Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Lake
Titicaca boat crossing to La Paz
11 days / 10 nights
From $2823 per person, double occupancy for 2009
Includes domestic air, accommodations,
guided excursions and meals as specified.
All Lost World Adventures itineraries are
privately guided, and may be modified to suit personal
travel dates, interests and budgets.
Day 1: US - Lima
Most flights arrive in Lima late at
night. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight accommodations at the Hotel Costa del Sol Ramada
Lima, with daily buffet breakfast included. Located adjacent
to the airport terminal, this four star hotel features
130 rooms, restaurant, bar, business center, wireless
internet, spa, and beauty salon.
Day 2: Lima - Cuzco
Fly to Cuzco this morning (10,750'),
the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America
and capital of the Inca Empire. Much of colonial Cuzco
was built on Inca foundations, and your guide will point
out Inca stonework along the many streets. Overnight accommodations
at the centrally located Posada
del Inca Hotel.
After settling in set off on a tour of
Cuzco and the nearby Inca ruins. Cuzco, the oldest continuously
inhabited city on the continent, was the capital of the
Inca Empire and is considered by many Quechua peoples
to be the spiritual center of the world. Much of colonial
Cuzco was built on Inca foundations, and your guide will
point out Inca stonework along the many streets. Visit
the main square, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church,
as well as a first introduction to Inca stonework at the
ruins of Puka-Pukara, Qenqo, Tambo Machay, and the renowned
fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco and the surrounding
valley. (B)
Day 3: Pisac & Ollantaytambo
This morning, depart with your guide
for a full-day excursion to the village and ruins of Pisac
located 20 miles from Cuzco. After exploring the ruins
you will visit a colorful Indian market where you'll be
able to trade with locals for a variety of handicrafts.
Lunch will be served in Urubamba, followed by a tour of
the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo located in the
Sacred Valley of the Incas. (B,L)
Day 4: Cuzco - Machu Picchu
Set off on a scenic four-hour trip
through the Urubamba Valley, followed by a 20-minute bus
ride up to the breathtaking "Lost City of the Incas"--Machu
Picchu. Set in the saddle of a mountain 1,000 feet above
the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu escaped ransacking by
the Spaniards. Explore the walls, stairways, temples and
terraces with your guide. For the more energetic, a moderate
2-mile hike up to the Sun Gate offers fabulous views overlooking
this ancient wonder. Overnight at Machu
Picchu Pueblo Hotel, or for an additional charge,
upgrade to the Machu
Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, located adjacent to the ruins.
(B,L)
Day 5: Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Enjoy a full morning visit to the
citadel. In the afternoon, return to Cuzco by train, where
you'll be met and transferred back to the Posada del Inca
Hotel. (B)
Day 6: Cuzco - Puno
Hotel pickup and transfer to the Cuzco
bus station. Depart by motorcoach for your 8-hour journey
to Puno.
Along the way, you will visit Piquillacta, Andahuayillas,
the Marangani alpaca weaving factory and Raqchi, with
its temple to the God Viracocha. You will be met at the
Puno bus station and transferred to the Posada del Inca
Puno. (B,L)
Day 7: Full-day Taquile Island
Excursion
This morning depart on a full-day
excursion to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake
in the world. You will visit Taquile Island. The island,
inhabited by 1,500 Quechua-speaking Indians, is world
famous for its hand weavings and an ancient communal way
of life. You’ll spend the rest of the day exploring
the island before returning to Puno in the late afternoon.
(B,L)
Day 8: Lake Crossing to Sun
Island
Departure this morning in a private
bus to Copacabana. After a visit to the National Shrine
of Bolivia, board a cruiser ship to Huatajata. In the
afternoon, stop at the Island of the Sun where you'll
witness the unique lifestyle of the Aymara who live here.
The rest of the day will be spent exploring the island
on your own or with your guide. Overnight accommodations
are in a simple guesthouse located on the island. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Sun Island - La Paz
After a free morning to explore, the
boat continues through the Tiquina Strait to Huatajata
(total sailing time up to 6 hours). From here a two-hour
bus trip brings you La Paz, highest capital city in the
world. Overnight at the Hotel Plaza. (B,L)
Day 10: Tiahuanaco Ruins
You’ll be picked up from your
hotel for an excursion to Tiahuanaco, the former capital
of a civilization that flourished around 700 AD. On the
way to the ruins, you’ll pass through the town of
Laja, where La Paz was founded in 548 AD. (B)
Day 11: Int'l Departure
Hotel pickup and transfer to La Paz
airport. Check in for your departing flight. (B)
Contact
us to book this itinerary or to
request a customized itinerary in Peru.
