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| Day | Location |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Lima. City tour today or upon your return |
| 2 | Flight to Cuzco. City and ruins tour |
| 3 | Machu Picchu tour, then free time at the site |
| 4 | Journey to Lake Titicaca, stopping at Raqchi ruins, Andahuaylillas church and the Pukara Museum. Buffet lunch also included |
| 5-6 | Lake Titicaca tour. Floating Islands and islands of Taquile and Amantani. |
| 7 | Flight to Lima |
| 8 | Departure Day |
Islands Express
8 days: US$2300 per person
Domestic flights included
Depart any day
(What’s Included)
Looking for something less expensive?
Econoclass tour $1725…
This eight-day adventure in Peru takes us to the Sacred City of Machu Picchu as well as Lake Titicaca. We’ll cruise across this highest of navigable lakes and visit the floating islands and the islands of Amantani and Taquile, where native ways and traditions have changed little in the past 1000 years. And as on all Southern Crossings tours, you’re taken care of from beginning to end: airport transfers and domestic flights included!
Depart any day and customize your tour at no extra charge!
ISLANDS EXPRESS TRIP ITINERARY
| Day | Activity/Location |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Lima and transfer to our hotel. If arriving during the day, your hotel will be in the neighborhood of Miraflores, with good shopping and restaurants, and you’ll have an included city tour in the afternoon. If arriving late at night, you’ll be close to the airport for a bit more sleep before your next day’s flight, and you’ll have a tour of Lima upon your return. |
| 2 | Morning flight over the Andes to Cuzco. After checking into our hotel, we’ll head to the Plaza de Armas, the center of old Cuzco, as well as the local San Pedro Market and the Inca temple of Q’oricancha, before ascending by private transport to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman above town for great afternoon views over the city. Depending on your arrival time, there may be time for shopping or more sightseeing in the afternoon. |
| 3 | A beautiful morning train journey across the high plain above Cuzco then down the Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu. After a guided tour, take time for independent exploration of this magnificent site. Return train journey to Cuzco in the afternoon. |
| 4 | This morning we travel to Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake at 12,500 feet above sea level. The trip there is beautiful, as we pass by Andean villages, herds of llama and alpaca, and high snowcaps. And our journey today is also a guided tour, stopping at the Inca site of Raqchi, the old colonial church at Andahuaylillas and the Pukara Culture Archaeological Museum. A buffet lunch is also included. Late afternoon arrival in Puno. |
| 5 | Boats are the transport theme today as our Lake Titicaca trip begins and we head out across the water. Our first stop is the islands of Uros, completely constructed out of totora reeds and floating on the surface of the lake. We’ll take a walk across the spongy surface of these unique islands and go for a ride in a reed boat before continuing on to the island of Amantani, where we’ll spend the night with a local native family. A soccer game with the locals, an amazing sunset, and a music and dance fiesta in native garb are all on the agenda on Amantani today. Please note: our Lake Titicaca family stay is a truly authentic experience which includes being cooked for by and dining with the local family and staying in a room at their house. There is often just candlelight, no electricity, and the bathroom is an outhouse. This is a great experience which is the highlight of many people’s trip, but which can certainly be described as “basic” , “authentic” and “roughing it”. If you do not wish to spend the night on the islands, Taquile and the Floating Islands can be visited on a day trip. |
| 6 | This morning we head to the island of Taquile. The native culture of Taquile is the most intact in probably all of the Andes, with its inhabitants maintaining the same customs and dress as they have for over 1000 years. You will truly feel as though you have gone back in time as you walk the ancient stone paths of the island and observe its people. Afternoon boat ride back to Puno. |
| 7 | After a morning flight to Lima, we’ll have the day free to enjoy the capital city’s many sights, including the Presidential Palace, the catacombs beneath the San Francisco church, and the National Archaeological Museum. |
| 8 | Departure Day |
TRIP DETAILS
8 days: US$2300 per person
Domestic flights included
Depart any day!
Is this trip for me?
Peru: Islands Express is an eight-day tour which includes a family stay on Lake Titicaca, some public transport and high-altitude walks of 30-45 minutes. The rooms with the family are twin-share and very clean, but also very basic, often with no electricity and always with the bathroom outside the house. As always, a certain patience is required for the inconsistencies and occasional delays of developing-world travel.
Joining the tour
On all Southern Crossings tours, you are met at the airport by one of our representatives (holding a Southern Crossings placard), who will accompany you to our joining hotel. No bargaining or being ripped off by airport taxis!
- Private airport pickup at the beginning of trip and drop off at end of the trip
- Southern Crossings bilingual guides
- All other internal transport – (excluding transport to optional restaurants, bars, sights and excursions)
- Domestic flights – Lima-Cuzco, Lake Titicaca-Lima
- Six nights of 3 star hotel accommodation, one night family stay on Lake Titicaca
- Breakfast – included with all hotel stays
- Private Machu Picchu excursion - including bilingual guide, round trip Vistadome or Executive train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary
- Private Lake Titicaca excursion – including three meals with local family
- Guided tour between Cuzco and Puno, including buffet lunch
- Private Cuzco city tour
- Private Lima city tour
- Cuzco Visitor’s Ticket which gives entrance to the major ruins, churches and museums in and around Cuzco
- 24 hour customer support line while on tour
What’s not included
International flight to/from Lima, airport taxes (approx. US$32), pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, tips while on optional excursions and other items of a personal nature. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings though we do require that you have a policy, cancellation insurance is advisable. Any medical insurance is acceptable, we recommend Travel Guard. Click on the logo below for a quote:
Extra Accommodation
We will gladly arrange additional accommodation for you before or after your trip:
In Lima/Cuzco/Machu Picchu: $140 double/$130 single.
Accommodation Upgrades
This tour includes 3 star hotels. We would be happy to give you an upgrade to four or five star. If you would like to select a specific hotel, take a look at the accommodations page above and let us know your preference. We can then work it into your custom itinerary.
Single Person Supplement: $550
Please add this to your total payment if you will be travelling alone or wish to have private accommodation.
PRE-TRIP PLANNER
Required documents
All travelers to Peru are required to have a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry. Visas are not required for E.U., U.S., Canadian, Australian or New Zealand passport holders. For other nationalities, please consult the nearest Peruvian embassy or consulate. An onward ticket and proof of funds may also be required at entry and should be available to show to immigration. Traveler’s checks, currency, or a bank statement, from the bank or printed off the internet, are sufficient for proof of funds.
Required immunizations
No immunizations are required of travelers to these areas of Peru. Travelers may wish to receive hepatitis vaccinations and should be current on all other standard vaccinations. No areas visited on this trip are malarial or yellow fever zones. Please consult your physician or local health department for more information.
Things to bring
One should come well prepared for outdoor activity at temperatures ranging from 30 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and for extremes of sun and the possibility of rain. A list of things to bring would include:
- Passport and, if necessary, visa
- Traveler’s checks and/or cash card
- Airline ticket
- Photocopies of airline ticket and documents
- Wearable pouch for documents and money
- Large, sturdy backpack or suitcase
- Smaller, comfortable day pack
- Trekking/walking boots, comfortable and worn-in
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Rain poncho or jacket
- Waterproof pants
- Sun hat
- Hat for cold weather
- Good, warm clothing for cold weather (think layers!)
- Scarf and gloves
- T-shirts
- Socks (thin wool or biking socks are best), undergarments
- Towel and swimsuit for hot springs
- Camelback or Nalgene bottle (optional)
- Flashlight (head lamps are very handy)
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent (15% DEET recommended)
- Lip balm
- Earplugs
- Alarm clock or watch
- Sanitizing hand wipes or gel
- Camera and film/digital memory cards
- Camera batteries
- Playing cards, games, reading material
- Prescription medications
- Toiletries
Note that common clothing, batteries, film, medications, and such toiletries as toothpaste, toothbrush, toilet paper, deodorant and feminine hygiene items are available in Peru.
It is best to bring from home such items as prescription meds, eyewear and care, extra large clothing, shoes, unusual film and camera batteries. Also note that most digital camera memory cards can be downloaded and burned onto a CD in internet cafes in any large city.
Baggage
For your international flights, please check with your airline. Within Peru, you are allowed 20 kilos (44 lbs) of checked baggage, as well as one carry-on and another small, purse-like item. The carry-on size regulations are the same as international carry-on size regulations.
Climate
Rain is possible at any time of year, especially in high mountains and cloud forest, and one should always be prepared. The climate in sites we will visit is as follows:
Cuzco: days are warm if sunny, slightly chilly if cloudy. Nights are cold in Cuzco.
Lima: warm to hot days, cool evenings, almost never any rain. Often overcast.
Lake Titicaca: similar to Cuzco with stronger sun and colder nights.
Money guide
The unit of currency in Peru is the nuevo sol. Automatic cash points are available in Lima and Cuzco. Visa, MasterCard, Plus, and Cirrus are the most common usable types of cards. Traveler’s checks (American Express is best!) or a Visa or MasterCard for cash advances are also options. Do not bring MoneyGrams or International Money Orders, as they are extremely difficult to exchange. Banks and exchange houses are available in Lima and Cuzco. For currency, U.S. dollars are recommended and most easily exchanged. Please note that cash must be untorn. It can be older-looking, but even the slightest tear on an edge will make it un-changeable. Acceptable bills come out of the ATMs in country. Expect to spend about US$5-10 on a meal, US$2 on a beer, water or soft drink in Peru. Shopping prices are usually lower than people expect. Alpaca sweaters, for example, run between $5 and $30. Currency Converter
“Wonderful holiday in wonderful location. Southern Crossings were superb in their organisation and interaction with us; always supportive and available but never fussing. They made all the difference to our holiday and we would recommend them to anybody who wanted a special holiday in Peru.”
-Julia, Tim and Toby Bishop, UK – Islands Express
“Exceptional. We were traveling with 8 and 10 year old girls and when we wanted to split up so my wife or I could go separately with the guide he was extremely flexible. His knowledge was outstanding as well. Highly recommend your company. You have great people that make it all work very smoothly.”
-Luther Family, USA – Islands Express
“We had a great time. Puno (& pizza) , Lake Titicaca, and the islands (including reeds) were amazing. We were so impressed with the people, who live happily and contentedly with so little…Overall a great and memorable trip.”
-Robert Motta and Teresa Silva, USA – Islands Express
“The tour was absolutely fabulous and they looked after me extremely well – all the arrangements were excellent and I couldn’t fault them. Met at Lima airport and taken to hotel, them back to airport for Cuzco, met at Cuzco airport and accompanied around there and Machu Picchu. I did the Nazca lines extension, but they arranged that from Lima wonderfully as well. Hotels were 3 star or so but fine with an on suite shower TV etc. All the transfers and guides were great and there just when they were meant to be. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough. Have a wonderful trip!”
-Penny Mayo, UK – Islands Express
“Our guide Alcira was the best. Friendly, knowledgeable, patient. Loved “Sexywoman.” Actually, I loved Cuzco – would like to come back and spend more time. I also have to commend Kris – he was awesome also. Great restaurant recommendations. He made everything flow seamlessly. Thanks so much.”
-Barbara Weiss group, USA – Custom Peru Tour