Lake TiticacA HIGHLIGHTS & ESPECIAL TRIP TO CUSCO

Program: 4 days / 3 nights

Day 1º: Welcome to Puno.

At the designated time you will be picked up from the airport of Juliaca and then you will be transferred to the selected hotel in the city of Puno. Overnight in Puno.

Day 2º: Visit to the Uros Floating Islands & homestay on Amantani Island

07:30 h. Early in the morning you will be picked up from your hotel by our local guide and then transferred to the harbor. We start off our boat excursion of Lake Titicaca by visiting “The Uros Floating Islands”, a small community that has lived on these reed Islands for decades. Centuries ago the small indigenous Uros tribe conceived of the islands as a way to isolate and protect themselves from rival tribes, the Collas and the Incas. The Uros people harvested the reeds in the shallows of the lake, bundled them together tightly and built floating island platforms complete with reed houses and canoes, creating in this way their own little world. After strolling around the floating Islands, we continue our journey towards “Amantani Island”, where we will spend the rest of the day and the night. Upon arrival, a group of native families will welcomed you at the harbor, and afterwards the guide will introduce you the family that will provide you lodging in their house. The group is split in couples, so each couple goes with one family. In the afternoon we will walk up to the highest point of the Islands to explore ancient ruins on a mountain called by locals Pachamama. There are stunning views of the Lake from this lookout point and an amazing sunset. Soon after nightfall, we descend to the main plaza and meet our local families, and then we go to their houses for dinner. At dinner you will be invited to go to the little kitchen (mind the head when entering, their doorways are very small), a warm place where they cook with a primitive stove made of clay. By night, visitors are invited to a particular party. Our local families will provide traditional clothing to attend this nice Andean party, at the house; men are given ponchos and wooly hats, the hats are hand-made by the families, with unique styles, so that they can recognize you in the hall. Women are given colorful skirts, blouses and veils. The party takes place at the main folklore saloon and it is accompanied by one of the local orchestras. Overnight at a family house.

Day 3º Visit to Taquile Island and return to Puno in the afternoon

After breakfast, we will have to say goodbye to our local family and go down to the harbor to meet the rest of the group. Afterwards we will sail towards “Taquile Island” (1 hour aprox.), a traditional Quechua speaking community, full of ancient agricultural terraces and some ruins dating back to the pre-Inca times. The Taquile population was relatively isolated from the mainland until 1950s, and the notion of the community and family is still very strong among them. The weaving tradition of the Taquile Island goes back to early civilizations, thus keeps elements from pre-Inca Andean cultures alive in the present. All weaving is done on pre-Inca fixed and pedal looms. The most characteristic garments are the so-called “Chullo”, a knitted hat with an earflap, and “The Calendar Waistband”, depicting the annual cycles connected to ritual and agricultural activities. When visitors reach the island, they will have to walk up along a narrow path, enjoying on the way impressive views of the Lake Titicaca and also see gorgeous little houses inhabited by the direct decedents of the Inca Culture. At the top of, you will have free time to explore the Island on your own and afterwards you will have to meet the group for lunch at one local restaurant. After lunch, we will descent to the harbor to take our boat back to Puno. We will be getting there by 17:00 pm approximately. Overnight at the selected hotel in Puno.

Day 4º: Bus ride to Cusco - Pukara, La Raya, Sicuani, Racchi & Andahuaylillas

After breakfast, transfer to the bus station to take the local bus to the City of Puno. On this occasion Mystery Peru offers you a pleasant journey to Cusco, instead of taking the local bus and travel for 7 hours, without a chance of stretching our legs and enjoy this part of Peru, We offer our customers a especial bus service that stops along the way, showing you the highlights of this road with a English speaking guide on board. We will stop first at the Community of Pukara, where you will visit with a local guide the Pukara Museum, an interesting place that houses ancient monolith and human remains from the Pukara culture. Afterwards we will continue our journey throughout the Andean plateau till we reach the highest point on this route, a freezing place called "La Raya" , surrounded by huge snow-capped mountains at 4335 meters high. At this point we will get off the bus for pictures and also, if you wish, to purchase some hand-made products of Alpaca or Vicuña wool, in one of the little shops nearby. Afterwards we will descend towards the picturesque "village of Sicuani", where we will enjoy a nice Buffet, which is served with native products of this region. Here you for sure will enjoy a real Andean lunch. (buffet included). Later on, we will continue our tour at the famous "Inca Temple of Racchi", here our local guide will show us the most important sectors of Racchi and will explain about the Inca Empire. Racchi is the only Inca place where visitors can see circular constructions, and walls of mud bricks, something you won't see anywhere else on your trip. Our trip continues in the traditional town of "Andahuaylillas", where we will visit a impressive Cathedral built on the colonial era. We will arrive in Cusco at around 17:00 h.

End of our service.

Included:

Day 1°:

• Pick up from the Juliaca's airport /bus station & transfer to Puno.
• 01 night accommodation in Puno. Hotel Casa Andina ***or similar.

Day 2 °:

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the harbor.
• Full day excursion on the Lake Titicaca. (Uros Floating Islands & Amantani)
• Entrance fees & Professional English speaking guide.
• Meals (1 Lunch - 1 Dinner)
• 01 night accommodation on the Amantani Island (homestay)

Day 3 °:

• Brekfast at the family house.
• Visit to the Taquile Island.
• Lunch on Taquile Island.
• 01 night accommodation in Puno. Hotel Casa Andina ***or similar.

Day 4 °:

• Brekfast at the hotel.
• Transfer to the bus station of Inka Express.
• Entrance fees to the sights we will visit along the way.
• Lunch buffet included at the little village of Sicuani.

Not Included:

• Meals except where mentioned.
• Extras & gratuities.

Price: Available upon request. Send us an e-mail to info@mysteryperu.com and we will reply as soon as possible or within 24 hours at the most.

You need to bring:

• On this tour you must bring warm clothing, as temperarures at night are very cold sometimes. We strongly suggest to bring along, gloves, wooly hats, chocolates, and a bottle of water.
• Local families will provide every customer a good bed and blankets. Accommodation provided on Amantani Island is very simple.
• Bathrooms are located outside the rooms, so bring a flashlight along, as there is no electricity on Amantani island. Headlights are very useful.
• We suggest to bring also some toys for the little kids on the islands or notebooks, pencils, pens, books, which can be easily purchased at the harboar before departing. They would really appreciate that nice gesture from you.

Additional information:

• All your personal information is required at the moment of your booking.
• Confirmation of the excursion will be received at time of booking.
• All tours are operated in English unless otherwise stated.

Travel voucher:

• You will receive an electronic voucher via e-mail once your booking is confirmed.
• For every confirmed booking you will be required to print your electronic voucher for presentation at the moment we start the excursion. The electronic voucher acts as a confirmation for all the services you have requested.

Local Operator Information:

• We will send you complete operator information, including phone numbers at your destination.
• Our Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind