Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca 9-Day Tour: Andean Adventure & Experiential Tourism

Upon your arrival in Cusco, an Aura Andina representative will be waiting for you at the airport holding a sign with your name to take you to your hotel located within the historic center of Cusco. No activities are scheduled for this day, allowing you time to acclimatize and explore the city on your own.

INCLUDES:

• Overnight in a 3-star hotel

Discover three gems of the Sacred Valley in a single day full of spectacular landscapes. We start our experience leaving Cusco heading to Moray, an enigmatic Inca archaeological center used for agricultural experiments with circular terraces simulating different microclimates. There, you will learn about the ancestral wisdom of the Incas and their incredible capacity for adaptation. Next, we continue to the famous Maras Salt Mines, consisting of thousands of salt pools on the mountain slopes. This place not only offers impressive views but also keeps a living tradition: the artisanal extraction of salt, just as it was done in pre-Inca times. Finally, we visit the charming village of Chinchero, known as the "Birthplace of the Rainbow." We will explore its archaeological site, its colonial church built on Inca foundations, and participate in a live textile demonstration, where local women show us the traditional weaving process with natural dyes. It is a unique opportunity to connect with the cultural essence of the Andes. At the end of the day, we return to your hotel in Cusco with a heart full of history, unforgettable landscapes, and authentic experiences.

INCLUDES:

• Entrance fees to all mentioned tourist sites
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel
• Breakfast at the hotel

Today is our second day visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We start with the Pisac ruins, enjoying the best views from this magnificent site, followed by the traditional Pisac Market, famous for its crafts and local people who still use ancestral techniques. Afterward, we head to a restaurant in Urubamba to recharge. We continue our visit to the archaeological center of Ollantaytambo, known for its legends and its living town that still preserves ancient streets and buildings. Depending on our train schedule, we will head to the station to board the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes). We will be waiting there to take you to your hotel so you can rest and be full of energy for the long-awaited day.

INCLUDES:

• Entrance fees to all mentioned tourist sites
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Lunch in the Sacred Valley
• One-way Tourist Train Tickets (Expedition or Observatory Category)

Depending on your Machu Picchu ticket time, your guide will pick you up to take the Consettur bus to the entrance gate. The 25-minute ride offers a preview of the wonder you are about to discover. Once at the entrance, we begin our guided tour of approximately 2.5 hours. You will learn about the history, Andean worldview, construction techniques, and spiritual importance of this place. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore at your own pace (approx. 30 mins). Then, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Finally, you will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where we will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel in Cusco. Thus concludes this unforgettable day at one of the Wonders of the World.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel
• Lunch
• Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu
• Return Tourist Train Tickets (Expedition or Observatory Category)
• Consettur Bus Tickets (Up and Down)

Our experience begins with a visit to the Cusco Cathedral, a symbol of Andean Baroque art, highlighting the 'Lord of Tremors' and the gold-leaf altars of the Cusco School.

We continue to the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), impressive for its perfectly carved Inca stone walls fused with the Dominican Convent, reflecting the union of two worlds.

Finally, we will explore the archaeological sites near the city: Sacsayhuaman, with its imposing walls; Qenqo, a center for sacred rituals; Pukapukara, an ancient Inca military outpost; and Tambomachay, a sacred site dedicated to water.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel

Our Aura Andina experience begins directly at your hotel. We will pick you up to take you to the Cusco train station, where you will board an unforgettable journey to the magical city of Puno. During the trip on one of the most beautiful trains in the world, you will enjoy impressive Andean landscapes, between green valleys and imposing mountains. On board, you will experience a special atmosphere with live Andean music, first-class service, and a gourmet lunch in elegant carriages that evoke the golden age of train travel. The highest point of the journey is La Raya, at over 4,300 meters above sea level. There, the train will stop for you to admire a dreamlike landscape and capture the grandeur of the mountain range. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Puno, on the shores of the mythical Lake Titicaca. Once at the Puno station, we will be waiting to take you to your hotel to rest

INCLUDES:

• Transfers (Hotel - Station - Hotel)
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel
• Gourmet Lunch on board the train

Very early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in Puno and take you to the port to begin the adventure on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. We will take a boat to visit the Uros Floating Islands. These islands are made entirely of totora, a reed that grows in the lake. There, the inhabitants will show you how they live, how they build their houses, and share their stories. Afterward, we navigate for about two and a half hours to reach Amantani Island. It is a quiet and very special place, where you will be welcomed by a local family who will host you in their home. You will share a typical lunch prepared with fresh products from the island. In the afternoon, if you wish, you can hike to the top of the island to visit the ancient temples of Pachatata or Pachamama. From there, you will see an incredible sunset over the lake. At night, you will enjoy a homemade dinner with your host family and, if you like, participate in a small gathering with traditional music and dance. You will sleep in a simple house, surrounded by peace and nature.

INCLUDES:

• Entrance fees
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Overnight in a local family home (Homestay)
• Traditional Lunch and Dinner

After a comforting breakfast with your host family, we will say goodbye to Amantani and take the boat to Taquile Island, famous for its textile art, recognized by UNESCO. On this island, men are the ones who weave, and their clothes tell stories about their life and marital status. We will walk along its trails with spectacular views of the deep blue lake. We will enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant and then descend the steps to the port (approx. 500 steps) to take our boat back to Puno. We will arrive in the city in the afternoon, where our transport will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

INCLUDES:

• Entrance fees
• Breakfast with the family
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel
• Traditional Lunch

We hope your experience with Aura Andina has been excellent and that you take the best memories home with you. Today we will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Juliaca Airport, located approximately one hour from your hotel in Puno, for your flight to your next destination.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Airport Transfer