Peru - 8 day Peru itinerary - seeking advice (MP, Sacred Valley plus ?)

We have a group of 5-6 people with a partially developed itinerary and I would appreciate feedback to help fill in some question marks. Primary questions are:
(1) Can we squeeze in Lake Titicaca and the Condors / Arequipa if we arrive in Juliaca on a Wednesday night and need to be back in Lima on Saturday late afternoon?
(2) recommended places / hotels / activities in Lake Titcaca and if we can squeeze in Arequipa, that area too
(3) Any restaurants we shouldn't miss in the areas described below and an overnight in Lima?

Current itinerary for late May:
Saturday: Arrive Cuzco late morning and head to Tambo del Inca Starwood in Urubamba (points)
Sunday: Sacred Valley tour, stay at Starwood in Urubamba
Monday: Spa, hang in valley then leave for Aguas Caliente in afternoon for train views then stay overnight.
Tuesday: Machu Pichu via first transportation then take 5:50pm train to Cuzco. Overnight in Cuzco
Wednesday: Cuzco in morning (main square and Museo Inka) then take 3:00pm flight to Juliaca for Lake Titicaca. (Need to figure out where to stay)
Thursday: uros and taquille? Need to decide what to do and where to stay?
Friday uros and taquille? Need to decide what to do and where to stay?
Saturday: Lake? then Depart for Lima in afternoon

Many thanks!

Hmm ...

Here's a couple of thoughts.
- I would consider spending an extra day in Cusco and a day less in Lake Titicaca.
- Staying in Uros/Taquile is quite different after your stay at the Tambo del Inka. Consider staying in Puno instead.
- In Cusco, I've had great experiences with the Casa Andina chain. They have 2 hotels near the square in Cusco. (And also another 1 or 2 in Puno.)

Cheers,
SometimesFlyer.

(3) Any restaurants we shouldn't miss in the areas described below and an overnight in Lima?

Lima - Astrid and Gaston.

I don't think you can squeeze in the condors at in the Colca Canyon. It is recommended to arrive at the condor viewing area early in the morning because that is the best time to see the condors. To get to the viewing point in the morning, you would have to do the drive at night or stay the night in Chivay the night before. I don't know the driving time from Juliaca to Chivay but the drive from Juliaca to Arequipa is about 4-5 hours. I would guess Juliaca to Chivay would be about the same.

I agree with SometimesFlyer on all his points.
-I would agree about spending an extra day in Cuzco rather than Puno. I found Arequipa more charming Puno and Cuzco more charming than both Arequipa and Puno.
-I only did a day trip to Uros and Taquille but from what I was told and what I saw, the accommodations on the islands are very basic.
-The Casa Andina hotels are nice. The Arequipa branch is a little off the main square but fine.

Dining Recommendations
Try the trucha (trout) in Puno. It is supposed to be a specialty of the Lake Titicaca region. You can also try the cuy in Cuzco because when's the next time you can eat guinea pig. In Lime, I can recommend El Punto Azul in the Miraflores district. I went there for lunch and it was one of the bets meals I've had in Peru.

Thank you all for the helpful recommendations for travel and dining.

We will plan to shift a day from Lake T to Cuzco and appreciate the feedback that we can't squeeze in the Canyons.

If you spend two days in Puno, I'd stay at Puno city. The city is not that beautiful, but it is useful to stay there so the first day you can take a day trip to Uros and Taquile. The 2nd day I recommend Sillustani, near Umayo lagoon. It's an amazing place, the lagoon is smaller than Titicaca lake but it is extremely beautiful.

Sillustani is a cemetery (34km from Puno city) where a series of impressive tombs pertaining to the Aymara - Kolla culture can be seen (1200 - 1450).These impressive stone constructions (called chullpas) were developed in the North part of the lagoon, in the well-known locality of Hatuncolla. The particular form of the tombs is round and larger on top than below, made of well-set volcanic stone.

There are tours that include a visit (on the way back to Puno city), to local peasants homes, where they show you how they live and even invite you local food. I really enjoyed that trip.

Just do a search of Sillustani at Google images and you'll get an idea of the place.

I'll second the recommendation for Astrid y Gaston in Lima. It's wonderful!

Like SometimesFlyer, I have also had a good experience at Casa Andina.

I'll second the recommendation for Astrid y Gaston in Lima. It's wonderful!

Like SometimesFlyer, I have also had a good experience at Casa Andina.

I agree about Casa Andina and there is Casa Andina at Puno City too (and at Suasi Island in Titicaca lake though this is far from city and Taquile, plus very expensive)

I agree about Casa Andina and there is Casa Andina at Puno City too (and at Suasi Island in Titicaca lake though this is far from city and Taquile, plus very expensive)

Gosh, Isla Suasi is beautiful. If you can spare a 2 night stay, go for it. Also, since you have 5 to 6 people, depending on the make up of the group, you can consider staying in the lakeside cottage meant for families. It is right by the water (vs a 30-50m walk for the other rooms).

Is the Libertador on Lago Titicaca worth the visit? We don't have time for Isla Suasi...

Is the Libertador on Lago Titicaca worth the visit? We don't have time for Isla Suasi...

Hmm, really depends on what you are looking for. Here's my impressions.

The Libertador Lake Titicaca is like a giant white spaceship landed on the banks of the lake, large modern hotel with the trappings you expect of 5-star accommodations.

I'm sure many will disagree with me but my 2-cents is that I would give it a pass and spend the $ elsewhere in my trip.

Hmm, really depends on what you are looking for. Here's my impressions.

The Libertador Lake Titicaca is like a giant white spaceship landed on the banks of the lake, large modern hotel with the trappings you expect of 5-star accommodations.

I agree again with SometimesFlyer. I'd rather stay at a Casa Andina within Puno City, it's more practical and a good hotel. If you want a more "lake" experience then the best choice is Casa Andina Private Collection at Isla Suasi, far from Puno City and more expensive than the regular Casa Andinas but worth it.

Another good option near the lake and not far from the city is Sonesta Posadas del Inca Puno. Architecture more according to surroundings, good views, overall a nice place. Near the hotel there is a ship from the old republic (late XIX century), the Yavari, an interesting visit too.