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DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
- Part II -
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Day
8
AGUAS CALIENTES - CUZCO /
Machu Picchu - Transfer - Folkloric Dinner show
AM - Today you will have a chance to discover the area on
your own. Enjoy the morning and part of the afternoon at leisure in
the Machu Picchu area where you may want to return to the ruins for
a second visit, hike a small portion of the Inca Trail or maybe
climb Huayna Picchu, the mountain located in front of Machu Picchu
for an incredible view of the ruins.
PM - By mid afternoon it is time to board the train for the
return ride through the Sacred Valley, over the mountain, back to
the city of Cuzco. The train ride itself is an experience as the
train will have to zigzag up the mountain in order to reach the
highest point and then descent to Cuzco on the other side.
EVE - A transfer will be provided from the train station in
Cuzco to the local hotel
Sonesta Posada del Inca Cuzco
(or similar) where you will check in. Later in the
evening you will be picked up from the hotel for a folkloric dinner
show in a nearby typical restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.
(B, D.)
Day 9
CUZCO - PUNO - LAKE TITICACA /
Andahuaylillas, Racchi and La Raya
AM -
After breakfast we leave Cuzco behind and travel by road to the city
of
Puno, located on the edge of
Lake Titicaca. During our first stop we visit the town of
Andahuaylillas with its precious church dating back to the 17th
century, boasting an amazing organ decorated with angels and
cherubs. Later we stop at the Racchi archeological site, known as
“The Temple of God Wiracocha”. This is probably the tallest adobe
brick construction from Inca times. During this part of the trip you
can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the South Valley outside Cuzco.
PM -
Lunch will be
served in a restaurant en route followed by a stop at Pucara and La
Raya, the highest point on the road between Cuzco and Puno, from
where we will get excellent photo opportunities. The arrival into
Puno will be in the afternoon, when you will be taken to the local
hotel
Sonesta Posada del Inca Puno
(or similar) for check in. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure in the
city of Puno.
EVE - Enjoy the evening and overnight at the hotel.
(B, L.)
Day 10
PUNO - LAKE TITICACA /
Floating islands of Uros and Taquile
AM & PM -
After breakfast we head out for a full day excursion to Lake
Titicaca and as a first starting point we visit the floating islands
of the Uros, also called Lake Town. These islands are built using
totora reed and are used as home and trade centers for the natives
who use hand-made boats of the same material as their means of
transportation. We will go on to Taquile Island, where the community
kindly welcomes tourists, keeping their traditions alive, as well as
their costumes and colorful typical dresses; these people are very
skilled artisans and they show in every piece of work all the
techniques developed over centuries.
PM -
Lunch will be served at the local community of Taquile where we
spend some time with authentic lake dwellers. Later in the afternoon
we return to the hotel
Sonesta Posada del Inca Puno
(or similar)
in Puno.
EVE -
Evening at leisure and overnight at the hotel.
(B, L.)
Day 11
LAKE TITICACA / Full day Lake
Titicaca
AM & PM - Prepare for an early morning (06:30 AM) pick up
from your hotel in Puno for a full day experience on lake Titicaca,
the world's highest navigable lake. We transfer by land
to
Copacabana Sanctuary from where we board a small Catamaran cruise
ship. Lunch is served onboard while we sail to Sun Island, the
legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. On the island we will visit
the Inca Garden, Inca Steps and Inca Fountain followed by a visit to
Inti Wata Cultural Complex including the Ekako Underground Museum.
We will also see the traditional medicine and the Titicaca Reed
shipbuilders display centers, the Pachamama agricultural Inca
terraces, a handicraft center, the Intica lounge and at the Manco
Kapac look out the largest variety of Andean cameloids.
The visit to Inti Wata Complex also includes a unique sailing
experience aboard a huge Titicaca traditional vessel for a panoramic
visit to the Pilkokaina Inca Palace.
Later in the afternoon we cruise back to Copacabana followed by the
ride to Puno where we will arrive at around 5:30 PM.
EVE - Evening at leisure in Puno and overnight at the hotel
Sonesta Posada del Inca Puno
(or similar).
(B, L.)
Day 12
LAKE TITICACA - PUNO - JULIACA
- AREQUIPA / Transfers - Sillustani Mausoleum
AM -
Breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, you will be picked up
from the hotel for the flight to
Arequipa. On our way to the airport of Juliaca (JUL) - Puno does
not have an airport - we will visit Sillustani, an archaeological
site located some 34 kilometers North of Puno. The site is known for
its famous Chullpas, which are funerary towers, circular in base,
built from polished stone. Some of them are 12 meters high and were
used by the Collas and Incas. The ruins overlook Lake Umayo,
increasing the beauty of this mystic, wonderful place. Enjoy the
short flight to Arequipa.
PM - After your flight from Juliaca (Lake Titicaca area) you
will be greeted by our local
representative in Arequipa who will provide
assistance with your luggage and the transfer to the hotel
Sonesta Posada del Inca
(or similar)
in this
beautiful and historical city. Check in at the hotel and enjoy the
remainder of the day at leisure.
EVE - Overnight at the hotel.
(B.)
Day 13
AREQUIPA - COLCA CANYON /
Planetarium and Observatory
AM - After breakfast
we will be picked up from the hotel to start the trip
through the town of Yura and the National Reserve of Salinas /
Aguada Blanca and Pampa Cañahuas. On the way we will spot several
species of birds in their natural habitat, as well as the South
American camels, the Vicunhas and Llamas. We will make a stop in
Patahuasi to freshen up and enjoy a coca infusion, and later keep
going to the town of Chivay.
PM -
Depending on the schedule, we may have lunch in town or have a
picnic enjoying the beautiful scenery from one of the natural
viewing spots of the zone. We will check in at the hotel
Casa Andina
(or similar)
later in
the afternoon. We recommend a visit to La Calera, where you can
enjoy an invigorating bath in the hot spring waters or just spend a
delightful afternoon in the hotel.
EVE -
After dinner, you will enjoy the performance
“Colca: Deep Canyon, Deep Sky” in the Planetarium and
Observatory; this performance include projecting constellations in
the Planetarium dome, as well as observing the stars of Colca’s sky
through a professional telescope. Visitors can learn how the ancient
inhabitants of the Andes interpreted the night sky according to
their myths and beliefs. The observations are possible depending on
weather. Overnight at the lodge.
(B, L, D.)
Day 14
COLCA CANYON - AREQUIPA /
Condor Cross - Chivay
AM - We
will start very early with an excursion to Cruz del Condor (Condor
Cross). From here we enjoy a spectacular view of one of the deepest
canyons in the world, Colca Canyon. With a little luck we can take
pictures of the biggest and most impressive flying bird in the
Andes, the majestic Condor. Depending on the schedule, we make a
stop in the town of Pinchollo, the only still inhabited pre-Inca
town, and the Maca town, with its beautiful craft market and
colonial church.
PM - After lunch
in Chivay we drive back to Arequipa where we check in at the hotel
Sonesta Posada del Inca
(or similar) and enjoy the rest of the day exploring the city at leisure.
EVE - Overnight at the hotel in Arequipa.
(B, L.)
Day 15
AREQUIPA / City tour and
transfer
AM - After breakfast
we visit the “White City” including the Santa Catalina Convent, a
beautiful 16th century citadel still in use, in the style
of Spanish cities of that time. The Main Square, with its three
portals, the Iglesia de La Compañía de Jesus (Church of the Company
of Jesus) which is a beautiful sample of the Peruvian and Spanish
baroque art from the 17th century, along with the multi
colorful paintings of the San Ignacio’s Dome, known as the Sistine
Chapel of America. Continuing with the trip, we will see the typical
districts of Cayma and Yanahuara, a nice overlook, and its church.
Before going to the airport for our flight back to Lima, we visit
the Santuarios Andinos museum, with its main exhibit, the frozen
mummy found high on the Arequipan Andes not so long ago, featured in
National Geographic.
PM -
Transfer out to the airport and end of services.
(B.)
END OF SERVICES
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