Hidden Treasures of Machu Picchu – 9 days
The Best Private Tour. Explore Peru’s mixture of colonial and Inca architecture with a private guide: This itinerary offers you the chance to explore Cusco’s historic centre, on this trip we discover the beautiful city of Cusco the timeless capital of both the Incas, is our gateway to the lost city of Machu Picchu, and the ruined fortresses, temples and lively markets, learn about local culture visiting a Sacred Valley of the Incas community.
Type Service: Group Tour or Private tour
Itinerary: Fixed
Destinations: Southern Peru, Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno
Activities: Walking, Cultural and History, Multi-Activity, Family
Day 1 – Flight to Cusco / Cusco Sightseeing Tour.
Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to Lima airport for your flight to Cusco, upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel, free morning to get acclimatized
At 1:30pm pick up from the Hotel; guided sightseeing tour in Cusco like Koricancha temple of Sun the most important shrines during the Incas time. Visit the main square. The tour keeps going to Sacsayhuaman, this site is a megalithic work made by the Incas; it stands on a hill looming over the city to the north-yet even these enormous stones are filled with that extraordinary Inca perfection. The next sightseeing is named Qenqo, it shows a singular limestone outcrop, which was used to religious cult. The tour finishes visiting Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Overnight at Cusco Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 2 – CHINCHERO, MARAS, MORAY. Private Tour Guide
Transfer from Cusco to Chinchero. Chinchero is a town conformed by several communities and whose main income comes from textiles and tourism. We will visit its textile and handicraft market, where you will have the chance to see the traditional weaving and dying techniques which have been kept by these local villagers for centuries. From here we will head to village of Maras and the experimental agricultural terraces of Moray. It is believed in this fascinating area the Incas created their own microclimate to adapt plants to this altitude. After this we will make an afternoon visit to the salt mines located just below Maras. These mines are still operating and peasants work on them during the day. Return to Cusco in the afternoon.
Day 3 – Cusco / Sacred Valley of the Incas
Breakfast at the hotel; this tour is a full day visit to the impressive Sacred Valley of the Incas, covering the visit Pisaq and Ollantaytambo archaeological sites. The first visit at the village of Qorao where is possible to take beautiful pictures of the landscapes from a lookout site. The next visiting is Pisaq (archaeological site and Indian market). Lunch at Sacred Valley, after lunch, visit the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to this part of the Valley, and protect it from possible invasion from the tribes in the Lower jungle. The Fortress consists of a series of stepped carved stone terraces accessed by long staircases. In the afternoon back to OLLANTAYTAMBO.
Overnight at OLLANTAYTAMBO
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 – Train to Aguas Calientes / Hike to Putucusi or Mandor Valley
Breakfast at the hotel; Pick from the Hotel for your Excursion to Machu Picchu 2 days, early transfer to the nearby train station to Poroy for the train journey to the mysterious lost city of Machu Picchu, the train ride to Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful journeys that visitors can experience in our country. The trip offers a great natural, so many staggering views of the Andes and a jungle atmosphere after descending to the (2000 m / 6560 ft). After around 3 ½ hours, we will have arrived in Aguas Calientes, transfer to the Hotel after check in, we have two options to visit (you can choose just only one option).
First option: Mandor Valley; we walk along the Vilcanota River following the railroad tracks into the Mandor Valley to visit its waterfall. The valley is inhabited by varied and fascinating birdlife, including Speckle-faced Parrots and Green Jays, and we have opportunity to find Cock-of-the-Rock. We will relax and perhaps bathe under the waterfall before walking back to the hotel in the shadow of Machu Picchu.
Second option: Hike Putucusi; Hike up an exhilarating mountain that culminates in a spectacular view of the Machu Picchu citadel from the far side of the Vilcanota valley. On ascent appreciate the stark contrast between the mountain cloud forest and the elfin forest, as well as the interesting variation in trees, orchids and birds. Considered among the faster non professional ascent in the world.
Overnight at Aguas Calientes Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 – Machu Picchu / Back to Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel; full day Excursion to Machu Picchu, early transfer to the Bus Stop for the short ride (25 minutes) up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you’ll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure.
Opportunity to walk (approx 1 hour) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) or climb to the top of Wayna Picchu, with a magnificent view of the whole Sanctuary, return in the afternoon by train to Poroy train station and transfer to your Cusco hotel. Overnight at Cusco Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6 –Bus to Puno
Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to the bus station to head off to Puno. Beautiful scenery all along the way, visit of the Raqchi and archeological sites as well as Andahuaylillas village and its famous “Sixteen Chapel” that was built in the middle of the 17th century lunch in Sicuani. Overnight at Puno Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 – Lake Titicaca / Uros Floating Island and Overnight in Amantani
Breakfast at the hotel; Lake Titicaca 2 Day/1 night pick up from the Hotel take a two-hour motor boat excursion on the waters of Lake Titicaca to the unique Floating “Islands” of the Uros. These ancient inhabitants of the lake, known as the Water Tribe, have built their own “islands” by periodically adding new layers of a type of reed unique to the area called “Totora”. Their homes and boats are also made from this material. Continue the motor boat trip to Amantani Island. This island is inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives still governed by their ancient traditions, whose main occupations are the production of ceramics and textiles. Lunch at Amantani and overnight at homestay with local family
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Lake Titicaca / Taquile Island
Breakfast at the familiar house; you have time to stroll at leisure through the quaint streets of this colourful island. Late morning, take a motor-boat to Taquile Island, also inhabited by Quechua-speaking natives who have developed efficient and unique social systems, as well as fine hand weaving techniques, down through the generations. It is necessary to go up a stairway of more than 567 steps – streaks of stone that wind their way among greenery platforms – to arrive at the town of Taquile. Lunch at Taquile, and then take a walk through the various hills and archaeological sites of this 6km long island in the afternoon back to Puno. Overnight at Puno Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 – Depart Puno / Lima International departure
Breakfast at the hotel; transfer to Juliaca airport for departure flight to Lima and then take your connecting flight at home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Includes
• All mentioned transport
• Double or single room in the selected hotel with breakfast
• Entrance to parks and cultural sights
• Guided visits and mentioned excursions
• English speaking guide to accompany visits and excursions
• All transfers
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Train tickets Expedition Class
Not included
• International airfares
• Domestic flights
• Airport departure (US$30 per person for international flights and US$6.5 for national flights) taxes or visa fees
• Excess baggage charges
• Additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations
• Alcoholic beverages or bottled water
• Snacks
• Insurance of any kind
• Laundry
• Phone calls
• Radio calls or messages
• Reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature
• Personal equipment
• Obligatory personal insurance and meals which are not mentioned
Optional Services
• Upgrade the train to Vistadome Class: add US$ 50 per person