Peru Explorer with Puno and Lake Titicaca

9 Days Lima Return
Peru Explorer with Puno and Lake Titicaca
Peru Explorer with Puno and Lake Titicaca
Peru Explorer with Puno and Lake Titicaca

Overview

Trafalgar
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Total No. of Tours & Cruises 451
Your journey begins in Lima, with the citrus bite of a Pisco Sour on your tongue and the city’s lively hum around you, before travelling into the rugged Sacred Valley. You'll follow ancient Inca paths towards Machu Picchu, where stone terraces rise above the cloud and mountains tower on every side, their slopes filling the horizon beyond the citadel. In Cusco, handwoven textiles fill the market stalls, Andean ingredients flavour the food and Inca stonework lines the streets. From here, you travel on to Lake Titicaca, its deep blue water stretching across Peru’s highlands.
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A$4,100 per person
Price shown based on twin share
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Trip Length
9 Days
Trip Starts
Lima
Trip Ends
Lima
Trip Style
Country Collection
Accommodation
3 Star
Budget
Saver
Age Range
5-99 Years
Max. Group Size
53
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
VPRUT
Countries Visited:

Itinerary

Welcome to the Peruvian capital and ‘City of the Kings', Lima. Rising above a long coastline of crumbling cliffs this city has a real sense of faded yet romantic grandeur, with historical sights a plenty and a culinary scene that is revered the world over. Settle in to your hotel and meet up with your Travel Director this afternoon, then the rest of the day is free to explore. Head to Parque del Amor to admire the Gaudí style architecture with beautiful views over Lima Bay, or take a wander around popular and bustling Miraflores.

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Lima

Visit the famous Plaza Mayor and Cathedral and see the Government Palace, Archbishop's Palace and City Hall. Delve into the dark history of the San Francisco Monastery, a museum featuring mysterious catacombs. Your afternoon and evening are free to join one of our exciting Choice Experiences. In the evening, opt to visit the colourful, musical Magic Water Fountains of Lima.

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Lima
Included Meals: Breakfast

Flying into Cusco, welcome to the Incan capital of the world! Boasting the richest heritage of any South American city, Cusco is a wealth of archaeological greatness and the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent. It's also the gateway to Machu Picchu, so throbs day and night with visitors exploring its ancient streets. Take in the ornate temples and Incan ruins as you arrive here.

On the way to Sacred Valley, you will visit the Chinchero Sunday market, still a very original market where you can find fruit and vegetable vendors as well as the occasional souvenir stall. Your guide will introduce you to some local produce such as potatoes, and if you wish, you can also taste some of the fruit. MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® as you learn about Chicha, a local drink made of corn and admire llamas and alpacas before making your way to the hotel.

Accommodation: Ava Valle Sagrado Spot
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today's the day! Up bright and early this morning, you'll travel to the ancient little town of Ollantaytambo to board the train to Aguas Calientes, the Incan village at the base of Machu Picchu. Slowly chugging your way through the rugged lands of the Sacred Valley, feel the excitement levels build as you pass by village settlements and towering mountains, the landscape changing as you descend.

Making the last leg of the journey via shuttle, you'll finally arrive at the most famous archaeological site of South America and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. Catching a first glimpse of this awe inspiring ancient city above the clouds is a moment you'll never forget, so be sure to take a few minutes just to soak it all in. Take your time exploring the vast complex of fascinating ruins and let the mind boggle at how it was all built, before descending the mountain and making your way back to the Sacred Valley.

Visit the local home of Mrs. Rosa. Her house goes at least 7 generations back and is a fine example of Incan architecture. Learn more about how guinea pigs are raised, as well as ancient traditions kept alive until this day.

Accommodation: Ava Valle Sagrado Spot
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Begin your day in Pisaq, famous for its local market and empanadas. Taste the local food at a women-owned and operated empanada workshop. Learn from Mrs. Ernestina how to make empanadas out of seven different kinds of flour and enjoy a tasting.

Continuing on to Cusco you'll also stop by the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the 13th century, before arriving at the Incan capital of Cusco. Embark on a walking tour of ancient Cusco to admire the Twelve-Angled Stone and Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun and the most important temple in the Incan Empire.

Accommodation: San Agustin Plaza
Included Meals: Breakfast

Kick off the final day of your tour joining for an optional experience. Head to Moray and Maras to see Incan farming and salt mining techniques at play or visit 17th century Piquillacta to view the pre-Incan citadel built by the Wari people. Another option is to indulge your sweet tooth with a visit to the Choco Museum to learn more about the Peruvian chocolate making process.

In town, experience Cusco off the beaten track visiting tiny stores and cemeteries with plenty of personal stories along the way. If you're looking for an all-day adventure, join a trip to Rainbow Mountain where you'll take a rigorous hike through breathtaking scenery of mountains and lakes.

Accommodation: San Agustin Plaza
Included Meals: Breakfast

Leave the ancient streets of Cusco behind and settle in for a spectacular drive across the Andes. With a Costsaver Representative by your side, you'll take in epic mountain views and learn a thing or two along the way. Stop to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch—yes, it's included—before crossing the dramatic La Raya Pass. Snow-dusted peaks, high-altitude plains and unforgettable photo ops make this one seriously scenic ride. Sit back, relax, and soak it all in. Puno is calling!

Accommodation: Taypikala Lago
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® as you explore the sacred waters of Lake Titicaca, once believed by the Andeans to be the 'birthplace of the sun'. With your Costsaver Representative guiding the way, visit the floating Uros Islands, where locals live much like their ancestors did—crafting homes, boats and more from Totora reeds.

Cruise on to Taquile Island, where vibrant weaving traditions and ancient stonework tell the story of a proud culture. Red sands, deep blue waters and plenty of local insight make this an unforgettable day. Cap it off with a fresh fish lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to Puno to unwind.

Accommodation: Taypikala Lago
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Taking one final look a that gorgeous expanse of blue, you'll leave Puno this morning as you travel back to Juliaca to catch your included flight to Lima. Whether heading home immediately or spending a few extra days in Peru's bustling capital city, we'll look forward to meeting you again some time soon! Departure times for the included flight from Juliaca to Lima vary. Please book international flight from Lima on departure day at earliest from 6pm onwards.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Trip Inclusions

  • Visit the famous Pisac Market where local indigenous communities sell their wares and produce. Visit the workshop at Mrs. Ernestina's Empanada Shop, a family business since 4 generations and learn how to make empanadas before getting a taste.
  • Machu Picchu: Visit Coricancha, or the 'Temple of the Sun', the most important temple in the Incan Empire.  
  • Explore the "City of the Kings" and see the Cathedral, Government Palace, Archbishop's Palace, City Hall and visit San Francisco Monastery, famous for its catacombs
  • Lake Titicaca: Visit to Unos Islands & island of Taquile
  • Visit Coricancha, or the 'Temple of the Sun', the most important temple in the Incan Empire
  •  Visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • Lima: Take in the highlights of Lima, the 'City of the Kings,' including a panoramic view of the ancient districts. Join a Local Specialist for a visit to the UNESCO-listed Historic Center. Learn how before it was destroyed by earthquakes in the mid-18th century, observing how the historic buildings display a collaboration between local craftspeople and others from the Old World. Then drive along the coastline as you learn more about the fascinating history of Peru's capital city. 
  • Sacred Valley: Join a Make Travel Matter® Experience at Chinchero Sunday Market, where fruit, vegetables and handwoven goods fill the stalls. Your Local Specialist will introduce you to local produce such as potatoes, with the chance to taste seasonal fruit and learn about chicha, the traditional corn-based drink.
  • Machu Picchu: Take a shuttle to the top of the mountain where you'll meet your local specialist for a guided hike of Machu Picchu. You'll learn about Machu Picchu's history and the use of each section of including ceremonial, storage, agriculture, temples, astronomical, and observatory as well as the possible reasons why the Incas left Machu Picchu.
  • Step inside the family home of Mrs Rosa, where Incan stonework has stood for generations. You'll learn how guinea pigs are traditionally raised within the household and hear about customs that have been passed down through the family, offering a personal look at traditions still practised today.
  • Cusco: Join your Local Specialist for a guided walk through Cusco's colonial centre, including the nearby 13th-century Incan settlement of Koricancha. Here in Cusco's Golden Temple of the Sun dedicated to the Sun God Inti, view the trapezoidal and irregular shapes and rounded edges. Note how the stones fit together and were built simply by placing them on top of each other without using any mortar. This staggered placement also enables them to withstand earthquakes.
  • At a women-owned empanada workshop in Pisaq, you'll join Mrs Ernestina to learn how her family makes traditional empanadas using seven varieties of flour. Follow techniques passed down through four generations, then bite into a freshly made empanada and taste the results for yourself.
  • Lake Titicaca: Cruise across Lake Titicaca to Taquile Island, where you'll meet Indigenous locals and explore their UNESCO-listed textile traditions. You'll share a home-cooked lunch and see how the community's weaving and knitting reflect cultural identity and status. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

  • All internal air included in trip cost
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Many meals included
  • Audio Headsets provided throughout your holiday to enhance your included sightseeing experiences
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries
  • City orientation tours
  • Extensive variety of Choice Experiences (Additional Cost)
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised.

  • 8 Breakfasts (B)
  • 3 Lunches (L)
  • 1 Dinner (D)

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Must-sees to Local Secrets
Must-sees to Local Secrets

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Connect with Locals

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Stay With Stories

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Trafalgar The Americas (2027-28)

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Friday 26 Feb 2027 26 Feb 27 Lima
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Was: $4,271
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Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Trafalgar. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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