HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LAKE TITICACA & THE COLCA CANYON

Program: 5 days / 4 nights

Day 1º: Welcome to Puno.

At the designated time you will be picked up from the bus station in Puno and then you will be transferred to the selected hotel. Overnight at the selected hotel 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 h. approximately. Overnight at the selected hotel in Puno.

Day 4º: Departure to the Colca Canyon

07:30 h. You will be pickep up by a representative of Mystery Peru from your hotel in Puno and then will board a private vehicle towards the Colca Canyon. The car ride from Puno to the Colca Valley offers a great natural scenery. Along this paved road we will drive throughout small towns, as well as a beautiful lagoon called Lagunillas, where trout farms can be seen, and if you are lucky you might also see Andean Flamingoes and many others Andean birds.
Then we continue our journey to the Colca Canyon, little further up we will stop again at the little restaurant of Viscachani, where you can enjoy a stunning scenery and also drink a typical coca tea. Afterwards we will continue ascending a dirt road till we reach the highest point of our trip, " The Lookout Point of the Andes ( 4800 masl ). At the very top, we will get off of the bus some minutes to see the landscape, having in the background the volcanoes Ubinas, Mismi, Misti, Chachani, Sabancaya ( active ) and Ampato, all around 6000 metres high.
Later on we will drive down hill to the main village of the Colca Canyon, the Village of Chivay (3600 m). In this town we will have lunch in one typical Andean restaurant, where visitors may enjoy their meals accompanied by Andean musicians. After lunch our clients will be transferred to our lodge located in a little village at edge of the Canyon. Late, in the afternoon, you may walk around the village and get to know better the rural life in this corner of Peru. By the afternoon we will go to swim and relax to the Hot Springs of the Colca Valley (35°), a nice pool outdoors surrounded by huge mountains. Overnight at our lodge at the "village of Yanque" or at the "village of Coporaque".

Day 5º: Cruz del Condor - Trip to Arequipa

In order to see the mighty Condor, you will be woken up at 5:00 am, breakfast will be served at 05:30 h, and by 06:00 h, we get on the bus to head towards the "Cruz del Condor", a natural lookout point where you can see the flight of the Condors (we won't return to the hotel, which means you must bring all your staff along with you on the bus). On the road we will have the best view of the Colca Valley, as we drive along the edge of the Canyon, seeing on route ancient terraces still in use by the local farmers, who grow mainly varieties of corn and potato. we will make some stops for photos, and our local guide will give us a good insight into the Colca Canyon history. Here you will stumble upon a great rock, where ancient architectures carved the terraces, testing (perhaps) which parts of the Canyon were suitable for cultivation. This is a good place also to see the "Colca River" and hanging pre-Inca tombs. Eventually we will reach Cruz del Condor, where we will spend an hour or so, observing the beautiful flight of the Condors as well as the depth of the Canyon. (be careful and only walk on signed trails if you intent to go for a walk on your own). After approximately one hour and a half, we will return to Chivay, passing typical towns along the way. Later on we will have lunch at the community of Chivay and eventually will travel to Arequipa. We will arrive in Arequipa 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.
• Melas (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 °:

• Private transportation from Puno to the Colca Canyon.
• Entrance fees to the Colca Canyon & the hot springs.
• Melas ( Lunch & Dinner)
• 01 night accommodation at the Colca Canyon. Hotel Collahua ***or similar.

Day 5 °:

• Brekfast at the hotel.
• Visit to the Cruz del Condor lookout point.
• Travel to the city of Arequipa on a private transportation.
• Drop off at your hotel in Arequipa.

Not Included:

• Meals except where mentioned.
• Hotel in Arequipa.
• 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:

• Lake Titicaca: 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.
• Colca Canyon: We suggest to bring a swimming suit as you will need for the hot springs in the little village of Chivay. Birng warm clothing as evenings are also cold.

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.