Southern Peru Tour | Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca & Machu Picchu 7 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1. Arequipa – Chivay

This morning, the first day of our tour, will start at 7:30 am at your hotel when we drive to the Colca Valley the home of the Colca Canyon. Stops along the way will include the Pampa Cañahuas, and the Aguada Blanca National Reserve, home to herds of vicuñas, llamas and alpacas, and migratory birds such as flamingoes, seagulls Andean, wild ducks to name a few. Stop at Patapampa 4900masl, the Viewpoint of the Andes, the highest part of the journey, from view the Western Cordillera. Afterward, we continue to Chivay, the largest town in the region, have lunch and settle into our hotel in Chivay.

In the afternoon, visit the Hot Springs at La Calera, relax in warm waters that are surrounded by the Andes mountains. Then, back to Chivay for dinner at a restaurant in town.

• 3* Hotel: Casa Andina Standard Colca or Colca Lodge
• 4* Hotel: Aranwa Colca or similar
• Meals: None.

Day 2. Chivay – Condor Cross – Puno.

At 06:00 a.m. after breakfast, depart for Cruz del Condor, if we are in luck, see the world-famous Andean condor soar majestically above us as they rise up from the canyon. Experience different viewpoints of the canyon, to appreciate its sheer size: This incredible canyon is the second deepest in the world and one of the most spectacular.

Returning to Chivay, we will visit the typical village of Pinchollo, Maca and Yanque, seeing beautiful colonial churches. We stop in Chivay for lunch.

Then we depart for Puno, stopping at Lagunillas viewpoint situated half way between Puno and Arequipa. Here you enjoy beautiful small lagoons and see Andean Flamingos, others Andean birds and trout farmers fishing from their boats. Enjoy the spectacular views and peaceful atmosphere before continuing on to Puno where we arrive at around 7pm.

• 3* Hotel: Casa Andina Standart Puno or Tierra Viva Puno
• 4* Hotel: Sonesta Puno or Casa Andina Premium Puno
• Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), Lunch

Day 3. Puno – Titikaka Lake Tour

After breakfast, be transferred to the Port of Puno for your boat tour on Lake Titicaca at around 8:30am.  Our first stop will be Uros Floating Islands. The Uros people have made these islands their home. These man-made islands are created from Totora reeds grown on Lake Titicaca. They have cleverly built all they need from the reeds such as their houses and the boats they use to travel between the islands. After spending time at the Island of Uros, journey to the Island of Taquile. Taquile Island was once a part of the Inca Empire. When we arrive on the island, enjoy traditional dances, artisanal craft displays and lunch. In the afternoon, the boat will take you back to Puno, and you will be driven back to your hotel.

• Meals included: Breakfast (Hotel), Lunch
• 3* Hotel: Casa Andina Standart Puno or Tierra Viva Puno
• 4* Hotel: Sonesta Puno or Casa Andina Premium Puno

Day 4. Rainbow Mountain Tour – Journey to Cusco.

We will pick you up from your hotel at 4am to begin our amazing Rainbow Mountain Adventure. To the start of the trek the journey will be around 4 hours. During the ride, pass vast landscapes, amazing views and high Andean Peaks before arriving at the trail head (4,638m / 15,216 ft) by 9 am.

We start on our hike following a lovely stream. Enjoy the views of the Ausangate Mountain and glaciers. Interact with the local people, who are, as you will see, keeping traditional Quechua culture alive. Learn about their traditional clothes and the significance of the different hats worn by the men. Ask your guide to teach you a few words of Quechua!

After a total hike of 1.5 hours, we finally reach our destination: Rainbow Mountain (5,020m /16,466ft). After admiring the unique beauty, you will have time to explore the area. You can take pictures or just soak up the view. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top. Afterwards, there is an optional hike across to the top of the Red Valley. This walk takes about 45 minutes, if you have the energy, it is worth the effort.

Once you have finished enjoying the views, hike back down to the starting point. The hike takes 1 hour.  Later we drive to Cusco, arriving to our hotel by 6pm.

• Meals included: Lunch
• Difficulty: Difficult
• 3* Hotel: Hacienda Hotel Plaza de Armas, Rumipunku, Casa Andina Standard.
• 4* Hotel: Wyndham Costa del Sol, Novotel or Casa Andina Private Collection

Day 5. Sacred Valley of The Incas (Pisac + Moray + Maras + Ollantaytambo)

Today we start this beautiful day of adventure at 7:30am, when the guide will pick you up at your Cusco hotel in our private van. Our route through the Sacred Valley of the Incas leads us to Pisac. We stop first at the Mirador of Taray to enjoy an expansive view of the Urubamba valley and its traditional farming villages. See how the agriculture in the Sacred Valley has changed little in the past five hundred years. Next, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, see an impressive Inca cemetery with more than 2,000 tombs. Admire the carefully engineered farming terraces carved into the mountain, explore the Inca tunnel and the religious area of this important citadel. Here, we will spend about 2 hours, exploring the Inca city. Later, head down to the colorful market of Pisac, spend some time exploring the colorful market before driving to Urubamba for lunch.

Next, we stop at the fascinating archeological site of Moray also known as “The Greenhouse of the Incas”, a deep basin of architectural wonder. Large terraces are carved into a huge bowl, these terraces have varied microclimates depending on how deep into the bowl they are placed.  Archeologists believe that they were used by the Incas to discover the optimal growing conditions for their crops and experiment in hybridization.

Continuing on our journey to the colonial town of Maras, here you will look down onto the pre-Inca salt “mines,” called salineras in Spanish. Thousands of salt pans have been passed down through countless generations and used for salt extraction since before Inca times. A hot spring at the top of the valley discharges a small stream of heavily salt laden water, which is diverted into salt pans and evaporated to produce salt. This is one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally pink salt!

Our last stop is Ollantaytambo, where we take the time to explore the Inca village that has remained intact since Inca times. Explore the massive Inca Ruins, and witness the incredible architecture of the Sun Temple at the top of the formidable terraces and learn about the importance of this site for the Inca during the beginning of the Spanish conquest. Here you spend the night to start the Inca Trail the next day.

• 2* Hotel: Tunupa Lodge or Sol Miranda
• 3* Hotel: El Albergue or Pakaritampu
• Meals included: Lunch.

Day 6: Km104 – Short Inca Trail – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

Wake up early for the adventure of a lifetime! Your guide will come to your hotel to pick you up at 5:30am. When you arrive at the train station, you will be given your Box-lunch to add to your daypack. Your train departs Ollantaytambo station at 6:10am . Have just over an hour on the train to enjoy the scenery and have breakfast (not included), Your hotel can provide you a picnic breakfast to take with you or you can pack your own breakfast.

Get off the train at the famous Km104, where your hike begins! (2,000m/6,560 ft. above sea level) After crossing the Urubamba river on a picturesque foot bridge, show your passport at the checkpoint. The first hour and a half is a gentle climb, with some shelters along the way to pause for a bit out of the sun, or rain, depending on the season. Along the way, there will be outlooks where you have an expansive view of the Urubamba River. You will also pass through different microclimates, including cloud forest. The next hour and a half are a slightly steeper uphill with a beautiful waterfall.

Cross the bridge below the waterfall, take some time for photos and gaze up at the spectacular Wiñay Wayna! (2,600m/8,500ft above sea level) These amazing Inca ruins have a fascinating history and some parts are still hidden by the dense jungle. Now you are hiking through lush sub-tropical jungle. Your guide will tell you all about the ruins, plus the incredible flora and fauna of this microclimate and answer any questions you have before the short 5-minute walk to your lunch spot.

Your lunch spot is a covered shelter at the Wiñay Wayna campground, which is the last campground for those hiking the four-day Inca Trail. Nearby are outdoor sinks to wash your hands and also restrooms. Take time enjoying your lunch and admiring the tropical flowers around you. Be sure to notify us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when you book!

After lunch, you will have a mostly flat walk to the Sun Gate, from which you have your first view of Machu Picchu! The hour-long walk ends with a set of steep stairs carved directly into the bedrock by the Inca. Once you reach the stairs you will know that you’re almost at the Sun Gate! It is a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, so take some time to savor the moment and take photos. The last 45 minutes down from the Sun Gate provide many opportunities to take photos of Machu Picchu from this unique vantage point. There are also a couple more important Inca sites between the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, so make sure to go slowly, enjoy your time walking in the footsteps of the Inca on the Inca Trail and ask your guide questions about these historical places on the last part of your hike to Machu Picchu.

Once you reach Machu Picchu, you will have time to take more photos from the viewing platforms above the site. You will arrive in the afternoon, as the archeological area starts to empty of tourists, which gives you the opportunity to take beautiful photos in the afternoon light with fewer people. Take your time to enjoy this magical experience before you take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to check into your hotel. Have a delicious dinner, then have time to walk around this picturesque little town, visit the hot springs or just go to your hotel to rest after such an exciting day.

• Meals: Breakfast (Hotel), box lunch & dinner
• Distance: 12 kms/7.5 miles
• Time: 6hrs approximately
• 3*Hotel: Tara Hotel, Gringo Bills or Ferre
• 4* Hotel: Tierra Viva Machupicchu, Hatun Inti Boutique, El Mapi by inkaterra.
• Difficulty: Easy – moderate
• Optional overnight bag transfer to your hotel in Aguas Calientes. (up to 7 kg)

Day 7: Machu Picchu – Back to Cusco – End

After an early breakfast at your hotel, take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu so that you can be there to witness the sunrise. It is a truly extraordinary site and not something you’ll want to miss!

Your guide will give you the full tour, which takes about two hours. You will see all of the most important parts of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, Temple of Three Windows, Quarry and the House of the Inca. You will also learn about how Machu Picchu is divided into three sectors: agricultural, residential and religious. Enjoy the history and the legends, feel a part of the magical place. Understand why the Inca built Machu Picchu in this stunning location. Take in the Andes that surround you at every turn.

After your tour, those who have booked in advance for the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will have time to enjoy those views on their own. When you have had your fill of the exceptional views of Machu Picchu, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). Depending on your train departure time, you may also have time for some shopping, sightseeing or a visit to the hot springs. Your train will depart at 14:55 or 15:20.

The train will take you back to Ollantaytambo, following the spectacular Urubamba River. Back in Ollantaytambo, the driver will meet you at the exit from the train station to take you back to your hotel in Cusco in our private vehicle. You can expect to arrive at your hotel by 19:00.

• Meals included: Breakfast (Hotel)
• Difficulty: Easy