Peru Two Cultures Cusco & Puno 9 Days
Peru Two Cultures Cusco & Puno 9 Days
Price
Overview
*Cusco *Sacred Valley **Machu Picchu ** Rainbow Mountain
Visit the most beautiful attractions, such as Cusco, Rainbow mountain, the Sacred Valley, and experience the unforgettable Machu Picchu. Experience the unforgettable crossing of the Peruvian Andes between Cusco and Puno.
Group Price
- The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.
- All prices are based on shared accommodation. Please inquire for a 1 guest private room accommodation quote
- Prices listed are not final. Please inquire for your final price quote.
| 2 pax | 3-4 pax | 5-7 pax | 8-10 pax | 11-14 pax | 15-16 pax | 17-20 pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $ 4,547.40 | $ 4,144 | $ 3,964 | $ 3,856.80 | $ 3,740.40 | $ 3,644.40 | $ 3,568.80 |
Included/Excluded
- All the transfers indicated in the itinerary
- All the tours indicated in the itinerary
- Guided tours as mentioned in the itinerary (Local official guide in English or Spanish)
- All meals specified in the itinerary
- All entrance fees to the above-mentioned excursions
- Train ticket Expedition Ollanta /Machu Picchu Pueblo /Ollanta or Poroy
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu- Aguas Calientes
- All applicable taxes
- Three lunches & Three Dinners
- English-guided tours as described in the itinerary
- International and domestic flights
- Flights Lima/ Cusco / Lima
- Airport & aerodrome taxes
- Baggage excess
- Alcoholic drinks, soda, or bottled mineral water
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- International or national personal telephone calls
- Meals not mentioned
DAY 1: …/CUSCO/SACRED VALLEY
Arrive at Cusco Airport via scheduled flight.
Upon your arrival at Cusco, you will collect your luggage and be met by the Nature Horizons representative and transferred to the hotel in the Sacred Valley.
En route you will enjoy a scenic drive through the stunning landscape of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Visit Textil Local Center, where weavers from more than 12 communities of Southern Peru exhibit the spinning, dyeing, and weaving of traditional Andean textiles helping to preserve the traditional costumes. Your visit includes the opportunity to observe an exhibition and explanation of the four types of South American camels. Here you will find the finest traditional and industrial Andean textiles in South America.
Continue to the town of Pisac, renowned for its colorful market where the locals meet to sell their merchandise as they have done for centuries. The handicraft market is open every day and is famous for its ceramic beads made into necklaces, earrings and other Peruvian artifacts.
Arrive at your hotel.
Overnight in Sacred Valley.
Meals included: — / — / —
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY
At 09:30 am, we will visit the town of Chinchero. This traditional Andean town is known as “the birthplace of the rainbow,” and it has the full complement of photogenic attractions: Inca ruins, Andean village houses, an elaborate colonial church built on Inca foundations, and of course the lively weekly market. Visit the market to buy vegetables from the local traders, and Andean handicrafts from the Quechua stallholders.
We will continue to Moray, where you will find “the Inca laboratory.” The circles were used for the development of different strains of crops. Between the highest and lowest terraces there is a difference of up to 15 degrees. Although the difference between neighboring terraces is small, it is great enough to create distinct microclimates that change growing conditions and allow the propagation of a huge variety of plants each with slightly different growth requirements.
Take an optional hike to the ancient town of Maras (approx. 2 hours) with its out-standing Spanish door arches and vast church. We then drop down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the salt pans of Salineras. Here more than 5000 terraces are still in production and many families of Maras bring their salt to the market of Urubamba on mules.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Sacred Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / —
DAY 3: SACRED VALLEY / MACHUPICCHU
In the morning, we will visit the town of Ollantaytambo, the site of one of the great Incan fortresses and sacred areas in the Urubamba Valley. The town is one of the oldest continuously occupied settlements in the Americas. The sixteen massive terraces spread before you are a testimony to the magnificent Incan masonry. Climb the steep stone steps up to the imposing fortress at the top of the mountain -around 260 steps! From here the view down the valley is superb and you can admire the huge monoliths that form the Temple of the Sun.
Before Lunch: Experience a “Payment to the Earth” Ceremony
Payment or Offering to the Earth is an ancient, ancestral custom still performed by indigenous Andean cultures today. Led by a shaman, it consists of laying out small amounts of native Andean cereals, grains and fruits, along with coca leaves, as offerings. The ceremony ends with the ritual burning of the offerings so that they can return whence they came, rising into the sky while any remaining ashes are buried in the earth to complete the cycle.
After lunch, we will transfer to the train station, where you will travel to Agua Calientes on board the Expedition. The rest of the day is yours to do with as you please.
- Overnight in Aguas Calientes
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch /–
DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
Visit this unique Inca citadel and its surrounding complexes on a private visit. Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Incan Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces, and ramps seem as if they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna. Entrances to the citadel are included.
In the afternoon we will board the bus to Aguas Calientes where you will take the Expedition train to Ollantaytambo. Then you will transfer to our hotel in Cusco.
- Overnight in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch /–
DAY 5: CUSCO
09:30hs This morning begins your day with a visit to Cusco’s city, Qoricancha Temple, and Santo Domingo Church, which together form perhaps the most vivid illustration in Cusco of Andean culture’s collision with Western Europe and the Cathedral of Cusco, found on one of the streets of the main square of Cusco.
Accompanied by your guide, we will walk to San Pedro Market and San Blas district, one of the oldest and most picturesque neighborhoods of Cusco. Just two blocks away from the Plaza de Armas (main square), For centuries it has been home to artisans and craftspeople skilled in metalwork, pottery, painting, and carving. Today it continues to attract admirers enjoying the numerous craft displays and art exhibitions, as well as the vibrant bars and restaurants.
14:30hs Visit the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which overlooks the city of Cusco. You will be impressed by the beauty and monumental scale of this important Incan monument. Continue to Qenqo, one of the finest examples of artfully carved rock showing complex patterns of steps, seats, geometric reliefs, and a puma design.
- Overnight in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch /–
DAY 6: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
This experience might be one of the most powerful. It is hard to say, they are all overwhelming in beauty/energy / and awe. We are going to have a 1.5-hour session at this location. Rainbow mountain. You have just watched the video. Manifest your experience here. We are here to bring you to a private location to hold your space directly in the middle of this magical land.
Early morning pick up, 6:00 am from your hotel, you will journey through an undiscovered land of wild desert landscapes, snow-capped peaks, herds of alpaca, and arrive at the ultimate destination- the painted hills hidden deep in the Andes. Throughout your journey, you will pass through a vibrant green valley with the impressive Ausangate Mountain towering in the distance. You will experience firsthand how locals live in the mountains. Our tours are immersive. We want to bring you into that culture firsthand.
Upon your arrival at Qesiuno, which is the starting point, you will enjoy your fresh breakfast on the way. As you get closer to Rainbow Mountain, you will begin to see the first signs of the colored minerals that formed the painted hills. Your guide will explain what makes up the existence of the Rainbow Mountain, and finally, with one last push, you will hike up to a vantage point that gives you a 360-degree view of the beautiful landscapes that make up this sacred land.
You will have some free time to enjoy the scenery before starting the hike to Qesiuno for your box lunch served on the route. Finally, after your lunch and your session, you will return to Hotel.
It’s time to get to our hotel for the night. This adventure took all day long. It was worth every second and more. What a magical experience today was.
- Overnight in Cusco
- Meals included: Breakfast /Box Lunch /–
DAY 7: CUSCO /PUNO
At the agreed-upon time, please meet your Nature Horizons representative at the lobby for your private transfer to tarin station to take the Titicaca Train to Puno.
Enjoy unrivaled service aboard this beautiful train, dining in 1920s-style Pullman carriages and absorbing breathtaking landscapes. The open-air Observation Car is a dream for photographers’ keen on capturing quintessential panoramas. The route covered by the PeruRail Titicaca train is considered by many travel magazines to be one of the most beautiful in the world.
The once-in-a-lifetime adventure lasts approximately 10 hours and 30 minutes. At the start of the journey, you are welcomed at the Wanchaq Station (Cusco) or the Puno Station, where local musicians will provide background music as you board the train. Once aboard, you can enjoy the two dining cars decorated in the style of the Pullman cars of the 1920s. Also, during the trip, you will have the finest in gourmet food and indulgent afternoon tea. The quality of our personalized service is guaranteed.
Arrival in Puno – Overnight in Puno
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / —
DAY 8: PUNO
08:30hs Depart by boat to the Uros floating Islands. “URU” was the name of a very particular ethnic group that co-existed in Lake Titicaca with the Incas, Aymaras and possibly with older civilizations.
Continue to Taquile Island, and its beautiful beach. Taquileños are known for their handwoven textiles and clothing, which are regarded as among the highest-quality handicrafts in Peru. Knitting is exclusively performed by males, starting at age eight.
Enjoy lunch (Set Menu) at Collata Beach with a demonstration of typical dance and artisan work.
Arrival in Puno – Overnight in Puno
Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / —
DAY 9: PUNO / JULIACA/LIMA
At 08:15 am, please meet your Nature Horizons representative in the lobby for your private transfer to Juliaca Airport for your scheduled flight home. On route you will visit Chullpas de Sillustani.
Upon your arrival in Lima, a Nature Horizons will meet and assist you with your international connecting flight.
ACCOMMODATION
With Tourist Class Hotels:
| Cities | Hotels / Hab. Standard | NT |
| Cusco | 4* Casa Andina Premium *** https://www.casa-andina.com/en/destinations/cusco/hotels/casa-andina-premium-cusco | 3 |
| Valle Sagrado | 4* Aramwa Sacred Valley *** https://aranwahotels.com/hoteles/aranwa-sacred-valley-hotel-wellness/ | 2 |
| Machu Picchu | 3* El Mapi ByInkaterra*** https://www.inkaterra.com/byinkaterra/el-mapi-hotel/the-experience/ | 1 |
| PUNO | 3* Casa Andina Puno*** https://www.casa-andina.com/es/destinos/puno | 2 |
| Total Nº of nights | 8 |
Do you arrange international airfare?
When to Go?
Where to Shop in Cusco?
Where to Eat?
Will my mobile phone work in Peru?
What Should I pack?
- Comfortable sneakers or hiking boots
- Short and long-sleeved t-shirts
- Rain gear
- A fleece jacket
- Jeans or casual trousers
- Camera
- Backpack
- Insect repellent, lip balm and sun block
- Binoculars
What currency do I need to bring?
Can I rent a car in Peru?
Do I need travel insurance?
Do I need any vaccinations to travel to Peru?
How do I book and pay?
Do you arrange group or join-in tours?
Do you arrange trips for solo travelers?
Do I need a visa to visit Peru?
What is the brief history of Peru?
How do I get to Peru?
When is the best time to travel to Peru?
What are the best places to go to in Peru as a tourist?
How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located in Peru?
What is the geography and climate of Peru like?
What is the historic Capital?
What is the capital of Peru?
What other languages and/or indigenous languages are there in Peru?
What are the official languages of Peru?
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How large is the size of the country of Peru?
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- WHAT TO PACK
- Passport
- Backpack to carry all your stuff and the sleeping bag. It should be a comfortable technical hiking backpack of 30 to 35 liters. If you have a bigger one works as well
- Sleeping bag at least minus 5 cº. If you do NOT have one, you can rent from us for 10 dollars for the whole trek. The sleeping bag weighs 1.5 kilos approx
- Trekking Poles – We recommend for people with problems with knees, ankle, or you used to use hiking poles. If you do NOT have one, you can rent a pair of trekking poles for 10 dollars from us.
- Wool hat or beanie
- Sun hat
- Scarf
- Gloves
- 2 – 3 t-shirts, if you have long sleeve better
- Two layers (sweater, fleece)
- Two pairs of long pants if you have leggings, you can do on leggings
- Hiking shoes
- 2 – 3 pairs of wool socks
- A jacket Rain gear (Pants, jacket, if you do not have you can buy rain poncho) is crucial, especially for the wet season.
- Small towel.
- Small headlamp.
- Toothbrush and other personal toiletries.
- Toilet paper.
- Sun cream.
- Insect repellent.
- Sandals / Flip flops.
- If you have warm clothing, you can take them, which not that important.
- Some snacks such as chocolate, cereal bars, candies, nuts, energy bars, etc.
- Extra Cash in Soles
- IF YOU HIRE PORTER SERVICE, we provide you with a duffel bag. You can pack 7 kilos of your stuff which will Carry by the porters. You get the duffle bags the night before the trek, on the briefing day.
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Our TripAdvisor Reviews
Kika C2024-12-16Amazing experience and customer service!!! I highly recommend Dominick with Nature Horizons Tours!! I am a travel advisor who had a bit of a last-minute booking with a family to Peru. I reached out to Dominick immediately, since I knew he’d be fabulous!! He went above and beyond with communication, response, time, organization, and more! He got the very happy clients booked within a few days and I am super grateful for his services!!! he was so kind to start a WhatsApp group chat with me and my clients to answer any and all questions we had! Thank you!!!!Evan L2024-10-29Amazing time at Machu Picchu We had a great time in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco! Great views and excellent guide and transportation. Everything was great!Karen H2024-10-29Excellent experience I have worked with Nature Horizons as a travel advisor and it was an excellent experience. I 100% trust this team to deliver an exceptional trip for my clients. They are quick to respond to questions and the communication while my clients were traveling was outstanding. They had excellent knowledge of the area and were able to provide more local tips and suggestions that I would have been able to provide alone.Highly recommend.Rosie H2024-08-18Epic African Safari to Tanzania My husband and I planned a trip with 2 other couples to go on an African Safari in Tanzania for the Great Migration experience as well as the Serengeti which was epic all by itself. We visited and stayed across Moshi (Mt. Kilimanjaro area), the North & Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Maynara, nKomazi Black Rhino Sanctuary, Tarangire and probably a few other places I can't recall. We stayed at tented temporary camps to luxury camps. We stayed at Weru Weru lodge, Serengeti Heritage lodge, Central Serengeti Luxury camp, Rhino Lodge, Lake Maynara Safari Lodge and finally at Kilimanjaro Luxury camp. These venues each had their own beauty with furnishings, mosquito nets, traditional African tribal entertainment, good food and amazing staff who catered to our every need and comfort. Even in the bush, we still had access to electricity, hot water, bottled water, showers, toilets and yes of course, the internet but you have to be realistic since the bush is the bush with hyenas, big cats and elephants moving around the property. I really loved the Masai warriors who made us feel safe as they escorted back and forth between tents and the main camp. We were so blessed to experience the BIG 5 largely due to the expertise of our guides Praygod and Victor. They were the best and boy did they make the trip. I was grateful for their knowledge of the terrain, their respect for the wildlife, education and tolerating our 1000s of questions. We had 3 couples plus the owner operator Dominick and we rotated across 2 Land Cruisers. I wouldn't have it any other way, I never felt cramped and being able to pop my head up in the open roof was great for photos and viewing the animals with my binoculars. This was a once in a life time trip that I highly recommend to anyone that has grown up watching animal planet and national geographic as a kids. When you see these animals only feet away from you, the kid in you returns and you will definitely cry at the beauty of these animals in their natural habitat. I highly recommend Nature Horizons since they are well connected across the different operators and local partners. They lodging was great and it provided a little bit of raw nature in the bush, feeling like a roughed it a bit (but not really) to the beauty Kilimanjaro luxury camp the last 2 nights to be at the foot of Kilimanjaro, and being able to see her greatness above the clouds. I have been back a month and I can't stop talking about my experience in Tanzania. I was able to experience the beauty of the people of Tanzania, an actual Masai village, shopping at the awesome African Galleria, and getting souvenir's at the cool places our guides felt were respectable locations for tourists. I am not sure when, but I plan to go back to explore more of Tanzania and Africa.Nikole2024-07-17No Words I feel very fortunate to have gone on this safari with Nature Horizons. I went with a group of people and only knew one. Each place that we stayed at was very special in its own way. Dominick is a very kind, intelligent, fun human. He has built all the right relationships to ensure all of his clients are taken care of. We were able to see all of the big five. Our guides felt like family. I’ve never been on a trip that was so magical and was so hard to leave. It has nearly been half a year and our group still talks with each other. We bonded so much that we committed to going on a trip together every 5 years. If you’re thinking about this, DO IT! Do it with Nature Horizons! They will go the extra mile for you to get the experience of a lifetime. They even made sure we had opportunities to connect with the people of Tanzania.Rebecca M2024-06-23Unforgettable vacation We worked with Nature Horizons for our honeymoon to Peru and it far exceeded any expectations we had! It was the most incredible experience and itinerary they created for us and Deivis was always on top of everything and extremely responsive if we had questions. I give this company my highest/strongest recommendation if you are thinking of going to any of the countries they service!Dream224010839132024-06-12Great Travel Team! I am a travel advisor and just sent my clients on their honeymoon with Nature Horizons. They visited Peru and had the most amazing time. The Nature Horizons team was so easy to work with. listened to my requests, and made all the revisions I needed. They took wonderful care of my clients as if they were their own. I can't wait to work with them again!Noe V2024-06-11Full service trip to Perú We had a wonderful time traveling through Perú for two weeks on an itinerary planned by Deivis, through nature horizons.The experience was so much more than we originally expected. Every detail was accounted for. From private drivers to knowledgeable tour guides, there was nothing lacking.I don't know if we'll ever be able to take a trip like this again, but I'm so glad we did at least once. Thank you so much. I'll never forget these amazing days.Jill D2024-04-20Not enough stars to rate this company- THE BEST time ever!!! If there were a million stars to rate this company and my recent trip, it wouldn't be enough. Nature Horizons is amazing. I first met the owner, Dominick at a convention for travel advisors in 2023. I knew immediately that he was a very special person and he had a very obvious love for the tours he had created in the destinations he adored. The story of developing his company is inspiring and his work ethic has continued to impress me during all stages of my Safari planning, from its conception to preparation to hosting us during the Great Migration in Tanzania. His communication is efficient, sincere and organized. He is thorough and thoughtful. He is fun and personable. He is extremely knowledgeable and has vetted resources to execute adventures across many countries. Our Safari was 12 days of awesome-ness. We truly couldn't have asked for a better experience. Each day was well-planned and our guides helped us see so many animals, sites and natural wonders. They knew where to be and when for us to see the most miraculous things. Dominick was such a friendly host, helping us gain perspective and a true taste of Tanzania. He listened to our wishlist, considered our requests and delivered days that we will never forget. Dominick truly cares about each and every guest and also has such respect for some of the most treasured creatures and places on our planet. I can't imagine a better Safari ever happening. But, knowing Dominick, he will make sure the next one and the next and the next are better than the one before it. That's how much he cares.I have to share a couple of our favorite moments were totally unplanned, though. Our Safari vehicle got stuck in the mud as rains started in the Central Serengeti. Dominick stayed calm, assured us that all was well and we sipped champagne as we watched the men try to get us unstuck...comical. Everything happens for a reason and we saw a perfectly complete rainbow soon after our vehicle was moving down the road. It couldn't have been scripted any better! As we continued on the way back to our lodge, we came across a Lioness and her brand-new cub. This is something rarely seen and we were sure Dominick paid the Lioness to appear for us. LOL. These examples are merely a glimpse of memories we made. And, part of the reason these moments were so special was because we were in the moment, which was as Nature Horizons intended. We had not a care in the world and could simply "be" in nature. I can't thank the entire team enough for such a wonderful two weeks.416marlysl2024-04-04Amazing Experience! This trip was, by far, the most amazing trip I have ever taken! Dominick and his driver/guides were fabulous! They definitely found all the animals we wanted to see and many unexpected sites as well. They were so accommodating, stopping whenever we asked even if it was just for a bird or turtle crossing the road. Our guide, Praygod, was able to identify every bird we saw! Their knowledge of the wildlife was phenomenal. We learned so much about the culture, food, and local life from our casual conversations. The accommodations, while not luxury, were very comfortable and the food was very good, especially the soups. When I go back, it will definitely be with Dominick and Nature Horizons Tours!
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