items and your faithful travel backpack. Plus, this train has panoramic windows, air conditioning and heating, and Andean music that creates a cheerful atmosphere.

Day 5: CUSCO - PUNO

Wake early for an energizing breakfast, then transfer to the bus station* for your guided touristic ride to Puno. On route, you’ll traverse stunning Andean landscapes and visit picturesque towns and archeological sites such as Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Sicuani, La Raya and Pukara. You will arrive in Puno in the early evening, and be welcomed and transferred to your accommodation. Overnight in Puno.
(*) Additional fare if traveling by train. Ask for availability.

Day 6: UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS

Wake early for a 6:30 a.m. pickup to go to the port of Puno and embark toward the islands of Lake Titicaca—the famed birthplace of the Incas. After a 2-hour motorboat ride, you will arrive at the Uros islands. The residents of the Uros are known as the “water tribe,” because they must construct their own islands periodically, adding new layers of totora reeds, which grow right there in the lake. They use the islands as homes and trade centers, and use handmade boats of the same material as their means of transportation.
Following this fascinating experience, you will be led to the Island of Taquile. Here you will have an authentic and rustic experience, where the locals maintain their customs, rituals, and religious and folkloric traditions. In the town of Taquile you will enjoy a typical lunch, as well as visit a craft fair on the plaza. Taquile Island is famous for its craft production, particularly for its beautiful textiles. The visit could be exhausting because of the altitude (13,000 ft above sea level), plus the uphill hiking and stairs involved with exploring the island (500 stone steps to be precise). On Taquile there are numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins as well as Inca terracing to admire. Return to your Puno hotel in the early evening and enjoy the rest of the night at your leisure.

Day 7: SILLUSTANI - LIMA

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima. On route to the airport, you will visit at the Sillustani Chullpas (pre-Colombian funeral towers). The scenery is quite deserted but impressive, in a beautiful setting on a peninsula on Ayumara lake. Most of the towers date from the period of Inca occupation in the 15th century, with some pre-Inca characteristics dating back to the Tiwanaku period (500-950). The engineering involved in their construction is more complex than anything the Incas built. Upon arrival to the Lima airport, you will transfer to your hotel for the night.

Day 8: TRANSFER OUT

Enjoy your last breakfast in Peru, and according to the time of your flight, be transferred to the Lima airport for your flight back home, or to your onward destination.

Prices
Included
Included:
  • All hotel and lodge accommodations based on triple, double or single occupancy.
  • All scheduled ground transportation.
  • All transfers.
  • All scheduled excursions with English-speaking guide services.
  • All entrance fees.
  • All breakfasts included at your hotel.
Not Included:
  • International and domestic airfares.
  • Airport departure taxes or visa fees, tips, souvenirs, excess baggage charges.
  • Additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations.
  • Lunches and dinners (unless otherwise specified by your Travel Advisor).
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or bottled water.
  • Snacks.
  • Insurance of any kind.
  • Laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages.
  • Reconfirmation of international flights and items of a personal nature.