Lima-Cusco-Puno 9 DAYS

DAY 1 HOME – LIMA

Check in, and enjoy your first night in Perú!

DAY 2 CUSCO – PISAC – SACRED VALLEY

Your Elite Travel guide and driver wilI pick of you up at the airport in Cusco. From here, you will embark upon a guided excursión through snowcapped mountains to the legendary Sacred Valley, as majestic today as it was during the reign of the Incas. See Inca terracing that climbs the steep valley walls and the beautiful temples of Pisac which inspire panoramic views of the jagged granite mountains. Pisac is the location for one of the best textile markets in the Andes. Use your bargaining skills and enjoy the local culture before you reach the ancient town of Ollantaytambo. Dinner on your own.

Note: Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco which is why we begin here to ease your acclimation to the altitude. For your convenience, we provide water all days.  (B)

DAY 3 OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES.

This morning, your guide will meet you at your hotel and together you will walk to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo. You will have an explanation of the incredible structures the Incas built here. See many temples of pink granite stone and the famous ‘Princess Bath’. You will walk through the old town, and see how the Incas constructed their houses, and lived. Ollantaytambo is the only living Inca town still in existence! You will be able to hike up to the granaries that the Incas built in Pinka Lluna, an amazing site that rises high above the town. Have lunch, then walk to the train station. You will take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes.) This beautiful train ride traverses along the Vilcabamba River for 1 ½ hours – and you will experience the “eyebrow of the jungle” from the luxury of your seat. Check in to your hotel and the evening is free. Visit the hot springs if you wish! Dinner on your own. (B,L)

DAY 4 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

The morning is dedicated to exploring the lost city of Machu Picchu. A 2 hour guided tour of the site starts your day. Then, you will have the rest of the day to hike and explore on your own and climb Huayna Picchu. The afternoon train takes you back to Ollantaytambo, where you wiil meet your prívate driver and travel back to Cusco and the beautiful.

DAY 5.  CUSCO – CITY AND SURROUNDS

Today you will spend the day learning about the region’s rich cultural history. Start the morning off with a walk through the San Pedro Market to see the colorful stalls and local wares for sale. Then you will visit the colonial cathedral and Koricancha. the Inca’s Temple of the Sun. You’ll take private transportation with your guide to the other significant Inca ruins in the vicinity of Cusco including: the mammoth fortress of Saqsayhuaman above the city, noted for its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko with its distinctive zig zag – patterned carved stone and subterranean altars; the hillside outpost of Puka Pukara, a small fortress that formerly protected the royal capital; and the Tambo Machay water temple that served as royal baths. Spend the rest of the afternoon on your own exploring the city. (B,L)

DAY 6 CUSCO – LAKE TITICACA.

Pickup at the hotel in Cusco at approximately 7:30 a.m. We will visit the site of Racchi, also known as the Temple of Wiracocha, the spiritual God of the Incas. They are magical ruins built with adobes and stone at the same time. Lunch buffet and after stop at various attractions including San Pedro de Andahuaylillas (Sistine Chapel of America) to admire the beautiful paintings within – all on the way to the city of Puno – Lake Titicaca. We will stop to take amazing photos of the snowcapped mountains and other beautiful scenery. Visit the Puma Temple of Pukara, which is very beautiful for its stone carvings. Arrive to Puno around 6:00 p.m.; check in to the beautiful Taypikala Lake. Dinner on your own. (B,L)

DAY 7.  LAKE TITICACA – UROS – TAKILE

Pick up at the hotel for a boat ride to the floating islands. There are 70 islands where the locals still wear the beautiful costumes of their ancestors’ heritage. You will ride on a reed boat like the ancient people used, seeing a diversity of colorful birds. Then it’s off to the Island of Takile. This is a great location to see the Bolivian side of the lake and their part of the Andean snowcapped mountains. Surface elevation of the lake is 12,507 ft. Hike to an ancient temple (2 miles round trip, 650 ft. elevation change); have a lunch of local trout on the island of Takile, which is famous for its food and intricate knitting. Back by boat to Puno, where it’s off to the airport and you’ll take the short flight to Lima. (B,L)

DAY 8.  LIMA CITY TOUR

Enjoy a morning breakfast at the hotel. Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and start your diverse tour at Lima Love Park where you will see the ocean and watch the parasailers and surfers. Then you will drive to the Huaca Pucllana Pyramid from the pre Inca Lima culture – incredible original pyramids in the heart of the city that have been built with adobes. Visit the most important museum in South America: the Larco Museum, where you will discover the most extraordinary treasures from ancient Perú. See the beautiful historie colonial buildings in the city center and see how many bones you can count at the catacombs at the Monastery of San Francisco. We will return you back to your hotel in Barranco where you can enjoy the vibrant neighborhood on your own which comes to life at night.  (B)

DAY 9 LIMA EXPLORATION

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then the rest of the day is free to explore! Miraflores is located by the ocean. With its beautiful Love Park (reminiscent of Gaudi style architecture), jogging paths and cliffside views you can watch the surfers and paragliders during these summer days. Wander over to Kennedy Park and stop in any of the many wonderful restaurants, cafes and shops. If you’re looking for more to do, visit the Chocolate Museum, or take a double-decker bus tour of historie Lima or the local neighborhoods right from the park. All meals on your own. Then back to Barranco where you can stroll through this Bohemian neighborhood and enjoy the old train station, watch the surfers, and poke your head into eclectic shops. Evening and dinner on your own. What a great way to end your trip before you head back to the aiport where you’ll catch your flight home. Take a double-decker bus tour of historical Lima, or the local neighborhoods. Tonight, Elite Travel will transfer you to the airport to make your flight home. Exact time will be decided once we see your international flight information. (B)

DAY 10.  FLIGHT HOME

End of the provided service by Elite Travel Perú

Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner.