Peru Boutique - Andes & Lakes Tour

The Destination background

Lima, known as the city of the Kings was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1991 and is home to some of the most beautiful colonial architecture in the whole of South America.

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and is located at 3800m above sea level. The Uros islands on Lake Titicaca are unique and represent an ancient custom and way of life few people witness. The journey across the altiplano from Puno to Cuzco affords marvelous vistas of high mountains, local people and roaming llamas and alpacas.

Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incas is regarded as the oldest inhabited city of the Americas which was subsequently built upon by the Spanish Conquistadores in the 16th century. The invaders erected grand colonial mansions and beautiful cathedrals and churches on the old palaces of the Incas. Considered the most important pre-colonial city in the Americas, Cuzco is also the gateway to Machu Picchu, the new seventh wonder of the world. Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, was a religious centre built on the saddle of a mountain high in the Andes which today is accessed by train or trekking along the Inca Trail.

Full Itinerary

• Day 1. Lima

  Arrival to Lima, reception at the airport and transfer by private vehicle to your hotel. Free evening

• Day 2. Lima (B & L)

  After breakfast, a half day, privately guided tour of colonial and modern Lima, including the cathedral, dating from 1654, the main square, which still houses the original bronze fountain built in 1650, and the San Francisco Convent and its catacombs. Known as the city of the kings, Lima was founded in 1535 by Pizarro and rebuilt in 1991, the same year that UNESCO declared it a world heritage site.

  After lunch at the Casa Moreyra restaurant, you will have a choice of options. You may either visit a museum of your choice; choosing from the Gold Museum or the Rafael Larco Herera Museum which showcases an overview of 4000 years of Peruvian pre Colombian culture; you may embark on a cooking class with a local gourmet chef and explore the diversity and complexity of Peruvian cuisine or you may prefer to return to your hotel for an afternoon of leisure. Free evening.

• Day 3. Lima - Juliaca - Puno - Suasi Island (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your early morning flight to Juliaca. Arrival and private transfer to Puno. Transfer to the port for the journey to the Exclusive Suasi Lodge, located on a very remotest part of Lake Titicaca. En route, you shall visit the floating islands of Uros. Made entirely of reeds and inhabited by the Aymara Uros people, they live in huts built on platforms of reeds, not more than 30-40 cms/1foot thick. A short hike on the islands, before the boat trip continues to Suasi Island and transfer to your lodge.

  As Suasi is a private island, you are able to enjoy 360° views over the highest navigable lake in the world. There is 24-hour hot water fuelled by solar power. No TV, no telephones, this is a real escape which will reinvigorate your every sense. The landscaped gardens are a dream, and there are many activities such as kayaking around the island, hiking and observing the wild vicuna on the island or just relaxing and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. All meals at the lodge included along with house wine and national beer. Premium wines available at extra cost.

• Day 4. Suasi Island (B, L & D)

  Full day on the island with access to the following activities:

  • Treks around the Island
  • Wild Flora and Fauna Observation
  • Visit to the Andean Farming Plots (between September and April)
  • Canoe Rides (suggested between March and September)
  • Walks along the shore

• Day 5. Suasi Island - Puno (B)

  After breakfast, transfer to the port for the return to Puno. Transfer to your hotel, the Casa Andina Private Collection. A visit to the Silluastani towers. The pre-Inca Sillustani funeral towers lie close to the Umayo Lake and form part of one of the largest and most important necropolis in the world. Used by both the Altiplano civilisation and the Incas and their wives "Collas" to honour their dead and in preparation. Return to Puno.

• Day 6. Puno - Cuzco (B & L)

  Transfer to the railway station for the wonderful trans-altiplano Inca express (Mondays, Wednesday and Saturdays). Lunch onboard the "Orient Express" of Peru. A stop at the highest point, La Raya, 4319m, will also be made. (Alternatively, you may fly to Cuzco). Reception and transfer to your hotel.

• Day 7. Cuzco - Urubamba (B, L & D)

  After breakfast, a private full-day varied excursion of the Urubamba, including a visit to the seldom visited ruins above Pisaq. These ruins are considered amongst the finest in the Cuzco area and allow for an opportunity to appreciate the masterful building techniques of the Incas. The trip continues with a drive up to the splendid Hacienda Huayo Ccari from where you will begin your wonderful ride through the countryside on Peruvian Paso horses (you may opt out of the horse riding trip if you wish). The hacienda is a traditional hacienda owned and lived-in by one of the oldest land-owning families in Cuzco. The Paso Horse is a modern day Peruvian horse descended from the horses introduced into Peru by the Spanish in the sixteenth-century and which are world renowned for their very smooth gait.

  After the ride, a delicious three-course lunch will be served in the hacienda's elegant dining room before continuing the trip to Ollantaytambo and the famous ruins above the city of the same name.

  Return to your hotel in the Urubamba for dinner.

• Day 8. Urubamba - Machu Picchu (B & D)

  After breakfast, transfer to Ollantaytambo railway station for the 1 1/2 hour train journey to Aguas Calientes. Arrival and check-in to your Hotel, the Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel. Take the bus up to magnificent Machu Picchu, the most spectacular ancient city in the world. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. A fully guided tour where your guide will explain the main construction of the site and also take you to many less visited parts including the Inca's bridge. If time permits, you may also climb up to Wayna Picchu Mountain, overlooking the complex before returning back down to Aguas Calientes and your hotel. Dinner and accommodation.

• Day 9. Machu Picchu - Cuzco (B)

  Opportunity to return to the marvelous citadel and see the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Return by bus to Aguas Calientes for the return train trip to Cuzco. Arrival, reception and transfer to your hotel.

• Day 10. Cuzco (B & D)

  After breakfast, a free morning to wander around the ancient capital of the Incas.

  After lunch (not included), a private guided tour of Cuzco including the Cathedral, Qoricancha or temple of the sun, the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco, Qenko and Puka Pukara sites. A visit to the Inca Museum completes the day before returning to your hotel. Dinner at the excellent Map Café restaurant.

• Day 11. Cuzco (B)

  A free day in Cuzco at leisure. If you prefer, you may embark on a half day white water rafting trip, a half day mountain biking trip or just enjoy the sights and sounds of Cuzco on your own.

• Day 12. Cuzco - Lima (B)

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima and your return flight home.

End of our services.

Tour Prices

• Superior Boutique

  • Price per person US$4375.00 - based on two people sharing.
  • Single supplement not applicable.

• Premium Boutique

  • Price per person US$6725.00 - based on two people sharing.
  • Single supplement not applicable.

Tour Price Includes:

• Accommodation in double rooms at selected boutique hotels and a boutique lodge on the island of Suasi.
• All meals as indicated in the itinerary.
• Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based on private service with English speaking guides.
• All internal flight tickets in economy class.
• Vistadome train tickets.
• All entrance fees.

Tour Price Does Not Include:

• International flight to Peru and US$31.00 tax for all International air departures.
• All domestic flights require a US$6.00 charge (airport tax).
• Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc,
• Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident etc.
• Baggage porterage and other extras not specified.

Hotels

Superior Boutique

• Lima Hotels

  Second Home or Clifford Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

• Suasi Island Lake Titicaca

  Suasi Lodge, standard lodge.

• Puno

  Casa Andina Private Collection.

• Sacred Valley Hotels

  Recoleta or Libertador. (Subject to availability.)

• Cuzco Hotels

  Picoaga or Novotel. (Subject to availability.)

• Aguas Calientes Hotels

  Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

Premium Boutique

• Lima Hotels

  Country Club Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

• Suasi Island Lake Titicaca

  Suasi Lodge, Andino lodge.

• Puno

  Casa Andina Private Collection.

• Sacred Valley Hotels

  Inkaterra Urubamba Private Villas. (Subject to availability.)

• Cuzco Hotels

  Monasterio Hotel or Casona Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

• Aguas Calientes Hotels

  Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel. (Subject to availability.)

• Trains

  Vistadome train. (Upgrade to Hiram Bingham train subject to availability.)