Treasures of Peru + Lake Titicaca

October 1 – 12, 2024

Discover the cradle of the ancient Incan Empire with this tour to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Explore the breathtaking site of Machu Picchu as the mist lifts off the mountains and the ruins. Immerse yourself in fascinating Peruvian history, culture, Incan sites, traditional foods and today’s fusion culinary scene. There is so much learn and experience in the Sacred Valley! Travel from Lima to the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu ending in Cusco and surrounding areas. Then, fly to Juliaca Airport for three additional days on Lake Titicaca at a secluded luxury lodge. Visit the floating reed islands of Uros & Taquile. Meet the indigenous people. Learn how they create the floating islands, village huts and boats from reeds. Participate in a menu of excursions from the hotel! These are truly unique and immersive experiences you will not forget in this region of Peru!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Walking tour of Lima’s bohemian Barranco District filled with art museums, galleries, cafes and shops
  • Lima’s Pacific oceanfront - Miraflores
  • A gastronomic tour of four of Lima’s best restaurants tasting at each one - experience Peru’s fusion culinary scene!
  • Taste Peru’s national drink and learn how it is made – the Pisco Sour
  • Sacred Valley’s Chinchero marketplace
  • Peruvian weaving demonstration at a weaving cooperative
  • Hands-on Andean cooking class at El Huacatay Restaurant
  • Visit to Moray Agricultural Terraces thought to have been an agricultural experimental station in the Sacred Valley
  • Visit to the Maras Inca Salt Pans in the Sacred Valley
  • Guided tour of Machu Picchu; another 1/2 day to hike on your own
  • Visit to the Ollantaytambo Inca Ruins
  • Pachamanca (traditional Peruvian meal cooked in a stone pit)
  • Cusco City Tour to include the Q’orikancha Temple & Sacsahuaman
  • Free time in Cusco
  • Accommodations at Hotel Titilaka - an all-inclusive 5* luxury lodge on Lake Titicaca
  • An all-day group excursion to the floating islands & villages of Lake Titicaca - Uros & Taquile
  • Guided excursions from Hotel Titilaka: nautical sports (sailing, canoeing, paddle boarding, kayaking), hiking, biking, birdwatching, rafting through the reeds - excursions are at your discretion
  • Night sky astronomical observation
  • Guided visit to Sillustani
  • Gourmet meals at select Peruvian restaurants/cafes + 3 courses/day at Hotel Titilaka
  • Built-in free time relax or go out on your own

INCLUDES:

  • 12 days service of local certified tour guides who will travel with the group + specialist guides at Lake Titicaca
  • 11 nights of select accommodations (4* hotel in Lima + 5* luxury hotels in the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu)
  • 3 nights at 5* All-Inclusive Titlaka Hotel on Lake Titicaca
  • Transportation via private chartered coach
  • Breakfast in the hotel daily
  • Select gourmet lunches and dinners at select Peruvian cafes & restaurants, per Daily Itinerary
  • All guided excursions
  • Lima City Tour to include the Barranco & Miraflores Districts
  • Culinary Walking Tour to four select restaurants in Lima
  • Weaving demonstration in Chincheros at a women's cooperative
  • Visit to the Chincheros marketplace
  • Hands-on cooking lesson at El Huacatay Restaurant in the Sacred Valley
  • Guided visit to the Moray Agricultural Terraces in the Sacred Valley
  • Guided visit to the Maras Salt Pans in the Sacred Valley
  • Round trip Vistadome train ticket to/from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)
  • Machu Picchu entrance & hiking permit
  • Guided visit to the Ollantaytambo Inca Ruins + the town of Ollantaytambo
  • A traditional Peruvian pachamanca
  • Cusco City tour to include Q'oricancha temple & Sacsahuaman fortress (with an option for hiking back down to Cusco)
  • Unguided visit to Lima's Larco Museum and dinner in their garden restaurant (on the return day to Lima prior to flight home)
  • All-inclusive gourmet meals at Titilaka Hotel
  • All-inclusive guided excursions from Titilaka Hotel: water sports, guided visit to the floating islands of Uros, kayaking, bicycle riding, hiking, etc.
  • All airport transfers

NOT INCLUDED:   

  • International and domestic airfare
  • Some meals during free time
  • Tour guide and driver gratuities
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance

PRICE:

$8853.00 per person based on double occupancy;  $10,853 based on single occupancy

MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE: 15 guests + staff

Read about Hotel Titlaka's excursions here

October 1-12, 2024

TUES, Oct 1: Travel/Arrive Lima

Travel from your home city to Lima, Peru. Welcome to the capital of Peru! Transfer to the hotel. Most international flights arrive in the evening.

Accommodations: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, Lima


WED, Oct 2:  Lima Barranco District Walking Tour, Free Time, Evening Culinary Tour  

Today, take a walking tour of Barranco - one of Lima’s most interesting and colorful districts. This area is known for its Bohemian lifestyle and is a favorite among local artists. You will see colorful stately mansions, churches and the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean while learning about the history of the area. Visit the famous Bajada de los Baños Walkway. the romantic Bridge of Sighs and Plaza San Francisco. Afterward, enjoy the afternoon to relax. In the evening, take a culinary walking tour of Lima and visit four select restaurants. The first stop will be at a top beachfront restaurant to see how a true Peruvian Pisco Sour is made. Enjoy this national drink of Peru and the beautiful ocean views!  Then, sample a variety of Amazonian appetizers at an award-winning restaurant specializing in dishes from the jungle. The next stop is for a gourmet Peruvian dinner amid the lluminated pre-Incan ruins at Huaca Pucllana. The evening will end with a typical Peruvian dessert.

Meals: B, D

Accommodations: Casa Andina Premium Miraflores, Lima

THURS, Oct 3: Transfer to the Lima Airport, Fly to the Cusco, Transfer to the Sacred Valley, Chincheros Visit & Weaving Demonstration

In the morning, fly to Cusco. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Incas - a long fertile valley surrounded by snowcapped peaks that lies between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Then, head out for an excursion to Chincheros, a small town situated on a plateau overlooking the Sacred Valley. Chincheros is home to a local market and several highly-regarded weaving cooperatives known for their high-quality textiles. These intricate traditional weavings often use symbols to tell stories or depict daily life. Observe a weaving demonstration at one of the cooperatives. Enjoy a traditional Andean lunch in Chincheros and return to the hotel in the later afternoon.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Sol Y Luna, Urumbamba

FRI, Oct 4: El Huacatay Cooking Class, Lunch, Maras Agricultural Terraces, Moray Salt Pans, Free Evening

Today, join Pio Vazquez, owner of the restaurant El Huacatay, an Andean-style kitchen located in the town of Urubamba. You’ll participate in a hands-on cooking lesson to learn about local gastronomy and cooking techniques used in Peruvian cooking. You’ll prepare an appetizer, main dish and dessert – all inspired by traditional Peruvian cooking. In the afternoon, visit Maras Agricultural Terraces - a fascinating archeological site in the Sacred Valley. These Inca ruins are a system of circular terraces each with their own microclimate. You’ll learn why the Incas constructed this which is thought to have been an agricultural experiment station. Nearby, you’ll stop at the Moray Salt Pans, a complex network of nearly 2000 salt pans or shallow pools that are filled by an underground spring. The naturally pink salt pans get their beautiful hue from the trace elements in the spring water. The salt in the pans is still harvested today as it was in Inca times. The evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Sol Y Luna, Urumbamba

SAT, Oct 5: Train to Machu Picchu, Lunch, Guided Tour of Machu Picchu, Dinner, Free Evening  

You’ll start your journey to Machu Picchu by train - the only way to arrive (other than hiking the Inca Trail). Machu Picchu is arguably the most outstanding achievement of the Inca civilization. On the train ride, you’ll be treated to views of picturesque mountains and valleys. On arrival in Aguas Calientes, head to Machu Picchu and enjoy lunch at Sanctuary Lodge at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Afterward, take a guided tour of Machu Picchu to learn about this amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner will be at the hotel experiencing fine Peruvian cuisine that features dishes prepared with exotic, regional ingredients and innovative special touches.

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodations: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

SUN, Oct 6: Morning Unguided Return to Machu Picchu, Lunch in Aguas Calientes, Free Afternoon

The morning is free to make an unguided return to Machu Picchu and explore on your own. Your shuttle and entrance tickets are included today.. Going early in the morning allows for time when there are fewer visitors. Take an easier hike to the Sun Gate or opt for a more challenging hike. You can hike to the top of Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or the Huchuy PIcchu for aerial views of the ruins and surrounding mountains. (Note: permits are required for some hikes and are subject to availability). Afterward, enjoy lunch at a well-loved restaurant in Aguas Calientes. After lunch, the afternoon and evening will be free to relax at the hotel or participate in their local excursions (additional cost). Dinner is included tonight at your lovely hotel located on its own 12 secluded and lush acres.

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodations: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

MON, Oct 7:  Depart Machu Picchu, Train to Ollantaytambo, Ollantaytambo Ruins, & Town, Pachamanca, Arrive Cusco

Today, take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo where you’ll disembark. On arrival, visit Ollanatytambo - massive Inca ruins thought to have been a fortress or temple. Set on a hillside, the Incas constructed this site made of both stone walls and intricate cut field rocks. Visit the town of Ollantaytamo - one of the few to survive today in its original layout from Incan times. Then, enjoy a pachamanca feast for lunch gardens overlooking the mountains. This is a traditional method of cooking in the Andes where an oven of hot stones is created in the ground and layers of vegetables, corn, potatoes, fruit and meat are cooked inside it. Observe the preparation for the pachamanca which is part of the experience. Sample artisanal coffees and spirits from the onsite local roasting and distilling facility. Finally, transfer to Cusco where the evening will be at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Palacio del Inka, Cusco

TUES, Oct 8: Cusco City Tour, Qorikancha Temple, Sacsahuaman Fortress, Optional Hike, Tour Farewell Dinner

Enjoy a half-day guided tour of the city of Cusco and the surrounding ruins. Visit Qorikancha Temple - once the richest temple of the Inca empire. It was covered in gold. The ruins have some of the finest stonework in all of Peru. Visit Sacsahuaman, the massive fortress on the hill above the city where the Incas made their fiercest stand against the Spaniards. It is possible to hike back down to Cusco from Sacsahuaman for those that want to do so. Exploring these sites are a highlight of any visit to the highlands of Peru. In the evening, enjoy a tour Farewell Dinner at one of the Cusco’s top restaurants.

Meals: B, D
Accommodations: Palacio del Inka, Cusco 

WED, Oct 9:  Transfer to the Cusco Airport, Fly to Juliaca, Transfer to Hotel Titilaka, Afternoon Hotel Excursion of Choice, Dinner

This morning, fly from Cusco to the Juliaca Airport near Puno. Upon arrival, transfer to Titlaka Hotel - a 5* luxury lodge on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest lake. This is a splendidly isolated experience where you can immerse yourself in the landscape, culture and cuisine of this region in Peru. After lunch, choose from a list of all-inclusive excursions from the hotel - nautical activities such as kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, sailing and rafting through the reeds. Or, choose a guided excursion such as a hike, a bike ride or birdwatching. This is a stunning, full-service resort where you can partake in a host of local excursions or just hide away on the lakeside deck of Lake Titicaca on your own.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodations: Hotel Titilaka
Read about Hotel Titilaka's all-inclusive excursions here


THURS, Oct 10: Floating Islands & Villages of Lake Titicaca, Lunch Outdoors, Aymara Constellation Observation

Explore the Uros and Taquile reed floating islands during this excursion on the hotel's private boat. The floating islands of the Uros Titino communities of Lake Titicaca are an intersection of land, sea and sky. Totora reeds and roots are a unique building material for the boats, houses and the islands themselves. Visit the floating villages and meet the Uros-Aymara skilled reed raftsmen and the weaver women famous for their craft. You’ll learn about the techniques used to keep their islands and boats afloat. This is a full-day excursion that includes lunch outdoors with views of Bolivia’s Cordillera Real Range. After dinner at the hotel, observe the clear skies of Lake Titicaca during an astronomical observation from the gardens. The guide will point out the movement of the stars and constellations in the night sky.

Meals: B, L, D
Accommodations: Hotel Titilaka 

FRI, Oct 11: Free Day for Excursions of Choice, Tour Farewell Dinner

Today, will be free to choose a morning, afternoon or full-day excursion. Go on your own or join others from the tour. Alternatively, stay and relax and take in the breathtaking views across the lake from the lodge. There is no set schedule. The evening will close with a Farewell Dinner featuring the cuisine of Chef Maria Fé Garcia. Titilaka’s cuisine features numerous Andean and Peruvian dishes all with a delicate touch.

Meals: B, L, D

Accommodations: Hotel Titilaka 

SAT, Oct 12: Transfer to the Juliaca Airport, Stop at Sillustani, Fly Home

This morning, transfer by private coach to the Juliaca Airport for the flight to Lima. On the way, stop at the ancient archaeological complex of Sillustani - arguably the region’s most important pre-Incan funeral site. There are a number of chullpas or ancient stone towers that house the remains of nobles. Learn about this site that combines archaeology, history and unforgettable views across Lake Umayo. Afterward, board the flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, spend the afternoon at the Larco Museum which houses 5000 artifacts from pre-Incan times. Enjoy dinner in their gardens before your return to the Lima airport (most flights leave late at night or after midnight). Fly home.

Meals: B, L, D

 PRICE:  $8853 per person based on double occupancy; $10,853 single occupancy

 INCLUDES:

  • 12 day fully-guided small group tour
  • 11 nights accommodations - select city, valley & rain forest hotels (4* in Lima & 5* in Urubamba, Machu Picchu & Cusco)
  • Titilaka Hotel - a 5* luxury all-inclusive lodge on the shores of Lake Titicaca + guided full and 1/2 day excursions provided by the hotel guides
  • 12 days service of certified a Peruvian tour guide who will travel with the group + specialist site guides along the way
  • Transportation by private coach, train and Titilaka Hotel's private boat to the reed islands
  • Round trip ticket on the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)
  • Breakfast in the hotel daily
  • Gourmet meals at select Peruvian restaurants & cafes + 3 gourmet meals/day at Titilaka Hotel
  • Lima City Walking tour of the Barranco & Miraflores Districts
  • Lima Culinary Walking Tour with visits to four select restaurants
  • El Huacatay hands-on cooking class in Ollantaytambo
  • Guided visit to the Moray Agricultural Terraces
  • Guided visit to the Maras Salt Pans
  • Visit to the Chinchero marketplace and a women's weaving cooperative
  • Round-trip VistaDome train ticket to/from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)
  • Entrance to Machu Picchu for two days
  • Machu Picchu hiking permits (optional hikes: Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or  Huchuy Picchu)
  • Guided visit to the Ollantaytambo Ruins and the town of Ollantaytambo
  • Traditional Peruvian pachamanca
  • Cusco City Tour to include Q'oricancha temple & Sacsahuaman fortress (with an option to hike back down to Cusco)
  • Accommodations at Hotel Titilaka – an all-inclusive 5* luxury lodge on Lake Titicaca
  • An all-day group excursion to the floating islands & villages of Lake Titicaca – Uros & Taquile
  • Excursions from Hotel Titilaka: nautical sports (sailing, canoeing, paddle boarding, kayaking) + hiking, biking, birdwatching, rafting through the reeds (optional)
  • Night sky astronomical observation
  • Guided visit to Sillustani
  • Built-in free time relax or go out on your own
  • Lima's Larco Museum entry and dinner in their garden cafe (on the final day in Lima before flying home)
  • All airport transfers

NOT INCLUDED:

  • International and Domestic airfare
  • Some meals during free time
  • Gratuities for guides and driver
  • Travel Insurance

 

TOUR PAYMENT:

Tour payment can be made by eCheck, credit card or bank transfer.

 

TOUR DEPOSIT: 

A deposit of $2000 is requested to hold a spot on this tour.  The balance is due 90 days out from departure or July 1, 2024.  After July 1, full tour payment is required.

 

TOUR CANCELLATION:

This tour can be canceled through July 1, 2024.  A refund will be given less a $250 service charge.

If Pack A Fork cancels the tour, for any reason, all monies will be refunded.

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to offset tour cancellation fees if something precludes you from taking this tour.  We recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy that includes coverage related to  COVID-19.

 

COVID-19 Vaccinations:

For the safety and health of all guests, we require the full COVID-19 vaccination and boosters. We will request a copy of your vaccination card at registration.

 

AIR RESERVATIONS

Pack A Fork! has partnered with Exito Travel for air reservations. We work with Leanne Reuss who is an international airfare specialist. Leanne can assist you with the best flights from your home city. She can be reached at 800-655-4053, Ext. 8528. Alternatively, you can purchase your own flights.

 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance will help protect you from trip cancellation fees, costs incurred due to trip delays/interruptions, lost or damaged baggage. Travel insurance may also give you medical protection during your trip. We recommend the website SquareMouth or InsureMyTrip for comparing policies. For those under age 70, we recommend World Nomads travel insurance.

It is important to purchase travel insurance at the time of tour payment for more comprehensive coverage.

12-Day Tour

From $8853
$2000 deposit due at registration
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