WONDERS OF LAKE TITICACA

10 DAYS: LIMA, PUNO, SUN ISLAND, LA PAZ, CUSCO & MACHU PICCHU

Day 01 LIMA

Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon visit to Colonial and Modern Lima. Guided tour through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit the San Francisco Convent and its catacomb, religious building from the end of the XVI century. Drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

Day 02 LIMA – JULIACA – PUNO

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Juliaca. Upon arrival transfer to hotel in Puno. In the way visit to the Necropolis of Sillustani. These ruins are located about 32 km from Puno, on the road to Puno and are one of the most important in the region. These circular stone towers, the Chullpas, which overlook a small lake, are huge funerary monuments built by the Collas to keep their mortal remains. Each structure is at least 12 meters high. The way they were built, with a smaller diameter in the base than at the top challenges the laws of equilibrium. (Breakfast).

Day 03 PUNO – LAKE TITICACA – COPACABANA – MOON ISLAND – SUN ISLAND

By road from Puno (Peru) to Copacabana (Bolivia) on the shore of Lake Titicaca. Arrival in Copacabana and visit the sanctuary and the Black Virgin. Then, a hydrofoil direct to Moon Island to visit the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun or Iñak Uyu, which remains unspoiled. The second stop is Sun Island to visit the Pilcocaina temple. Walk with llamas to the hotel. Lunch and afternoon free to explore the surrounding area. Dinner and overnight stay at the Posada del Inca.(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 04 SUN ISLAND – CRUISE TO HATAJATA – LA PAZ

Morning free. A midday walk up the great Inca stairway to see sacred spring: its underground waters grant youth and eternal happiness. Lunch is served in Uma Kollu archaeological restaurant. Visit the small handicrafts market. Hydrofoil cruise to Huatajata. Visit to the Raíces Andinas eco-village and the Andean Plateau Museum. Finally, a meeting with the Limachi family, builders of the RA II and Tigris, vessels used in expeditions to cross the Atlantic. By road to your hotel in La Paz (Bolivia). (Breakfast, lunch)

Day 05 LA PAZ – TIAHUANACO – LA PAZ- CITY TOUR

Morning excursion to Tiahuanaco, located 72 km/45 miles – 1 hour from La Paz. The trip passes through the Bolivian Highlands, were you can see the Aymara Indians way of life. We pass Laja, the place were the city of La Paz was founded the 20th of October in 1548 with a beautiful old church in the Renaissance style. Tiahuanaco is one of the oldest American cultures, Carbon 14 dating, which gives it an average age of 1580 BC until 1150 AC. It is considered the cradle of the American humanity and one of the most advanced cultures in development for that time. The temples and constructions include: The Kalasasaya temple where you see the main work done by the Tiahuanacotas like the Gate of the Sun, the monoliths Ponce and Fraile, the Akapana pyramid, the Semiunderground temple (a sunken temple whose walls are lined with faces with different expressions). Afternoon visit to La Paz, including the area of the street markets, rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artifacts which represent the traditional beliefs of the Ch’alla (ritual of offerings) and Pachamama (mother earth and symbol of fertility). The tour goes through the colonial part of the city, San Francisco Church, Gold Museum, Murillo Square and the outdoor replica of the Tiahuanaco temple.Then continues on to the modern part of the city to witness how it is growing and how much the elevation drops down. Finally you leave the city to enter the Valley of the Moon and enjoy its natural geological formations. (Breakfast).

Day 06 LA PAZ – CUSCO

Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Cusco. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour and nearby ruins. Visit Main Square, the Cathedral and its religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo or Koricancha. Includes visits to Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara fortresses, the temple and amphitheater of Kenko and the water shrine of Tambomachay. (Breakfast).

Day 07 CUSCO – MACHU PICCHU

Transfer to the station for a morning train ride to the unparalleled, Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas”. Machu Picchu was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marches of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stonework of the Cusco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. Machu Picchu was associated with the earth cult revolving around the Coca leaf, which was a privilege restricted to the Inca Royal family and priests. Guided tour. You will have time to enjoy a light lunch or snack and return to your hotel at your leisure. In the evening, we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the hotel or in Machu Picchu Pueblo. Overnight at one of the hotels in the area.
(Breakfast – Dinner).

Day 08 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Morning at leisure. You may choose to return to Machu Picchu, hike Huayna Picchu or relax in the village of Aguas Calientes and its hot springs. Mid afternoon departure by train to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel. (Breakfast).

Note: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu on this day are not included. Please advise if you go back to the ruins or hike the Huayna Picchu at time of booking (subject to availability)

Day 09 CUSCO – LIMA

Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Lima. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Guided shopping tour taking you to the famous handicraft markets. (Breakfast).

Day 10 LIMA – HOME

Transfer to the airport for your international departure flight or continue on the extension of your choice. (Breakfast).

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