8 Day Cusco to Puno Tour with Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca
This 8-day Cusco to Puno tour combines Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca. It begins with pickup at Cusco Airport and ends with a transfer from Puno to Juliaca Airport.
The itinerary suits travelers interested in archaeology, Andean landscapes, and local communities. Expect walking at historic sites and island visits, alongside train, bus, and boat journeys. The sightseeing bus route to Puno adds cultural stops between the two regions.
Your package includes seven hotel nights, guided excursions, scheduled transportation, entrance tickets for included visits, and the meals specified in the itinerary. Small-group and private options are available.
Highlights
- Visit Cusco’s historic center and nearby Inca archaeological sites.
- See Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.
- Visit the Maras salt ponds and Moray’s circular terraces.
- Travel by train to Aguas Calientes before your Machu Picchu visit.
- Tour Machu Picchu with a guide along your reserved circuit.
- Follow the Route of the Sun through Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya, and Pukara.
- Meet residents of the Uros floating reed islands.
- Learn about Taquile’s textile traditions on Lake Titicaca.
Overview
Tour from Puno to Cusco, 8 days
The Cusco to Puno tour by Machu Picchu is designed to offer you a deeper insight into the Inca civilization and the prominence of the archaeological complex in Cusco and en route to Puno.
What is special about this tour package is that, besides offering classic landscapes like the Sacred Valley, Maras-Moray, and Machu Picchu, the itinerary includes a trip to Puno, so you can take time to appreciate the beauty this trail offers.
You will also get to experience the world’s highest navigable body of water, Lake Titicaca. Besides being able to visit a local family, you can see part of the process of making the famous floating islands.
Cusco to Puno Tour Highlights
See the best of Peru with this guided tour.
Here are all of the attractions and locations you will visit with this unbeatable tour.
- Cusco city tour
- Sacred Valley
- Pisac
- Ollantaytambo
- Chincero
- Maras
- Moray
- Ollantaytambo
- Machu Picchu
- Huayna Picchu (Optional add-on)
- Andahuaylillas
- Marangani
- Puno
- Lake Titicaca
- Uros Island
- Taquile Island
Why Machu Picchu Tours?
We are a fully locally owned tour operator based in Cusco. Our guides are passionate about Peru’s history and culture and have years of experience hiking to Machu Picchu.
This is a high-altitude experience. Although our tour guides will be carrying oxygen tanks and coca leaves, it is highly recommended to spend 3-4 days in Cusco to avoid altitude sickness.
Itinerary
Detailed 8 Day Itinerary
Click any day to expand/collapse
Day 1
Arrival in Cusco and Hotel Transfer
Your journey begins with a welcome at Cusco Airport and a transfer to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to settle in and rest before the guided visits begin.
With no scheduled excursions today, you can take your first afternoon at a comfortable pace. Send us your flight details in advance so we can coordinate your arrival transfer.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco.
Meals included: None.
- Airport welcome
- Hotel transfer
- Check-in
- Rest in Cusco
Day 2
Cusco City Tour and Nearby Inca Sites
Enjoy a free morning before your hotel pickup at approximately 1:00 p.m. Begin at Cusco Cathedral and Qorikancha, where your guide explains how Inca heritage and colonial architecture shaped the city.
Continue to Sacsayhuaman to see its monumental fitted stone walls, then visit Qenqo and Tambomachay. Together, these sites introduce the building techniques, beliefs, and ceremonial spaces that form part of Cusco’s history.
Return to your hotel around 6:00 p.m., with the evening available for dinner at your own pace.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast.
- Cusco Cathedral
- Qorikancha
- Sacsayhuaman
- Qenqo and Tambomachay
Day 3
Sacred Valley Tour with Pisac and Ollantaytambo
Leave Cusco around 7:30 a.m. and begin at Awanacancha, where Andean camelids and textile traditions introduce the valley’s rural heritage. Continue to Pisac for its archaeological site and market, combining Inca terraces with the work of present-day artisans.
After your included lunch, visit a local chicheria for an introduction to traditional regional drinks. The route continues to Ollantaytambo for a guided archaeological visit before a stop in Chinchero on the journey back to Cusco.
Arrival at your hotel is expected around 6:30 p.m.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
- Awanacancha
- Pisac
- Ollantaytambo
- Chinchero
Day 4
Moray and Maras Salt Mines with Train to Aguas Calientes
Depart your Cusco hotel around 9:00 a.m. for Moray, where circular terraces create one of the Sacred Valley’s most distinctive archaeological landscapes. Your guide introduces their agricultural significance and the ways Andean communities adapted to their environment.
Continue to the Maras salt mines to view the hillside salt ponds and learn about local salt production. After your included lunch, travel to Ollantaytambo to board the reserved afternoon train to Aguas Calientes.
The approximately two-hour train journey follows the river into greener mountain scenery. Spend the night in Aguas Calientes, close to Machu Picchu for the following day’s visit.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
- Moray
- Maras Salt Mines
- Scenic train journey
- Aguas Calientes
Day 5
AGuided Machu Picchu Visit and Return to Cusco
Travel by bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu according to your reserved entrance time. Your guide accompanies you along the authorized circuit, explaining the site’s architecture, mountain setting, and Inca history.
Allow approximately two hours for the guided visit, depending on the booked route. Your circuit determines which areas and viewpoints you can access, so the visit follows the entrance ticket confirmed for your reservation.
Afterward, return to Aguas Calientes for your included lunch and reserved train to Ollantaytambo. A road transfer completes the journey to your Cusco hotel, with arrival expected around 7:00 p.m.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.
- Machu Picchu
- Guided archaeological visit
- Aguas Calientes
- Return train journey
Day 6
Cusco to Puno Bus Tour Along the Route of the Sun
An early hotel transfer, approximately 6:00 a.m., connects you with the tourist bus to Puno. Cultural stops break up the journey, beginning with the decorated colonial church of Andahuaylillas and continuing to Raqchi, home to the remains of the Temple of Wiracocha.
Pause for your included lunch in Marangani before traveling toward La Raya, approximately 4,335 meters above sea level. This highland stop offers mountain views as the route continues toward the Puno region.
Visit the Pukara Museum before arriving in Puno around 5:00 p.m. Spend the night at your hotel ahead of the Lake Titicaca excursion.
Accommodation: Hotel in Puno.
Meals included: Lunch.
- Andahuaylillas
- Raqchi
- La Raya
- Pukara Museum
Day 7
Lake Titicaca with Uros and Taquile Islands
Around 7:00 a.m., transfer from your hotel to the port and board the boat for Lake Titicaca. At the Uros floating islands, meet local residents and learn how totora reeds are used to construct the islands and make everyday objects.
Continue to Taquile for a visit with a local family and an introduction to the island’s textile techniques and designs. Enjoy your included lunch before the boat journey back to Puno.
The island visit includes walking along paths with changes in elevation, alongside time traveling across the lake. Your return follows the day’s boat schedule and lake conditions.
Accommodation: Hotel in Puno.
Meals included: Lunch.
- Uros Floating Islands
- Community visit
- Taquile Island
- Textile traditions
Day 8
Puno Hotel Pickup and Juliaca Airport Transfer
Your final transfer takes you from your hotel in Puno to Juliaca Airport. Pickup is coordinated around your confirmed flight details, completing your journey from Cusco through the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca.
Service: Departure transfer to Juliaca Airport.
- Puno hotel pickup
- Road transfer
- Juliaca
- Airport drop-off
Inclusions
What Is Included
- Airport pickup in Cusco and transfer to your hotel.
- Departure transfer from your Puno hotel to Juliaca Airport.
- Seven hotel nights: four in Cusco, one in Aguas Calientes, and two in Puno.
- Professional guiding during the included sightseeing excursions.
- Cusco City Tour and Sacred Valley excursion.
- Moray and Maras sightseeing excursion.
- Scheduled ground transportation for the included program.
- Round-trip train tickets between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket and guided visit along the reserved circuit.
- Bus ticket from Machu Picchu down to Aguas Calientes.
- Road transfer from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco.
- Tourist bus journey from Cusco to Puno with the planned sightseeing stops.
- Lake Titicaca boat excursion to Uros and Taquile.
- Entrance fees for the Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca visits.
- Meals specified under each day of the itinerary.
Admission arrangements for Maras, Moray, and the Route of the Sun stops will be specified in your quotation.
What Is Not Included
- International flights.
- Huayna Picchu admission and other separately arranged activities.
- Travel insurance.
- Personal purchases and meals or drinks outside the confirmed program.
Packing List
Packing List
Pack for sunny sightseeing days, cool evenings in Cusco and Puno, and warmer conditions around Aguas Calientes. Comfortable layers will help you adjust as the route changes.
- Original travel document: Bring the passport or accepted identification document used for your reservations.
- Student documentation: Carry valid supporting documents if your booking includes an approved student discount.
- Comfortable walking shoes: Choose footwear with good grip that you have already worn.
- Lightweight clothing: Pack breathable shirts and layers for warmer daytime conditions.
- Long pants: Bring comfortable pants suitable for archaeological sites and island walks.
- Warm layers: A fleece and warm jacket are useful for cold mornings and evenings.
- Rain protection: Carry a waterproof jacket or rain poncho.
- Sun hat and sunglasses: Keep both accessible during outdoor visits and boat journeys.
- Sunscreen and protective lip balm: Bring enough for the full trip.
- Insect repellent: Pack it for the Machu Picchu area.
- Reusable water bottle: Carry drinking water during sightseeing.
- Personal medication and toiletries: Keep essential items in your daypack or hand luggage.
- Electronics and chargers: Bring your phone or camera, charger, power bank, and a suitable plug adapter.
- Cash in Peruvian soles: Small denominations are useful for personal purchases.
- Daypack and compact overnight bag: Use a small bag for Aguas Calientes and keep daily essentials within easy reach.
Price
Prices for the 8-Day Package
All prices are in US dollars per person for the eight-day package, with the services listed in the inclusions section.
Small Group Tour (Personalized Experience)
| Travelers or Category | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 2–3 people | US$1,250 |
| 4+ people | US$1,230 |
| Children / students | US$1,200 |
Exclusive Private Tour
| Travelers or Category | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 2–3 people | US$1,350 |
| 4+ people | US$1,330 |
| Children / students | US$1,320 |
The published minimum is two participants. Child and student eligibility must be confirmed before booking, along with any required documentation.
Your quotation will identify the hotel properties, room arrangements, and services provided privately. Train, tourist bus, and boat arrangements should be checked when comparing the two options.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I book this package?
Book once your dates are settled. Machu Picchu tickets, train reservations, and hotel space must be coordinated for the same itinerary. Availability varies by departure date, so there is no single booking deadline for every trip.
Which airports should I use for my flights?
Plan to arrive at Cusco Airport and depart from Juliaca Airport, which serves the Puno area. Confirm your package dates before purchasing flights, then send us the flight details to coordinate both airport transfers.
Can I request a particular Machu Picchu circuit?
Yes, tell us your preferred circuit before booking. Confirmation depends on ticket availability for your visit date and time. Ask for the exact route to be confirmed before tickets are purchased.
Can I add Huayna Picchu?
Huayna Picchu requires a separate entrance ticket and an additional payment. Request it before booking so availability and timing can be checked against your guided visit and return train.
How much walking should I expect?
Expect sightseeing walks, uneven surfaces, slopes, and stone steps at archaeological sites and on Taquile. Transport connects the destinations, but you should be comfortable walking during visits. Tell us about mobility limitations before booking so the route’s suitability can be reviewed.
Does private service mean every vehicle is exclusive to my party?
Exclusivity must be confirmed for each segment. Your quotation should identify which guiding and transfers are reserved for your party and how the train, tourist bus, and boat services operate.
Can I book if I am traveling alone?
Solo travelers can inquire about available departures. The published package requires a minimum of two participants, so confirmation depends on departure availability and the accommodation arrangements quoted for your booking.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Dietary requests can be reviewed before booking. Tell us about your requirements and allergies early, as meals are provided in different hotels, restaurants, and community settings. Specific arrangements require confirmation.
When is the best time to travel?
May through September generally offers drier conditions across the Andean part of the route. Rain is more frequent from November through March, although showers can occur in any month. Mornings and evenings in Puno can be cold even during the dry season.
Concierge & Local Guide
Available in Cusco
John Taqquere
Local Tour Guide
Travel specialist in Machu Picchu
“I grew up surrounded by the Andes, and I love sharing the history, traditions, and hidden stories of my home with travelers from around the world.”Text John Taqquere on WhatsApp → (opens in a new tab)
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