Andean Connection 08 Days / 07 Nights

ITINERARY

DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN CUSCO + HUILLOC COMMUNITY (LOCAL GUIDE)

How exciting it is to arrive in Cusco! (Preferably a flight arriving before 11:00 am) Upon your arrival at Velasco Astete Airport, our team will give you a warm welcome before taking you to the rural community of Huilloc , located at 3,780 meters above sea level. There, in the home of a family , you will live an authentic and moving experience.

In this picturesque Andean village, the family will open the doors of their home to you and invite you to be part of their daily life, sharing traditional activities, games and moments of togetherness.

At 12:30 pm, a special welcome from the community, followed by a "Pachamanca" lunch, which includes a variety of potatoes, sweet potato, anu, plantain, beef, guinea pig, chicken, cheese, broad beans and corn.

At 2:30 p.m., you will participate in a cultural activity that will allow you to learn more about the ancestral customs of Huilloc and the way of life of its inhabitants . It will be an ideal opportunity to interact with the community and learn from their wisdom. (Choose one*)

At 7:00 pm, enjoy a family dinner where you can savor homemade dishes prepared with local ingredients, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Rest at the Huilloc glamping site.

DAY 02: HUILLOC COMMUNITY + CUYO CHICO COMMUNITY (WITHOUT A TOUR GUIDE)

At 7:30 a.m., we enjoyed a delicious breakfast surrounded by family and nature. Afterward, we prepared for a cultural activity. ( Choose one*)

At 10:00 a.m., we packed our bags and said goodbye to the children and the lovely family. On the way to the community of Cuyo Chico, we made a brief stop at a hotel in the Sacred Valley to drop off our luggage.

At 12:30 pm, Master Vicente Rayo Quispe welcomes us to the community and invites us to enjoy a premium Andean lunch outdoors (Andean Style* See Image*), connecting with Pachamama (Mother Earthland). It's an opportunity to enjoy Andean products from Cusco, derived from ancestral agricultural knowledge practiced from the Inca Empire to the present day. ( See menu*)

Ancestral Painting Workshop in front of the Pisac Archaeological Complex in an Andean-style setting: After lunch, we begin the workshop with the distribution of materials and instructions from the instructor. Guided by his experience, we begin painting with ancestral techniques and six traditional colors. Later, each participant will have the opportunity to create their own design. Afterward, we will present the finished works and then visit the "Sounds of the Andes" Interpretation Center to learn about the ancestral sounds of the region.

We ended the experience with an emotional farewell.

This workshop not only allows you to take home a handmade piece as a souvenir, but also offers a moment of peace, creativity and connection with ancestral Andean art.

In the afternoon, we went to the hotel.

Accommodation in Valle.

DAY 03: MACHU PICCHU (WITH ON-SITE TOUR GUIDE)

Breakfast at the hotel.

The day has arrived to visit one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World . We will travel to the Ollantaytambo train station and arrive at the Machu Picchu town station , where our team will assist us in boarding the bus that will take us to the entrance of the sanctuary. The journey along a road with breathtaking curves will offer spectacular views of the Urubamba River as it carves the famous canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will welcome us with its incredible terraces, staircases, ceremonial sites, and urban areas. The energy emanates from the entire site. After a guided tour, we will return to town to enjoy a delicious lunch at one of the local restaurants. Finally, we will return to the city of Cusco, filled with unforgettable memories .

Overnight in Cusco.

DAY 04: SUN ROUTE CUSCO - PUNO: RAQCHI COMMUNITY + TRADITIONAL CERAMICS WORKSHOP (WITH PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE)

Breakfast at the hotel.

We packed our things to head to the community of Raqchi, located between the cities of Cusco and Puno. Raqchi is known for the collaborative work of eight families, led by women committed to sustainable development and community-based tourism.

On this journey, we'll visit some important attractions that will leave you in awe. First, the chapel of Andahuaylillas, known as "the Sistine Chapel of the Americas" for the breathtaking beauty of its murals. A true artistic treasure!

Upon arrival, the women warmly welcomed us and shared their way of life. We visited the Raqchi Archaeological Park, accompanied by the community, to explore one of the most impressive Inca complexes in the area.

We enjoyed a lunch prepared with Andean-inspired products , bursting with local flavors. Afterward, we participated in a traditional pottery workshop , a living expression of Raqchi's identity, and had free time to appreciate the scenery and purchase handmade crafts.

With gratitude, we said goodbye to our hosts and continued our journey to Puno.

Our next stop will be La Raya Pass , the natural border between the cities of Cusco and Puno . The views here are simply spectacular!

Finally, we will visit the fascinating Lithic Museum of Pukara, where we will admire the famous sculpture of Hatun Ñan Qac, known as the supreme executioner. This museum is a window into the past and the ancient cultures that inhabited this region.

Accommodation in Puno.

DAY 05: UROS COMMUNITY - AMANTANÍ COMMUNITY (WITH PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE)

Breakfast at the hotel.

At 7:45 AM, the excursion begins with a transfer from your hotel to the port of Puno to board our boat bound for the Floating Islands of Uros, Amantani, and Taquile. Our first destination is the Uros Islands, located 10 km and a 45-minute boat ride from Puno . We will visit two of the more than 100 islets, where we will learn about their way of life, history, customs, and main activities such as handicrafts, tourism, and artisanal fishing. During the visit, our guide will explain the construction of the Floating Islands, which are made from totora reeds. Native families will also invite us for an additional 20-minute ride on their traditional totora reed boats.

Next, we'll head to Amantani Island (a 2-hour and 45-minute journey). Upon arrival, a family will be waiting to welcome us into their home and show us their way of life and offer us a taste of their traditional cuisine (family lunch). In the afternoon, we'll ascend to the temples of "Pacha Tata" and "Pacha Mama," ancestral archaeological sites that are ritualistic places also known as "Apus." We'll be able to appreciate the majestic panoramic view of the sunset over Lake Titicaca. We'll then descend to the main square where each family will take us back to our homestay.

To end the day, we will have dinner with the family and participate in a welcome offered by the community.

Resting at a family home on Amantani Island.

DAY 06: AMANTANÍ COMMUNITY - TAQUILE COMMUNITY (WITH PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE)

The next day, we'll begin with a traditional breakfast, savoring the authentic flavors of the region before embarking on our journey to the magical island of Taquile. Upon arrival, we'll immerse ourselves in its charm with a 40-minute walk, surrounded by breathtaking views of Lake Titicaca. Reaching the main square, we'll be welcomed by the island's warm inhabitants, guardians of a vibrant and profound culture . Our guide will reveal the secrets of their history, the meaning behind their colorful clothing, the mastery of their handweaving , and the traditions that have made this place a true cultural treasure, recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as a " Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."

At midday, we'll enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant with a spectacular view of the lake , where the breeze and tranquility of the surroundings will envelop us. Afterward, we'll explore the area, discovering the iconic stone arches that have witnessed time and generations. Finally, we'll begin our descent to the island's port, where our boat will be waiting to take us back to the city of Puno and then to our hotel, thus concluding an unforgettable experience filled with culture, history, and a connection to the essence of the people of Taquile, Amantaní, and Uros.

Accommodation in Puno.

DAY 07: ARAMU MURU (WITH PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE)

Breakfast at the hotel

A visit to Aramu Muru represents one of the most special and mystical moments on the Aymara Route. This enigmatic portal carved into a natural rock formation is considered by local tradition to be a sacred energy center, linked to ancient spiritual ceremonies and legends about portals connecting worlds.

Upon arrival, a mindful approach walk will take place, allowing for a gradual connection with the natural environment and the silence of the high plateau. In front of the portal, the guide will share ancestral stories, symbolic interpretations, and the spiritual significance of the place within the Andean worldview.

Visitors will have time for contemplation and reflection, ideal for personal introspection, meditation, or simply to feel the energy of the space, always respecting the environment and local traditions. This experience invites you to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with the ancestral wisdom of the Andes. Return to the hotel.

Accommodation in Puno.

DAY 08: DEPARTURE FROM PUNO

Breakfast at the hotel, enjoying the last moments in the Folklore Capital of Peru.

At the agreed-upon time, our team will transfer you to Inca Manco Cápac Airport for your return flight to Lima or your home country. Thank you for visiting Puno!

Thank you for visiting Cusco and Puno, for sharing with the communities and their traditions!