Inca Trail & Lake Titicaca 9D

Arrive in the Cusco airport (3300m/10827ft) and our staff will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy a free morning to acclimatize, relax and have an early lunch. We will meet you in your hotel in the afternoon to start the historical tour of the Inca City of Cusco visiting the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas and Qoricancha (Inca Sun Temple). Afterwards, drive above the city, to visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay. Return to Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco
No Meals

In the morning we will take off from your hotel and drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first visit will be of the Pisac complex (2972m/9751ft) admiring the numerous agricultural terraces and the ruins.  Then drive down to the town of Pisac and shop in the artisan market with many stalls selling many colorful handicrafts. Thereafter, we drive to Urubamba to have a delicious buffet lunch. After lunch, we continue to one of the original Inca towns of Ollantaytambo (2792m/9160ft) built by the Inca Pachacutec. Visit the archeological site which has many structures such as the Temple of the Sun and more. Afterwards, we will drive to the lovely town of Chinchero (3772m/12375ft) with the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, as well as a beautiful colonial temple built on Inca foundations. Return to Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco
Breakfast and lunch included

An early morning departure from Cusco (3360m/1100ft) to Piscacucho (2663m/8735ft) by bus. Here, we meet with our porters and show our Inca trail permits at the checkpoint. Walk alongside the river with views of snow-capped peaks before passing over the ruins of Llaqtapata. Continue hiking to our first campsite at Huayllabamba (2928m/9606ft).
Camping
Lunch and dinner included

Today will be the most strenuous part of the Inca trail to Machu Pichhu. You will climb up to Llulluchapampa where the hike becomes truly spectacular with scenery that more than compensates for the effort. Vegetation thins and the day warms on the approach to the highest point of the trail - Warmiwañusqa Pass (4236m/13894ft). Thereafter, we descend down to the Pacaymayo Valley (3526m/11566ft) our next campsite.
Camping
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After breakfast we will climb an Inca trail stairway to Runkurakay ruins from where the final push begins to the Runkurakay pass (3962m/12996ft). Thereafter, climb down to the impressive ruins of Sayacmarca (3657m/11998ft) for a visit and continue on to the Phuyupatamarca Ruins (3521m/11552ft). The inca trail becomes increasingly more dramatic as it leads down to the next campsite of Wiñaywayna ruins. Tonight we say goodbye to our Inca trail porters because we will depart our campsite early the next morning.
Camping
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

This early morning we will walk to Intipunku (Sungate) for our first amazing views of Machu Picchu (2400m/7870ft). Then walk down to the Sanctuary for a professional guided walking tour of Machu Picchu. Visit the many sacred temples and more. Afterwards, take the bus down to Machu Picchu town to eat lunch (on your own) before taking the train to Poroy and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco
Breakfast included

After, an early breakfast transfer from your Cusco hotel to the bus station to begin our trip to Puno. We’ll travel along the Vilcanota River Valley. Along this route we will visit Andahuaylillas with its colonial chapel known as the Sistine Chapel of South America. Then continue to Raqchi for a visit of the famous Wirachocha Temple. We will enjoy lunch in Sicuani.  After lunch, we travel to La Raya (4321m/14172ft) for a short visit catching stunning vistas of the Cordillera Vilcanota. Later we will visit the Pucara museum before continuing our drive to Puno. Reception in Puno and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Puno
Breakfast and lunch included

After breakfast, transfer to the dock to board our motorboat to start our ride on the smooth waters of Lake Titicaca to the island of Uros. Enjoy a pleasurable visit of the Uros people, where the inhabitants have built and continue to build their islands from the totora reeds unique to the area. Their homes and boats are also built from the reeds. We journey to the island of Taquile on its tranquil pristine waters. Meet these graceful people and admire their culture and lifestyle. The Taquileños are known for their hand-woven textiles and clothing considered among the highest quality handicrafts in Peru. Knitting is exclusively performed by males, starting at age eight. The women exclusively make yarn and weave. Enjoy a scenic trek of the island and have a delicious lunch in a local restaurant.  After a wonderful cultural experience, it is time to return to Puno.
Overnight in Puno
Breakfast and lunch included

After breakfast in the morning we will drive to the Juliaca airport and en route visit the Silustani ruins. We will tour the pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Umayo near Puno. These tombs, which are built above ground in structures that resemble towers are called chullpas and are the vestiges of the Colla people, Aymara who were conquered by the Inca in the 15th century. Afterwards, we continue to the Juliaca aiport to take your flight to Lima.
Breakfast included