Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, and Colca Canyon

Transfer early in the morning to the nearby train station and board the luxury all-day train from Cusco to Puno. This is one of the most fabulous train journeys you will ever experience. The service is top notch, the food is delicious, and the entertainment is culturally representative. Meet your guide at the train station in Puno and transfer to your hotel located in the center of Puno. The evening is free for exploring or relaxing.

Get an early start to your day by boarding a shared fast boat for a cruise on the lake. Your own private guide explains the history of the area, traditions, and agricultural methods. Visit a couple tiny, floating islands before docking at Taquile Island for lunch. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s an opportunity to climbs to the top of the island for a spectacular view of Lake Titicaca.

In the morning, board a bus toward the “White City” of Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Drive through the high Andes, passing multiples lakes and brilliant views. Over the course of the drive, visit the Silustani Ruins, which pre-date the Incas.  Enjoy lunch beside a serene lake where you can spot flamingos and other native Andean birds.

Today you will bask in the gloriousness of the Colca Canyon. To give you an idea of the canyon’s immense size, it is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon here in the United States. One of the most special things about the canyon is the fact that it’s home to the Andean Condor. Search for this graceful bird with your private guide during the drive to Cruz del Condor.

Later, visit local towns on the way back to the lodge, a drive that offers many unique photo opportunities. Relax with a tasty lunch before either hiking to the nearby pre-Inca ruins, Yanque Museum or having a tour of the native culture and weavings in the area.

Early in the morning set off for Arequipa. During the climb out of the canyon, relish in spectacular views of the surrounding desert and volcanoes. Eat a box lunch en route. Upon arrival in “The White City,” named after the marble Plaza de Armas, transfer to your centrally located hotel. Relax for a bit before meeting with your guide for an afternoon orientation walk. The highlight of the tour is the Santa Catalina Monastery, first opened to the public in 1970. The evening is free to experience Arequipa’s brilliant nightlife and tasty restaurants.

Depending on your flight times, you may have the morning to explore Arequipa. We recommend stopping by the Andean Sanctuary Museum, which houses a collection of frozen mummies sacrificed on the nearby mountain tops. Transfer to Arequipa airport in time for your flight to Lima and onward.