Cusco and Lake Titicaca in 9 days: the grand tour of southern Peru

Nine days is our most complete journey through southern Peru. It includes everything in the 8-day Cusco and Titicaca package plus a day of adventure on an ATV, so you see Inca cities, a glacier lake, coloured mountains and the floating islands of Titicaca without ever having to arrange a connection yourself.

The package at a glance

Who the 9-day trip suits

It follows the same route as the 8-day version plus an ATV ride to Moray and Maras on day 4, for US $40 more. That day also works as a lighter break after Machu Picchu and before the two high-altitude hikes.

It suits travellers with around ten days in Peru who want both Cusco and Lake Titicaca without rushing. Add a day in Lima on arrival and you have a well-rounded first trip; our 2-week Peru itinerary shows how to extend it further.

Day 1: arrival and Cusco city tour

We meet you at the airport or bus terminal and take you to your apartment in central Cusco (3,400 m), with a welcome coca or muña tea and a full briefing on your trip. Then your guide takes you to Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, whose Inca walls still carry a colonial convent, and up to the hills above the city: the giant zigzag walls of Sacsayhuamán, the carved rock shrine of Qenqo, the checkpoint of Puca Pucara and the water shrine of Tambomachay.

Included: guide, transport, Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) and Qorikancha entrance. Meals: not included on this day.

Day 2: the Sacred Valley of the Incas

A full day in the valley below Cusco. You start in Chinchero, a weaving village with Inca walls and a colonial church, then see the circular terraces of Moray and the Maras salt pans, still worked by local families. After a buffet lunch in Urubamba come the temple terraces of Ollantaytambo and, to finish, the hillside ruins and craft market of Pisac. The valley lies lower than Cusco, which makes it a gentle day for your body.

Included: transport, guide, entrances and BTC. Meals: breakfast and buffet lunch.

Day 3: Machu Picchu

The big day starts at about 4:30 am. You drive through Chinchero and Urubamba to Ollantaytambo, ride the tourist train along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes and take the bus up to Machu Picchu (2,430 m) for a guided tour of its temples, plazas and terraces. After lunch in Aguas Calientes, the train and a road transfer bring you back to Cusco in the evening.

Included: train, buses, Machu Picchu entrance, guide, breakfast and lunch. Bring your original passport: it must match your ticket, so we ask for passport details when you book, together with your choice of Machu Picchu circuit.

Day 4: ATV ride to Moray and Maras

After a safety briefing you ride an ATV (quad bike) along farm tracks to the circular terraces of Moray, often called the agricultural laboratory of the Incas, and on to the Maras salt pans, thousands of small pools still harvested by hand. You already saw both sites on the Sacred Valley day; this time the attraction is the ride itself, through open countryside with snow peaks on the horizon.

Included: transport, guide, BTC and a snack.

Day 5: Humantay Lagoon

An early start at about 4:30 am takes you via Mollepata to Soraypampa (3,900 m). From there a steady climb of about an hour and a half leads to Humantay Lagoon (about 4,200 m), a turquoise lake beneath the glacier of the same name, where you can join an optional Andean offering ceremony. A buffet lunch in Mollepata comes before the drive back to Cusco.

Included: transport, guide, breakfast, buffet lunch, trekking poles and oxygen. Difficulty: moderate to challenging. More in our Humantay Lake guide.

Day 6: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

You leave at about 4:00 am for Cusipata and the trailhead (about 4,400 m). A gradual climb of around three hours brings you to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint at 5,030 m, with its bands of coloured minerals and the Red Valley beyond. After the descent you have a buffet lunch in Cusipata and are back in Cusco in the late afternoon.

Included: transport, guide, breakfast, buffet lunch, trekking poles and oxygen. It is the highest point of the trip, which is why it comes after several days of acclimatisation. More in our Rainbow Mountain guide.

Day 7: from Cusco to Puno along the Andean route

A travel day with stops along the way: the church of Andahuaylillas, the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi, the high pass of La Raya (4,335 m) and the pre-Inca site of Pucará, with a buffet lunch in Sicuani. You reach Puno at around 5:00 pm and we take you to your lodging.

Included: transport, guide, entrances, breakfast, buffet lunch and lodging in Puno.

Day 8: Lake Titicaca, Uros and Taquile

A boat takes you across Lake Titicaca (3,812 m) to the Uros floating islands, built from totora reeds by the families who live on them, and on to Taquile, an island whose textile art is recognised by UNESCO. A gentle walk opens wide views over the lake, and lunch is a traditional meal in a local home before the boat back to Puno. More in our Lake Titicaca guide.

Included: transfers, motorboat, guide, entrances and lunch.

Day 9: departure

A final transfer takes you to the airport or bus terminal for your onward journey.

What is included

Tips for nine days on the road

• Travel light. You change base only once, from Cusco to Puno, so a medium suitcase and a daypack are ideal.
• Alternate effort and rest. After the hikes, the long drive to Puno is an easy day, with stops to stretch your legs.
• The altitude stays high to the end. Puno lies at 3,812 m, so keep drinking water and eating light.
• Carry soles in cash for markets and the islands; our money guide explains cards and ATMs.
• Get travel insurance. It is not included and is strongly recommended for a trip with high-altitude hikes.

Which Cusco package is right for you?

How the 9-day trip compares with the rest of the range:

Frequently asked questions