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 – ARRIVAL IN CUSCO AND ACCLIMATIZATION
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 – RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – VINICUNCA
At approximately 4:30 AM, our transport will pick you up at your hotel and head to Cusipata, where we will stop for breakfast around 7:00 AM.
Next, we will continue to the trailhead and begin an uphill hike of about two hours to the summit of Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain), with stops along the way to rest. Although the hike is challenging due to the altitude, the incredible scenery makes it worthwhile, and your guide will share information about the area.
There is an option to make the ascent on horseback (payment in cash, approximately 100 soles, payable on-site).
After taking in the views and snapping photos, we will begin the descent—taking about an hour and a half—back to the transport. Afterward, we will have lunch at a local restaurant and return to Cusco, arriving around 5:30 PM. Drop-off is at Plaza Regozijo.
We recommend wearing comfortable sneakers or hiking boots. During the rainy season, please bring a waterproof raincoat.
5DAY 5 – 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!
6DAY 6 - 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.
7DAY 7 – 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: Route of the Sun / 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: Lake Titicaca (includes entrance fees and lunch)
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 Elevation & Acclimatization Notice: Travel between Cusco, the Route of the Sun, and Lake Titicaca involves high-altitude terrain, reaching elevations up to 4,335 meters (14,222 feet) at La Raya Pass. Participants should be prepared for thin air and cold temperatures. Carrying travel and health insurance that covers high-altitude travel and medical care is strongly recommended.
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Document Matching & Ticket Policies: Travelers must present the original physical passport or national ID card used at the time of booking. Discrepancies will result in denied admission to train services, Machu Picchu, or inter-city transit without eligibility for a refund. Per regulations from PeruRail, Inca Rail, and the Ministry of Culture, tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-changeable once issued.
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Flight Logistics & Arrival/Departure Hubs: Airfare (domestic and international) is not included. The arrival transfer is in Cusco (CUZ Airport), while the departure transfer is in Puno (Juliaca JUL Airport). Flight details must be submitted to the operator at least 7 days prior to travel to coordinate seamless airport and terminal transfers.
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Excluded Entry Fees (Sacred Valley & Route of the Sun): Admission fees for the Sacred Valley sites (Boleto Turístico) and the archaeological/cultural sites along the Route of the Sun (such as Andahuaylillas, Raqch'i, and Pukara) are not included in the package price. These must be paid on-site directly in cash using local currency (Peruvian Soles).
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Train Baggage Limit: For the overnight excursion to Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu, train operators enforce a baggage limit of one small backpack weighing no more than 5 kg (11 lbs) per person. Main luggage will be kept in complimentary storage at your hotel in Cusco.
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Maritime & Overland Transport Conditions: Excursions on Lake Titicaca and overland bus transport are subject to local weather conditions and road safety permissions. The operator reserves the right to modify schedules to ensure passenger safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Route of the Sun" tour, and what non-included fees apply?
The Route of the Sun is a full-day guided tourist bus journey traveling from Cusco to Puno. Along the way, you visit famous historical landmarks, including the Church of Andahuaylillas (the "Sistine Chapel of the Andes"), the Incan Temple of Raqch'i, the high-altitude pass at La Raya (4,335 m), and the pre-Incan Pukara Museum. Entrance fees for these stops are paid directly on-site in cash (approximately 50 to 60 Soles total per person).
Which airport flight route should I book for this itinerary?
Because this 7-day tour starts in Cusco and ends in Puno, you should book:
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Inbound flight: Arriving at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco.
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Outbound flight: Departing from Inca Manco Cápac International Airport (JUL) in Juliaca (the closest airport to Puno, located about 1 hour away).
What meals and admission fees are included in this package?
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Included Meals: Buffet lunch during the Sacred Valley tour and lunch during the Lake Titicaca tour.
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Included Entries: Standard entry ticket to Machu Picchu and full entry fees for the Lake Titicaca tour.
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Not Included: Cusco Tourist Ticket for Sacred Valley sites, entry fees for Route of the Sun attractions, dinners, lunch on train/Machu Picchu days, drinking water, and snacks.
How should I pack for the varying climates between Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Lake Titicaca?
Because you will experience subtropical cloud forest conditions in Machu Picchu and cold, windy high plains (Altiplano) on Lake Titicaca, thermal layering is essential:
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Clothing: Breathable base layers, fleece sweater, windproof/waterproof jacket, warm beanie, gloves, and sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes.
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Essentials: Sun protection (UV-blocking sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, wide-brim hat), rain poncho, insect repellent for Machu Picchu, and motion sickness medication for the mountain roads.
