Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and Andean Spiritualism Tour

Your guide will be waiting to greet you at the Cusco airport. From there, they´ll assist with luggage and hotel check in, then provide an overview of your time in the area. Next, visit the most important Inca construction above Cusco; Saqsayhuaman. This incredible Inca fortress with zigzagging walls is constructed with enormous, skillfully carved stones. Due to Saqsayhuaman’s importance, it represents the head of the puma shape that defined the layout of pre-Hispanic Cusco. Fittingly, it is home to the largest Sun Temple in the region. Inti Raymi (winter solstice) ceremonies are performed here each year.

After breakfast, depart for the village of Chuallacocha, high above the Sacred Valley. Chuallacocha is a traditional Andean village, with locals living much as their ancestors have for centuries. After time to get to know our hosts, participate in an important llama blessing ceremony. The ceremony is an offering to the Pachamama (Mother Earth), requesting the health and fertility of the village’s llamas. Following a traditional Pachamanca lunch with our hosts, return to Ollantaytambo for a train ride to the base of Machu Picchu. The route is incredibly scenic, with snowcapped peaks, agricultural fields and tiny villages. As you approach Aguas Calientes, the scenery slowly transforms to lush cloud forest.

Early this morning, meet your guide and head directly to the famous Inca citadel. You´ll ascend stone steps, through heavy tree cover to finally emerge at the top of the world – Machu Picchu! The incredible Inca stone construction will be spread below, alternately hidden and revealed by clouds. Enjoy a fascinating private tour of the ruins with your guide, including the Sun Temple, Sacred Plaza, Water Mirrors and Condor Temple. In the late afternoon, return to Cusco for a good night´s rest.

After an early breakfast, transfer to the bus station for travel to Puno. You’ll be accompanied by a bilingual guide, to show you the sights along the way. Guided tours today include Pukara, Raqchi, La Raya, Andahuaylillas, Raqchi. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes and ask your guide any questions you may have.

Lake Titicaca is among the largest, highest and deepest lakes in the world. According to Inca legend, the god Viracocha rose from the lake to create the world and the first humans. Along with the lake itself, many of the islands on both the Peruvian and Bolivian sides are considered sacred. After breakfast, we begin our exploration of the area with a visit to the floating reed islands of Uros. Next, continue by boat to Taquile Island, an UNESCO World Heritage Site known for it’s distinct culture and highly skilled weavers. From the dock, we´ll enjoy a breathtakingly scenic hike to the highest temple on the island, a small and simple structure keeps in its proportions sacred geometry. The temple is said to help make contact with the serene energies and entities of Lake Titicaca. After dinner with a local family, we´ll head outdoors to take advantage of an incredibly star-filled sky and learn about Inca astronomy and constellations (dependent on weather). Overnight homestay on Taquile Island.

This morning, set out across the altiplano to one of the most spiritual places in the region: Aramu Muro. This site is often referred to as the “Interdimensional Doorway”. It is said to be a dimensional portal with a direct connection to other states of consciousness. There, among spectacular rock formations, we´ll have time for meditation and reflection. Next, head to the Bolivian border and continue to Copacabana. Your comfortable lakeview hotel awaits!

After a filling breakfast, begin the day on beautiful Isla del Sol (Sun Island). First, we begin with a walk to the Origin Stone, or Taypicala, and Chinkana. Because Chinkana is a labyrinth-type structure, it is thought to have been used to train Inca priests. Next, visit Yumani, where 206 steps lead to a sacred fountain said to be a fountain of youth. We´ll take time to enjoy a gorgeous sunset on the lake, before returning to Copacabana for the evening.

Today we visit Isla de la Luna (Moon Island), famous for it´s mysterious Temple of the Chosen Virgins and significance in Andean spiritualism. In the time of the Incas , a selected group of women lived a nun-like existence on the island, and attended the temple. The Temple of the Chosen Virgins is said to offer a healing aura and to invite contact with the female spirit of the Sacred Lake. In addition, Isla de la Luna is considered by many as one of the world’s strongest energy vortexes. You´ll have time for solitude and reflection before returning to Copacabana for the evening.

This morning, set out on a pilgrimage to Tiawanaco, the most important archaeological site in Bolivia. While the original name of the site has been lost, it was likely the cosmological and moral center of the Tiahuanaco culture. We´ll visit its enigmatic temples, such as Puma Punku and megalithic monuments. Along the way, discover symbols and sacred geometry in the skillfully-carved structures found at the site. From there, cross back into Peru with evening return to your Puno hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the Juliaca airport for your return flight to Lima. Along the way, stop to visit the Sillustani funerary towers. These huge, pre-Inca towers are the best-known ruins in the area, and offer a final, stunning view of the lake. Once in Lima, meet your international flight home.

For those continuing to the Uyuni Salt Flats or the Colca Canyon, departure times and schedule will vary based on itinerary.