You will visit magical Machu Picchu; take the deluxe train from Cuzco to Puno and cross the mystical Lake Titicaca by hydrofoil with an overnight on the Island of the Sun. Trip ends in La Paz, Bolivia, the highest capital city in the world. This trip can be customized to fit your individual travel dates and any specific requests you may have. Your travel consultant will prepare a customized itinerary for you. We offer a choice of 3, 4, 5-star and deluxe hotels. The Deluxe option is with the Orient Express hotels in Peru: the Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu, Monasterio in Cuzco and the Park Plaza in Lima. You may also choose to upgrade to the luxury Hiram Bingham train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu.
This tour includes international airfare from Miami (US), on non-holiday dates. You do not need to fly via Miami; Kon-Tiki will fly you the most direct way to your city of destination. Depending on your travel dates and proximity of travel, we will quote you the most economical surcharge from your city or country of origin.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Overnight flight to Lima.
Day 2: Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Lima. Lima has always been one of the most important cities in South America since its founding in 1535. Journey through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit San Francisco Convent, religious building from the end of the XVI century and its catacombs. Also drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.
Day 3: Morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival in Cuzco, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco, visiting the Korikancha Temple or Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral and its Art Museum and the artisans quarter of San Blas and San Blas church. Continuing to the nearby water shrine of Tambomachay (the Inca Fountains), Puca Pucara (the Red Fortress), amphitheater of Kenko and finally the Sacsahuaman Fortress. Return to your hotel.
Day 4: Morning transfer to the train station. Train takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas up to the town of Aguas Calientes. From here, we will board a bus to the Lost Citadel of Machu Picchu. We will then have a guided tour of the ruins. Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marches of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stone works of the Cusco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. It was associated with the earth cult revolving around the Coca leaf, which was a privilege of the Inca Royal family and priests. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch or snack, and return to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in the village of Aguas Calientes.
Day 5: Day at leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu, or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. In the afternoon, we will board the train to return to Cuzco. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.
Day 6: Morning at leisure in Cuzco. Afternoon transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lake Titicaca. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. Note: You may also take the Andean Explorer train from Cuzco to Puno, operates only Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Day 7: Pick up from hotel in Puno. Overland transfer to Juli. Visit the Mirador and local church. Hydrofoil cruise to Moon Island, visit the Sun Virgins Temple Iak Uyu. Continue to Sun Island, visit the Inca Staircase and Sacred fountain, taste the sacred water believed to give eternal youth and happiness. Lunch at "Uma Kollu" archaeological restaurant. Note: soft trekking involved.
Day 8: Hydrofoil cruise to Huatajata. After crossing Tiquina Straits, arrive to the Urus Ruitos floating islands and Quewaya Sustainable Project, a rescue of an over 5000 year's old culture and a social project created to assure their survival. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the Royal Range of the Andes. Arrive to Huatajata and experience the "Andean Roots Eco Village": Visit the Altiplano Museum, where a state of the art audio system will explain the cultural heritage of the Aymaras and the Incas, the colonial time and Jacques Cousteau expedition to Lake Titicaca; handicrafts and fisherman villages, the Mud Igloos of the Uru Chipayas. Meet the Limachi brothers, builders of the RA II and Tigris for Thor Heyerdhal epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean. Spend some time at the Kallawaya Natural Spa where we use thousand years' old methods and treatments for stress, well-being, and cosmetology. Bus transfer to La Paz, the road running parallel to the Royal Range of the Andes. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.
Day 9: Full-day city tour of La Paz. We will visit the Gold, Murillo and Costumbrista museums and the "Mirador de Laikakota" with a beautiful overview of the city. We will also walk through various street markets including the Uruguay Market, where you can see the highland agricultural products of quinua, tunta, chuno (dehydrated potato) and oca (sweet potato) and a variety of small animals such as guinea pigs, pigeons and chicken; the semi-legal Black Market where imported clothing and other products are sold at very reasonable prices; and the Witch Market where the locals still buy their supplies from a variety of traditional products used in the ritual ceremonies like the Ch'alla and offerings to the Pachamama (mother earth). The tour continues going through the modern residential area of the city and ends in the Valley of the Moon, with its impressive geological formations. Tour includes lunch at a restaurant with typical Bolivian food.
Day 10: Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home, or overlap with the add-on of your choice.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Air transportation from Miami to Lima and La Paz to Miami in Economy class (surcharge applicable from other cities)
- Air transportation from Lima to Cuzco
- Train ride to Machu Picchu and from Cuzco to Puno, transfer by hydrofoil and by road to Bolivia
- Hotel accommodation including continental breakfast, all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling
- Guided tours of Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu, La Paz and Lake Titicaca in English including all entrance fees
- Meals where specified.
Price Excludes:
- Airport taxes.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Bolivia
Local Culture
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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