Explore & Tour: Magic of the South – 11 Days
Overview
Explore & Tour: Magic of the South
A stunning, full but relaxed tour of the Cusco Region & Lake Titicaca. Starting off with your arrival into Lima, you can spend the night here either in Miraflores, Barranco or close to the airport (depending on your time of arrival)
Spend the first few days exploring Cusco and the surrounding Incan sites of Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo & Tambomachay. Wonder and gain an understanding into these magnificent structures before heading into the Sacred Valley to further explore the footprint the Incas had in the mountains surrounding Cusco.
A trip discovering the Sacred Valley culminates in a journey to the world famous Incan Citadel of Machu Picchu. Spend either the morning or afternoon exploring this marvel of construction and take some incredible IG photos!
Then returning to Cusco for a final night you’ll then head to the Ausangate region. From here you’ll do 2 day hikes and visit some majestic glacial lakes. With time to spend in the hot springs of Pacchanta and eat some of the finest traditional food you’ll be ready to leave for Lake Titicaca.
Tour the traditional communities of Uros, Amantani & Taquile Islands. Learn about the traditions and life on this majestic Island before leaving from Puno for your onward connections home!
Highlights
Explore the colonial city of Cusco, its markets and historic quarters.
Learn about the incas in the Sacred Valley and uncover the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.
Take a scenic train journey back to Cusco from Aguas Calientes.
Discover the glacial lagunas of Ausangate and the surround Cordillera Vilcanota.
Soak in the hot springs of Pacchanta and enjoy a traditional Pachamanca meal.
Fly to Lake Titicaca and tour the floating islands of Uros.
Enjoy a traditional family homestay on Amantani.
Included
Breakfast x 9
Lunches x 9
Dinner x 3
Private Transport – collection & drop-off
Professional bilingual high-mountain guide
High-mountain Cook
Machu Picchu – Entrance Tickets, Transport & Guide
Lodge in Ausangate x 2 nights
Hotel in Cusco x 3 nights
Hotel in Puno x 2 nights
Hotel in Lima x 1 night
Domestic Flights – Lima to Cusco
Domestic Flights – Cusco to Juliaca
Domestic Flights – Juliaca to Lima
Not Included
International Airfare
Hotels before & after (can be organised as part of trip)
Tips for crew
Any additional extras
| Joining Arrangements | There will be a pre-trek briefing held usually the evening before departure, at your hotel, to go over the details of the trek and any specific requirements not already captured. |
| Food & Water | Prior to setting off we recommend you steer clear of street food and only eat in good restaurants, to avoid any stomach complaints. Likewise with tap water, it is largely untreated, please only consume bottled water only or sterilised water if you have the right equipment. |
| Special Diets | We’ll ensure that we cater for all of your dietary needs, at the point of booking we’ll collect this information from you. We can secure special menu requests also for your trek party. |
| Trekking Crew | We are able to customise our treks to suit you, but usually our treks are guided by a professional bilingual guide, mountain cook, arriero (horseman) and mules to carry all equipment (passenger horses also available on request). They become a large part of your trekking expedition and it’s a great experience working together. |
| Acclimatisation |
This is a really important part of your trip planning process, please find a link below which explains a little more about preparing for altitude. Altitude Preparation
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| Preparation |
Attached below are a couple of links which will explain how to prepare for your trip & trek in advance of your arrival. We recommend being prepared in advance to save time & stress whilst you’re in Peru. Trip Planning | Trek Planning
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| Machu Picchu | An excursion to Machu Picchu is included as part of your trip, including professional bilingual guide, entrance tickets, return trip bus tickets, Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountains (mountain climbs to be confirmed on reservation) & your return train ticket to Cusco. To be confirmed on reservation. |
| Covid-19 (Coronavirus) | We are working with the latest protocols issued by the Ministerio de Salud (Ministry of Health) to ensure our operations are safe and compliant for the future. We also have access to on-call health services for your time with us. |
| Covid-19 (Useful Links) | World Health Organisation | World Health Organisation – Peru | Covid-19 Data – Peru | Covid-19 Daily Statistics |
| Available Discounts | Throughout 2022 we’re offering a 15% discount for each member of a group larger than 4+ |
| Reservation | Please contact us to reserve your trek and we will send you our deposit & payment options. |
| Customer Service | Please feel free to contact us at any point before your trip for any queries or problems. |
Itinerary
Day 1Arrival to Lima International Airport
Welcome to Peru!
Landing in Lima, and depending on your time of arrival, you have the choice of staying in Miraflores, Barranco or the Airport.
Overnight: Wyndham Costa del Sol Airport – +51 (01) 200 9200
Day 2Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco
Today you’ll arrive into Cusco in the early afternoon and then we’ll transfer to your hotel in private transport.
|
Flight |
Depart |
Arrive |
Route |
Duration |
|
Sky Airlines 5013 |
12.00 pm |
13.25 am |
LIM (Lima) – CUZ (Cusco) |
1hr 25mins |
You’ll have the afternoon free to unwind, relax and explore the historic City of Cusco at your own leisure.
Overnight Cusco: Casa Cristobal
Day 3Discover Cusco City
With your own bilingual guide explores famous sites such as San Pedro Market, Qoricancha, Plaza de Armas, Sacsayhuaman, Q’Enko, Tambomachay (depending on time).
You’ll have the afternoon free to explore further at your own leisure.
Timings: 9:00am – 1:30pm
Overnight Cusco: Casa Cristobal
Meals included: Breakfast (Hotel), Boxed lunch
Day 4Sacred Valley Exploration
Today you’ll explore the Sacred Valley in private transport with your own bilingual guide, trekking and exploring at your own pace.
Visit ancient incan sites in Pisac, Moray & Ollantaytambo.
Timings – Full Day
Taking a late afternoon train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes in readiness for Machu Picchu.
Train departure from Ollantataytambo – 19:04hrs
Arrival to Aguas Calientes – Approx. 1.5hrs
Aguas Termales (Hot Springs in the Evening)
Overnight in Aguas Calientes: Hotel Retama
Meals included: Breakfast (Hotel), Boxed lunch
Day 5Machu Picchu
Early morning start (4.30am – 5am) to beat the crowds, bus to Machu Picchu Citadel. Morning tour of Machu Picchu with your guide.
Head back down from Machu Picchu around midday, lunch, Hot Springs and then take the train back to Cusco.
Train departure from Machu Picchu – 15:20hrs
Arrival to Cusco – Approx. 4.5hrs
Timings – Full Day
Collection from the train station in Cusco.
Overnight Cusco: Casa Cristobal
Meals included: Breakfast (Hotel), Lunch (Quinoa Restaurant)
Day 6 - 8Ausangate Region
Private transport for transfer to the Ausangate region.
Taking a 3-hour drive from Cusco to Pacchanta, in private transport, stopping off along the way at Urcos for breakfast.
Arriving into Pacchanta early afternoon. Check into Lodge. (Image below, it’s a clean and simple mountain lodge, close enough to the hot springs and also an ideal location to begin trekking)
Meals included: breakfast x 3, lunch x 3, dinner x 2
Day 6 – Depart Cusco 7am. Breakfast in Urcos. Arrive 10.30am.
AM Day trek: Laguna Azulcocha (Lunch). Return to lodge around 3-4pm.
PM Pacchanta Hot Springs for the evening.
Day 7
AM Day trek: Las Siete Lagunas (Lunch). Return to lodge around 5-6pm.
PM Pacchanta Hot Springs for the evening.
Day 8 – Departing Pacchanta (8-9 am) on September 24th.
Transfer to Cusco Airport and take domestic flight to Juliaca Airport via Lima.
|
Flight |
Depart |
Arrive |
Route |
Duration |
|
LA 2062 |
13.55 pm |
15.15 pm |
CUZ (Cusco) – LIM (Lima) |
1 hr 20 mins |
|
|
|
|
Connection |
1hr 5 mins |
|
LA 2093 |
16.20 pm |
17.50 pm |
LIM (Lima) – JUL (Juliaca) |
1 hr 30 mins |
|
|
|
|
|
3 hr 55 mins |
- Transfer to Puno & overnight –Tierra Viva Puno
Day 9 - 10Lake Titicaca
Day 9 – Uros Islands & Amantani
Between 7.40am and 8am Transfer from the hotel to the port and by motor boat we take you to one of the legendary Uros Islands where you can observe the lives of the Uros people who live on floating reed islands, some only 20 meters in length.
After a beautiful 3hr boat ride we reach Amantani Island where you’ll have the authentic experience of an island homestay.
You have the opportunity to trek to the top of the mountain (4,150 m.a.s.l) to see the Temples of the Pachamama and Pachatata and enjoy the traditional customs of the island people. Food and authentic music prepared and performed by your designated family
- Accommodation: Rustic accommodation with family.
- Maximum Altitude: 4,150 m.a.s.l
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 10 – Taquile Island – Puno
After breakfast you’ll take a short boat ride to the neighboring Taquile Island, where you’ll tour around the ruins and visit these beautiful cultures, world famous for their intricate and fascinating weavings. After lunch taking the return trip to Puno.
Arrival in the afternoon and transfer back to your hotel at around 4pm.
- Overnight Puno – Tierra Viva Puno
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 11Transfer from Puno to Juliaca Airport
Domestic flight from Juliaca to Lima.
|
Flight |
Depart |
Arrive |
Route |
Duration |
|
VivaAir 151 |
11.00 am |
12.37 pm |
JUL (Juliaca) – LIM (Lima) |
1hr 37mins |
Onwards from Lima for your connecting international flight out.
It’s never goodbye, only until the next time!
Photos
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Carl Kaelber III
Awesome time thanks to Unu Raymi Expeditions
We just came back from Peru and an amazing trip organized by Unu Raymi Expeditions. What an incredible experience they curated for us, with care and attention provided at every step. We worked with James, a principle of Unu Raymi, and from the outset it was clear his aim was to create a trip tailored to our hopes and dreams: seeing the sunrise over Machu Picchu; prioritizing hiking as much as possible throughout our time in Peru (we love being outside); and organizing an amazing hiking and hot springs experience in the Ausangate mountains – complete with a guide and cook who made amazing food (even a special birthday cake made with quinoa flour) and delivered his creations wherever we happened to be hiking in the mountains! There is nothing like hot soup and salad siting surrounded by snow-capped mountains! And even when our plane reservations were cancelled by our airline at the last moment, James and Unu Raymi were there to help us out, rebook our flights and find us a great hotel! Many thanks to Unu Raymi and James and his team for making this all possible. If you have the chance to visit Peru or other countries in South America where Unu Raymi works, place yourself in the hands of James and his team – they will create a unique and once-in-a-life-time experience for you.
Thanks so much for all that you did for us during our time in Peru and taking such good care of us. We too feel as if we have a new friend who happens to live in Peru and look forward to staying in touch!