Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca Explorer
Venture to the ancient land of Peru to discover the land of the Incas and so much more. Explore the Sacred Valley of the Inca with the ruins of Pisac and lunch at Wayra Ranch with Peruvian Paso horse show. The Sacred Valley also contains the treasures of Maras Salt Pans and the Incan ruins of Moray and Ollantaytambo.
Onward by train to Aguas Calientes for the highlight of gazing down on the famed Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Nothing prepares you for the pleasure of feasting your eyes on this wonderous spectacle nestled in the lofty peaks of the Andes Mountains and hidden to the outside world until 1911. Then board the opulent Hiram Bingham train to Cusco for a night in the heart of the Incan Empire. Explore the maze of colonial, Incan and pre-Incan ruins that abound the city. Your next venture by train along the spine of the Andes Mountains to reach the city of Puno. Enjoy the wonder of privately guided tours on the highest navigable lake in the world – Lake Titicaca. Your excursions from the Titilaka Hotel are tailor- made to your choice in this serene and breath-taking wilderness. Your epic Peruvian adventure is sure to leave you enriched in both spirit and soul.
Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca Explorer Itinerary
Day 1 - Lima
Arrival in Lima. Overnight Lima Hotel.
Day 2 - Lima - Cusco
Fly to Cusco and journey to the Sacred Valley of the Incas to see the famed ruins of Pisac. Witness the extensive terrace system on the hillsides used for crop cultivation and irrigation by the Inca civilization as you climb to the Sun Temple overlooking the valley. Following on we take a relaxing lunch at Wayra ranch at your hotel Sol y Luna Sacred Valley. This lunch is combined with a delightful Peruvian Paso horse show and Marinera dance at this famed Relais & Châteaux establishment. Relaxing evening and overnight Sol y Luna Hotel.
Day 3 - Cusco
Today we venture to Misminay Andean community to learn of their typical ways of life in both weaving and farming that have changed little across the centuries. You will get to experience first hand the chores of the local people and how their culture has evolved and yet remains connected to their land. Then onward we journey to visit the nearby salt pans at Maras and the Incan marvel of the ruins at Moray. A Moray you will be spellbound by its concentric circles. Recent studies have indicated that many of the terraces hold soil imported from other parts of the region. The terraces create a series of micro-climates which the multitude of conditions found across the Incan empire. As such it was a unique and intriguing ancient agricultural laboratory. Overnight Sol y Luna Hotel
Day 4 - Machu Picchu
One day privately guided Inca trail hike to Machu Picchu. Today we take a short train ride from Ollantaytambo to KM 104 of the train line and alight to begin your journey in the footsteps of the Inca. This hike of 6- 7 hours leads you along the ancient pathway and through less visited ruins like Wiñay Wayna clinging to the cliffside overlooking the valley. The hike is a wonderful scenic route and leads finally into Machu Picchu by the enchanting Sun Gate and a final hike down through the citadel. Overnight at the luxury Sumaq Hotel.
Day 5 - Machu Picchu
We re-visit Machu Picchu this morning for a privately guided tour of the complex in the hands of your expert local guide. This tour encapsulates all the main attractions of the Caretakers Hut, Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, Three Windowed Temple, Intihuatana Solar Clock, and the local quarry. Following on you venture skyward on the Huayna Picchu trek for about three hours. This route gives a superb overview of the complex from a different perspective to which you will have witnessed the previous day inbound on your Inca trail hike. After this exhilarating day, board the Vistadome train for your rail experience all the way to Poroy, Cusco. Overnight at the Palacio del Inka Hotel Cusco.
Day 6 - Cusco
Free day to explore the rambling maze of ancient cobbled streets of Cusco. This city known by the Inca as the navel of the world is as fascinating today as down through the millennia. It is a bustling city with a great vibe, scores of restaurants and of course a host of ancient Incan and pre- Incan ruins. Overnight at the Palacio del Inka Hotel Cusco.
Day 7 - Lake Titicaca
Today you will travel from Cusco to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca the highest navigable lake in the world at 3,812 metres (12,506 ft.) high. Depending on your date of travel you can fly or perhaps take one of the train options, being the luxurious first-class Andean Explorer or the comfortable Titicaca Train across the highlands of the Andes Mountains. The train journey of ten hours is an opportunity to relax and savour the vistas of the everchanging altiplano high plains. On arrival by Andean Explorer you will overnight aboard the train or alternately take our private vehicle to the wonderful lakeshore setting of the Titilaka Hotel.
Day 8 - Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is said to be the cradle of Peru’s ancient civilizations, and has been populated by numerous Andean cultures, including the Purakas, the Tiwanakus, and the Incas.By Incan folklorethe God Con Tiqui Viracocha egressed from Lake Titicaca with human-kind and also created new humans from stone. He called upon the sun (Inti), moon (Mama Killa) and the stars to rise. With the Earth in motion he instructed the humans to populate the world. The Incas consider Lake Titicaca as their place of origin, and upon passing from this land their souls would return to this lake.
Today you can experience a full day of touring at Titilaka hotel with options of private or small group tours of less than eight passengers. Available trips are wide ranging but include the Aymara Route across the Chucuito peninsula and Acora, The Colla Route on an ancient Incan roadway, local market visit and a tour of the Colonial Temples. Guests at this hotel enjoy full board and wonderfully inspired cuisine from the ingenuity of Chef María Fé Garcia.
Day 9 - Lake Titicaca
Full day touring at Lake Titicaca.
Day 10 - Lake Titicaca - Lima
Breakfast at your hotel. Private transfer from Titilaka Hotel to Juliaca airport and flight to Lima. Evening International departure.
Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca - When to Travel
The best months to take this adventure are from late April to the end of October. This corresponds to the dry season in the highlands of Cusco, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.
CONTACT
Contact the Luxury Safari Club for more information or to book the Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca Explorer.
