Cusco and Puno (6 Days)
Overview
For those seeking an experience more deeply connected to Andean culture and the landscapes of Peru. The itinerary combines the magic of Cusco and Machu Picchu with Puno and Lake Titicaca, offering a journey rich in history, tradition, and unique scenery.
Itinerary
1DAY 1 – ARRIVING IN CUSCO AND ACCELERATING
As soon as you leave the airport, our private car will be waiting to welcome you and take you to your hotel in comfort and safety.
This is a free day, designed specifically for you to rest after your journey and allow your body to gently adjust to the altitude of Cusco, located approximately 3,400 meters above sea level.
No rush, no obligations: take the time to rest, stay hydrated, and begin to soak up the magical atmosphere of the Andes.
2DAY 2 – SACRED VALLEY AND AGUAS CALIENTES
Check out of your hotel; we recommend taking only a backpack with the essentials for your overnight stay in Aguas Calientes, while your larger luggage remains in Cusco.
After breakfast, around 7:30 AM, we will head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, starting with the enchanting Pisac Archaeological Complex, where we will learn about Andean culture and history.
Next, we will travel to Urubamba for a lunch break before continuing to Ollantaytambo, one of the most impressive and well-preserved Inca towns in the Sacred Valley.
At the scheduled time, you will board the train to Aguas Calientes, the charming town at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Upon arrival, our team will be waiting at the station to welcome you and escort you to your hotel, ensuring your peace of mind and safety.
3DAY 3 – MACHU PICCHU AND RETURN TO CUSCO
The highlight of the trip has arrived!
In the morning, we will head to Machu Picchu. You will be accompanied by a professional guide who will lead you through the sanctuary and share all the details about this incredible city built by the Incas.
During the visit, you will learn about the history and architecture of Machu Picchu, the impressive agricultural terraces, the ancient structures, the temples, and the ceremonial areas, as well as how the Incas made the most of the natural landscape and the mountain's strategic location.
After the tour, we will return to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to have lunch, stroll through the charming town, or simply rest before boarding the train back to Cusco.
At the scheduled time, you will board the train for the return journey to Cusco, taking with you not only beautiful photos but also the unforgettable experience of having visited one of the world's greatest wonders.
4DAY 4 – ROUTE OF THE SUN – CUSCO TO PUNO
On this day, you will embark on a beautiful journey from Cusco to Puno, traversing stunning Andean landscapes and visiting key tourist attractions along the way.
We will pick you up at your hotel around 6:00 AM to begin the experience. During the trip, we will make stops to visit the Andahuaylillas Archaeological Site—known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas"—the Raqchi Archaeological Site, with its impressive Inca ruins, and the Pukara Museum, where you can learn more about one of the region's oldest cultures.
Arrival in Puno is scheduled for 5:00 PM. Upon arrival, a vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel in comfort and safety.
A journey that combines history, culture, and Andean scenery all in a single day!
5DAY 5 - LAKE TITICACA – FLOATING ISLANDS OF UROS AND TAQUILE
After breakfast, around 7:00 AM, we will pick you up at your hotel to begin a special day exploring Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.
We will board a motorboat to visit the famous Uros Floating Islands—handcrafted from *totora* reeds—where we will learn about the history and way of life of their inhabitants. We will then continue across the lake to Taquile Island, renowned for its beautiful landscapes, ancestral traditions, and local culture.
At the end of the tour, we will return to Puno, with the trip concluding around 5:00 PM.
A day to experience Andean culture, the landscapes of Lake Titicaca, and the ancient traditions of its people.
6DAY 6 – RETURN TO BRAZIL
It is time to say goodbye to Puno!
At the scheduled time, we will pick you up at your hotel for the transfer to Juliaca Airport—the closest airport to Puno—ensuring a comfortable and stress-free journey for your return flight to Lima.
We hope you take home not only wonderful memories but also the desire to return and discover even more of Peru.
What's Included
Included
- 2 Transfers in Cusco: Airport / Hotel / Airport
- 1 Transfer in Puno: Terminal / Hotel
- 1 Transfer in Puno: Hotel / Juliaca Airport
- Professional guides (Spanish & English) for all tours
- Tourist transport for all tours
- Tour: Sacred Valley of the Incas / includes lunch / entrance fees not included
- Tour: Machu Picchu
- Round-trip train ticket (Expedition or Voyager category)
- Shuttle bus (up and down) between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Standard entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Tour: Paracas & Oasis – includes: entrance fees, boat trip in Paracas, beverage tasting at the vineyard, sandboarding, and dune buggy ride at the oasis.
Not Included
- Airfare: Domestic and international
- Accommodation and meals not mentioned
- Entrance fees: Tourist Ticket for the Sacred Valley
- Snacks
- Water
Recommendations
- Bring your ID card or passport (the one used to purchase your ticket)
- Wear layered clothing
- Comfortable sneakers
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Water
- Snacks
- Motion sickness medication (for winding roads)
- Rain poncho (for the rainy season)
- Cash in Soles
- Backpack for the overnight stay in Aguas Calientes
- Avoid alcoholic beverages
- Avoid raw foods
- Drink only purchased water
- Keep your documents handy at all times
General Conditions
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High Altitude & Acclimatization Notice: Puno and Lake Titicaca sit at an elevation of over 3,800 meters (12,460 feet), which is higher than Cusco. Travelers should be prepared for thin air, lower temperatures, and intense solar radiation. Carrying adequate health and travel insurance covering high-altitude destinations is strongly advised.
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Document Accuracy & Ticket Regulations: Original physical passports or ID cards matching the exact details provided during booking must be presented at all train stations and checkpoint entrances. Per regulations from PeruRail, Inca Rail, and the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, Machu Picchu entry permits and train tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-modifiable.
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Flight Exclusions & Inter-City Airport Transfers: Domestic and international airfare (e.g., Lima–Cusco or Juliaca–Lima) is not included. Transfer services are provided for Cusco Airport (CUZ), Puno Terminal, and Juliaca Airport (JUL). Passengers must provide accurate flight schedules at least 7 days before departure to ensure synchronized pickups.
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Excluded Entry Fees: The Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) required to access the Sacred Valley archaeological sites is not included in the tour price. This ticket must be purchased directly on-site in cash using local currency (Peruvian Soles).
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Train Baggage Restrictions: Train operators enforcing travel to Machu Picchu strictly limit luggage to a single carry-on or backpack weighing no more than 5 kg (11 lbs) per passenger. Main suitcases should be stored at your Cusco hotel free of charge during your overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
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Lake Navigation & Weather Contingencies: Boat operations on Lake Titicaca and overland mountain transport are subject to daily weather conditions, wind advisories, and local maritime authority permissions. The operator reserves the right to modify activity timing to prioritize traveler safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the airport transfers and travel routes work between Cusco, Puno, and Juliaca?
Your itinerary includes arrival/departure transfers in Cusco (CUZ Airport), a transfer upon arrival in Puno, and a final transfer from your Puno hotel to the Inca Manco Cápac International Airport in Juliaca (JUL). When booking your flights, ensure your inbound flight lands in Cusco and your outbound flight leaves from Juliaca (JUL).
How does the altitude in Puno compare to Cusco, and how should I prepare?
Puno (3,812 m / 12,500 ft) is higher and colder than both Cusco (3,400 m / 11,150 ft) and Machu Picchu (2,430 m / 7,970 ft). Visiting Puno later in your trip gives your body time to acclimate in Cusco first. To stay comfortable, continue drinking plenty of bottled water, stay warm with windproof clothing, eat light evening meals, and keep motion sickness or altitude medication on hand.
What extra expenses should I budget for during this trip?
You should carry cash in Peruvian Soles for:
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The Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) for Sacred Valley sites (approx. 70 to 130 Soles per person depending on partial or full ticket choice).
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Non-included meals (dinners in all cities, lunch in Aguas Calientes and Puno).
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Bottled drinking water, snacks, tips, and traditional island handicrafts purchased directly from local weavers on Lake Titicaca.
What clothing should I pack for the different climates on this route?
Because you will experience varying microclimates—from the sub-tropical cloud forest of Machu Picchu to the cold, windy high plains (Altiplano) of Lake Titicaca—packing in layers is essential:
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For Machu Picchu: Lightweight breathable clothing, rain poncho, insect repellent, and sturdy sneakers.
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For Puno & Titicaca: Thermal base layers, a fleece jacket, a heavy windproof/waterproof coat, gloves, a warm beanie, and high-SPF sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, hat).
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