“12 Days Cusco – Lares Trek To Machupicchu – Uros Islands & Puno”

DAY 1.- ARRIVAL IN CUSCO & TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL.

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Peru!

Your adventure begins with a welcoming greeting at Cusco airport to transfer you to your hotel.
Enjoy the arecheological city of Cusco, known particularly for its excellent cuisine
and good museums, as well as the historic down-town areas. your Travel
Designer can arrange a tour for you should you wish and you’ll have all
of our recommendations at hand for the best things to see and do in the
city to make the very most of your stay.

Lodging: Cusco –Sonesta Hotel Cusco**** or similars.

DAY 2.- CITY TOUR – TEMPLE OF THE SUN  – CHINCHERO.

Your local expert guide will collect you from your hotel for a tour of the city, starting out at the Santo Domingo convent monastery. This former colonial monastery was previously the Qoricancha Temple, one of the most important temples devoted to the worship of the sun (“in our ancient language “Quechua” the Sun is called INTI”) and according to the chronicles, the Qoricancha was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Your next stop will be the Plaza de Armas.

After touring the most interesting sites of the city, you will be driven by private vehicle to the countryside just outside Cusco to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area such as the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman, one of the emblematic buildings of the Inca Empire (just above from the center of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by the Inca Pachacutec in the 15th Century. It is a vast fortress built from huge stones and the way how they built and transported and worked is still a mystery. The temple and amphitheatre of Qenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.

Places That Are Visited:

• Santo Domingo Monhastery / Qoricanca – Temple Of The Sun.
• Main Plaza of Cusco City – Main Square surrounded by the Inca palaces.
• Saqsayhuaman.
• Qenko.
• Puca Pucara.

After the tour we will enjoy our delicious buffet lunch with our guide in the archeological city of Cusco.

Finally we will be transported to the heart of the Sacred Valley of The Incas to spend the night in the living inca town of Chinchero.

Lodging: Sacred Valley – Chinchero Boutique Hotel*** or similars.

DAY 3.- CHINCHERO – SACRED VALLEY – OLLANTAYTAMBO.

Guiding you through to the fertile Sacred Valley, once the spiritual and commercial heartland of the Inca Empire. You will be collected from your hotel by your expert, local guide and private vehicle to be driven firstly to Chinchero, on this site we will appreciate the Inka walls that are very well preserved in the main square as well as many altars directed to the four cardinal points. We will also visit the beautiful colonial church, unique for its work of art. Continuing, we will participate in a wonderful exposition of Andean weaving art; During the weaving we will become familiar with the wisdom of Andean weavings, such and as they are maintained long before Inka times.

Our next stop is going to be Moray, Inca terraces for some soft hiking in these spectacular landscapes, which has been proven to be an experimental center for understanding the various climates and temperatures of different crops or agricultural plants, perhaps even used for domestication of different crops. After exploring Moray, we will descend lower in elevation to the salt mines of Maras, an important production center dating back to pre-Inca times. Here there are over 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountain side, filled daily by water seeping from the Earth, what we call the tears of Mother Earth!

Finally we will desend to base of the Sacred Valley to the living town of the Incas “Ollantaytambo”.

Places That Are Visited:

• Archeological site of Chinchero.
• Chinchero andean weaving art.
• Terraces of Moray.
• Salt Mines of Maras.
• The Living inca town of Ollantaytambo.
• Andean village visit.

Lodging: Ollantaytambo – Casa Blanca Lodge*** or similars.

DAY 4 TO 7.- “4 DAYS LARES TREK TO MACHUPICCHU”

DAY 4.- FIRST DAY TREK: PUMAHUANCA – PUYOC.

Our first day of the trek starts of in the small village of Pumahuanca in the Sacred Valley. We’ll gently make our way up one of the side valleys covering about 14km in total and climbing about 1150m / 3373ft as we make our way towards the village of Puyoc. On our way up we’ll visit the small Inca site of Pumahuanca and learn about the native plants, flowers and birds that inhabit this region.

This particular route for the Lares trek is not commonly done by other companies so we can enjoy the peace and tranquility of our surroundings without any distractions or disturbance. Because so few people visit the area there is a good chance of seeing Viscachas (a rabbitlike Chinchilla) and we may also spot Andean Fox. Our campsite for the night is at Puyoc (4100m / 13451ft); it’s quite barren at this altitude and it is not uncommon for it to snow up here during the dry season so gloves and a hat are recommended.

Lodging: Campsite.

DAY 5.- SECOND DAY TREK: PUYOC – YANACOCHA – CUNCANI.

Today is the most spectacular day of the trek and quite a bit easier going than yesterday. From our campsite it’s about a 13km walk to the village of Cuncani but most of that is downhill as the pass is only about a 2 hour walk right at the beginning.

As we make our way to Cuncani we’ll pass by snowcapped peaks high above us, serene mountain lakes (including Yanacocha – Black Water) and get to meet the local people dressed in their traditional bright red clothing. This side of the pass is completely different culturally to the other side and as we wind our way down from the pass your guide will teach you about the people and their way of life. You’ll also get to learn a few Qhechua phrases so that you can interact with the local people.

Lodging: Campsite.

DAY 6.- THIRD DAY TREK: CUNCANI – LARES.

The focus of today is to meet the local people. Waking up early we’ll be taken by our guide to one of the houses where we’ll get to meet a local family. The people are incredibly welcoming and are just as eager to learn about you as you are of them – hopefully by now you’ll have mastered a few phrases and be able to ask a few questions (much to everyones delight and amusement). After the visit you’ll have the opportunity to give any gifts you’ve brought for the local people and also to buy some of the locally made alpaca products that the region is famed for.

Leaving Cuncani it’s just a short distance (6km) until we reach the hot springs of Lares. Along the way we’ll pass through several small communities and see the people growing a variety of foods such as Quinua and Tarwi, we’ll also probably spot flocks of Andean parrots flying overhead (they’re easy to spot thanks to their piercing calls). After a relaxing dip in the hot springs we’ll be picked up by our bus and driven back to the Sacred Valley from where we’ll catch our train to Machu Picchu.

Lodging: Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu.

Waman Hotel Machupicchu *** o similars.

DAY 7: PRIVATE TOUR OF MACHUPICCHU.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel your private guide will take you on a comprehensive tour of the Machupicchu citadel, really bringing it to life by detailing the history, significance and myths surrounding it as well as taking you to the hidden corners and best viewpoints. Then after your guided tour, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch before an afternoon at your leisure. You can explore the areas around Machu Picchu or carry on exploring the ruins.

We will coordinate the time to meet in Aguas Calientes to board our train back to Ollantaytambo and then we will transfer you in our private bus or van back to Cusco to your hotel, so with this experiences we have completed our service to Machupicchu and the Sacred Valley of The Incas.

Optional:

The trek to the peak of Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45 minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep, if you are scared of heights. This is done after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $35 per person to hike. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance, due to popularity.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.

The trek to Machu Picchu Mountain: It has the most spectacular view, It is a 1.5 hours hike to the top. Located to the southwest of the citadel of Machu Picchu with a height of 3,050 m (10,007 ft.), This trek offers unparalleled views of the famous Inca sanctuary and also panoramic views of the surrounding mountainous landscape. The cost is $35 per person to hike.

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.

Lodging: Sacred Valley – Chinchero Boutique Hotel*** or similars.

DAY 8.- DAY AT LEISURE IN CUSCO & FAMILY DINNER.

Explore the beautiful city of Cusco at your own pace with a day at leisure. It´s time to explore the Incan Puma City.

One of the Highlights of Cusco is our central market, a wonderful way to discover the Andean culture and daily life. This vibrant spot, with its dazzling displays of fresh produce and fascinating local products, could keep you entertained for hours.

At night we will have our family buffet dinner, where we will enjoy live show of typical dances from all over Peru, enjoying amazing traditional andean music.

Lodging: Cusco – Sonesta Hotel Cusco****  or similars.

DAY 9.- DEPARTURE TO PUNO – ROUTE OF THE SUN.

In the morning we will depart from the bus terminal and head towards Puno. This is a special journey by bus which allows us to visit the many diverse locations along the way on the route of the sun. There will be planned stops to visit the following:

Andahuaylillas: (the sistine chapel of the Americas, this temple is one of the best examples of the fusion between Catholic and Andean religions).

Raqchi: A Inka temple dedicated to the god Wiracocha, construction of monumental dimensions, an estimated 100 meters long, 26m wide, 14m high. This is the only known temple dedicated to the God Wiracocha, creator of the Universe.

La Raya: Midway point on our journey and highest point on the road – 4335 m.s.n.m. The impressive views here allow us to admire the rugged high altitude, full of tall peaks, many of which are snow-capped, and herds of llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. This is the geografic border between two cultures, the Quechua of Cusco and the Aymara of Puno.

Pucara: This ceremonial center is one of the oldest and most important of the high plains, well known for its lithic structures and tombs.

We are going to arrive to Puno around 5:00pm. At the bus station in Puno, a member of the hotel will be there waiting for you holding a sign board with your name on it to transfer you to our hotel. So, all you need to do is just look for your name.

Lodging: Puno – Qalasaya Hotel**** or similars.

DAY 10.- FLOATING ISLANDS OF UROS & AMANTANI ISLAND.

A full day of boat excursion afloat Lake Titicaca. We will visit the ancient culture of the Uros and step foot on their floating islands. The islanders will give us a presentation about their lifestyle upon their man-made islands, built using the totora reed which grows among the shores of the lake. We will learn about their existence on these small islands and how they have adapted to its conditions.

Continuing across the lake we will arrive to the island of Amantani. Here we will meet the Quechua families that will offer us a cosy home-stay style lodging and prepare us traditional food for lunch. After lunch we will make the short ascent to the two hilltops of the island while observing the daily lifestyle of the local people. Atop of the island we will visit two ancient pre-Inka temples, Pachatata and Pachamama (father & mother cosmos). In the evening after dinner the community members will hold a small welcoming party for us.

Lodging: Amantani Island (HOMESTAY).

DAY 11.- TAQUILE ISLAND & BACK TO PUNO.

After breakfast on Amantani we will board the boat again to make the short trip to the neighboring island of Taquile. Here we will ascend the beautiful stone paths to the community, a small and quite shy population, not to mention very hard-working and wise, a culture full of art and tradition. Taquiles’ people are cheerful and proud of their origen and culture, happy to share with us the beautiful atmosphere of island life upon the immense lake Titicaca.

Lodging: Puno – Qalasaya Hotel**** or similars.

DAY 12.- PUNO – JULIACA – FLY TO LIMA & FLY HOME.

A brief transfer from Puno to the neighboring city of Juliaca. Upon arrival in Lima there will be assitence for an international connecting flight, or if prefered, transfer for a hotel.

End of the tour!!!

INCLUDED:

• 8 night’s accommodations with (6 nights with 3 stars hotels, 2 nights with 4 stars and 1 night in a Homestay in the Tititcaca Lake.
• 8 breakfasts,2 lunches and 2 family dinners.
• Meet and greet airport service.
• All Private transportation.
• All Private transfers.
• Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your guide and group in our office for orientation. Here we provide you with duffle bags that will be on horse-back during the trekhorse-back during the trek.
• Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
• Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+.
• Professional Cook for the Lares trek.
• Horses to carry all equipment and 7 kg of your personal items.
• Pick-up and transportation from your hotel.
• Water (excluding the first 4 hours of the trek when you need to bring your own).
• 4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Afternoon Snacks and 4 Dinners. If you have a dietary request (vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free, etc) or allergy please advise us upon booking and re-confirm the day of our briefing.
• Wake up tea: Every morning our staff will bring tea to your tent
• Dining tent with tables and chairs
• 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
• Hotel in Aguas Calientes (Golden Sunrise Machupicchu ****** ,
• Double thickness foam sleeping mattress.
• Oxygen bottle
• First aid kit
• Entrance to Machu Picchu
• Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip)round trip)
• Train ticket Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Transportation Ollantaytambo-Cusco.
• Bus to Puno.
• Titicaca Lake tour – Puno.
• Full support from your Travel Concierge before, during and after your trip.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Sleeping Bag (Optional Rental Fee will apply).
• Breakfast on day 4 and lunch and dinner on Day 8.
• Entrance Fee to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Extra US$ 75.
• Tips for Staff.
• Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

THINGS TO BRING:

• Original Passport.
• Current University Card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount).
• Waterproof jacket / rain poncho.
• Warm jacket.
• T-shirts.
• Comfortable Trousers.
• Sun hat.
• Sun cream (factor 35 or higher).
• Insect repellant.
• Personal medication.
• Camera and film.

THIS TOUR RUNS ALSO AS A PRIVATE SERVICE!
****Daily Departure with at least 2 people****

DEPARTURE DATES:

• As long as we meet our minimum of two people, our Incredible Adventure Tours can leave any day of the week, twelve months a year.