Titicaca Lake | Peru

Cusco, Sacred Valley and Arequipa Tour - Peru

Our 9 day tour package is the most robust of the Peru Travel packages we offer and allows you the chance to explore many different regions of Peru that are only offered on our 9 day tour package. If you are looking to take a dedicated vacation to Peru, complete with an adventure to the Machu Picchu ruins, and many other wonderful locations around Peru, than this is the choice of our many Peru Trekking tours for you!

Your vacation will begin upon your arrival in Lima, Peru. Check out the gorgeous colonial Spanish architecture, and dine at some of the finest restaurants in South America. Continue to Cusco, the old Incan city settled at an altitude of over 3.300 meters. Here you start your adventure to legendary Machu Picchu. Afterwards you visit the Sacred Valley with the Pisac Marketplace and Ollantaytambo archeological complex. The next day, you will make a trek across the Andes to the town of Puno. From Puno, you will embark on an excursion to Lake Titikaka, known as the highest navigable lake in the entire world. The following day you will embark on a journey to Arequipa, the “White City.”

From Arequipa, you will return to Lima. When you return home the next day, you will leave Peru with wonderful memories of the longest and most thorough of the Machu Picchu toursavailable.
 

General Information

Trip Style: Cultural – Archeological
Altitude:

  • Lima 1.550 m
  • Cusco 3.326m
  • Aguas Calientes 2.410m
  • Machu Picchu 2.430m
  • Sacred Valley 2.800m
  • Puno 3.830m
  • Arequipa 2.350m

Temperature:

Peru does not have one climate. Because Peru is close the equator, the seasons are hardly affected by changes in the state of the sun. However there can be observed some differences between the months November to April and April to November.
Due to the very diverse landscape that Peru has, there are several distinct climate zones. The climate depends on the geographical location, altitude and sea currents, so we can divided Peru into three climatic zones:

  1. Coast: Through the influence of the warm gulf stream El Niño off the coast of Peru are the summer months between December and April. The short summer is associated with small showers. The temperature is pleasant and is between 25°C and 35°C. From April to November dominates the cold Humboldt Current along the coast and the temperature is between 15°C and 25°C.
  2. Highland: In the Andes a mountain climate prevails. The climate is fairly constant during the year. The temperature differences are mainly to do with day and night and the height at wich you are located. In general; the higher, the colder! The climate in the Andes has also a dry and a wet season. The dry season runs from May to October and the air is often brightly. The temperature range between 15°C and 25°C, depending on the height. At night the temperature drops quickly to 0-5°C. The rainy season runs from November to April. It can rain for days during this period. The temperature differences between day and night are less extreme. In the afternoon it is around 20°C, and in the night about 5°C.
  3. Rainforest: East of the Andes you will find the rainforest which covers most of Peru. In the rainforest is a subtropical climate. It is here all year round humid and temperatures will be around 25°C. The rainy season runs from November to April. The rains are generally short and after the rain usually appears the sun. In the dry season from April to November, there is much less rain in the rainforest.

Access to Lima – via air transport

From Cusco: 1h20 min
From Arequipa: 1h25 min
From Puno Juliaca: 1h40 min

Access to Lima – via land transport

From Cusco: 21h30
From Arequipa: 16h00

Lima

Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. With a population approaching 9 million, Lima is the most populous metropolitan area of Peru and the fifth largest city in the Americas. It is one of the most interesting and challenging cities in South America with a huge archaelogical, historical and cultural past. Most of its treasures might be well hidden, but are worth being discovered!

Cusco

Cusco is a city in southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. In 1983 the historical capital of the Inca Empire was declared by the World Heritage Site. Today the city is a jumping-off point for the Inca Trail and famous Inca site Machu Picchu. Cusco got his name in a special way; legend tells that in the 12th century, the sun god Inti looked down on the earth and decided that people needed more organizing, so he created the first Inca, Manco Cápac, and his sister-wife, Mama ocllo. They came to life on Isla del Sol (Sun Island), way over Lake Titicaca, with a long walk ahead of them. Inti gave Manco Cápac a golden rod and told him to settle in the spot where he could plug it into the ground until it disappeard: this would be the navel of the earth, Qosq´o in the Quechua language, Cusco.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca site located 2.430 meters above sealevel. It is also called ¨Lost city of the Incas¨ and declared by UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. In 2007 Machu Picchu was voted one of the ¨New Seven Wonders of the World¨.

Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas or the Urubamba Valley is a valley in the Andes of Peru, close to the Inca capital of Cusco and the ancient of Machu Picchu. The valley was formed by the Urubamba River. The star attractions are the lofty Inca citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Pisac is known for its craft market, by far the biggest in the region. You can visit the market daily but the official market days are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Ollantaytambo is an Inca archeological site and dominated two Inca ruins.

Puno

Puno is located on the shores of Lake Titicaca and the mountains surrounding the city. The city is known as a jumping-off point for Lake Titicaca tours. Puno is Peru´s folkloric capital due to its wealth of artistic and cultural expressions, particularly dance.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is a lake on the border of Peru and Bolivia and also the largest lake of South America. It is notable for a population of people, who are living on the 42 self-fashioned floating islands called Uros. These islands are definitely worth visiting as well as the island Taquile

Arequipa

Arequipa is well known for its glistening white buildings made from sillar, a white volcanic rock, which gives the city the its nickname ¨The White City¨. Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru and is surrounded by 3 volcanoes; El Misti, still active at 5822m, the higher and extinct Chachani 6075m and Pichu Pichu 5571m. The Incas highly respected these volcanoes since the melt water from their snow-capped peaks form the headwaters of the mighty Amazon River, thousands of kilometers away. Most people visit Arequipa to take a tour out to the Cañon de Colca, one of the deepest canyons formed by an enormous seismic fault between the Coropuna (6425m) and Ampato (6325m) volcanoes.

Day by day

Day 1: Lima
Lima
Arrival in Lima, the “City of Kings” famous for its Spanish Colonial architecture, extraordinary museums and cuisine. Lima is internationally recognized as the “Gastronomic Capital of the Americas”, and its cuisine is considered among the most diverse and exquisite in the world on par with French cuisine. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering.
Day 2: Lima- Cusco
Cusco
Early morning transfer from the hotel to the airport for a short but spectacular flight over the snowcapped Andes to the oldest inhabited city in the hemisphere, Cusco, at an elevation of 3.326 meters. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering. In the afternoon you will go on a city tour in Cusco, that includes the visit of the ruins outside the city; Saqsayhuamán, Qenko, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay. Afterwards you will visit Koricancha (Temple of the Sun) and the impressive Cathedral on the Main Square. Afterwards the guide will bring you back to the hotel.
Day 3: Cusco-Machu Picchu- Cusco
Mchu Picchu
Today you will go on a full day tour to the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu. Early in the morning you will be picked up in order totake the Expedition Train to Aguas Calientes, where you will go by bus up to the ruins of Machu Picchu. After the guided tour of about 2 hours you will have free time to explore this magical site on your own. In the afternoon you will take the train back to Cusco and will be transferred to your hotel.
Day 4: Cusco-Sacred Valley-Cusco
Sacred Valley
In the morning you will be picked up for a tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your first stop will be the Pisac market where you can enjoy haggling with the local people and find lots of typical peruvian handicraft. Then you will continue to Ollantaytambo where you will have a guided tour through the ruins. In the afternoon you will head back to Cusco and stop on the way in the little village of Chinchero. Arrival in Cusco in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Cusco-Puno
Puno
Early in the morning you will be picked up and transferred to the busstation of Cusco to take the bus to Puno. The journey will take about 10 hours and includes an english speaking guide, entry tickets to attractions on the road and a buffet lunch. Brief stops at the town of Andahuaylillas, a showcase of the colonial art in Peru, sometimes called “the Sistine Chapel of America” and at Raqchi to see the remains of the remarkable temple of Viracocha, considered by the historians an important Inca construction. Arrival in Puno in the late afternoon.
Day 6: Puno- Lake Titicaca
Puno Lake
Boat excursion to Uros and Taquile Islands on Lake Titikaka. This full day excursion will take you to the highest navigable lake in the world to the floating islands of the Uros Indians, man-made islands by tying totora reeds. The Uros considered themselves Lords of the Lake; they hunt wild birds and maintain traditional fishing methods. The men have developed an extraordinary skill in weaving reeds; producing houses, boats and handicrafts, and the women are expert knitters. Continuing to Taquile where a native community of about 400 families still lives with the traditions and high principals of the Incas. Taquile is a very important site on Lake Titikaka for its archeological remains, the sacred and ceremonial sites, the festive activities and their rituals. Taquile is characterized by its friendly inhabitants, who maintain their customs and traditional clothing. They distinguish themselves by their detailed, fine, and colorful textiles with symmetrical decorations and symbols that reflect their way of life and Andean beliefs. Lunch is included. Arrival in Puno in the late afternoon.
Day 7: Puno- Arequipa
Puno Arequipa
Transfer to the busstation for your bus to Arequipa. The journey will take about 6 hours. Upon arrival a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and in registering.
Day 8: Arequipa Lima
Lima

In the morning you will be picked up by your guide and you can enjoy a city tour in Arequipa. Since everything is close, you will go by foot. First you will visit a local market where you can learn about typical peruvian fruits & vegetables as well as a little witches market. Then you continue to the Main Square where you will visit the Compañia and the cathedral of Arequipa. Afterwards you will have a guided tour through the beautiful Monastery of Santa Catalina, built in 1580 and still home to about 20 nons. In the afternoon you will have a transport to the airport to take your flight to Lima. In Lima you will be transferred to your hotel.

Day 9: Lima- Out
Lima
Transfer to the airport for your international flight. We hope you enjoyed your time in Peru!

Includes

  • All tours and excursions specified with licensed bilingual guide & transportation
  • Transfers to/from Airport and others where detailed.
  • Accommodation on selected hotel (category) with Breakfast.
  • Entrance fees to visited sites.
  • 24/ assistance when on tour.

Does not Include

  • International and domestic flights in Peru.
  • Lunch and Dinner where not specified.
  • Additional entrance fee, tours & sightseeing besides mentioned.
  • Personal expenses, extras, tips and drinks.
  • Other services not specified in the program.
  • Travel, medical and cancelation insurance.

Highlights

  • Enjoy the Gastronomic Capital of South America.
  • Visit Koricancha (Temple of the Sun).
  • The Lost City of Machu Picchu at its best.
  • Uros and Taquiles, the two jewels of Lake Titicaca.
  • Culture and history at Arequipa.

Meals Included

  • Breakfast Served Daily
  • 8 Dinners
  • 9 Lunches
Titicaca Lake | Peru
Lima City | Peru
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Sacred Valley | Machu Picchu
Cusco, Sacred Valley and Arequipa Tour
9 Days


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