Traveling Through the colourful Andean cities
In the heart of South America, where the Andes soar and ancient civilizations left their indelible mark, a captivating adventure awaits. In just five extraordinary days, you will explore Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca, three of Peru’s most iconic destinations. This is a journey that promises to transport you through time and space, unveiling the incredible history, culture, and natural beauty of this remarkable region.
Peru, a country synonymous with ancient mysteries and modern marvels, beckons travelers with its diverse tapestry of history, culture, and geography. In the span of five days, you’ll embark on a whirlwind expedition through the most revered destinations in Peru, where the past and present coexist seamlessly. This is a journey through a symphony of cultures and landscapes, each movement more enchanting than the last.
Your adventure begins in the charming city of Cusco, a place where cobblestone streets and colonial architecture converge with ancient Inca heritage. Nestled high in the Andes at over 11,000 feet above sea level, Cusco served as the capital of the mighty Inca Empire. As you explore the city, you’ll discover the intricate stonework that characterizes Inca architecture, while the Spanish influence is evident in the grand cathedrals and churches.
Cusco’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers an exquisite blend of history and modernity. The Plaza de Armas is the heart of the city, and its surrounding streets are lined with bustling markets, authentic restaurants, and shops filled with vibrant textiles and traditional crafts. It’s a place where centuries-old traditions and contemporary life intertwine seamlessly.
From Cusco, you’ll venture onward to one of the world’s most iconic and enigmatic archaeological sites – Machu Picchu. Your journey will take you through the breathtaking scenery of the Sacred Valley, a place where terraced fields, ancient ruins, and the Urubamba River create a tableau of natural and historical splendor.
Machu Picchu, the crown jewel of Inca engineering, is a sight to behold. Nestled atop a ridge in the Andes, this ancient citadel is an enigma waiting to be unraveled. As you explore the terraced fields, temples, and residential areas, you’ll feel the echoes of the Inca civilization that once thrived here. It’s a place of deep spiritual significance and incredible archaeological importance, and the mystery surrounding its construction and purpose will leave you in awe.
As your journey continues, you’ll set your sights on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. The mystical waters of Titicaca have long held a special place in the hearts of the Andean people, and a visit here is a journey into the heart of their culture.
The lake’s calm, reflective surface mirrors the vast expanse of the sky and the snow-capped peaks that surround it. You’ll visit the Uros Islands, constructed entirely from the totora reeds that grow in the lake. Here, the Uros people have built a unique way of life, embracing both tradition and innovation.
Your adventure will also take you to the tranquil island of Taquile, where the indigenous people maintain a traditional way of life that dates back centuries. Here, the local community is renowned for their textile craftsmanship, and the island offers stunning views of the lake and the Andes beyond.
This five-day journey is an odyssey through time and place, revealing the stories, cultures, and natural wonders that define this corner of the world. It’s a pilgrimage to the heart of the Andes, where the echoes of ancient empires resonate through cobblestone streets, where the enigma of Machu Picchu beckons from the mountaintop, and where the tranquil waters of Lake Titicaca offer a glimpse into the timeless traditions of Andean communities. Your journey through Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca is a cinematic adventure that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
**All our programs can be modified according to your requirements on duration, interests, activities, flight reservations or other additional destinations.**
On arrival, you will be assisted and transferred to your hotel. We suggest resting the rest of the morning to acclimatize to the altitude.
In the afternoon, we will get to know Cusco city on a guided tour, visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha. The tour continues outside the city to visit the Kenko, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara archaeological complexes and the impressive Sacsayhuaman Fortress which was strategically built on a hill dominating Cusco. It is famous for its huge carved stones, put together with amazing precision to form the external walls of the complex. Some of these stones are over 9 meters high and weight more than 350 tons.
Meals: None
Visitors will be transferred to the train station early in the morning, to start their trip to the Machu Picchu citadel, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. They will get off the train at the Aguas Calientes station to take a bus that will take them to the wonderful citadel in a 30-minute-long trip through a zigzagging road. Once there, we will have a guided tour over the citadel, visiting the Main Square, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sundial, the Royal Chambers, the Temple of the Three Windows and the cemeteries. Lunch in a restaurant in Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, they will return to Cusco to be taken to their hotels.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Departure in a tourist bus early in the morning to Puno city (3,860 meter above sea level). During our trip, we will pass by the Wacarpay Lagoon, which will give us a spectacular view of the mountains reflected on its quiet waters. We will continue towards Andahuaylillas, a picturesque town where we will visit the San Pedro de Andahuaylillas temple, named as the Sistine Chapel of America because of its colonial art richness and the fresco paintings that cover walls, plinths, ceilings and facades. On our way, we will stop at Racchi, where we will visit the spectacular Inca sanctuary built by Pachachutec and that was dedicated to the Inca god Wiracocha. This sanctuary has a central wall with a stone foundation and other walls made of adobe. There are several old buildings used as houses or warehouses around the temple.
Approximately 70 kilometers ahead, we will pass by La Raya ranch, where we will see llama and vicuna herds. Then, we will travel along the Collao plateau, and we will make a stop in Ayaviri city, which is an important cattle raising and textile center. There, we will visit the Kalasaya temple that belonged to the Pucara ancient culture.
Buffet lunch in a calm and quiet rural restaurant, where we will be delighted by the regional gastronomy. Arrival to Puno, transfer to the chosen hotel.
Free night. We recommend having dinner at the hotel.
Note: the route from Cusco to Puno can be made in a private transportation or by train as requested (ask for a quote).
* For Superior and Deluxe is made by train.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Get onboard an unforgettable tour on the Lake Titicaca. After having breakfast, we will get on a boat to visit the Uros Floating Islands, very early in the morning. The Uros are Lake Titicacas’ ancient inhabitants, known as the “water tribe”. They build their own islands by constantly adding totora layers. The totora is a material they also use to build their houses and boats.
We will continue sailing until we reach the Taquile Island, inhabited by Quechua natives who have developed an efficient and original social system and a great knitting technique for generations.
We will have lunch once we arrive and then, we will have a trek on its hills and archaeological sites. In the afternoon, we will go back to Puno to our chosen hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Early in the morning you will be transfer to the airport to take your flight to Lima. On our way, we will stop to visit the Chullpas of Sillustani, 12-meter-high cylindrical tombs made of stone where the ancient aymaras buried their high priests. The Umayo lagoon, in front of the chullpas adds more beauty to the place’s landscape. At this point, we will have the chance to watch different birds and other typical species from the area.
Meals: Breakfast
| Destination | Tourist | Superior tourist | Superior | Deluxe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cusco |
Antawasi |
Casona Plaza Cusco |
Xima |
Casa Andina Premium |
|
Puno & Lake Titicaca |
Balsa Inn |
Casona Plaza Hotel Centro |
Taypikala |
Casa Andina Premium |
| Price per person: USD | 838 | 880 | 1388 | 1599 |
| Cusco | Casona Plaza Cusco |
| Puno & Lake Titicaca | Casona Plaza Hotel Centro |
| Price per person: USD | 880 |
|---|
| Cusco | Casa Andina Premium |
| Puno & Lake Titicaca | Casa Andina Premium |
| Price per person: USD | 1599 |
|---|
Prices per person in US Dollars, based on double occupancy.
INCLUDES:
In Cusco: City tour and nearby ruins
In Machu Picchu: Guided tour at the citadel of Machu Picchu
In Puno: Titicaca Lake, Taquile Island and Sillustani
NOT INCLUDES:
PRICES
All rates are expressed in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice.
ITINERARY
All our itineraries have been very carefully prepared taking your trip’s best operation into account. However, changing the order of some tours or routes might be necessary in some cases. Although these changes occur in few instances, the itinerary details should be taken as a basic guide.
AIR TICKETS
If Colourful Peru oversees buying and issuing local-flight tickets, their prices may vary until the date of the flight’s booking and payment. Furthermore, the airline might change the flight number as well as its departure hour.
Once the flight reservation and payment are made, the latter will not be reimbursable. Changes regarding name, flight, route, trip’s date or cancellations are not allowed.
Hotel reservations that are not part of an organized trip
Cancellations and Reimbursements
Booked trips
Cancellations and Reimbursements
(*) Note: some suppliers consider stricter cancellation conditions, consequently, they reserve the right to charge additional fees for other penalties in such cases.
Regarding the Inca Trail: the reserve is subject to its payment and there will not be reimbursements in case of cancellations, moreover, neither name nor date changes are allowed.
During peak season, the company reserves the right to change the cancellation regulations in case the suppliers apply other penalties or make the aforementioned changes.
LIABILITY
Live Corporation carries out your trip’s arrangements, books transfer services, hotel rooms or other travel services required on your behalf, consequently, the company takes no responsibility for the loss of items, flight or tours delays due to events of force majeure, accidents or other events.
Important!
Live Corporation disclaims any liability for medical conditions, pregnancy, mental or physical limitations that might put at risk the health or integrity of the passenger or third parties during the operation of the booked tours or that might jeopardize the trip’s progress. Therefore, the company will not be obliged to any refunds or to address claims regarding the aforementioned reasons, even when there are not noticeable problems in normal circumstances.
Given this, it is important for the passengers to inform the company whether there is any of the aforementioned impediments, so we can offer and suggest suitable services according to the existing limitations.
CLIMATE
The climate in Peru can be divided by zones: the western Andes that has a dry and cold climate in winter and its very rainy during the summer. The rainforest that has a hot, wet and rainy climate and the desert coast with a warm climate without regular rainfall.
Cusco has a mild climate with temperatures that go from 14 ºC to 16ºC with warm days and cold nights. The rainy season is from December to March.
Machu Picchu has a semi-tropical climate with warm days and cold nights. The rainy season is from November to April.
The climate is very cold and dry in Puno. The temperature fluctuates between 5ºC and 8ºC throughout the year. It is sunny during the day and very cold during the night (-10ºC).
The rainy season is from December to March.
The weather doesn’t hold the trip back in general, except when the “El Niño” phenomenon is very aggressive.
TIME ZONE
Peru Time Zone according to Greenwich Mean Time is -5 (GMT -5), same as Bogotá and Mexico throughout the year and same as New York during summer. When it is midday in Peru the hour in the most important cities is:
| São Paulo | 14:00 |
| Frankfurt | 19:00 |
| Nueva York | 13:00 |
| Londres | 18:00 |
| Hong Kong | 01:00 + 1day |
| Singapur | 01:00 + 1day |
ALTITUDE
In Cusco: 3,360 meters above sea level
In Machu Picchu: 2,400 meters above sea level
In Puno: 3,860 meters above sea level
WE RECOMMEND
HEALTH
The Peruvian Andes are at high altitudes, so it is necessary to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness or “soroche”. It is important to rest a few hours, to walk slowly and to eat light before beginning any tour. We also recommend drinking coca tea that helps with acclimatization. Even though water is potable in most cities, it is advisable to drink bottled water to avoid any problems.
VISA
To know if you need a visa to enter Peru, please go to the closest consulate since the requirement may vary at any moment. For more information, please go to:
Visa types to enter Peru
LANGUAGE
Peru’s official language is Spanish, which is spoken by 80% of the population. However, there is a large portion of the population that speaks Quechua and Aymara (especially in the Peruvian Andes). Moreover, we can find 55 dialects in the Amazonian rainforest.
ELECTRICAL CURRENT
Electricity in Peru is 220 Volts and 60 Hertz. In some hotels, you may find dual voltage outlets, however, we suggest checking your appliances’ voltage and take precautions by having a power adapter or converter.
PERUVIAN GASTRONOMY
During the last years, the Peruvian gastronomy has become famous because of its variety and exquisiteness. Among the most known dishes you can find the ceviche, a dish made of fish and seafood marinated in lemon juice.
There is a new gastronomy trend in Cusco called “novoandina”. The novoandina cuisine is based on the creation of new dishes using local ingredients such as quinoa, quiwicha, potato, alpaca and trout. This way, we have dishes such as alpaca tenderloin with “quinotto” (risotto made of quinoa instead of rice) or grilled trout with sautéed vegetables and native potatoes.
In Puno, we can also find restaurants offering alpaca tenderloin and trout dishes with local vegetables and native potatoes. The zone’s pizzas also have a great acceptance due to the Andean cheese used in their preparation and the clay oven used to cook them.
Restaurants during your trip:
Cusco: international, local and vegetarian food restaurants.
Aguas Calientes: international and local food restaurants.
Puno: local food restaurants. Taquile only has the basic services.
IMPORTANT
Colourful Peru reserves the right to make any changes without prior notice due to weather conditions, river levels, transport departures or arrivals, etc., to assure a better development of your trip’s operation.
Traveling Through the colourful Andean cities
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