The Condors, Cultures And Civilizations of Lake Titicaca, Puno And Colca Canyon

Taking in Peru’s Most Beautiful Natural Wonders and Most Unique Societies

Journey with us from Cuzco, to Puno, to Lake Titicaca, to Colca Canyon, and Arequipa!

Sunday May 20th – Sunday May 27^th

Day 1: You Journey begins in Cuzco

After you check into the Royal Inca Hotel, you’ll benefit from taking some much-needed time to relax and adjust to the altitude before the action begins. We will have lunch together as a group; have an orientation to the exciting sites and amazing phenomena that await you, before we are off exploring the lesser visited archeological sites of Cuzco.

 Day 2: Your Relaxing And Educational Journey To Puno

We’ll enjoy a first-rate coach trip from Cuzco to Puno with frequent fun and informative stops, giving us time to adjust to the altitude as we experience the region. On this full-day journey, we will visit remote cultural centers, cross the High Plains of the Andes and eventually reach Puno, situated on the shores of the famous Lake Titicaca. Before we reach Puno, however, we will experience Raqchi, where an Incan wall encloses a temple to the god Wiracocha. We will take pleasure in a buffet luncheon at La Raya and stop to see the Museum of Pucara, and terraces dating to 200 BC. Once in Puno, we will get some rest at the Hotel La Hacienda and enjoy local food before our early start the next morning.

Day 3: Experiencing Puno’s Andean Magic

We will start the morning with stopping at the outlandish Inca temple of fertility in Chucuito. Then off to the village of the spirits, Ajayu Marca, and enjoy a brief hike to Aramu Muro, a supposed inter-dimensional gateway that is believed to be a direct connection with the inner astral retreat of Lake Titicaca, the ascended masters and the Temple of the Seven Rays. After a picnic lunch, we will set off again for the Antiplano "the High Plains", visiting the funeral towers -- or chullpas -- of Sillustani and learn about how locals view the afterlife. We will journey to the Sillustani peninsula in the Umayo lagoon especially to see the mind-bogglingly beautiful views of the area.

 Day 4: Floating Through Lake Titicaca

A full-day boat tour of Lake Titicaca will offer some of your trip’s most unusual sights. We will first see the artificial reed islands of the Uros people. Not just a tourist attraction, these amazing people have lived for years on these structurally fascinating manmade islands, using the resources of the lake’s thermal water. We will step onto these islands, getting a sensation similar to walking on a water bed. (Don’t worry. It’s very safe.) Rides on traditional reed boats will also be available to you. We will enjoy a discussion about the origins of the Inca culture, the Quechua language and more. Then, we will visit a natural island -- Amantani, where time stands still because of its isolation. You will probably see local families running down the hill to welcome you. There you meet to your designated family, which will lead you to the home stay. After lunch, they will take you in an authentic deep cultural encounter, which could be farming, herding or building a house. If you want, go ahead and be part of it. We will all enjoy a hike to the high point of the island to watch the sunset. At dinner your designated family will dress you up in traditional local costumes and take you to the community hall for a small celebration, it is a lot of fun! Feel the energy of this live culture, and stay overnight at the Home stay.

Day 5: Early Walk to the top temples of mother and father earth

The views over Lake Titicaca are just magnificent, on this ancient pre Incan temple learn about the meaning of duality and unity of the feminine and masculine aspects. With a local Yatiri (medicine person), we perform an ancestral despacho ceremony to thank mother earth. Later we make our way back home, and you will be grateful for some rest in your comfortable hotel before another packed day. The afternoon with give us out final opportunity to visit the Crafts market, and a brief visit to the Coca Museum to enjoy an informative presentation of the medicinal and cultural history of the coca, and on the traditional folk dances and costumes.

 Day 6: Chivay

The Peruvian Highlands and a First Glimpse of Colca Canyon A private van will be waiting for us early, and we’ll journey to the Peruvian highlands. We will delve into the region. Our journey will culminate at Condor Cross in Chivay, a Colca Canyon lookout offering panoramic views of the canyon and its famous Andean condors. After a visit to the clean and hot swimming pools of the Calera hot springs, we will go to our canyon hotel, Casa Andina, for an overnight stay.

Day 7: Watching Condors And Exploring The Canyon

The Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, and it’s the backdrop for our close look at the majestic Andean Condor in flight. These birds rise on the warm air currents from nearby active volcanoes, and we will be there to witness every moment at the Cruz Del Condor, and see the Colca Canyon in all its splendor. We will see the volcanoes, including Chacani, Misti and Ampato, home to the mummy Juanita. Walka Walka, Chucrura and Sabancaya are among the mountains we’ll see together. As afternoon approaches, our journey ends at Arequipa, the second most populous city in Peru. Day 8: A Few Minutes with Arequipa As we prepare for our afternoon departure, there may be a moment to see the Church of the Jesuits or one of the city’s many other attractions. With our cameras full of amazing images and our minds jammed with unforgettable experiences, our journey together will end here, leaving you wondering when you can return to walk among Peru’s treasures again.

*This day by day itinerary is subject to change

Because of the extreme altitude of this region, we ask our guests to arrive at least 2 days prior to the trip in Cuzco, to help acclimate to the altitude. Ask us about pre-trip hotel packages.