Day 1: Arrival to Cusco

Reception in Cusco airport and Transfer to Marqueses Boutique Hotel where they will welcome you with cups of coca leaf tea a traditional drink to minimize the efects of altitude, Relax,rest and acclimatise. We advise you to get an early flight so you can just spend your first 2 hours in Cusco seriously doing nothing but trying to breathe. If you are feeling fine this afternoon you can go to the Cusco Folk Dances and Music at Cusco Art Center in the main Ave el Sol. which are included on your tourist ticket 6.30pm 10 min slow walk from Hotel Marqueses.

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 2: Cusco Excursion; City Tour

Free Morning to explore the classical Cusco Market of San Pedro, the Convent of Santa Teresa, San Blas the neiborhood of artist in Cusco and the famous 12 angles stone near Plaza de Armas.
Plaza Nazarenas with the beautiful casonas from XVIII century. Time to relax. At 13:45 pm A Guided Cusco City Tour, Excursion, visiting Koricancha "The Sun Temple" the golden Inca`s temple that impressed so much to the first spanish conquistadores when they arrived in 1534 ,Cusco main Cathedral with their exquisite canvas from the Cuzqueña Painting School, chapels, Virgins and Saints , Saqsayhuaman Inca Complex, where every year in June in the winter solstice in this hemisphere the young Cuzqueños perform the old and traditional Feast of the Sun "Inti Raymi" in honor to the Sun, then we visit Tambo Machay, Qenqo and Puca-Pucara.

Meals: B

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 3: Sacred Valley Cusco Pisac Urubamba Ollantaytambo Aguas Calientes

At 8.20am meet at SAS Travel office or transfer from your hotel at earlier time if coordinated. In a tourist bus we travel over the mountains and then we drop 1500 feet to the valley floor of the sacred Urubamba river and the village of Pisac where we will visit a traditional market and you can buy some local souveniers. We then drive up to explore the extensive ruins of Pisac with stunning views over the valley. For those who would prefer to spend more time in the market instead of visiting the ruins, advise your guide so he can organise a time and place to pick you up when they return through the market. We continue on to Urubamba where we stop for a buffet lunch. A further 30 mins drive takes us to Ollantaytambo surrounded by the sacred mountains, where we will again discover the magnificence of the Incan constructions and the beauty of the local people in their traditional dress.
You will then be escorted to the train station to board the valley train. This is a 1.5 hr journey to Aguas Calientes where the representative from Hotel Viajeros will meet you and settle you into your accommodation. You have free time to visit the hot springs if you like and then dinner and overnight in the hotel. Dinner is included for you at Hotel Viajeros.

Meals: B L D

Accommodation: Hotel Viajeros

Day 4: MACHUPICCHU- OLLANTA- CUSCO

After breakfast we take the bus at approx 05.30am and arrive at the ruins around 06.20am. Optional for those who would like to walk up earlier from 4.30am, please let us know of your interest. We recommend using the bus up to conserve your energy for your 2 hour group tour exploring Machu Picchu (2,400 m) and optional hikes to follow. Escorted by your experienced tour guide you will have the oportunity to rediscover this fascinating and unique place as Hiram Bingham did in 1911, Machupicchu, the lost city of the Incas, where the last emperors, priests and priestesses took refuge and where the empire survived for 40 years after the arrival of the Spaniards. Secret and mysterious citadel from the time of Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui (IX-Inca`s Dinasty) emperor, his presumed constructor. Then apparently its existence was even well-known only by the authorities and the priests of the Tawantinsuyo “The four lands of the empire”. Machupicchu prodigy of architecture of aesthetic recklessness and by the magestic and harmony of its forms, by the impeccable organization of its terraces, stairs, buildings, patios, passages that are set up in this nest of condors, surrounded by mountains, between the mountain range and the forest like but the extraordinary constructive feat of the pre-Hispanic man. Other recommended activities:
Climb Huayna Picchu mountain (2,700 m, 90 min, steep gradient.Require prevuios reservation.
Walk to the Temple of the moon (3-4 Hr);
Walk to "Intipunku" the Sun`s Gate where end classic Inca Trail ( 1.5 hr );
Walk to the Inca bridge located at south from Machupicchu (1 hr ); All these walks are without a guide, are clearly signed and easy to find. A box lunch will be provided to allow your extended stay in Machu Picchu. Your guide will advise you of necessary details for the afternoon train return to Ollantaytambo with private transport on to Cusco, arriving 9:30 pm approx.

Meals: BL

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 5: Free day Cusco -Optional Rainbow Mountain tour extra $50 pp.

Meals: B

Accommodation: Hotel Marqueses

Day 6: Cusco - Puno , spectacular journey from the high mountains to the Altiplano with stops enroute.

Inka Express Class tourist bus to Lake Titicaca - Puno. With a magnificent buffet lunch in Sicuani and tours with English speaking guide to Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya & Pukara. Bus is fully equipped for tourism. Please have some soles for the entrance fees. 30 Soles.

Meals: BL

Accommodation: Qalasaya hotel Puno

Day 7: Lake Titicaca- Floating Island tour to Uros and Amantani

8.00am Transfer from the hotel to the port and by motor boat we take you to one of the legendary Uros Islands where you can observe the lives of the Uros people who live on floating reed islands some only 20 metres in length. After a beautiful 3hr boat ride we reach Amantani island where we will break into smaller groups to stay with the local families. We will trek to the top of the mountain (4150 mtrs) to see the Temples of the Pachamama and Pachatata and enjoy the traditional customs of the island people. Food and authentic music prepared and performed by your designated family.

Meals: BLD

Accommodation: rustic family lodging

Day 8: Taquile Islands - return to Puno late sfternoon.

Short boat ride to the neighbouring Taquile island, where we will tour around the ruins and visit these beautiful people, world famous for their intricate and fascinating weavings. After a lunch,so fresh and totally delicious from the lake you overlook in the open air dining, we take return trip to Puno. Arrival in the afternoon and transfer back to hotel approx 5 pm.

Meals: BL

Accommodation: Qalasaya hotel Puno

Day 9: From Puno to Chivay to see the Condors at Colca Canyon

6am transfer to transport 4M express to Chivay depart Puno 6.30 beautiful journey through to Chivay where you can truly appreciate the Pre-Inca farming Terraces / platforms know as "andenerias". Approx 12.45pm you will join the part of group that starts from Arequipa and continue tour from here together for lunch and then to see the beautiful landscapes, local people.

Meals: B

Accommodation: Colca Inn

Day 10: Colca Canyon Tour and on to Arequipa.

early excursion to the famous Crus de Condor to see the condors soaring on the thermal currents rising from the Canyon and visit other sites on the return to Chivay.
After lunch enjoy the journey to Arequipa ! We will pass the crater of an extinct volcano (Chucura) and see the famous volcanos panorama from 4.800 meters above sea level. After we pass through the Aguada Blanca National Park, the habitat of the beautiful South American Cameloidaes, the vicuñas, alpacas, waris and llamas we will view the snow-covered Chachani mountain.
Arrival Arequipa between 5 and 6pm and transfer to your hotel.

Meals: B

Accommodation: Posada del Castillo Hotel.

Day 11: Free day in the White City of Arequipa

Bound to have some washing to do!!! Leave it with the hotel while you relax and enjoy Arequipa. It's just such a lovely place to wander around so perhaps you might like to explore the colonial centre, with its churches and museums? For some hustle and bustle you could check out the local markets or, to get that perfect photo, maybe take a walk up to the Yanahuara mirador for a stunning view of the El Misti volcano?

Meals: B

Accommodation: Posada del Castillo Hotel.

Day 12:

Tour ends here and you can add as you like ...maybe an extra night in Arequipa or flight to Lima or extension tours to visit Nazca and Ballestas Islands on the way to Lima. see options and costs in Additional Options Section below

Meals: B