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Delving deeply into Peru’s ancient Inca culture and exploring today’s Sacred Valley
Sunday May 13, 2012 - Sunday May 20
Day 1: Your Journey
Begins In Cuzco
 When your flight from
Lima arrives in Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and one of Peru’s
treasures in its own right, we’ll meet you at baggage claim and whisk you to the
Royal Inca Hotel. We will have lunch
together as a group, and offer you an orientation to the exciting sites and
amazing phenomena that await you. In the afternoon, you will benefit from taking
some much-needed time to relax and adjust to the altitude before the action
begins. You will have some time to spare,
and will have the option to visit Shaman Don Martin Pinedo with us, who will
show us his healing center.
Day 2: Shopping, Healing,
Adjusting and Enjoying Pisac
 We will take it slow
while we adjust to the high elevation of the Sacred Valley. We will have a short
visit at the Lord of the Huanca shrine, by private van before visiting the
temple of the Falcon at
Pisac.
You will have the options of further exploring the temple on your own, or
a guided tour down through the ruins. We’ll
have lunch in Pisac and enjoy the town’s textile market, one of the most varied
in the Andes.
In the afternoon, we will have an opportunity to appreciate Andean
weavers and
Camelids,
at the Awana Kancha. Inside the Awana Kancha, there is a small shop
where beautiful
Alpaca sweaters, scarves, coats, and crafts are sold at a
reasonable price.
Back in Cuzco, your
evening will be free to enjoy on your own or with your newfound friends.
Day 3: Exploring The
Ruins and More at Ollantaytambo
The AM has 2 options (1)
tour of
Koricancha,
Santo Domingo Convent, and walk across the ruins of the massive
Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, or 2) learn from
Shaman Don Martin Pinedo
time-honored Andean medicine and the other secrets of the Inca.
In
the afternoon is a tour to the sacred valley, a ceramic demonstration, and a
tour of the ruins at
Ollantaytambo. You
will have free time to get to know the village, market and enjoy your
accommodations. Vilma and Don Martin Pinedo also offer optional healing sessions
during this time. Using the hotel as your base, the evening will be of your own
making, perhaps involving the unique local cuisine or the hospitality of the
friendly locals.
Day 4 - Ollantaytambo
– Wakaywillka “Sacred Tears” Mountain
 Two hour scenic van ride to Wakaywillka (the
sacred Feminine Mountain), the highest mountain in the peak in the Cordillera
Urubamba range, short walk at altitude 14,000 ft, and ceremony with Don Martin:
Traditional Munay
Despacho, an offering to Mother Earth, to help us find
unconditional love within ourselves. The rest of the day is free for everyone to
explore Ollantaytambo.
Day
5: Your Long-Anticipated Introduction to Machu Picchu
 By
train, we will travel through the striking Urubamba River area to a tiny village
called Aguas Calientes of
Machu Picchu. After we check into our hotel, Gringo
Bill’s, a coach will take us to the sacred mountain citadel of Machu Picchu, a
staggering 7,800 feet above sea level. We will explore the celebrated ruins for
the entire day with our guide Vilma Pinedo, who will explain the history of the
incredible ruins and the mystical folklore of Machu Picchu. Still bewildered by
the majesty, we will enjoy a dinner of local specialties and rest up for more
amazing sights.
Day
6: A Deeper Machu Picchu Experience
A
spectacular Machu Picchu sunrise will welcome you to your second day at the
sacred site. Before the day begins for many, the whispers of the ancient city
may seem to be speaking directly to you. For the rest of this day, a deeper
Machu Picchu experience of your choice awaits you. Explore the Citadel, hike the
mountain or neighboring Huayna Picchu, explore markets in Aguas Calientes or
delve into a jungle tour. This will be your day to find the Machu Picchu
experience that most fits your personality.
Day
7: Your Personalized Experience In Cuzco
After the morning train back to Ollantaytambo and our private van back to Cuzco,
we’ll visit Chinchero and learn ancient Andean weaving techniques. Then, you can
create your own experience for the rest of the day. Relax in your room, deepen
your relationship with your new friends or explore Cuzco’s shopping and culture,
looking for your own fresh experiences.
Day
8: Savoring A Few Last Moments of Paradise
With
our return flights to Lima in the afternoon, we’ll have the morning to pack,
reminisce and savor a few last moments in Cuzco. Then, we will be off to our
connecting flights in Lima, filled with amazing new memories of Machu Picchu and
its Incan treasures.
*This day by day itinerary is subject to change
Total Land Fees $ 1,524 – ($500
deposits are required by January 16th to guarantee
your reservations)
$50 early bird discount when you register by November
14, 2011
Included in Tour Cost:
·
Tajinder and/or Mike, English-speaking local guides.
·
All hotel accommodations (on a roommate basis)
·
All transfers in private Bus/Van
·
Entrance fees for scheduled tours and archaeological sites.
·
Round-trip train and bus tickets to Machu Picchu
·
Continental breakfasts are included at some hotels.
All other meals are not included unless specified in the
itinerary.
Not Included in Tour Cost:
·
International round-trip airfare to and from Peru. You will need a
flight to Lima, and then a flight to Cuzco. You may have to stay
overnight in Lima depending on your connecting flight.
·
Airport taxes international
and local (around $35)
·
Tips and gratuities
·
Travel insurance
·
hiking boots, bottled water
and other personal gear
Contact us for more info
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