This 17-day tour takes you to the heart of Inkan territory in Peru as you travel to the main cities of Cusco and Puno, as well as surrounding areas. It provides you with an insight to Inkan culture, architecture and history. Highlights include a two-day trek to Machu Picchu and two-day private boat tour on Lake Titicaca. Throughout the tour you will explore ancient Inkan and Pre-Inkan sites. All accommodation is in hotels, along with one night in home-stay on Amantani Island on Lake Ttitcaca.
Home to Lima
Arrive to Cusco. Travel by private van (1.5-2 hour drive) to Ollantaytambo (Ollanta), which is the last surviving inhabited Inka town. Acclimatization begins. Overnight in Ollanta.
Visit ruins in Ollanta including storage buildings and hike to Inka bridge and across river. Overnight in Ollanta.
Visit Maras- Moray, ancient agricultural experimental station, Salineras salt flats and hike to Urubamba river. Buffet in Tanupa, visit Pablo Seminario’s ceramic workshop, and, time permitting, Chicha and Juego del Zappo games. Travel by private van back to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.
Cusco including City tour of Koricancha and cathedral. Overnight in Cusco.
Visit ruins surrounding Cusco including Sacsayhuaman and Tambomachay. Picnic-tent lunch. Overnight in Cusco.
Camelid zoo, condor, and puma zoo and store, Pisac ruins, hike, market and lunch at Ulriche’s Restaurant. Briefing for upcoming 2 day Inca trail hike. Overnight in Cusco.
Tipon ruins (watercourses) and Oropesa (bread town). Hotel in Cusco.
Classic Inca trail 2 day hike: Train to km 104 on the Urubamba River and then hike through Sungate to Machu Picchu; picnic lunch on hike. Overnight in Aguas Calientes hotel.
Details: We take the train to the km 104. The terrain from the KM 104 to Machu Picchu is approximately 3 hours uphill by trail and by steps until Wiñaywayna inka site. We will have lunch there and then we hike for about 1.5 hours on “Peruvian Flats” including the famous steps until the Sungate where we will get the first view of Machu Picchu. From there it is about an hour hike, exploring Machu Picchu to the guard house. We take the bus down to Aguas Calientes and spend the night there. Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Full day Machu Picchu, optional climb of Huayna Picchu and Moon Shrine, Inka Bridge. Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Morning train to Ollanta and travel by private van to Cusco via Chinchero for family home visit: weaving demonstration, Quechua meal, and Ruins. Overnight in Cusco hotel.
Day tour bus to Puno, colonial church Andahuaylillas,Inka ruins at Raqchi, Pre-Inka ruins at Pukara including buffet lunch in Sicuani. Overnight in Puno at Hotel Camino Real.
Visit Lake Titicaca and Uros on private boat, go to Amantani Island for homestay. Lunch, Dinner included. Hiking. Overnight in homestay.
Boat from Amantani Island to Taquile Island, visiting Inka and Pre-Inka ruins. Travel back to Puno. Breakfast, lunch included. Overnight in Puno at Hotel Camino Real.
Puno – tour Silustani. Also visit Totora Museum, Ichu and Chucuito ruins. Inka and pre Inka ruins. Overnight in Puno at Hotel Camino Real.
City tour in Puno. Cathedral, Dreyer Museum. Time permitting walk to Condor statue. Transportation to airport in Juliaca for flight to Lima.
Lima to Home.