From US$1097 per person (3-star hotel, double room), up to US$2014 per person (5-star hotel, double room). Prices are per person in US dollars and depend on hotel category and room occupancy.
Aymara Baptism Lima, Cusco, Puno 8 Days
- Authentic Aymara baptism: Take part in a powerful cleansing and spiritual rebirth ceremony led by an authentic local shaman (Yatiri).
- High-energy journey: Connect the sacred sun temples of Cusco and the Sacred Valley with the deep spiritual forces of Lake Titicaca.
- Machu Picchu morning light: Discover the breathtaking Incan sanctuary during the early hours, maximizing its mystical and peaceful atmosphere.
- Full stress-free coordination: Enjoy seamless transit from your arrival in Lima, domestic flights, selected hotels, and expert mystical guides.
Discover Peru through an immersive journey that combines ancestral Andean culture, living traditions, spirituality, and unique landscapes. Over 8 days you will travel from the vibrant city of Lima to the historic streets of Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and the mystical Lake Titicaca. Explore important archaeological sites, share time with local communities, and learn about the ancestral traditions that form part of the cultural identity of the Andes.
The journey continues to the ancestral energy of Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas all the way to Machu Picchu, and culminates in the sacred waters of Lake Titicaca, where you will sail to Amantaní Island to experience the Aymara Baptism, an ancestral ritual of purification and connection with the Pachamama.
At a glance
- Days: 8
- Highest point: 4130 m
- Price: From US$1097 per person
Itinerary
Day 1: Reception in Lima, City Tour
Altitude: 100 m · Meals: · Overnight: Lima
Upon your arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, our team will give you a warm welcome and comfortably transfer you to your hotel. At 14 hrs we will begin the Lima City Tour, discovering the elegant modern area of the Peruvian capital. We will visit the exclusive district of Miraflores, where we will walk through the romantic Parque del Amor (Love Park) and the well-known Larcomar, a modern shopping center built on the cliffs with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. We will continue with a panoramic view of Huaca Pucllana, an important pre-Inca ceremonial center that reveals the fascinating archaeological legacy of the ancient Lima culture.
The tour will continue through the Historic Center of Lima, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where we will admire some of the most emblematic colonial monuments in Peru. 14 hrs We will visit the Convent of San Francisco and its famous Catacombs, one of the most important historical attractions in South America, as well as tour the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the elegant Plaza San Martín, and the historic Casa Aliaga, considered the oldest continuously inhabited colonial residence in the Americas. An ideal experience to discover the history, architecture, and cultural richness of the Peruvian capital before beginning your adventure through the country. Lasts approximately 4 hrs.
Day 2: Lima, Ballestas Islands, Huacachina Oasis, Nazca
Altitude: 400 m · Meals: Breakfast, lunch · Overnight: Lima
Very early, between 04:40 and 05:00 a.m., we will begin our trip from Lima to the beautiful bay of Paracas, one of the main nature destinations on the Peruvian coast. After a box-lunch breakfast, we will board a boat to sail toward the impressive Ballestas Islands, an extraordinary wildlife sanctuary where we will observe the enigmatic Paracas Candelabra, as well as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, pelicans, boobies, and numerous guano birds in their natural habitat. Afterward we will visit a traditional winery, where we will learn about the artisanal process of making Pisco, Peru's national drink, as well as local wines, enjoying a tasting before having free time for lunch (optional).
In the afternoon we will continue to the spectacular Huacachina Oasis, considered the only natural oasis in South America and one of the country's most emblematic desert landscapes. Surrounded by giant golden dunes, this destination offers the perfect setting to relax by the lagoon or get a dose of adrenaline with an exciting buggy ride and sandboarding, two of the most popular activities in the Peruvian desert. At the end of this unforgettable experience, we will begin the return trip to Lima, arriving approximately between 10:00 and 11:00 p.m., culminating a day that combines nature, wildlife, gastronomy, tradition, and adventure on the Peruvian coast.
Day 3: Cusco, City Tour
Altitude: 3400 a 3800 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Cusco (3400 m)
In the morning we will transfer you to the airport to board your flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and one of the most important cultural destinations in the Americas. After arriving at more than 3,400 m a.s.l., you will have time to acclimatize before beginning a tour of a city where Inca and colonial architecture coexist in perfect harmony, creating a unique setting declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
In the afternoon, 13 hrs, we will begin the Cusco City Tour, visiting the impressive Qoricancha, the ancient Temple of the Sun and main religious sanctuary of the Tahuantinsuyo. We will continue to the archaeological park of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, extraordinary examples of Inca engineering and worldview. 18:30 hrs We will finish near the Plaza de Armas, the historic heart of the city and the ideal spot to enjoy the atmosphere, architecture, and essence of the Andes.
Day 4: Sacred Valley VIP, Chinchero, Moray, Maras Salt Mines, Ollantaytambo, Train to Aguas Calientes
Altitude: 2040 a 3762 m · Meals: Breakfast, buffet lunch · 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. In the afternoon we will board the tourist train to **Aguas Calientes**, where we will spend the night.
Day 5: Machu Picchu, Guided Visit, Return to Cusco - Puno
Altitude: 2040 a 3000 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Bus Cama Cusco, Puno, 7 hrs (3400 m)
After breakfast, in coordination with our guide, we will board the bus to **Machu Picchu** for a 2.5-hour guided tour of the citadel. After the tour we will descend to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch (not included).
In the afternoon you will take the train back to Cusco and, upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, we will transfer you to your hostel. At night we will board the night bus that will take us to the city of **Puno**.
Day 6: Lake Titicaca, Aymara Baptism & Pachatata
Altitude: 3810 a 4130 m · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Amantaní (3950 m)
In the morning our staff will pick you up at the terminal. 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 7: Lake Titicaca, Cochamacho Ceremony
Altitude: 3810 a 3900 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Puno (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 as a source of life in the highlands.
Day 8: Free Day in Puno, Transfer Juliaca Airport, Flight to Lima
Altitude: 3700 a 3827 m · Meals: Breakfast · Overnight: Lima (3800 m)
You will have a free day to do activities of your preference, such as visiting the Plaza de Armas, visiting museums and craft markets, or buying souvenirs to take a piece of Peru with you.
At the appropriate time, we will head to Juliaca airport to take the return flight to **Lima**, closing this journey that combined desert, coast, mountains, and highlands.
What is included
- Entrances and permits Machu Picchu entrance (Circuit 2): It is essential to book months in advance. This classic circuit offers the traditional postcard view from the Guardian's House and covers the upper and lower parts of the citadel.
- High-quality service and safety Pre-departure briefing, official bilingual guides, first aid kit with oxygen, and 24/7 assistance.
- Accommodation 7 nights 3 stars Lima: 2 nights in Miraflores. Cusco: 2 nights. Aguas Calientes: 1 night. Puno: 1 night in family home and 1 night at a hotel.
- Meals 7 breakfasts, 1 buffet lunch, and 1 dinner, according to each day's itinerary.
- Transportation and group transfers Airport pick-up, shared transfers for Lima City Tour, Ballestas Islands, Huacachina, Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley, the Cusco, Puno route (night bus), and Lake Titicaca.
- Train tickets and tourist bus Ollantaytambo, Machupicchu Town (PeruRail Expedition), return (PeruRail Vistadome), and tourist bus Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu.
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. Days 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8: Lunch and dinner. Day 4: Dinner.
- Personal clothing and equipment, travel insurance, and tips 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 does the 8-day Aymara Baptism Lima - Cusco - Puno include?
This package combines the best of the Peruvian highlands with the cultural Aymara Baptism experience: Lima (City Tour), flight to Cusco (City Tour + Sacsayhuamán), Sacred Valley (Pisac + Ollantaytambo), Cusco-Puno panoramic bus, Uros and Taquile Islands, complete Aymara Baptism ceremony with Yatiri, and return flight to Lima from Juliaca. Includes bilingual guide and hotels with breakfast.
What is the 8-day itinerary?
Day 1: Lima (arrival, historic center City Tour). Day 2: Lima-Cusco flight, Cusco City Tour (Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán). Day 3: Sacred Valley VIP (Pisac, lunch, Ollantaytambo). Day 4: Maras + Moray + free afternoon in Cusco. Day 5: Cusco-Puno panoramic bus (Raqchi, La Raya, Pucara). Day 6: Uros Islands + Taquile Island. Day 7: Aymara Baptism ceremony + Aymara community. Day 8: Juliaca-Lima flight.
Does the package include Machu Picchu?
The 8-day package does not include Machu Picchu to keep an accessible price and focus on the cultural Aymara Baptism experience. If you wish to include Machu Picchu, we recommend the 10 or 12-day Aymara Baptism package, which do include the Inca citadel visit along with the Aymara ceremony. We can also add it as an optional extension to the 8-day package.
What is the Aymara Baptism and how does it work?
The Aymara Baptism is an Andean spiritual welcome ceremony led by a Yatiri (Aymara wise man) on the shores of Lake Titicaca. It lasts ~2 hours and includes a ritual table with offerings to Pachamama, invocations in the Aymara language, and the presentation of a personalized Aymara name for the traveler with its meaning. No prior religious beliefs are required; it is an experience of respect and connection with the Andean worldview.
What is the altitude throughout the tour?
Cusco is at 3,400 m, La Raya Pass at 4,338 m, Puno at 3,830 m, and Lake Titicaca at 3,812 m. Lima is at sea level. If you fly direct Lima-Cusco, acclimatization can be challenging the first few days. It is recommended to take it easy on the first day in Cusco, stay well hydrated, and rest. By the day in Puno you will have had 4-5 days at altitude, which helps adaptation.
Are domestic flights included?
Yes, the package includes the domestic Lima-Cusco flight at the start of the tour and the return Juliaca-Lima flight at the end (Puno's airport is in Juliaca, ~45 minutes away). International flights to and from Peru are not included. Airport-hotel transfers in Lima, Cusco, and Juliaca airport are included.
How many people are in the group?
Groups have between 6 and 14 people. For the Aymara Baptism ceremony we recommend groups of up to 10-12 people to maintain the intimate and respectful atmosphere. We also offer the tour in private mode (from 2 people) with an exclusive ceremony, private guide, and greater flexibility. Ideal for couples, families, or those seeking a more personal experience.
What is the best time for this tour?
This tour can be done year-round. The dry season (May-October) offers clear skies, ideal for Lake Titicaca and photos. In Puno, February is especially magical because of the Festival de la Candelaria, one of the largest folkloric celebrations in the Americas. During the rainy season (November-April) landscapes are greener but there may be afternoon rainfall.
Is travel insurance needed?
We recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers medical expenses (including altitude evacuation from Puno and Cusco), cancellations, lost luggage, and flight delays. The altitudes of Cusco (3,400 m) and Puno (3,830 m) require the insurance to cover high-altitude activities. Check with your local insurance agency or platforms like World Nomads.
What is the cancellation policy?
A 30% deposit is required to confirm the booking. The balance must be paid 30 days before the start date. Cancellations more than 30 days in advance: full refund minus administrative fees. Between 15-30 days: 50% charge. Less than 15 days: no refund. Coordinating the ceremony with the Aymara community requires advance notice, so we recommend not canceling with less than 30 days' notice.
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