From US$917 per person (3-star hotel, double room), up to US$1430 per person (5-star hotel, double room). Prices are per person in US dollars and depend on hotel category and room occupancy.
Aymara Baptism Cusco - Puno 5 Days
- Authentic Aymara baptism: Participate in a genuine cleansing and spiritual rebirth ceremony led by an experienced local shaman (Yatiri).
- Cusco & Puno mysticism: Connect the ancient energy of the Incan imperial capital with the sacred vastness of the Altiplano and Lake Titicaca.
- Lake-front sacred ritual: Experience this powerful mystical ceremony surrounded by unique natural landscapes filled with ancient Andean spiritual forces.
- Deep cultural immersion: Understand the ancestral meanings behind offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the traditional cosmic worldview.
Experience a cultural and spiritual journey through Cusco and Puno on a 5-day program inspired by Andean tradition. Discover the historical richness of the Inca Empire, explore sacred landscapes of the Andes, and learn about the ancestral traditions of the communities that keep their cultural identity alive. The route connects Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca, combining heritage, nature, and culture.
The journey continues with an overnight ride to Puno and culminates in the sacred waters of Lake Titicaca, where you will sail to the Capachica peninsula and Amantaní Island to experience the Aymara Baptism and the Cochamacho Ceremony, two ancestral rituals of purification and gratitude to the Pachamama.
At a glance
- Days: 5
- Highest point: 4130 m
- Price: From US$917 per person
Itinerary
Day 1: Reception in Lima, Flight Lima to Cusco - Cusco City Tour
Altitude: 3400 a 3800 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)
Upon arrival at Cusco, Peru airport, our agency staff will be waiting for you in the arrivals area with a sign with your name, to give you a warm welcome and comfortably transfer you to your hotel. At 12:45 PM we begin the **Cusco City Tour** excursion, touring the main tourist attractions of the city and its surroundings.
At 13:00 hours the Cusco City Tour will begin, a fascinating experience to discover the historical and cultural richness of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. During the tour you will visit Qoricancha, the impressive Sacsayhuamán, and the archaeological sites of Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, accompanied by a professional guide who will introduce you to the history, architecture, and legacy of one of the most emblematic cities in South America.
Day 2: Sacred Valley VIP, Chinchero, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo, Train to Aguas Calientes
Altitude: 2040 a 3762 m · Meals: Breakfast, buffet lunch and dinner (according to package) · Overnight: Aguas Calientes (2040 m)
After breakfast between 06:20 and 06:50 hrs, we will begin the Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour, one of the most complete and unforgettable experiences in Cusco, Peru. We will discover Chinchero, renowned for its textile traditions and Inca legacy; continue toward the impressive circular terraces of Moray, an ancient agricultural laboratory, and the spectacular Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt pools continue to be worked using ancestral techniques passed down from generation to generation.
We will enjoy a buffet lunch in the Urubamba valley and visit **Ollantaytambo**, the last living Inca city. Then we transfer you to the train station, where we will board the tourist train in the afternoon to **Aguas Calientes**, where we will spend the night.
Day 3: Machu Picchu, Guided Visit, Night Bus to Puno
Altitude: 2040 a 3800 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Regular bus Cusco, Puno, 7 hrs (3400 m)
After breakfast at the hotel, in coordination with our guide, we will board the bus to **Machu Picchu** (approx. 30 minutes) where we will have a 2.5-hour guided tour of the citadel, seeing its most important sectors.
At the end of the guided visit, we will descend to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch or explore this charming Andean town. In the afternoon we will board the panoramic tourist train back to Ollantaytambo, crossing the spectacular Urubamba River valley before our private transfer to Cusco. At night we will board the overnight bus that will take us to the city of **Puno**. 7-hour trip, arriving in the city of Puno at 5 am
Day 4: Lake Titicaca, Aymara Baptism
Altitude: 3810 a 4130 m · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Amantaní (3950 m)
In the morning our staff will pick you up at the terminal to begin the tour. We depart by boat to the **Capachica, Llachón** peninsula, where we will perform the **Aymara Baptism**, a purification ceremony and connection with Pachamama and Mamacocha (Lake Titicaca).
We continue to **Amantaní Island**, where we will learn about the daily life of its inhabitants. In the afternoon, we will ascend to the sacred mountain **Pachatata** to participate in an Andean ceremony of gratitude to the universe. Dinner and night in a family home in Amantaní.
Day 5: Lake Titicaca, Cochamacho Ceremony
Altitude: 3810 a 3900 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: In transit (3810 m)
After a typical breakfast, we return by boat to Puno, making a stop at the **Floating Islands of the Uros**, where we will learn about the ancestral traditions of this millenary people.
Then, we will participate in the **Andean Cochamacho Ceremony**, a cultural experience full of music, dances, and traditional costumes, dedicated to gratitude to water. In the afternoon we will head to the airport to take the return flight to Lima.
What is included
- Entrances and permits Cusco Tourist Ticket, entrance to Maras Salt Mines, and Machu Picchu entrance ticket (Circuit 2).
- High-quality service and safety Pre-departure briefing, official bilingual guides, first aid kit with oxygen, and 24/7 assistance.
- Accommodation Cusco: 1 night in central hotel 3 stars. Aguas Calientes: 1 night in comfortable hotel 3 stars. Amantaní: 1 night in family home.
- Meals 4 breakfasts, 1 buffet lunch, and 1 dinner, according to each day's itinerary.
- Transportation and group transfers Airport pick-up, shared transfers for City Tour, Sacred Valley, the Cusco, Puno route (night bus), and Lake Titicaca.
- Train tickets Ollantaytambo, Machupicchu Town (PeruRail Expedition) and return (PeruRail Vistadome).
What is not included
- Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain Optional entrance, subject to availability and advance request. Additional cost: US$75.00 per person.
- Meals not included Day 1: Lunch and dinner. Day 3: Lunch and dinner. Day 4: Lunch. Day 5: Lunch and dinner.
- Personal Expenses, Tips, and Travel Insurance Personal clothing and hiking equipment. Tips for guides, drivers, and service staff (optional but recommended).
- Possible Costs or Delays Beyond Our Control Landslides, bad weather, itinerary modifications for safety reasons, strikes, or other unforeseen events.
Frequently asked questions
What is the "Aymara Baptism" and what does it involve?
The Aymara Baptism is an ancestral ceremony of the Aymara culture that inhabits the shores of Lake Titicaca. In this ritual, a Yatiri (Aymara wise man or shaman) invokes Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the lake's gods to spiritually welcome the traveler, giving them an Aymara name and blessing their journey. It is an authentic cultural experience with deep respect for the Andean worldview.
What is the itinerary of the 5-day Aymara Baptism tour from Cusco?
Day 1: Cusco panoramic bus (stops at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya) Puno. Day 2: Uros Floating Islands + Taquile Island (typical lunch). Day 3: Aymara Baptism ceremony with Yatiri on the shores of Lake Titicaca + Aymara community visit. Day 4: Puno Copacabana (Bolivia) return to Puno. Day 5: Puno flight or bus to Cusco/Lima.
What is the Aymara Baptism ceremony like?
The ceremony lasts approximately 2 hours and takes place on the shores of Lake Titicaca, in a sacred space of the Aymara community. The Yatiri prepares a ritual table with coca leaves, flowers, minerals, and symbolic elements. Offerings are made to Pachamama and Lake Titicaca, prayers are recited in the Aymara language, and the traveler is given their Aymara name along with a blessing for their journey. It is a solemn and moving experience.
What does the 5-day package include?
Included: Cusco-Puno panoramic bus with lunch and cultural stops, hotels in Puno (3 nights) with breakfast, bilingual guide specializing in Andean culture, boat to Uros Islands and Taquile with lunch, complete Aymara Baptism ceremony with the Yatiri, Aymara name certificate, Aymara community visit, and Aymara Route tour to Copacabana. Flights and travel insurance not included.
Is the ceremony respectful of Aymara culture?
Absolutely. The ceremony is organized in direct coordination with the Aymara community of Puno, and the Yatiri (wise man) who leads it is a spiritual leader recognized by his own community. This is not a folkloric performance but a real cultural practice. Income from the ceremony contributes directly to the community. The guide explains the meaning of each element so the experience is one of mutual learning and respect.
What is the altitude in Puno and what precautions should I take?
Puno is at 3,830 m above sea level, one of Peru's highest cities. Lake Titicaca is at 3,812 m. If you arrive from Cusco (3,400 m) on the panoramic bus, you will have some acclimatization base. Even so, in Puno drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol the first few days, rest well the first night, and drink coca tea. Boat rides on Lake Titicaca can make you feel the altitude more.
What language do the Aymara people speak?
The Aymara people speak the Aymara language, an ancestral tongue of the Andean altiplano spoken by around 2 million people in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. In Puno and the Peruvian shore of Lake Titicaca many community members are bilingual (Aymara and Spanish). During the ceremony the Yatiri will use the Aymara language for prayers and offerings; our bilingual guide will translate and explain each part of the ceremony.
Can I participate in the ceremony even if I am not religious?
Yes, the ceremony is open to people of any faith, religion, or cultural background. The Aymara Baptism is a universal spiritual welcome based on respect for nature, Pachamama, and the community. No prior beliefs are required. Many agnostic travelers or those of other religions participate with curiosity and respect, and describe it as one of the most meaningful experiences of their trip to Peru.
How many people are in the group?
Groups have between 6 and 12 people to maintain the intimacy and respect the ceremony deserves. Larger groups can be divided. We also offer the experience in private mode (from 2 people) where the ceremony is completely personalized. Private mode is especially recommended for couples, families, or those seeking a more intimate and profound experience.
What is the cancellation policy?
A 30% deposit is required to book the 5-day Aymara Baptism. The balance must be paid 15 days before the start date. Cancellations more than 15 days in advance: full refund minus administrative fees. Between 7-15 days: 50% charge. Less than 7 days: no refund. The ceremony requires coordination with the Aymara community, which is why the minimum cancellation period is shorter.
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