Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno, Lake Titicaca & La Paz

ITINERARY:

Day 01 LIMA

Arrive in Lima. Meeting and transfer to your hotel.

Day 02 LIMA

"Morning, visit to Colonial and Modern Lima. Drive through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit the San Francisco Convent and its catacomb, religious building from the end of the XVI century. Drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.
Free afternoon."

Day 03 LIMA- CUSCO

"Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Cusco. Reception and transfer to your hotel.
Afternoon, visit to the city and nearby ruins. Vis?t Main Square, the Cathedral and its religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo or Koricancha. Includes visits to Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara fortresses, the temple and amphitheater of Kenko and the water shrine of Tambomachay."

Day 04 CUSCO - MACHU PICCHU

Transfer to the station for a morning train ride to the unparalleled, Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas". Machu Picchu was a flourishing ceremonial and agricultural site, probably the gateway to the jungle marches of the Inca Empire. The central buildings were erected with the polished stonework of the Cusco Imperial style, though the site was probably occupied well before the Incas started their expansion. Machu Picchu was associated with the earth cult revolving around the Coca leaf, which was a privilege restricted to the Inca Royal family and priests. Guided visit to the Sanctuary. Overnight at one of the hotels in the area.

Day 05 MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO

Morning free to explore the ruins on your own or visit the hot springs in Aguas Calientes. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon, departure by train to Cusco. Transfer to hotel

Day 06 CUSCO – PUNO

Transfer to airport or station in time to take the flight, bus or train to Puno. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Day 07 PUNO - UROS & TAQUILE - PUNO

Visit the floating islands of the Uros and then continue to Taquile Island (solid ground), about four hours by boat from Puno, where its inhabitants have made their vivid color schemes and weaving designs part of the regional folk-art. Their island is one of the most prosperous points in the region. There are pre-Columbian ruins. Lunch included.

Day 08 PUNO – LA PAZ

Pick up from hotel in Puno and drive to Copacabana. Lunch. Hydrofoil cruise Copacabana - Sun Island including the Pilcocaina sacred fountain and the Inca steps. Short trek with llamas. Hydrofoil cruise to Moon Island and Huatajata. Visit the Andean Roots Complex including the Altiplano Museum. Meet the Limachi brothers, builders of Ra II and Tigris for the Thor Heyerdhal epic expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean. See a full size reproduction of the RA II. Transfer to La Paz ending at the hotel.

Day 09 LA PAZ

"Morning optional excursion to Tiahuanaco, located 72 km/45 miles - 1 hour from La Paz. The trip passes through the Bolivian Highlands, were you can see the Aymara Indians way of life. We pass Laja, the place were the city of La Paz was founded the 20th of October in 1548 with a beautiful old church in the Renaissance style. Tiahuanaco is one of the oldest American cultures, Carbon 14 dating, which gives it an average age of 1580 BC until 1150 AC. It is considered the cradle of the American humanity and one of the most advanced cultures in development for that time. The temples and constructions include: The Kalasasaya temple where you see the main work done by the Tiahuanacotas like the Gate of the Sun, the monoliths Ponce and Fraile, the Akapana pyramid, the Semiunderground temple (a sunken temple whose walls are lined with faces with different expressions).
Afternoon visit to La Paz, including the area of the street markets, rich in handicrafts, weavings and witchcraft artifacts which represent the traditional beliefs of the Ch'alla (ritual of offerings) and Pachamama (mother earth and symbol of fertility). The tour goes through the colonial part of the city, San Francisco Church, Gold Museum, Murillo Square and the outdoor replica of the Tiahuanaco temple. Then continues on to the modern part of the city to witness how it is growing and how much the elevation drops down. Finally you leave the city to enter the Valley of the Moon and enjoy its natural geological formations."

Day 10 LA PAZ

Transfer to the airport.