PROGRAMS MISTYCAL PERU
Peruvians have a profound respect for mother earth, the mountains and the sacred glaciers.
Great spiritual masters claim that for the Aquarium age, the transcendental energy from earth has moved from the Himalayas to the Andes. In ancient cities everyone is able to experience the equilibrium between Andean society and nature and everyone is touched in strange ways by this energy.
Cusco or Qosqo, the Quechua name, was by nature a sacred place, the house of Gods. Qosqo is equivalent to Vital Center or Solar Plexus which means the center of corporal energy where feelings reside. Qosqo is also sacred because it is surrounded by sacred mountains: twelve guardian mountains, APUS, superior spirits surrounding the scene where the life in the most important city of pre-Columbian America took place.
Take a trip to South Peru, and get a glimpse into the culture of the mysterious, yet intriguing "Cult of the Sun" and stand in a city that has modernized with the passing of time, but preserves its roots to prove that the past and present can co-exist and provide the world with historical, cultural, and natural beauty.
HEART OF THE ANDES
9 DAYS
DAY 1 / LIMA
Reception at Lima's airport, assistance and transfer to the hotel for overnight.
DAY 2 / LIMA
This afternoon tour offers the best of colonial and modern Lima. Included are Lima's most imposing colonial churches and mansions such as the Government Palace, the Plaza Mayor, the City Hall and the Cathedral, including 17th century San Francisco Monastery. The tour ends with a visit to the modern suburbs of San Isidro, where a visit to the pre-Inca pyramid of Huaca Huallamarca (closed Mondays) and on-site museum is included before continuing to Miraflores, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Then on to Lima’s Gold Museum, one the world's largest private collections, displaying a dazzling array of pre-Columbian gold, silver and copper works of art. Created by Peru's innovative metal-smiths, they range from civilizations of Paracas, Chavin, Nazca, Moche, Wari, Lambayeque and Chimu to Inca. The museum also houses a collection of antique fire arms from around the world. (B)
DAY 3 / AREQUIPA CITY TOUR AND SANTA CATALINA CONVENT
Arrival in Arequipa by plane and transferred to the hotel. Afternoon visit to the “White City” including Santa Catalina Convent, a beautiful Spanish styled citadel from the 16th century. Visit the Main Square, with its three portals and the Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (Church of the Company of Jesus) which is a beautiful sample of the Peruvian and Spanish baroque art from the 17th century, along with the multi colorful paintings of the San Ignacio’s Dome, known as the Sistine Chapel of America. Continuing with the trip, you will see the typical districts of Cayma and Yanahuara. Overnight in Arequipa. (B)
DAY 4 / AREQUIPA – CUZCO BY PLANE
Upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Visitors should take a short rest in order to adjust to altitude. Afternoon tour of the city visiting the Koricancha Temple and the Cathedral. Continue to the surrounding ruins: the fortress Sacsayhuaman overlooking the city, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay ruins. (B)
DAY 5 / MACHU PICCHU
Catch the morning train for a full day tour of Machu Picchu, the `Lost City of the Incas` one of the most renowned examples of Inca architecture. Machu Picchu ("old mountain" in Quechua, the ancient language of the Incas) nestles on top of a mountain saddle high above the Urubamba River in the middle of the cloud forest. Afternoon return to Cusco, transfer to the hotel. (B,L)
DAY 6 / SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
Visit Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the Americas. Ollantaytambo's narrow streets, complete with canals unchanged since Inca times, recall its ancient heritage. After lunch visit the colourful Indian market in Pisac to see a blend of colour, tradition and people. At a distance of 30 km. (19 miles) from Cuzco, and an altitude of 2,970 meters (9,700 ft.), Pisac is located right at the entrance to the Sacred Valley. (B, L)
DAY 7 / CUZCO – JULIACA (PUNO) BY TRAIN OR BUS
Enjoy the ride as you travel along the South Valley to Puno. The smooth ascending is amazing. The magnificent Andes will predominate the first half of the trip, skirting the deep valleys where the Huatanay River crosses. Early evening arrival and transfer to the hotel. (B, L)
DAY 8 / LAKE TITICACA – FLOATING ISLANDS
Three and a half hours by boat from Puno, this remote island is a remarkable community where Quechua, the language of the Incas, is kept alive by the islanders. The outstanding highlight of its inhabitants is their handicraft derived from techniques developed over centuries. The floating island of Uros is also called the Lake Town. These islands are built using totora reed and used as home and trade centers for the natives, who use hand-made boats of the same material as their means of transportation. (B, Box L)
DAY 9 / DEPARTURE
Departure transfer for flight from Juliaca (Puno) to Lima or continue your travel across the lake to La Paz, Bolivia. End of services. (B)
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