Soul of the Andes

The Inca ruins of Tambomachay.

Our team will pick you up from your hotel at 12:45 p.m. to begin your half-day tour of the city of Cusco.

Known as the archaeological capital of the Americas, Cusco is the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere and was the heart of the Incan empire during the 14th and 15th centuries. Today, Cusco is a blended city, with a mix of ancient pre-Inca & Inca architecture and Spanish/Colonial influences. Today we will have the chance to visit a number of fascinating sites which will allow you to appreciate the city’s extraordinary history and culture:

Cusco Cathedral

The Cusco Cathedral is the main temple of the city of Cusco and is located in the northeast sector of the current Plaza de Armas (main square). Here you will have the chance to admire the cathedral’s architecture and see some famous works of art belonging to the “Cusco School” tradition.

Qoricancha & Santo Domingo Convent

The Qoricancha temple was the primary temple dedicated to Inti, the sun god, and the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The baroque Santo Domingo Convent was later built on top of the Incan temple, but much of the majestic original stonework still remains.

Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman is an Inca ceremonial fortress located two kilometers north of the city of Cusco. Built with massive megalithic stone walls, Saqsaywaman is considered by many to be the greatest architectural work accomplished by the Inca Empire during its heyday. You will also be able to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city of Cusco from the nearby Cristo Blanco lookout point.

Q’enqo

Located about 4 km (15 minutes) northeast of the city of Cusco, this mysterious site is one of the largest huacas (pre-Columbian places of worship) in Cusco and features a number of intricate underground passageways.

Puca Pucara

Puca Pucara, whose name means “Red Fortress” in Quechua, is a fortress composed of large walls, terraces and stairways which shows us an excellent example of Inca military architecture.

Tambomachay

This stunning Inca site consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and several waterfalls running through natural rock formations. This site serves as one of the most impressive examples of the Incas’ ability to manipulate water. Though its exact purpose is unknown, it may have been a place of devotion for a local water cult.

After visiting all of these sites, you will return to your hotel and have the rest of the day free.

Agricultural terraces at the ruins of Pisac in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

We will depart at 7:00 a.m. to begin your full-day tour of the Sacred Valley.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas was the center of the vast Incan Empire. This fertile land features an excellent climate and has been a major agricultural region for thousands of years. The extensive ruins stretch from the villages of Pisac to Ollantaytambo before you eventually arrive at the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Today we will have the opportunity to visit the following incredible sites:

Pisac

This site functioned as the Southern Gateway to the Sacred Valley, and is known for its military, ceremonial and agricultural purposes. Here you can admire numerous agricultural terraces lining the mountainside, the most of any site in the Sacred Valley. After visiting the ruins we will walk through the local town of the same name and explore its colorful artisan market before heading to the town of Urubamba for lunch (cost of meal not included in tour).

Ollantaytambo

Our second stop will take us to the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the Northern entrance of the Valley. It was designed to protect it from possible invasion from the various lower jungle tribes. As you walk through the quaint streets of the town and make your way up the steps of the fortress, you will start to realize what an important strategic Military, Religious, and Agricultural Center it was during the reign of the Inca Empire. This is also the place where the Inca had their last stand against the Spanish before retreating to seek refuge at Vilcabamba.

Chinchero

Next we will stop off at the picturesque Andean Village of Chinchero to visit the Royal Hacienda Ruins of Tupac Inca Yupanqui. We will admire a well-preserved Inca Wall in the Main Square and visit the beautiful Colonial temple built on Inca foundations, featuring a series of mysterious fresco paintings.

After the tour you will head to your hotel in the Sacred Valley to rest for the evening.

The Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, considered one of the new 7 wonders of the world.

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu deserves all the attention that it gets for being an engineering and architectural masterpiece. Visitors will be impressed by the many plazas, temples, houses, storage facilities, sun dials, and stairs that still maintain their structure more than 500 years later despite constant exposure to intense weather and earthquakes. The natural surroundings only add to an already stunning view and no trip to Peru is complete without a visit to this sanctuary.

We will pick you up early in the morning in order to start the tour. You will be transferred to the train station in Ollantaytambo in order to catch the train to Aguas Calientes. From here you will take a short 30 minute bus ride to the gates of Machu Picchu. A professional guide will lead you through the magnificent citadel and share the secrets of Inca architecture and their way of life.

During a tour through this magnificent site, your bilingual guide will explain all about the historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu and visit all the major sites within the lost city. The guided tour will take around 2 hours.

After the tour we will descend to Aguas Calientes, the town named for its hot springs. Here you will have time to eat lunch and shop for some souvenirs before catching the train back to Cusco. You will arrive back at your hotel sometime in the evening depending on your chosen time of departure.

The ruins of Raq’chi, also known as the Temple of Viracocha.

Our team will pick you up early from your hotel in Cusco to begin your overland journey to Puno. You will travel in comfort and style aboard a modern and well-equipped tourist bus, specially designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

Your first stop will be the Andahuaylillas Chapel, also known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, where you will be amazed by the beauty of its murals, gold leaf work, and paintings from the Cusco School. After the visit, you will continue your journey to the Temple of Wiracocha in the town of Raqchi, believed to be a Temple of the Inca supreme deity. This site contains a large number of Colcas (granaries) and visitors can also see magnificent stone and adobe buildings.

After your visit to Raqchi, you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch consisting of a wide range of national and regional food, fresh vegetables, side dishes, delicious desserts, and hot drinks (coca tea, coffee or tea).

Next, you will travel to the majestic Raya Pass, the road boundary between Cusco and Puno, where you will enjoy breathtaking views of the Chimboya Snowy Mountain. This is the perfect place to take photos of the beautiful landscape. At over 4335 meters above sea level, the Raya Pass is a true highlight of the journey and is considered the birthplace of the Amazon River. The region’s stunning scenery and cultural significance make it an unforgettable experience for travelers.

Finally, you will visit the Pukara Culture Lithic Museum, where you will discover the ancient Pukara culture, which developed from 1600 BC to 400 AD. In this museum, visitors can find ceramics and sculptures representing zoomorphic figures, including the famous sculpture of the Hatunñaqac, which translates as “the Supreme Decapitator.”

Throughout your journey, you will be accompanied by a bilingual English-Spanish guide, who will provide interesting information about the places you visit. We will arrive in Puno in the early evening where our representative will escort you to your hotel for check-in.

A reed boat docked at one of the Uros Islands.

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be picked up and transferred to the Port of Puno, where an adventure awaits. Board a boat and set sail towards the Floating Islands of the Uros, famed for their remarkable architecture and unique way of life. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, delve into the history, customs, and daily activities of the local Uros people as we explore two of the 90+ islands in the area.

Following this captivating visit, our journey continues to the enchanting Taquile Island, a picturesque destination renowned for its vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes. Upon arrival, embark on a scenic walk to the main square of the island, where our guide will immerse us in the rich traditions and customs of the Taquileños. Savor a delectable lunch at a local eatery, indulging in the flavors of the region.

With free time at hand, explore the island’s charming surroundings, soak in the awe-inspiring vistas of Lake Titicaca, and admire the intricate handcrafted textiles for which Taquile is famous. As our exploration of Taquile comes to an end, we’ll bid farewell to the island and journey towards the mysterious funerary towers of Sillustani, a site steeped in history and archaeological significance.

Upon arrival, embark on a guided tour of the ancient burial grounds, marveling at the towering chullpas and learning about their cultural significance. As the sun sets over Lake Umayo, reflect on the day’s adventures before commencing our return journey to Puno. With memories of the Floating Islands, Taquile’s cultural richness, and Sillustani’s ancient mysteries, this day promises to be an unforgettable exploration of Lake Titicaca’s treasures.

We wish you safe travels on your trip home!

Today you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the nearby Juliaca Airport to catch your flight to Lima.