This tour combines Cusco´s classic attractions, Machu Picchu, and one of Peru´s highest navigable lake, Titicaca Lake is the second main tourist attraction in Peru. Spend five days surrounded by history, tradition, and stunning scenery in the heart of the Andes, as you fall in love with the region´s many wonders on the trip of a lifetime! You will stay in quality hotels and hostels specially selected by our agency, and receive included private transportation to and from the airport on the first and last days of your tour.
IMPORTANT – Our tour ends in PUNO
You can just go to Juliaca and fly back to Lima – LATAM Airlines leave at 9pm Juliaca Airport. We can provide transfer for your group from Puno to Juliaca airport for $80.
You can continue your tour to Bolivia through Copacabana and the Sun Island (Isla del sol);
You can continue from Puno to Arequipa by bus or plane
If you want to experience the train ride to Cusco, it takes 12 hours with amazing views.
You can go to the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia or the jungle at Puerto Maldonado
Peru
Tour Cusco to Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca 5D / 4N
Summary
Overview of the Tour Cusco to Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca 5 Days/ 4 Nights
Day 1:
Arrival in Cusco – City Tour in Cusco
You will be welcomed at the Cusco airport by our staff and escorted to your hotel or hostel. After lunch, your adventure in Cusco begins
Place visited on this tour:
- Cusco Cathedral
- Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha
- Sacsayhuaman
- Q’enQo
- PukaPukara
- Tambomachay
Day 2
Sacred Valley Tour and Overnight in Aguas Calientes
The tour begins at 8:00am with pickup at your hotel or hostel and a picturesque ride to the village of Pisac for a visit to its famous craft market. Located 33 kilometers from Cusco, the village of Pisac sits below one of Cusco´s most important archeological sites, where you will be able to explore an ancient Inca agricultural center and its stunning terraces. In Urubamba
- Tour Start Time: Approximately 8:00 am
- Arrival in Aguas Calientes: Approximately 6:15 pm
- Difficulty: Light
- Weather : Cold in the morning; hot and sunny at midday; chilly wind towards in afternoon. Layered clothing adaptable to different conditions is highly recommended.
Day 3
Machu Picchu Tour and Returing to Cusco
Today you will visit Machu Picchu. You will determine, with your tour guide, the best time to start your day. Most people prefer to rise at 7 a.m.
- Tour Start Time: Between 5:30 and 6:00 am
- Tour End Time: Approximately 10:00 pm
- Maximum Altitude: we will reach is 2,400 meters 7,920 fts
- Walking tour in MachuPicchu: Around 3 hours
- Weather: Cold in the morning; hot and sunny at midday; chilly wind towards in afternoon. Layered clothing adaptable to different conditions is highly recommended.
Day 4
Bus to Puno, Cusco- Andahuaylillas- Rachi- La Raya – Puno
The service is provided in Buses that are clearly equipped for the Tourist area, looking for the best way to travel between Cusco – Puno where the tourist can enjoy various places of Magical charm and Ancestral History such as: The Sistine Chapel of America or Andahuaylillas Chapel, The Imposing Temple of the god Wiracocha (Raqchi), The Majestic Pass la Raya – Road Limit between Cusco and Puno region – View of the Nevado Chimboya and the Mythical Lithic Museum of the Pukara Culture.
Day 5
Full day Lake Titicaca
The tour of Isla Uros and Taquile will be carried out through a circuit that has walks through very peaceful places in the middle of Lake Titicaca, it will allow us to know and live the customs of local people, we will share a little of their knowledge with residents.
New Regulations
In January 2019, changes to the Machu Picchu visitation rules were implemented. Now, entrance tickets to the citadel are sold for specific time slots, starting at 6:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, and 2:00 PM.
With this new entry system, visitors board the bus to Machu Picchu one hour or 30 minutes before the visitation time printed on their ticket. This way, they do not have to endure unnecessary queues in Machu Picchu Pueblo, nor do they contribute to crowding at the entrances to the Inca city.
Meanwhile, visitors who wish to walk to Machu Picchu must depart one and a half hours before their designated visitation time.
In January 2021, new visitation routes or circuits were introduced at Machu Picchu with the aim of preserving the archaeological site for future generations. Each visitor follows a circuit according to the type of entrance ticket they have purchased, whether it’s for visiting Machu Picchu only, Huayna Picchu mountain, or Machupicchu mountain.
For more detailed information about the different circuits and specific entrance schedules, we invite you to read this link on Schedules and New Circuits for Visiting Machu Picchu or to contact us directly. We can provide you with all the necessary information and address any questions you may have.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Cusco – City tour In Cusco
You will be welcomed at the Cusco airport by our staff and escorted to your hotel or hostel.
After lunch, your adventure in Cusco begins
At 1 p.m., we will meet you at your hotel lobby to begin your tour. From here, you will head to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, where you will visit the famous cathedral. Following, you will continue on foot through an ancient Inca-built street from the Plaza de Armas to the Q’oricancha, the Temple of the Sun. At the Q’oricancha you will be able to compare and contrast the building methods of the Incan culture and Catholicism. This was the key spiritual center of the Incas, which leads to all four quarters of the Inca Empire. There is also a bronze, high altar to be seen.
From Q’oricancha, your group will walk down Avenida El Sol, where you will take your bus 25 minutes outside of the city. You will be taken to the majestic Inca site, Sacsayhuaman, with its enigmatic, 200 ton monoliths, You will be able to hear from your guide and then, explore on your own.
From Sacsayhuaman, you will take a five minute bus ride to the Q’enqo Inca site to see its fascinating Incan altars. Following, you will take another five minute drive to Puca Pucara, a small, circular Inca site. The final stop on our tour is Tambomachay, a water temple with impressive water fountains, thought to be used by the Inca for bathing. We’ll then drive back down to Cusco where the tour ends in the main square, unless you are taking a private tour, in which case, we will return you to your hotel.
Included:
- Transportation to and from the airport on your arrival day in Cusco
- Transfer from your hotel/hostal
- Tourist transportation for the Cusco City Tour (this will be a large group tour)
- Professional guide who is fluent in English
- Basic Hotel in Cusco (upgrades available)
Not Included:
- Entrance fees to Sun Temple or Qoricancha (15 soles per person or 5 dóllars)
- Entrance fees to Catedral (40 soles person or 12 dóllars)
- Full tourist ticket or Boleto Turístico (130 soles per person or 40 dollars )
What to bring: Small day pack ,warm jacket, water, hat, sunscreen, sunglases
Day 2 – Sacred Valley Tour and Overnight in Aguas Calientes
The tour begins at 8:00am with pickup at your hotel or hostel and a picturesque ride to the village of Pisac for a visit to its famous craft market. Located 33 kilometers from Cusco, the village of Pisac sits below one of Cusco´s most important archeological sites, where you will be able to explore an ancient Inca agricultural center and its stunning terraces. In Urubamba, or “The Heart of the Sacred Valley,” you can eat lunch (not included) in the shadow of snow-capped Chicon Mountain and explore the lush, palm-filled Plaza de Armas before continuing with the afternoon portion of the tour.
Next, you will arrive in Ollantaytambo, where villagers still live in ancient stone houses built by the Incas around Hanan Huacaypata Square. You will experience the majesty of one of the Inca´s most impregnable fortresses, as you climb to the scenic Temple of the Sun and admire the sophisticated engineering of the Baths of the Princess.
Finally, you will board the 4:30 p.m train to Aguas Calientes, After an approximately two-hour journey through the Andes, you will arrive at Aguas Calientes train station, where you will be greeted by our staff and escorted to your hotel and hostel to spend the night before your day at Machu Picchu. At dinner, you will be briefed on the next day´s tour and itinerary.
Included:
- Transfer from your hotel/hostal
- Tourist transportation for the Sacred Valley Tour (this will be a large group tour)
- Professional guide who is fluent in English
- Lunch in the Sacred Valley
- Expedition train ticket Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Basic Hotel in Aguas Calientes (upgrades available)
Not Included:
- Entrance fees Salt mine of Maras (15 soles per person or 5 dollars)
- Full tourist ticket or Boleto Turístico (130 soles per person 40 dollars )
- Dinner in Aguas Calientes
What to bring: On this day you will not return to Cusco because you will spend the night in Aguas Calientes. Therefore you have to make sure you bring the original Passport to board the train, and for your visit to Machu Picchu. Put a change of clothes into your small backpack, comfortable shoes, comfortable and light clothing or sportswear, waterproof jacket or rain poncho, cap or hat for the sun, warm clothes for the end of the afternoon, sunscreen, sunglasses, water (at least 1L) camera, cash (in small denominations of Peruvian nuevos soles
Day 3 – Machu Picchu Tour and Returing to Cusco
Today you will visit Machu Picchu. You will determine, with your tour guide, the best time to start your day. Most people prefer to rise at 4 a.m. walk to the bus station to take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu. It can be enjoyable to arrive at the ruins as soon as they open, at 6 a.m., to catch the magical mists on the ruins as the sun rises. After a 25 minute bus ride to Machu Picchu, your tour guide will take you to the best views before the day trippers arrive. Then, we will start the two hour guided, walking tour, exploring all of the famous places of this impressive citadel: After the tour, you will have time to explore the ruins on your own. If you have booked permits to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will head to that adventure. If you chose not to book a hike, you can climb to the Sun Gate and witness its amazing views. At around 12:p.m or 1 p.m., you will need to take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes to enjoy lunch at one of the many restaurants there. Be sure to arrive at the train station 30 minutes before your departure.
Note: Machu Picchu Inca site is different from Machu Picchu Mountain. When most people refer to Machu Picchu, they are referring to the archeological site. Machu Picchu Mountain requires a separate permit to climb. Please notify us if you are interested and we can book this for you. It must be done in advance and is a part of your entry into the site
Included:
- Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to MachuPicchu/ Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu entrance fees
- Professional guide who is fluent in English
- Two hours walking tour in Machu Picchu
- Expedition train ticket from to Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo train station
- Transfer from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco
- Basic Hotel in Cusco (upgrades available)
Not Included:
- A ticket to climb HuaynaPicchu or MachuPicchu Mountain-let us know in advance if you would like to do this
- Lunch in Aguas Calientes
What to bring: Original passport, small day pack , warm jacket, water, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
Day 4 – Bus to Puno, Cusco- Andahuaylillas- Rachi- La Raya Puno
We pick you up at your hotel at 6:30am to take you to the bus station (Inca Express or Tourismo Mer). Both companies provide royal class service with an English-speaking tour guide, a waiter who is ready to assist you with hot, and cold drinks on board. During the trip, you will stop to visit some Inca constructions, museums and the Andahuaylillas Church, which is considered to be the Sistine Chapel of South America because of its amazing frescos. Then we stop at the Racchi Inca ruins, which used to be a religious and resting place for Inca travelers. The next visit is at La Raya, the border between the regions of Cusco and Puno, where the most traditional animals of Peru can be seen, llamas and alpacas. In Pucara, we will visit a museum where it is possible to see some pre-Inca remains. Finally, by 5.30 pm we arrive in the city of Puno, where our representative will pick you up to take you to your hotel.
Included:
- Pick up from the hotel in Cusco and transfer to the bus station
- Bilingual Professional guide
- Tourist bus transportation.
- All the entrance tickets included.
- Guided visit to Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya and the Lithic Museum of Pukará
- Buffet lunch in Marangani – Sicuani
- Service on board (Hot Drinks: Tea, coffee, coca tea, chamomile, anise / Cold Drinks: Coca Cola, Inca Kola and mineral water)
- Sanitary facilities
- Oxygen
- Heating
- Transfer to your hotel in Puno
- Basic Hotel in Puno (upgrades available)
Not Included:
- Breakfast
- Extra expenses
- Tips.
What to bring: Comfortable, hiking shoes, small daypack or backpack (approximately 20L),comfortable, lightweight trekking clothes or activewear (layers recommended),waterproof, sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and traction, waterproof jacket or rain poncho, warm coat, hat and gloves, hand sanitizer, sun hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, water (at least 1L), personal medications, muscle relaxers, painkillers or anti-inflammatories, bandaids (especially those designed for blisters), toilet paper, camera, cash (in small denominations of Peruvian Nuevos soles)
Day 5 – Full day Lake Titicaca- End of the tour
We pick you up at your hotel in Puno at 7:30am and transfer you to the port of Puno. This is when you adventure begins to “the Uros floating islands” an ancient ethnic group of people living on Lake Titicaca since pre-Incan times. They are still maintaining their original lifestyle fishing, hunting birds, gathering eggs and making optimum use of the reeds even as food. At about 8:30 you will arrive at the islands and get to enjoy the opportunity to interact with the local families. You will visit their homes, and have a demonstration of how they live their lives, and how they construct the floating islands. You will have the option for a boat ride on the magnificent reed boats constructed by the locals (10 soles extra). After enjoying some time on the Uros Islands, you will be on your way to Taquile Island arriving around 11am. There you will have the opportunity to experience some local music and dance, have a scrumptious lunch at a local restaurant, and time to hike around the island and enjoy the spectacular landscape and views of Lake Titicaca. You will arrive back to Puno at around 3:30pm and be transferred back to your hotel.
Included:
- Transfer Hotel – Port – Hotel.
- Bilingual private guide Spanish / English.
- Private motorboat
- Snack during the tour.
- Lunch on the island Taquile.
- All the entrance tickets included.
- Basic Hotel in Puno (upgrades available)
Not Included:
- Tips for service (optional, voluntary).
- Gifts, souvenirs
- Any other type of food not mentioned.
What to bring: Comfortable, hiking shoes, small daypack or backpack (approximately 20L),comfortable, lightweight trekking clothes or activewear (layers recommended),waterproof, sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and traction, waterproof jacket or rain poncho, warm coat, hat and gloves, hand sanitizer, sun hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses, water (at least 1L), personal medications, muscle relaxers, painkillers or anti-inflammatories, bandaids (especially those designed for blisters), toilet paper, camera, cash (in small denominations of Peruvian Nuevos soles)
Options Pricing
Just The Tour
USD$520.00Per Person
In this tour price option, we exclusively organize the tours, provide experienced guides, arrange transportation, and cover the entrance fees. As a result, you have the flexibility to make your own arrangements for hotel accommodations in both Cusco and Aguas Calientes
Basic Hotel in Cusco
USD$650.00Per Person
In this tour price option, we will take care of all the organization for a basic hotel accommodation in both Cusco and Aguas Calientes. Additionally, we will arrange the tours, provide experienced guides, handle transportation logistics, and cover the entrance fees.
Hotel names in Cusco are:
- 7 ventanas Hotel
- El Triunfo hotel
This hotels provides private rooms, private toilets, hot showers, Wi-Fi
Hotel name in Aguas Calientes :
- Tambo Machu Picchu
Hotel name in Puno :
- Ccccccc
Upgrade Hotel Available
Comfortable Hotel in Cusco
USD$770.00Per Person
In this tour price option, we take care of the organization of a Conform hotel accommodation, arrange the tours, provide experienced guides, handle transportation logistics, and cover the entrance fees.
Hotel names in Cusco are:
- Tierra Viva Saphi
- Novo hotel
This hotels provides private rooms, private toilets, hot showers, Wi-Fi
Hotel name in Aguas Calientes :
- Ccccccc
Hotel name in Puno :
- Ccccccc
Upgrade Hotel Available
Important note that hotel booking is subject to availability of spaces. The cost of the tour packages is based on double or matrimonial room occupancy. If you require an individual room, an additional payment will be required.
Furthermore, it’s important to mention that the prices quoted do not include VAT for Peruvian passengers. Any applicable VAT charges will be added to the final cost of the tour package.
Please note that meals are not included on this tour; however, with several excellent restaurants in Cusco, you will have no trouble finding plenty to eat!
Read all out reviews in Tripadvisor: TRIPADVISOR INTI SUN TREK
Inclusion
Included
- Transportation to and from the airport on your arrival day in Cusco
- City Tour (Turist transportation and Tour guide, Tourist ticket or entrance fees to see the sites in the Cusco City tour)
- Machu Picchu Tour(Round trip train tickets (tourist class) (Ollanta – Aguas Calientes – Ollanta)Round trip bus tickets (Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.) Professional bilingual tour guide, Entrance to Machu Picchu, Walking tour in Machu Picchu, Transportation back from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
- Route of the Sun: from Cusco City to Puno (Confortable bus seats, Bilingual Professional guide, All the entrance tickets included, Guided visit to Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya and the Lithic Museum of Pukará, Buffet lunch in Marangani – Sicuani, Service on board / Hot Drinks: Tea, coffee, coca tea, chamomile, anise / Cold Drinks: Coca Cola, Inca Kola and mineral water, Sanitary facilities, Oxygen, Heating)
- Full day Lake Titicaca – Tour in Puno (A professional bilingual tour guide,Pick up from your hotel in Puno and transfer to the Puno harbour, Entrance fees to the Uros islands, First Aid Kit including an emergency oxygen bottle, Drop off at your hotel in Puno at the end of the tour)
- 2 nights in a Cusco basic hotels with hot shower,wife, Hotel names in Cusco are, 7 ventanas, Triunfo hotel,
- 1 nights in a Cusco basic hotels with hot shower,wife, Hotel name in Aguas Caliente are:
- 1 nights in a Puno basic hotels with hot shower,wife, Hotel name in Puno City are:
Not Included:
- All breakfast, lunchs and dinners that are not mentioned in the tour itinerary
- Flights (Lima – Cusco – Lima)
- Entrance to the mountain of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Peak (optional $40 USD).
- Entrance to Qoricancha (15 soles) and Cathedral (40 soles)
What to bring
What you need to bring
- Original passport and migration card (TAM)
- Sneakers or hiking shoes
- water
- We strongly recommend to bring your Camel Back and water canteen due to that government of Peru will not allow disposable plastic bottles anymore on the Inca trail and in Machu Picchu.
- Raincoat (long poncho) during the rainy season.
- Warm jacket
- Gloves and hat
- Long-sleeved shirts
- T-shirts
- Long pants.
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses
- Binoculars
- Medicine and / or personal items/toiletries
- Toilet paper
- A backpack or lightweight suitcase (between 5-6 kilos for tours in Machu Picchu)
- Camera or camcorder, film, memory cards
- Cash in small denominations of Peruvian nuevo soles
- Bathing suit for the hot springs (optional)
before you go
Pre-Trek Briefing
All briefings are done at our office at 6:00 PM the night before your trek. If you are unable to make this time, you need to coordinate another time with a member of the Inti Sun Trek office team. Briefings are approximately 30 -45 minutes long.
Do the tour guides speak English?
Our team of guides are all local to the Cusco area and speak both Spanish and English fluently. Many of them also speaking Quechua (the native language of Peru). With degrees in tourism and with two years minimum of experience under their belts, they are full of energy, information about the native flora and fauna, and the Inca sites, with a vast knowledge of ready sourced stories and legends told by the Andean people.
How many people are there per group?
Group size depends on the day´s activity: the Sacred Valley Tour will have about 20 people, the Rainbow Mountain Tour will have twenty people maximum, and Machu Picchu will have sixteen people maximum.
Renewal or change passport number?
If you plan to renew or change your name on your passport between making your trek booking and starting your trek, you can book your trek or tour with your current passport number or name, but you must send us a copy of your old passport and a copy of your new passport when you have them. We can then make the change with the government before you arrive. The extra cost to make the change is US$25 per person. (This will cover the change in number or name for your Inca Trail Permit, Machu Picchu Entrance, and train.)
If you do not advise us of the change or do not want to pay the fee, bring the original of both passports (the old and new one). You can enter Peru with your new passport but you must show the government authorities your old passport in order to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or train. If you cannot do so, you will not be allowed to start your trek by the government officials. All names and numbers must match!!
Return train after your day at Machu Picchu
Returning train Included in the cost of this tour/trek is the Expedition train, which departs either at 6:20 pm or 7:00 pm and DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY.
Can I get an early train ticket?
We can also book an afternoon train that departs 2:55 p.m. or 4:22 p.m. at an extra cost of US $35 per person the train we will book DEPENDS ON AVAILABILITY.
Please, notice that 35 dollars extra you will pay also will cover your private transportation to bring you back from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco
Can I change my return train ticket?
It may still be possible to make changes to your return train ticket if you don’t want to take the 18:20p.m train You will have to take your train ticket personally to the train station in Aguas Calientes and ask them to change the return ticket for an early one. You will probably be asked to pay an extra administration fee, which will depend on the train service and departure time. Changing the ticket will be subject to availability of spaces on the train
Tips for the Staff
Tips for porters, cooks and guides are always welcome. The porters are also very grateful for small gifts, such as clothing and school equipment for their children. A normal amount for the group to tip is S/60-80 for each porter and S/120 for the chef. The group will pool money for the tip, this is not an individual amount.
Refunds
Inti Sun Trek fails to confirm the reservation, your payment will be refunded in full.
Huayna Picchu Climb
Only 400 people can climb this mountain per day. If you are interested in climbing Huayna Picchu, tickets need to be booked in advance.
Storage during your tour
You can leave any of your belongings at your hotel or hostel you were previously staying in. These hostels/hotels usually have a secure, locked room where you can store your belongings. If you do not trust your hostel, we would be more than happy to securely store your belongings for you.
