Treasures of Peru + Lake Titicaca

DAY 1: Travel/Arrive Lima

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

Accommodations: Villa Barranco

DAY 2:  Lima Barranco District Walking Tour, Visit to Home & Studio of Victor Delfin, 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. Then, visit the home and studio of celebrated Peruvian artist & sculptor, Victor Delfin. His home is in Barranco and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Visit his studio that showcases his many paintings and sculptures. 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 featuring the freshest fish dishes (alternate options to seafood are available).  Enjoy this national drink of Peru with a beautiful ocean view!  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 illuminated pre-Incan ruins at Huaca Pucllana. The evening will end with a typical Peruvian dessert.

Meals: B, D

Accommodations: Villa Barranco

DAY 3: Transfer to the Lima Airport, Fly to the Cusco, Transfer to the Sacred Valley, Chincheros Weaving Demonstration, Lunch at Iskay, Free Evening

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 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 yarn dying and weaving demonstration at a cooperative and shop for their textiles. Enjoy a traditional Andean lunch in Chincheros and check in at your lovely hotel in the Sacred Valley. Enjoy an evening at leisure.

Meals: B, L

Accommodations: Sol Y Luna, Urumbamba

DAY 4: El Huacatay Cooking Class with 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. 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 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

DAY 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). Enjoy a seat in the Vista Dome train car. 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. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, head to Machu Picchu and enjoy lunch before entering the park. 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

DAY 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

DAY 7:  Depart Machu Picchu, Train to Ollantaytambo, Pachamanca, Ollantaytambo Ruins, Arrive Cusco

Today, take the train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo where you’ll disembark. Upon arrival, visit Ollanatytambo - massive Inca ruins thought to have been a fortress or temple. Set on a hillside, the Incas constructed this fascinating site of stone walls and 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 in the 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 and meat are cooked inside it.  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

Day 8: Cusco City Tour, Qorikancha Temple, Sacsahuaman Fortress, Free Time, Tour Farewell Dinner

Enjoy a half-day guided tour of Cusco and the surrounding ruins. Visit Qorikancha Temple - once the richest temple of the Inca empire. It was covered in gold at one time.  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.  Exploring these sites are a highlight of any visit to the highlands of Peru. In the evening, enjoy dinner at one of Cusco’s celebrated restaurants - Cicciolina.

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

DAY 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

DAY 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 

DAY 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 

DAY 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 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.