Itinerary

DAY 1
Pickup from Cusco Hotel / Private bus ride to Puno with stops at beautiful towns along the way

Our first stop is Andahuaylillas, a beautiful and picturesque town where we find the unique 17th century Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas. Its walls are decorated with beautiful murals that depict the roads to glory and to hell. Then it is on to Raqchi, a small town with a unique Colonial period church. The local craftsmen produce beautiful pieces of clay pottery to sell during the town fair.

Four kilometers from the town we will arrive at the archaeological site of Raqchi, an Inca sanctuary built by Pachacutec after his victory over the Chancas Nation. The most outstanding features of this gigantic construction are two rows of round columns, unique in Inca architecture, and a large longitudinal wall that runs parallel to the buildings. We will visit a small museum managed by local residents as part of the complex.

We continue to La Raya, a community dedicated to sheep farming. There are hot springs in the area. This is the highest point on the route of Puno and the doorway to this region.

Finally it is on to Pucara, a picturesque village in the Vilcanota Valley. The potters of Pucara are famous for the small ceramic "toritos" or bulls they make. Traditionally, Cuzquenian people built their houses with the help of the community and when the house was finished, the padrino (godfather) put one of these "toritos" on top of each house. You can see examples of this all over Cuzco. The area is also well-know for the pre-Inca Pucara culture. Architectural ruins and stone monuments of this important culture period, the intermediate formative (between the 3rd and 8th centuries A.D), are situated close to the San Cayetano precipice.

We arrive to Puno late in the afternoon. (L)
Lake Titicaca Peru Tours











   

DAY 2
Full day tour of Uros Island, Taquile Island and Lake Titicaca / Overnight in Puno Hotel

After breakfast we will pick you up for your guided tour of Uros Island on Lake Titicaca. The residents of Uros Island are the Aymara people who have inherited the way of life of the long-gone Uros tribe. Their livelihood is based on the benefits of a unique plant: the totora reed. They use it to build their homes, boats and even the floating islands they live on, periodically adding new layers of reeds.

While in Uros you will be introduced to a local family and have a unique experience of sharing their culture and customs. After lunch we will set out on grand tour of Taquile Island, whose inhabitants speak only Quechua. Farmers, fishermen and weavers wear distinctive outfits. Heirs of the ancient, commune-like system called ayllu, the people of Taquile offer room and board to visitors in their own homes, ensuring an opportunity to share in their customs and way of life. Taquile has several hills and many archeological ruins. After the tour, we return to Puno where and dinner is on your own. There are many places in Puno you can explore this night. (B, L)

* An extra day can be added in Puno upon request. Please contact us if you would like to have this arranged.
Return Flight to Lima Peru



   

DAY 3
Return Flight to Lima / Connecting flight Home

After breakfast at your hotel, your journey to Puno and Lake Titicaca winds to a close as we transfer to the Juliaca airport for the flight back to Lima. Flight time will depend on your flight time back home.

You can take a connecting flight home from Lima airport in the afternoon or at night today. If you cannot arrange for a flight out on this day, you will have to stay an additional night in Lima. Please contact us if you would like to arrange an extra night for you.

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