Unique Islands of Lake Titicaca

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1: PUNO - PENINSULA CAPACHICA – UROS - AMANTANI

  The tour begins at 6:30 am in Puno when we start our drive to by private car to Llachon. Here we will take a 1 hour private boat ride to the remarkable floating island of Uros.  After we tour this island, during which we will learn about its unusual construction and the locals’ traditional fishing methods, we will again travel for about 1 hour by boat to Amantani Island.

  On Amantani, we will be invited to enjoy lunch with a local family. After lunch we will have a 2-3 hour trek to the highest point on the island, where we can appreciate a breathtaking sunset over Lake Titicaca.

  This night you will stay at a local homestay on Amantani Island and have a delicious, traditional dinner.

  Max altitude: 13615 ft (4150 m) 
  Overnight stay in Amantani Island (local homestay with very basic conditions, no private bathroom, no hot water in the bathroom) 

• Day 2: AMANTANI- TIKONOTA – SILLUSTANI

  Breakfast will be served at your homestay at 7:30 am. At around 8:30 am we will travel by boat for approx. 45 minutes to the island of Ticonata where you will visit the museum of mummies. Some of the mummies date back to the Tiahuanaco period (200 BCE – 600 CE)!

  After lunch in the afternoon, we will leave this modest, lovely island and continue by boat for approx. 20 minutes to the Capachica Penisula. When we arrive there, we will have a short trek before we drive for about 1 hour to the next attraction, Sillustani. In Sillustani, we will visit the pre-Inca cemetery where we can see tombs known as chullpas.

  At around 5:00 pm, you will arrive at the hotel near Lake Titicaca, where we will have free time to relax and rest.

  Max altitude: 13615 ft (4150 m) above sea level
  Overnight stay near Lake Titicaca 

• Day 3: QUESWACHACA BRIDGE – PUYA RAYMONDI FOREST – CUSCO

  We have an early start, departing hotel near Lake Titicaca at 5:30 am via private transport. After a 3.5 hour journey we will arrive to the forest full of Puya Raimondii. Its the largest plant of the bromeliad species, reaching up to several meters in height. It grows exclusively at altitudes of 10500 ft (3200 m) to 15750 ft (4800 m) above sea level, and is only found in the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes. In a time when our planet is at such risk of deforestation, global warming and environmental damage, it is truly awesome to behold such rare and beautiful plants in their natural habitat! Known as the Queen of the Andes, they live up to their regal title!

  To reach these magnificent trees we will enjoy a short trek through the Tinajani Canyon, during which we will pass along the Qhapaq Nañ trails, from which we will have fantastic views of the surrounding landscapes!

  After visiting this spectacular spot, we will continue by private transport to the trailhead and from there we will do a gentle 45 minute trek to the Queswachaka (Q’eswachaca) Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sustaining ancient traditions over centuries is no small feat, but it is managed spectacularly by local Quechue communities in the Cusco region. Four Quechue communities unite themselves every year in order to rebuild the bridge completely from scratch. The secrets of this design and construction process are handed down from generation to generation and their aim is to maintain exactly the same style and materials that were used more than 500 years ago by Inca engineers. Thanks to this tradition and the strong will of the 1,000 people who participate in the bridge´s annual reconstruction, we can step away from the history books and enjoy an interactive experience of Inca culture. Come and experience Inca engineering at work in the 21st century and take a walk across the Queswachaka (Q’eswachaca) Bridge!

  We will leave Queswachaka bridge at around 5:30 pm and drive to Cusco for approx 3.5 hour.

  You will arrive to Cusco at 9:30 pm.

  Max altitude: 13451 ft (4100 m)
  Overnight stay in  Cusco 

• Day 4: CUSCO

  Enjoy a city tour of Cusco including: the Cathedral (a collection of religious art with 300 paintings from the Cusqueña School), the ‘Qorikancha’ temple (the most important temple in the Inca Empire and the religious, geographical and political centre of Cusco), the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuamán (majestic ruins with a great view over Cusco), the Q’enqo Labyrinth (a religious centre dedicated to the adoration of the Earth), Tambomachay (a center of adoration and worship of water), and Puca Pucara (a former military centre).

  Max altitude: 11811 ft (3600 m)
  Overnight stay in  Cusco 

  In the afternoon we will travel by private transfer to Ollantaytambo. From there we take the train to Aguas Calientes, ready to explore Machu Picchu the following day.

• Day 5: MACHU PICCHU

  The fifth day is dedicated to exploring the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu – Peru´s most famous site! Inside the ruins there are many options available to you. You can hike one of the two small peaks, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you can even walk to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) and/or Inca bridge.

  You will start the tour to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes where you will take an early morning bus to the site´s entrance (with this option, an additional fee for the bus ticket is required) or you will walk there (around a 1-1.5 hour trek).

  In the ruins you will have a 2 hour guided tour, giving you an overview of the history and culture of the Inca Empire, as well as the spiritual, political and educational importance of Machu Picchu. After the tour you will have time to explore the site on your own until about 5:00 pm (you also have the option to leave earlier if you wish). Inside the ruins there are multiple options available to you.

  After visiting the ruins, you will make your own way back to Aguas Calientes via bus (with this option, an additional fee for the bus ticket is required) or on foot (around a 1 – 1.5 hour trek), from where you will take a train to Ollantaytambo. You will arrive in Ollantaytambo at around 8:20 pm, where you will have enough free time to discover the city in the evening. You will also stay here for a night.

  Max altitude: 10334 ft (3150 m)
  Overnight stay in Ollantaytambo

• Day 6: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS - CUSCO

  The sixth day is an awesome and unforgettable immersion into the local culture of the Sacred Valley! Today you will explore Inca archeological sites, a traditional Inca salt mine, and mystical agricultural terraces. You will also participate in a textile lesson, meeting members of the local community. You will be amazed at just how many things there are to do and explore in one day! Take advantage of the day to really experience and enrich your knowledge of local Andean traditions, crafts and customs.

  The day starts with breakfast at 7:00 am. Afterwards, at 7:40 am, we will drive approx. 50 minutes to the first spot we will visit today, the archaeological spot of Moray. We will walk through the ruins for about 45 minutes and then we will drive for about 20 minutes to the next destination, Maras.

  We will take a short pause in this small town and learn about the production of the popular Andean beverage,´chicha de jora´ (corn beer). We will also have the chance to walk around and explore the town’s quaint and beautiful streets!

  After Maras, we will visit a salt mine in Salineras de Maras, that has been in use since Inca times. We will go there on foot following an easy and relaxing trail for approx. 1 hour. Along the way we will be able to enjoy some spectacular views of the Cordillera Uubamba! Once we arrive at the salt mine, you will have a chance to walk through more than 3000 salt ponds and learn about the methods used to process and produce the salt – methods which have been used since the time of the Inca Empire.

  From Salineras, we will drive for about 45 minutes to the last destination of the day, the lovely town of Chinchero. Here we will participate in an interesting lesson about the local textiles of the region.

  After a full day of different activities, we will reach Cusco at around 4:00 pm – leaving you plenty of time to discover the restaurants and nightlife of this beautiful city!

  Max altitude: 12417 ft (3785 m)
  Overnight stay in Cusco 

  Your “Unique Islands of Lake Titicaca” tour will end this day in Cusco at Plaza San Francisco. If you would like to stay in the Cusco region or Peru longer and explore more, feel free to contact us. We are happy to modify our tours so that they meet your tastes and expectations.