Grand tour on the Route of the Sun: Andean lagoons, colorful mountains, and immersion at Lake Titicaca (8 Days)

Your driver picks you up at your hotel around 4:00 AM to head towards Tinki, then the Andean village of Pacchanta. After an invigorating local breakfast, you begin an approximately 6-hour hike at the foot of the majestic Mount Ausangate. Along the way, you discover a succession of lagoons with colored waters (Azulcocha, Oqécocha, Pucacocha, Alqacocha, and Q'omercocha), moving among llamas, alpacas, viscachas, and, with a little luck, condors. For lunch, you enjoy an authentic Pachamanca (a Peruvian specialty cooked underground with hot stones) facing the Andean landscapes. The effort is rewarded with a relaxing bath in the Pacchanta hot springs before hitting the road to Andahuaylillas.

Accommodation: Dinner included and overnight in the Andahuaylillas area.

Very early departure heading south towards the province of Acomayo. After about 3 hours on the road, you reach the starting point of your hike to Waqra Pukara. Depending on your physical condition, your guide chooses the most suitable route (about 5 hours of walking) to reach this hidden jewel of Peru. Although the adventure represents a physical challenge, the spectacle upon arrival is unforgettable! Perched at the top of the cliffs dominating the Apurímac canyon, this Inca fortress intrigues with its horn-shaped architecture. Your guide reveals all the secrets of this ancient astronomical observatory and place of worship before heading back down.

Accommodation: Night at Hotel Casona Checacupe - AEDO (standard room).

Today, you take an alternative and uncrowded route for a lovely walk on the circuit of the 4 lagoons (Pomacanchi, Acopia, Asnacocha, and Pampamarca). This route of about 20 km allows you to appreciate the absolute calm of the Peruvian Andes while immersing yourself in the daily life and traditions of the local Quechua populations. In the afternoon, you visit the archaeological complex of Raqchi, a place of paramount importance during the Inca Empire. There, you discover the monumental temple dedicated to the creator god Viracocha, before settling in the heart of the community for the night.

Accommodation: Homestay in the Raqchi community.

Your trekking day leads you to discover the Pallay Puncho rainbow mountain, one of the most unknown geological treasures of the Peruvian Altiplano. Much less visited than Vinicunca or Palcoyo, Pallay Puncho is a steep rocky massif with ochre, red, and pointed hues. From its summit, you enjoy not only a timeless setting but also a breathtaking panorama of the village of Layo and the blue waters of the Langui lagoon, which you reach at the end of the day.

Accommodation: Night at Apu T'acllo Lodge Layo.

You hit the road again today to travel the rest of the legendary Route of the Sun, a cultural itinerary connecting the Cusco region to Puno. To enrich your journey, several stops are planned away from the tourist buses. You notably explore the impressive Tinajani canyon, a spectacular site with rocky formations and pink sandstone giants. At the end of the day, you reach the sublime Capachica Peninsula on the shores of Lake Titicaca, where Venancio and his family open their doors to you.

Accommodation: Homestay (Venancio's house) in Paramis.

During this full day of your stay at Venancio's, you enjoy the absolute calm of the peninsula through magnificent walks. You can walk to Paramis beach or climb up to the village viewpoint for a panoramic view of the vastness of the lake. The more athletic can undertake a long hike around the peninsula to the neighboring village of Llachon. At dawn or in the late afternoon, you accompany your host for a traditional fishing session on the lake, discovering the ancestral techniques used by the inhabitants of Titicaca.

Accommodation: Homestay (Venancio's house) in Paramis.

Have you ever dreamed of sailing on the highest navigable lake in the world? This morning, you set sail for a unique sailboat session on the cool waters of Titicaca, a moment of pure tranquility. Back on dry land, you enjoy a treat at Venancio's and participate in a culinary workshop with his family to learn how to bake the famous quinoa bread, a local specialty. After moving goodbyes with your hosts, your private driver takes you to the city of Puno (about 1.5 hours away).

Accommodation: Night at your hotel in Puno.

For this final morning, your driver accompanies you from Puno to the Juliaca airport. Along the way, you take a final fascinating detour to discover the Sillustani archaeological site, bordered by the waters of the Umayo lagoon. There you explore the famous chullpas, immense cylindrical funerary towers unique to the Quechua and Aymara pre-Inca cultures, marking the end of this majestic journey in the Andes.