Southern Peru Tour: Cusco, Lake Titicaca & Colca Canyon

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

Our experience begins with a visit to the Cusco Cathedral, majestic for its Baroque style and indigenous worldview, expressed in its gold-plated altars and masterpieces of the Cusco School (including the 'Lord of Tremors'). Next, we head to the Qoricancha (Sun Temple), where you will be amazed by the perfectly carved Inca stone walls fused with the Dominican convent—a reflection of two different worlds meeting in Cusco's history. Finally, we drive to the outskirts to explore nearby archaeological sites: Sacsayhuaman (famous for its massive stone walls), Qenqo (a sacred ritual site), and finally Pukapukara and Tambomachay (ancient checkpoints and water fountains).

INCLUDES:

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

Today we visit 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 to produce their goods. 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:

• Overnight in a 3-star hotel
• Breakfast at the hotel and Lunch in the Sacred Valley

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 and Lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel

Today our experience begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. We travel for approximately 2 hours in our tourist transport to a charming countryside restaurant, where an Andean breakfast with authentic flavors and impressive natural views awaits. Then, we continue to the trailhead, where majestic Andean landscapes mark the start of an unforgettable adventure. The hike will last between 2 to 2.5 hours, during which you will be surrounded by imposing natural scenery. Upon reaching the summit, you will have free time to contemplate the surroundings, breathe fresh air, and capture spectacular photos. The descent will allow you to continue appreciating the beauty of the place until returning to the starting point. Later, enjoy a delicious Andean lunch and finally, we undertake the return to Cusco, where you can relax while reliving the moments of a unique experience in the Andes.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast and Lunch en route
• 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:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel
• Gourmet Lunch on board the train

In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in Puno for our adventure on Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. We head to the Puno port to board a comfortable motorboat that will take us to our first destination: the Uros Floating Islands, made entirely of totora reeds. Upon arrival, the locals will give us a warm welcome and explain how they build their islands, houses, and boats. You will even be able to walk on the floating island! Then, we continue navigating to Taquile Island, a beautiful and peaceful place known for its landscapes and people who maintain ancient customs. We will hike for about 45 minutes to the top of the island, enjoying incredible views of the lake, until we reach the main village. There, we will share a typical lunch prepared by a local family, with dishes made from local ingredients like quinoa, trout, and Andean potatoes. After lunch, we will visit a weaving workshop. The locals will show us how they hand-make their colorful clothes. The island is famous for this art, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. We will learn the meaning of the colors and designs, and how they live in community. After the visit, we return by boat to the Puno port, where we will be waiting to take you back to your hotel to rest after a day full of nature, history, and culture.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel and Typical Lunch
• Boat ride
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel

Today your adventure begins from your hotel in Puno. We will pick you up to head towards Chivay, traveling through impressive Altiplano landscapes composed of crystal-clear lagoons and Andean animals like vicuñas, llamas, and Andean birds. Upon arrival, we will take you to a cozy lodge, where you can relax and enjoy a delicious lunch on your own (not included). In the afternoon, we recommend enjoying the La Calera thermal baths, surrounded by majestic mountains. You can also choose to visit the Museum of the Collaguas to discover the history of the valley, and finally, we recommend visiting the Chivay artisan market, where you will find unique handmade souvenirs by local artisans.

INCLUDES:

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

We start the day very early visiting the Cruz del Cóndor Viewpoint, one of the most incredible points of the trip. Here you can see the Andean Condor flying, the largest bird on the continent and a sacred symbol in the Andes. If you wish, you can take a short hike to enjoy the canyon landscape even more. Then, we will visit the town of Yanque, known for its charming plaza and colonial-style church. We continue the tour through places full of history and unique landscapes like Pinchollo, and the Wayrapunko and Antahuilque viewpoints, where you will see ancient terraces, natural lagoons, and hanging tombs, remains of ancient pre-Hispanic cultures. We will also pass through the town of Maca, famous for its church and traditional atmosphere. Upon returning to Chivay, we will enjoy a typical lunch (not included) and then undertake the return to Arequipa with unforgettable memories of this unique experience.

INCLUDES:

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

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 Arequipa Airport, located approximately 30 minutes from your hotel.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel