Cusco 9-Day Inca Trail and Lake Titicaca Group Service
by Valencia Travel Agency S.a.c.
Overview
This 9-day group service tour starts and ends in Cusco, Peru, combining a trek on the Inca Trail with a visit to Lake Titicaca. The total duration is approximately 216 hours. On the first day, participants arrive in Cusco and have the rest of the day to explore the city independently. The second day is free for further exploration of Cusco at leisure. On the third day, the group meets early in the morning at Regocijo Plaza and travels by bus to kilometer 82 (Piskacucho), the starting point of the Inca Trail. There is a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo before arriving at the trailhead. The first day of hiking follows the Vilcanota River and passes Incan sites including Huillca Raccay and Llactapata, with views of the Urubamba mountain range and Veronica peak. The group camps at Ayapata near Wayllabamba, where night temperatures can be around 5 degrees Celsius. The second day involves a steep climb gaining 4,100 feet of elevation through forest and switchbacks to the Llulluchapampa meadows. The highest point of the trek, Warmiwañusqa pass at 13,780 feet, is reached after a two to two and a half hour ascent. From the pass, there are views of glacier-covered peaks and the Pacaymayo gorge. The descent leads to the Chaquicocha meadows campsite. The third day on the trail includes a climb to the second high pass at 12,631 feet, passing the Runkurakay watchtower. The route then descends through the Incan sites of Sayacmarca and Conchamarca on a stone-paved path bordered by cloud forest vegetation. After passing through an ancient tunnel, the group arrives at the Phuyupatamarca campsite, known as "the town above the clouds," with panoramic views of river valleys and Mount Salcantay. On the seventh day, the group starts early at 4 a.m. to reach Inti Punku (Sun Gate) before sunrise to see Machu Picchu. A guided tour of Machu Picchu lasts about two hours, followed by free time for independent exploration. After completing the trek, the group transfers by private vehicle from Cusco to Puno, stopping at four sites: the Pukara ceremonial center, the high-altitude border between Quechua and Aymara cultures, a large Inca church, and a church known as the Sistine Chapel of South America for its Andean religious art. In Puno, after breakfast, participants take a motorboat to visit two floating Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca, learning about the islands’ construction and local lifestyle, with time to visit homes and speak with residents. The boat then sails to Taquile Island, a Quechua-speaking community with terraces and pre-Inca ruins. Visitors walk a narrow path with lake views and explore the island independently before returning to Puno. The tour concludes with a transfer from the hotel in Puno to Juliaca Airport for the flight back to Lima. Included in the tour are all hotel accommodations (such as Casa Andina Cusco Classic or similar), camping tents and foam mattress pads during the trek, meals including three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and snacks, transportation by bus, train (Expedition train to Ollantaytambo), and motorboat, bilingual professional tour guides, porters who carry cooking and camping equipment, a professional chef, oxygen bottles, first aid kits, and airport-hotel transfers. Participants must provide personal gear such as sleeping bags and walking sticks. Some meals, entrance fees for optional tours, local flights, and gratuities are not included. The tour may be operated by multi-lingual guides.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Cusco City Exploration
The remainder of the day is available for independent exploration of Cusco, the ancient Inca Empire capital located in the Andes. Visitors can see Spanish colonial churches and mansions alongside Inca ruins, and experience local nightlife or try Peruvian cuisine.
Free Day in Cusco
Following breakfast, there is a free day to explore Cusco independently. This city, once the main city of the Inca Empire, is now the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas and a key archaeological site.
Trail Start at Kilometer 82
Pickup is from Regocijo Plaza, less than 5 minutes from any hotel in Cusco, between 4 and 4:30am (exact time confirmed at briefing). The group travels by bus to Piskacucho, known as kilometer 82, where the trail begins. There is a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo from 6:30 to 7am. Arrival at kilometer 82 (2720m/8923ft) is at 8:30am, with time to organize, use restrooms, apply sunscreen and insect repellent, and present entrance tickets, passports, and student cards if paying a student rate. The trail starts by crossing the Vilcanota River and following its right bank.
15 min
First Day Hiking and Views
The initial day is an easy hike along flat Incan terrain, passing the Incan fortress Huillca Raccay and the extensive Incan site Llactapata (Patallacta). The route offers views of the Urubamba mountain range, the Andes, and the snow-capped W'akay Willca peak (5860m/19225ft).
Ayapata Campsite near Wayllabamba
The first campsite, Ayapata, is located about 1.5 hours above the small village of Wayllabamba (3000m/9842ft) in the green valley sharing the same name. Nighttime temperatures average around 5ºC depending on the month.
480 min
Steep Ascent through Llullucha Gorge
This day involves a strenuous uphill hike with 4,100 feet of elevation gain. The trail ascends steeply through the narrow Llullucha gorge, passing dense forest with diverse birdlife and flowering plants, before reaching the open meadows of Llulluchapampa.
Warmiwañusqa Pass and Descent
Views include Andean peaks behind and the highest pass Warmiwañusqa at 13,780 feet ahead. The final ascent from Llulluchapampa meadows takes 2 to 2.5 hours along a steep ramp with switchbacks. At the top, views of glacier-covered Wiyañey peaks and the Pacaymayo gorge are visible. Porters in traditional red ponchos and chullos carry loads past the group to the next campsite. The descent follows a newly paved stone trail with staircases.
Chaquicocha Campsite Arrival
The group arrives at the upper meadows of Chaquicocha and camps there for the afternoon, which can be spent taking photographs, resting, or exploring the surroundings.
480 min
Runkurakay and Second High Pass
A short steep climb leads to the Runkurakay watchtower. The trail continues climbing Inca stairs past a small lake to the second high pass at 12,631 feet. On clear days, views extend to the glacier-covered Pumasillo Mountains and the eastern Andes’ deep gorges and ridges.
Descent to Sayacmarca and Conchamarca
The route follows the Royal Road descending past the strategic Incan site Sayacmarca (11,811 feet) and the smaller ruins of Conchamarca. The descent is steep but on a defined trail. After visiting the ruins, the trail contours along a ridge through dense cloud forest on a 4-6-foot-wide stone-paved path.
Phuyupatamarca Campsite
After passing through an ancient tunnel, the trail reaches the ridge crest and the campsite at Phuyupatamarca, meaning 'town above the clouds' in Quechua. The site offers a 360-degree view of the Urubamba and Aobamba River valleys and Mount Salcantay (20,575 feet), the highest peak in the Vilcabamba range. Sunrise views here are notable, and condors with wingspans up to 10 feet are sometimes seen soaring above.
420 min
Sun Gate and Machu Picchu Tour
An early 4am start allows arrival at Inti Punku (Sun Gate) before dawn, revealing Machu Picchu as the sun rises. Time is allotted for photography, followed by a guided tour of Machu Picchu lasting about 2 hours. After the tour, visitors may explore the site independently.
180 min
Transfer from Cusco to Puno with Stops
Pickup at 7:10am for a private transfer from Cusco to Puno. The transfer includes stops at four sites, including Pukara, the oldest and most important ceremonial center of the altiplano, featuring sculptures and tombs.
30 min
Highest Point and Cultural Border
The journey reaches its halfway point and highest elevation at 4335 meters above sea level. The area features typical Andean animals such as llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. It also marks the geographical border between the Quechua and Aymara cultures.
Inca Church Ruins
This site contains the remains of an Inca church of monumental size: 100 meters long, 26 meters wide, and 14 meters high. The temple has two naves, each supported by eleven large columns.
45 min
Andean Religious Art Church
This church is regarded as the Sistine Chapel of South America and is a prime example of Andean popular religious art.
40 min
Visit to Floating Uros Islands
After breakfast between 7:00 and 8:00am, transfer from the hotel to Puno port to board a motorboat to the floating Uros Islands, 25 minutes from the port. There are over 65 small inhabited floating islands, and two will be visited. The guide explains the history and lifestyle of the island inhabitants. Visitors have the chance to speak with residents, visit their homes, and learn about their way of life during a one-hour visit.
120 min
Taquile Island Visit
Next, a two-hour boat ride leads to Taquile Island, a traditional Quechua-speaking community with ancient agricultural terraces and pre-Inca ruins. The community was relatively isolated until the 1950s, and family and community ties remain strong. The island maintains weaving traditions dating back to early civilizations, including garments like the Chullo hat and the Calendar Waistband, which represents annual ritual and agricultural cycles. Upon arrival, visitors walk a narrow path with views of Lake Titicaca and houses inhabited by direct descendants of the Inca. Free time is provided to explore the island before returning to Puno.
120 min
Transfer to Juliaca Airport
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to Juliaca Airport for the flight to Lima.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Additional info
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