Peru 8 Days: Arequipa, Puno, Cusco & Machu Picchu

Overview

1. Day 01

   Arrival in Arequipa – Welcome to the White City

   • •Arrival at Arequipa airport
   • •Transfer to the hotel
   • •Free time to rest and acclimatize
   • •Free afternoon to explore the historic center
2. Day 02

   Arequipa City Tour and Colca Canyon

   • •Breakfast at the hotel
   • •Early departure to the Colca Canyon (one of the deepest in the world)
   • •Stops at viewpoints: Condor’s Tomb and Cruz del Cóndor
   • •Visit to traditional villages: Chivay, Yanque, Maca, Lari
   • •Observation of Andean condors in flight

   Places visited:

   • •Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint
   • •Chivay town
   • •Hot springs (optional)
   • •Pre-Inca agricultural terraces
3. Day 03

   Arequipa to Puno – Heading to Lake Titicaca

   • •Early breakfast
   • •Overland transfer from Arequipa to Puno (approx. 6–7 hours)
   • •Stops along the way for photos and rest
   • •Arrival in Puno, capital of Andean folklore
   • •Hotel check-in
   • •Free afternoon

   Stops along the route:

   • •Pampa Cañahuas viewpoint (vicuñas and Andean flora observation)
   • •Andean zone with views of lagoons and volcanoes
4. Day 04

   Lake Titicaca Tour – Uros, Taquile & Amantaní Islands

   • •Breakfast at the hotel
   • •Boat departure to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world
   • •Visit to the floating islands of the Uros
   • •Navigation towards Taquile Island
   • •Traditional lunch in Taquile
   • •You will learn about the island’s textile and musical culture
   • •Return to Puno in the afternoon

   Places visited:

   • •Puno pier
   • •Uros Islands (totora reed islands)
   • •Taquile Island (weaving, dances, panoramic views)
5. Day 05

   Puno to Cusco – The Heart of the Inca Empire

   • •Breakfast at the hotel
   • •Overland transfer from Puno to Cusco (approx. 8–9 hours)
   • •Stops along the way: Raqchi (Temple of Wiracocha), Andahuaylillas (“Sistine Chapel of the Americas”)
   • •Arrival in Cusco in the afternoon
   • •Hotel check-in
   • •Free evening

   Cultural stops:

   • •Raqchi archaeological site
   • •Andahuaylillas Church (unique colonial paintings)
6. Day 06

   Cusco City Tour – The Archaeological Capital of the Americas

   • •Breakfast at the hotel
   • •Guided tour of Cusco and its surroundings
   • •Visit to Inca and colonial sites

   Places visited:

   • •Plaza de Armas of Cusco
   • •Cusco Cathedral
   • •Sacsayhuamán (Inca fortress)
   • •Qenqo (ceremonial site)
   • •Puka Pukara (“red fortress”)
   • •Tambomachay (Inca baths)
7. Day 07

   Machu Picchu Tour – The Jewel of the World Heritage Site

   • •Very early breakfast
   • •Transfer to the train station in Ollantaytambo
   • •Scenic tourist train to Aguas Calientes
   • •Bus ascent to Machu Picchu
   • •2-hour guided tour of the Inca citadel
   • •Free time to explore, take photos, or hike Huayna Picchu (if ticket included)
   • •Return to Aguas Calientes and overnight in Cusco

   Places visited:

   • •Ollantaytambo station
   • •Aguas Calientes town
   • •Machu Picchu (general entry or with mountain hike)
8. Day 08

   Farewell to Cusco – End of an Unforgettable Journey

   • •Breakfast at the hotel
   • •Transfer to Cusco airport
   • •End of the tour and return flight

   Last recommendations:

   • •Buy souvenirs at San Pedro Market
   • •Try a chicha de jora or a coca drink
   • •Thank your guide for sharing the history of Peru

Itinerary

• DAY 01Day 01: Arequipa – Walking City Tour & Santa Catalina Monastery

  Reception in the city of Arequipa and transfer to the selected hotel. In the afternoon, we will begin the Arequipa “White City” tour, visiting the Carmen Alto viewpoint, where you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Chilina Valley. We then continue to the Yanahuara viewpoint, from where you can admire the city’s guardian volcanoes.

  We will visit the famous Santa Catalina Monastery, a colonial jewel from the 17th century that takes visitors four centuries back in time. Known as a small city, it remained closed for 400 years under cloister until it opened to the public in 1970. We will walk through its numerous spacious courtyards, gardens, kitchen areas, and the slaves’ quarters. We continue to the Arequipa Main Square, where we will see the Cathedral’s exterior façade, as well as the Church and Cloisters of the Society of Jesus with the famous Dome of San Ignacio.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Arequipa

  Includes: Transportation, guide, entrance fees

• DAY 02Day 02: Arequipa – Colca Canyon

  Breakfast at the hotel

  After breakfast, we will begin our 2-day Colca Canyon tour, starting the journey towards Yura, crossing the Chachani foothills and the Pampa de Arrieros, then entering the Pampa Cañahuas where we will enjoy sightings of elegant vicuñas in their natural habitat.

  We continue through Vizcachani and the Toccra plains, where we can observe a wide variety of migratory birds, both local and passing through. We then skirt the Chucura crater to reach Patapampa, located at 4,800 meters above sea level, known as the “Andean Viewpoint” or “Volcano Viewpoint,” where we can admire the impressive volcanoes Chachani, Misti, and Pichu Pichu surrounding the city of Arequipa. Afterwards, we descend to the town of Chivay for lunch.

  The afternoon is free, and we recommend visiting the relaxing La Calera hot springs, where you can enjoy a refreshing bath in its medicinal waters.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Chivay

  Includes: Transportation, lunch, guide, entrance fees

• DAY 03Day 03: Colca Canyon – Puno

  Breakfast at the hotel

  This day we will head to the famous Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint, located 41 kilometers from Chivay, where we will enjoy the flight of the majestic Andean condors performing spectacular aerial displays, as well as the impressive depth of the Colca Canyon.

  We then visit the picturesque traditional villages of Pinchollo, Maca, Achoma, and Yanque, making several stops at the main viewpoints of Antahuilque and Choquetico, where we will observe pre-Inca terraces known as colcas, mysterious hanging tombs, lithomorphic formations, and other natural rock structures. We return to Chivay for lunch and then begin our journey to the city of Puno.

  Along the route, we will observe different Andean landscapes such as stone forests, vast high-altitude lagoons with diverse birdlife, and small regional towns, passing through Imata, Santa Lucía, and the city of Juliaca. After approximately six hours of travel, we will arrive around 7:30 PM in Puno, where a travel representative will be waiting to transfer you to your selected hotel.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Puno

  Includes: Transportation, lunch, guide, entrance fees

• DAY 04Day 04: Puno – Uros Floating Islands – Taquile – Full Day

  Breakfast at the hotel

  This day we will transfer early to the main dock or port to board our boat and visit the famous Uros Floating Islands, currently part of the Lake Titicaca National Reserve, located about 30 minutes by boat.

  The Uros people still preserve their living culture and ancestral traditions, as well as artisanal fishing, mainly of carachi fish and silverside. When fishing is abundant, they dry the fish under the sun. They also engage in wild bird hunting and duck egg collection. There are currently 75 inhabited artificial islands, each one well organized.

  After a brief 40-minute visit, we continue our journey to the natural island of Taquile, whose inhabitants mainly dedicate themselves to agriculture, textile craftsmanship, and fishing. The locals continue to live according to ancient Inca traditions and laws, preserving customs and religious and cultural practices such as the marriage ritual known as Sirvinacuy and the offering to the earth called Pachamama. It is worth noting that spinning and weaving are mainly done by men from the age of eight, while women are exclusively responsible for making the threads. We will enjoy a traditional included lunch with beautiful panoramic views of the lake.

  After lunch, we will have two hours of free time to visit the island’s artisan center, take photographs with panoramic views of Lake Titicaca, and then return to the city of Puno and your respective hotels.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Puno

  Includes: Transportation, lunch, guide, entrance fees

• DAY 05Day 05: Sun Route (Puno – Cusco)

  Breakfast at the hotel

  This day we will transfer to the bus station at 6:45 AM to depart towards the city of Cusco on a comfortable tourist bus service.

  We will travel across the Collao Plateau, making a stop in the town of Pucará, famous for its Lithic Museum, pyramid-shaped constructions, and ceramics, with the “Torito de Pucará” as its most representative symbol.

  Along the route, we will pass through La Raya, the natural border between Cusco and Puno, located at over 4,335 meters above sea level, where the snow-capped Chimboya mountain can be seen. Here you will have a short stop of 5 to 7 minutes for photographs of the landscape. We will then enjoy a buffet lunch at a peaceful rural restaurant, where you can appreciate the regional cuisine.

  We will continue with a stop at Raqchi, where we will visit the spectacular Inca Sanctuary built by Emperor Pachacutec and dedicated to the great god Wiracocha. It features a large central wall with a fine Inca stone base, while the other walls are made of large adobe bricks. The structure also includes two circular side columns, and around the temple are several buildings used as houses or storage areas.

  We continue to the beautiful colonial town of Andahuaylillas, where we will visit the Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, dating back to the 17th century, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas” due to its richly painted ceiling, gold leaf details, and impressive Cusco School artworks inside.

  Finally, arrival at the bus station in Cusco and transfer to your selected hotel.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Includes: Transportation, lunch, guide, entrance fees

• DAY 06Day 06: Cusco – City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites

  Breakfast at the hotel

  After breakfast, you will have the morning free for altitude acclimatization. Hotel pick-up will take place between 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM to begin the Cusco city tour, visiting the imperial city and nearby archaeological sites.

  The tour will show the impressive colonial city built on Inca foundations. We will visit Qoricancha, or the Temple of the Sun, known as the Royal House of the Sun in Urin Cusco.

  We then continue to visit the four most important archaeological sites, starting with Sacsayhuamán, a great Inca ceremonial fortress located 5 km from the city; Qenqo, a sacred Andean amphitheater and ceremonial center dedicated to the Puma god, where human sacrifices were performed; Puca Pucará, known as the “Red Fortress” due to the reddish tone its stones take on at sunset; and finally Tambomachay, the Inca water temple dedicated to the worship of water.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Includes: Transportation, guide, entrance fees

• DAY 07Day 07: Cusco – Machu Picchu – Cusco

  Breakfast at the hotel

  After breakfast, and at the coordinated time, we will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the train station in Ollantaytambo, where we will begin our journey to the Machu Picchu citadel. After a 1 hour and 45-minute train ride through spectacular landscapes, a representative from our travel agency will be waiting at Aguas Calientes station to escort you to the bus station, where we will board the bus that takes us up to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham.

  We will enjoy a complete guided tour of the main buildings and sectors of the Inca citadel, such as the panoramic viewpoint of the entire complex, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Intihuatana (the famous Inca sun clock), the Main Plaza, and the urban and agricultural sectors, learning about the fascinating history of this sacred site.

  Afterwards, we return to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will take the return train to Ollantaytambo station, where a transfer will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Includes: Transportation, guide, entrance fees, lunch

• DAY 08Day 08: Cusco

  Breakfast at the hotel

  After breakfast, you will have free time for last-minute shopping or personal activities.

  At the appropriate time, we will provide your transfer to the airport or bus terminal according to your travel itinerary, marking the end of our 8-day Arequipa, Puno & Cusco tour services.

  Accommodation: None

  Includes: Transportation

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