Highlights
This Titicaca, Inca Jungle program is including places in Peru’s high plateau, visiting Puno and lake Titicaca a land drive towards Cusco town. Four days hike to Machu Picchu ending with the visit of a small part of Peru’s Rainforest.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Lima
Upon arrival in Lima you will have a transfer to your hotel, our representative will assist you with the check in, and supplying of informations for activities on the following days.
Day 2
Flight to Juliaca – Puno
First, from Lima you will fly to the Altiplano (High Plateau) and after arrival in Juliaca (3,880 m./12,726 ft.), we’ll board our van to Puno which is located on the western bank of Lake Titicaca and once there, we´ll rest and get acclimatized. Breakfast.
Day 3
Uros Islands – Lake Titicaca
Today, we’ll visit the totora (cattail reed) made floating islands of the Uros people who are Lake Titicaca´s ancient inhabitants. Then, we´ll travel by boat to the main part of the lake and Charcas Beach, for lunch at a trout hatchery and will explore the area along the lakeshore, before returning to Puno. Breakfast and Picnic Lunch.
Day 4
Ground transportation to Cusco
First, we´ll travel to Cusco by van, via the La Raya Mountain Pass (3,338 m./10,949 ft.), as the journey will take us across the barren high plateaus, passing by many local villages with colonial churches. We will stop on the way, to take pictures of the scenery, as well as of the archaeological sites of Pucara and Raqchi, to arrive in Cusco in the early evening. Breakfast.
Day 5
City tour and archaeological sites in Cusco’s outskirts
In the morning, we’ll visit the Incan Temple of the Sun or Coricancha and Cusco Cathedral, to then later, discover the archaeological sites in Cusco´s outskirts, such as Saqsayhuaman and Qenqo.
The afternoon will be dedicated to leisure, with options to visit some museums, stores or just relax walking on some coble stones streets of downtown. Breakfast.
Day 6
Piscacucho – Patallacta – Huayllabamba
We´ll have an early start in Cusco and a transfer by van to Piscacucho (Km. 82), passing by Ollantaytambo, where we´ll have a short stop, to then go on to the trailhead. This first day of hiking is considered as the easiest, because there aren’t many uphill climbs on that part of the trail. On the way, we´ll visit some archaeological sites like Salapunku, Kanabamba, Patallacta and Huillca Racay and after almost eight hours of hiking, we´ll arrive at Huayllabamba; our first campsite. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 7
Llulluchapampa – Warmiwañusca Mountain Pass – Pacaymayo
In fact, the second day on the trail, is considered as the most strenuous, because of the long and slow uphill climb to the Warmiwañusca Mountain Pass (4,200 m./13,776 ft.). But, there also are good reasons to enjoy our walk today, as there won´t be any hurry. This is not a race to Machu Picchu and the climbing includes many stops, in order to observe birds, plants and landscapes, as places like Yuncachimpa, the cloud forest, Corralpunku and Llulluchapampa offer stunning views which are perfect excuses to stop and relax. After almost seven hours of uphill climbing, we’ll get to the mountain pass and then, the downhill hike will last another two hours, to make it to our next campsite, in Pacaymayo. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 8
Runkurakay – Sayacmarka – Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarka
The best part of this Classic Incan Trail to Machu Picchu starts today, as we´ll be hiking uphill for around two hours, to reach the second mountain pass. On the way, we´ll visit the archaeological complex of Runkurakay and after the pass (3,950 m./12,956 ft.), there will be more vegetation all around us, as well as archaeological sites to see, such as Sayacmarka, Conchamarka, Chakicocha and Phuyupatamarka, where we´ll camp for the night. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 9
Intipata – Wiñaywayna – Intipunku – Machu Picchu
Instead of hiking uphill today, we´ll manage many steep downhill slopes and Phuyupatamarka will be the first archeological site to visit, just a few minutes after leaving our campsite. On our way down, we´ll also visit Intipata and Wiñaywayna and later on, we´ll get to Intipunku (the Sun´s Gate), from which we’ll be able to see Machu Picchu for the first time. There, we´ll take some quick pictures of the Incas´ Lost City and afterwards, we´ll board a bus to Aguas Calientes, where we´ll spend the night at a hostel. Breakfast and Lunch.
Day 10
Machu Picchu – Cusco
We’ll have a very early start today, to try to be the first in Machu Picchu, to contemplate the sunrise and also have more time to explore the site, before the bulk of visitors arrive on the train from Cusco. Then, we’ll have a guided tour in the morning, after which you will still have plenty of time to wander around Machu Picchu, on your own and in the afternoon, we´ll board the train back to Cusco. Breakfast.
Day 11
Leisure in Cusco
You might want to rest or go on a full tour of the Sacred Valley, stroll around Cusco´s city center, visiting museums, churches, markets, shops or neighborhoods or still sit in some of the numerous cafés and restaurants around the Plaza de Armas (Main Square), to relax and enjoy observing daily life in town. Breakfast.
Day 12
Puerto Maldonado – Amazon Basin
We’ll first go to Cusco airport, to board the plane to Puerto Maldonado. After arrival, we´ll be transferred to the Jungle Lodge´s office in town, to leave our main luggage there and later on, go on a motorized boat trip on the Madre de Dios or Tambopata River, to the lodge. Upon arrival, you might want to participate in a sunset walk around the lodge. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 13
In the Amazonian Jungle
Today, our activities will start early, as we´ll be exploring the deepest part of the jungle and participating in organized walks which should allow us to observe local flora, as well as wild life, such as monkeys, capybaras, macaws and toucans. There will also be a river boat excursion on jungle lakes, to look for caimans, at night. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 14
Early morning return trip to Puerto Maldonado – Flight to Lima
After our return river boat trip to Puerto Maldonado, we´ll pick our main luggage up and will go to the airport, to board the plane back to Lima. According to your flight schedule, you might stay at Lima’s airport or go to a hotel for a one night rest. The transfer to the airport will be on your own. But, if you require assistance, please ask for our representatives´ help. Breakfast.
