The Sacred Inca: A Different Look
April 29 - May 10, 2007
Magnificent Machu
Picchu
Let's be honest--there are lots of trips out there that go
to Peru--most of them go to the same places and see the same things. Of
course, the places they go are amazing, so most of these itineraries are pretty
good, even if they are very similar to each other.
While
these itineraries are good, we wanted our itinerary to Peru to be different,
unique and something special, just like our trips to the Copper Canyon and
Guatemala. Because of this, we searched out places that were off the path, local
guides that have just a little different perspective, and contact with Peruvians
and their customs that very few outsiders see.
So,
here is our Different Look at the Sacred Inca--we hope you can join us this
April.
To reserve your spot, or for more information, send us an email!
The Sacred Inca: A Different Look
April 29 - May 10, 2007
Itinerary
April
29/Day 1 Arrival - Lima
Arrival greeting and transfer to the Hotel Antigua
Miraflores for overnight.
April
30/Day 2 Lima
After breakfast, well start with the Pachacamac tour. Ancient Peruvians
frequented this oracle mostly to receive predictions about agricultural
harvests. A representation of Pachacamac, creator of the world according to
Andean religion, can be seen here. The citadel and the temple, edified by the
Inca Tupac Yupanqui, are still in existence today. This site is about an hour
outside of Lima, and the total excursion will take about five hours. Overnight
at Hotel Antigua Miraflores.
May
1/Day 3 Lima-Cusco
Transfer to the airport for our flight to Cusco (7am) Free day to acclimatize
in the ancient Incan capital, at 3350 meters above sea level. Those wishing to
can talk a gentle walking tour of this amazing city. Overnight at the Hotel
Sonesta Posada del Inca.
May
2/Day 4 Cusco Southern Valley (Tipon, Pikillaqta, Andahuaylillas)
Tipon
Tipon
is an
ancient Incan ceremonial site dedicated to the worship of water. It is made up
of a series of platforms and water fountains and is memorable beautiful.
Pikillaqta
is a pre-Incan city noted for its advanced urban organization. Here we can see
the archeological advancements of the ancient Wari culture.
Andahuaylillas
Andahuaylillas
also known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas because of its impressive
dιcor and fresco murals; it is the only site of its kind in all of South
America. Return to Cusco and overnight at the Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca.
May
3/Day 5 Cusco- Sacred Valley
Today we will travel by bus and visit Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chincheros, all
sites of great religious significance which demonstrate the advanced
astrological knowledge of the ancient Andean people. In each of these sites
there remains to this day evidence of how the Incas measured changes in the
seasons as well as the movement of the sun and moon. There
will also be ample shopping opportunities at the market in Pisac, one of Latin
America's most dynamic.
We can
look forward to savoring an Andean dinner prepared with the same ingredients as
those the Incas used 5,000 years ago. Overnight in Ollantaytambo at Hotel
Pakaritampu.
Pisaq
May
4/Day 6 Ollantaytambo
We will start the day early in order to allow time to participate in a corn
harvest ceremony complete with many Incan customs. Those that wish to take part
in the ceremony can do so, others can simply watch. The people of this area
still observe ancient Andean ceremonies including offerings of sacred coca
leaves to mother Earth. This ceremony could take the entire day, but should
group members want a change, we can visit Moray, a site used by the Incas for
agricultural experiments. Overnight at Hotel Pakaritampu.
Looking down on the train lines near Aguas Calientes
May
5/Day 7 Train ride to Machu Picchu.
We leave on the famous train at 8am to arrive to Machu Picchu at 10:00am. We
will visit part of the site of Machu Picchu this afternoon. Overnight at the
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, great for ecotourism, especially viewing of orchids
and birds.
May
6/Day 8 Machu Picchu Tour
On this day we will visit one of the most sacred places on Earth. Machu Picchu
was built by the Inca Pachacutec and was never discovered by the Spanish. We
will visit the Sun Dial, the House of the Chosen Women, and the Plaza, where
many of the ceremonies took place. Machu Picchu is a United Nations World
Heritage Site and is know worldwide as a place of great beauty and history.
After the tour we will return to Cusco by train between 3 and 4pm, arriving
around 5pm. Overnight at the Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca.
On
the train to Puno
May
7/Day 9 Puno via the famous train -
We will reach altitudes as high as 4200 meters above sea level. Like the
Chihuahua al Pacifico train in the Copper Canyon, the train to Puno from Cusco
is considered one of the 10 best train routes in all of the world.
Likewise dramatic is Puno, considered the folklore capital of Peru, with over
300 different types of traditional dances regularly performed here.
Overnight at the Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca in Puno.
Reed boats on Lake Titicaca
May 8/Day
10 Puno Lake Titicaca Tour
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, at 3800 meters above
sea level, and is considered in Inca legend to be the cradle of their
civilization. Overnight at the
Hotel Sonesta
Posada del Inca in Puno.
May 9/Day 11- Flight to Lima
We will travel from Puno to the Juliaca Airport (approximately 45 minutes),
from there we will board a flight to Lima. If the group so desires, it is also
possible to visit the Museum of Gold and the Larco Hoyle Museum this day as
well. Overnight at the
Hotel Antigua Miraflores.
May 10/Day 12 Lima Flight to home country
Transfer
and accompaniment to the airport.
Trip price Includes:
All Breakfasts
Special
Inca Dinner
All Entrance Fees
All Hotels, including a night at the exclusive Machu Picchu
Pueblo Hotel(single
occupancy throughout the entire trip is an additional $350)
All
transfers and excursions,
All air
travel within Peru, and first-class train travel to Puno and Machu Picchu
Bilingual
Guide throughout
Trip price does not include:
Airfare
from your home to Lima and return,
Personal
expenses in hotels and restaurants
Tips
Lunches
and Dinners except for the Inca dinner
Alcoholic
beverages
Immigration fees
Airport
departure tax
Trip price: $3000 per person, double occupancy
To reserve your spot, or for more information, send us an email!
Copper
Canyon Adventures
