Inca legend speaks of the world beginning on the shores of the vast Titicaca Lake. There, men of hard stone, of windswept grass, and of elemental totora reeds, men that could not feel cold or ever tire lived very close to the sun and under Andean skies of an intense blue found nowhere else on Earth. As time passed, these men, these legends of Puno, took on new colors and danced to ever more vital rhythms and music. Come, breath the pure air, feel the warmth of these people, and, more than anything else, get close to a scene of unsurpassed beauty.

WHAT TO EXPECT   - Transfer Cusco/Puno or vice versa by bus with stops on Andahuaylillas, Racchi and La Raya. - Lunch and entrances included. - Transfer Puno station/hotel. - 2 nights in Puno hotel with buffet breakfast. - Excursion to Lake Titicaca, visiting Taquile and the Uros Islands. Box lunch included. - Visit to the Sillustani Graves on way. - Transfer hotel/airport or vice versa.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Departure to Puno – Andahuaylillas / Racchi / La Raya Day 1

We will leave from the station to start our trip by bus to Puno, so you can enjoy the wonderful scenery of the South Valley of Cusco. We will visit Andahuaylillas, a town where a precious church from the 17th century boasts an amazing organ decorated with angels and cherubs. We will continue with a visit to the Racchi ruins, known as “The Temple of God Wiracocha”. We will have lunch en route. Stop at La Raya, highest point on the road between Cusco and Puno, from where we will get excellent photo opportunities. The arrival to Puno is in the afternoon and then, you will be taken to your hotel. Overnight in Puno. Included meals: lunch

Lake Titicaca – Floating Islands of the Uros and Taquile Day 2

Excursion to the Lake Titicaca and as a first starting point, visit the floating islands of the Uros, also called Lake Town. These islands are built using totora reed and are used as home and trade centers for the natives, who use hand-made boats of the same material as their means of transportation. We will go on to Taquile Island, where the community kindly welcomes tourists, keeping their traditions alive, as well as their costumes and colorful typical dresses; these people are very skilled artisans and they show in every piece of work all the techniques developed for centuries. Lunch included. Overnight in Puno. Included meals: breakfast and lunch

Sillustani Mausoleum and Umayo Lake – Departure Day 3

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take your flight to Lima or Arequipa. On the way we will visit Sillustani, an archaeological site located 34 Km. north of Puno. It has the famous Chullpas, which are funerary towers with circle base, built in stone. They can reach 12m high and where used by the Collas and by the Incas. These ruins are above Lake Umayo, which increases the beauty of this mystic and wonderful place. Included meals: breakfast.

“Andean Explorer” - Train Cusco/Puno

Make a spectacular optional train ride, starting in the Wanchaq station in Cusco and travel along the South Valley to Puno. The smooth ascending is amazing. The magnificent Andes will predominate the first half of the trip, skirting the deep valleys where the Huatanay River crosses. Later, it travels into the highlands, where you can see some Andean cameloids. Travel comfortably in your seat, thanks to the trolleys which make you easily observe the view of the beautiful landscapes along the trip. Lunch on board. Make a stop in La Raya to get a wider scenic view from the highest point of the trip (4,319 meters above sea level)

* Train Cusco/Puno or vice versa operates on Monday-Wednesday-Saturday

* Check with us for tailor-made programs with Amantani and Suasi Islands.