Cusco, Rainbow Mountain & Puno

1/2

Difficulty:

Average

Length:

7 nights/8 days

Brief description:

The city of Cusco is surrounded by great riches and mysteries. We visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas, The Inca City of Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, which is known as one of the most impressive mountains of Peru and is attracting more and more visitors every year.

Itinerary

Day 1:

Cusco

When you arrive in the City of Cusco our staff will be waiting for you at the airport and take you to your chosen hotel. At the hotel, you will be greeted with the typical coca tea for acclimatization. Our staff will help you check in and give you all the information and recommendations such as: Banks, Restaurants, Exchange Houses and others.

Finally you have a free afternoon to rest and acclimatize.

Optional: Presentation of typical Andean music and dances at the Qosqo Native Art Centre (6:30pm to 8.00pm) The entrance ticket is included in the package.

Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin Dorado, San Agustin Plaza and others in the same category)

Day 2:

City Tour in Cusco

After a free morning we will pick you up from your hotel at 1.30pm and will take a bus to visit of the city of Cusco.

The first stop will be in the main square of Cusco or also known as Plaza de Armas, here we visit the Cathedral which is known as one of the most beautiful and imposing buildings of Peru and Latin America. Continuing with the tour we move to the Temple of Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, here we can appreciate the very fine work that the Incas performed on the stone. Then we take our bus to leave the city of Cusco and visit the archaeological site Sacsayhuaman. Where every year in June, the Sun Festival 'Inti Raymi' is held during the Winter Solstice. It has a strategic location that offers a complete view of Cusco City to visitors. We will also appreciate the Archaeological Centres. of Qenqo, Tambomachay and Pucapucara.

Returning to the City of Cusco approximately at 6.30pm.

Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin Dorado, San Agustin Plaza and others in the same category)
Meals: Breakfast

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3:

Cusco & Sacred Valley

Pick up from your hotel will be at 8am.

We make our first stop at The Andean Animal Refuge where we will find llamas, alpacas, condors, and pumas. Continuing our tour we visit the most important archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley. Here we will have a guided tour exploring the sites for around one hour. This place is best known for having the largest Inca cemetery in the area, and also has religious temples, agricultural terraces, and irrigation systems. Then we go to the colonial town of Pisac where we visit a silverware workshop and learn the process of making silver. Also, we will walk through the traditional markets where you can find a lot of handmade crafts, here we will have time to buy souvenirs.

We then go to the town of Urubamba where we stop at a restaurant to have a buffet lunch.

To complete our day's tour, we visit the Archaeological Centre of Ollantaytambo which is another important site in the Sacred Valley having temples and gardens.

Also, in this place one of the greatest battles of Spaniards with Incas was celebrated.

On the way back to Cusco we will end the tour with a visit to the archeological centre of Chinchero.

Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin Dorado, San Agustin Plaza and others in the same category)

Meals included: Breakfast and buffet lunch

Day 4:

Trekking to Rainbow Mountain

The adventure begins very early at 3.40am, when we will start picking up people from for their different hotels.

We will then head to the picturesque town of Pitumarca, South of the city of Cusco. Here we will stop to pick up some of the necessary items for our trek, such as water, snacks etc.

After this short stop we continue our journey where we observe the multi coloured landscapes and crops that mix between the mysterious mountains and snowy mountains. Seeing Andean animals such as the llama, alpaca, sheep, vicuñas and also the deep valleys. We arrive at the picturesque town of Ocefina (Chillca) which is our starting point of the walk. Here we enjoy a delicious Andean breakfast with the locals.

After breakfast, we start our hike for 2 hours and 30 minutes up the mountain until we reach the town of Machuraccay and then we will ascend to the foothills of the Vinicunca hill. Continuing the walk we go through a path that little by little will change the landscape between mountains of intense colors and small streams of ice water that feed and give life to this valley. As we walk we observe how the colours of our surroundings will change by the climate, reaching a height of 5033 meters above sea level.

Once we reach the top we will have enough time to take photos, videos, etc. We will also enjoy some refreshments here and marvel at the magic of the mountains behind their veil of clouds and snow peaks. We will make our way back to the town of Pitumarca where we stop to have lunch. After, we return to Cusco at around 8.00 pm.

Note: During the ascent we will have a backup horse in case of an emergency. You are able to rent a horse for the way up and down.

Accommodations: 4* Hotel (San Agustin Dorado, San Agustin Plaza and others in the same category)

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5:

Cusco - Puno

We will pick you up from your hotel at 6.20am and take a transfer to the bus station. We will leave for Ruta Del Sol at 7.00am and arrive to our first point of visit at 8.00am.

Here we will enjoy a guided tour of the Sistine Chapel of America and the Church of San Pedro Apostle of Andahuaylillas which was built by the Jesuits in the Sixteenth century.

Next we will visit the archeological site of Raqchi, inside we can appreciate the construction of the Temple Wiracocha - according to the ancient chroniclers it was built by the Inca Wiracocha in honor to the God Superior for the Andean towns: Apu Kon Titi Wiracocha. The Temple of Wiracocha was also known as Kallanka, this means a tall building completely covered with straw. Externally it is 92 meters long and 25.25 metres wide.

We will visit the City of Sicuani next where we will taste a succulent Almuerso buffet with a family atmosphere.

Finally we visit the Pukara museum at 5.00pm, stopping for many photo opportunities along the route of La Raya. We will arrive to the city of Puno where our staff will be waiting for us at the bus terminal to transfer us to your chosen hotel.

Accommodations: 4* Hotel (Qalasaya, Xima Hotels Eco Inn Puno and others in the same category)

Meals: Breakfast and Buffet Lunch

Day 6:

Tour Uros Island - Amantani Island

After breakfast at the hotel we will take a transfer to the port of Puno, here we will board a small boat on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. It will take 30 minutes till we reach the floating islands. The locals will welcome us and show you the island and souvenirs the they weave. We will take a 3 hour boat ride to Amantani island arriving at 2.3pm. Our guide will introduce us to the local families who we will homestay will homestay with.

After lunch we will walk for an hour to the mountain Pachataita (Mother Father) which sits at 4400m above sea level. Here you can enjoy an incredible view of the sunset over the lake. Returning back to our local home for dinner and then we have the opportunity to dress in traditional clothing provided by the locals, we head to the local school where a party will be held for the community.

Accommodations: Basic home stay

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 7:

Amantani Island - Taquile Island - Puno

We will have breakfast with the local family and then take a boat for 2 hours to reach the island of Taquile. The inhabitants still live life according to their ancestral traditions and dress with beautiful coloured clothes and ropes. They are famous for their magnificent fabrics. You will have the time to learn about ancestral agricultural techniques and have a go at using some of their Inca tools. We will have lunch in a local restaurant and take the boat back to Puno, upon arrival we will take a transfer to your chosen hotel.