TOUR ITINERARY:
"ANDEAN MASTER PATH"
June Solstice and Full Moon in the Andes
June 17 to June 30, 2013

DAY 1: Mon., June 17, 2013:
HOME - LIMA

Flight from home to Lima. Arrive Lima afternoon, evening, night, or late night on June 17. If you wish to arrive the day before (Saturday) or early morning on Sunday, to rest and acclimatize in the high altitude before starting your tour, then you will need to book an extra hotel night, which is available on the REGISTRATION FORM. Transfer to hotel for overnight rest, depending upon your arrival time. Overnight Lima.

Planned Hotel (or similar):
*-LIMA: CARMEL
Calle Atahualpa 152 Miraflores - Lima - Phone: 51(1)241-8672

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DAY 2: Tues., June 18, 2013:
LIMA - CUSCO - CHINCHERO - SACRED VALLEY

Depart for our morning flight to Cusco. Reception by MALLKU and transportation to the Sacred Valley. On the way to our lodge we will stop at Chinchero and visit the amazing Earth Altar. Discover the Magic Hatun Chinkana of this initiatory center. This Waka or sacred place is as the Brain and its vibration will permit to travel to the dimension of the soul. We will spend the night in the Sacred Valley. (Vegetarian Lunch Included)

Planned 4-Star Hotel (or similar):
*SACRED VALLEY: LA HACIENDA VALLE SAGRADO
Yanahuara - Urubamba, Cusco Peru | Hotel Direct Line: +51 84 201408
http://www.lahaciendadelvalle.com

Libertador Valle Sagrado Lodge has been recently affiliated to the Libertador Hotels Peru chain and it is situated 12 km from the city of Urubamba in the picturesque community of Yanahuara. Its privileged location turns this Sacred Valley Hotel into the ideal place to stay and to get acquainted with this beautiful valley of majestic natural landscapes, archaeological sites full of history, culture and wildlife.

Just a few minutes from our Hotel, you can visit the typical markets of Pisac or Chinchero, archaeological sites such as Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu or undertake a trekking route to imposing snow-capped mountains and Andean communities.

   

Chinchero, called "El Pueblo Del Arco Iris" (the town of the rainbow), is high up on a spectacular place, around 12,000 feet above sea level, with tremendous views of the Urubamba mountain range as well as the majestic Salkantay mountain that reaches almost 19,000 ft. Chinchero is halfway between the Sacred Valley and Cusco, to the northwest of Cusco, at 28 km. (17.4 miles). The town of Hispanic architecture is built on old Inka constructions. Its people are very conservative of some andean traditions, wearing picturesque clothing. On Sunday is the day of the "qhatu"(market)--exchange fair of agricultural products, in which the use of the currency is discarded and everything is made in exchange. Also outstanding the textile crafts (crafts as well as local produce).

     

 

  

There is a spectacular view of the valley and beautiful Andean landscapes surround the town, outstanding the beauty of the snowy mountains Chicon and Veronica of the Mountain Range of Urubamba. In Chinchero is a spectacular altar, clustered in alpine flowers and surrounded by snow covered mountains. Here we will participate in a ceremonial prayer for mother earth (Pachamama), safety in our travels, and our own personal wishes. The offering may consist of nuts, seeds, petals, leaves, herbs, stones, corn, wool and other elements.

 

Urubamba Valley: One hour by bus north west of Cusco lies the valley of the Urubamba River. It's easy to see why the valley was considered sacred by the Inkas with its spectacular panoramas and fertile alluvial low lands. The Urubamba Valley, is one of the most fertile valleys on this planet. Everything that is planted here grows with such abnormal vigor - especially corn. The corn here grows approximately three times the size of the corn grown in the U.S. and other parts of the world. This valley is located in both sides of the river Vilcanota and their tributaries. These men gave life to the stone and they built urban centers, palaces, temples, agricultural constructions, and trails.

Standing guard over the winding river valley are the spectacular temples of Pisac, Ollantaytambo and finally Machu Picchu. The river then continues on into the tropical rain forest of the Amazon Basin.

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DAY 3: Weds., June 19, 2013
SACRED VALLEY - MORAY - OLLANTAYTAMBO

In the morning explore the absolutely unique and ancient Inka city of Ollantaytambo and be impressed by the high technology of architecture combined with spirit. In the afternoon visit Moray, an Inka site with circular terraces that used to create exceptional conditions or micro climates that fostered domestication, acclimatization and hybridization of a wide array of wild vegetable species that were modified or adapted for human consumption.

Planned 4-Star Hotel (or similar):
*SACRED VALLEY: LA HACIENDA VALLE SAGRADO
Yanahuara - Urubamba, Cusco Peru | Hotel Direct Line: +51 84 201408
http://www.lahaciendadelvalle.com

Moray: An archeological site with concentric agricultural terraces, some as deep as 150 meters. This "Earth's Navel" is thought to be a large agricultural laboratory where the Inkas created different microclimates to grow a large variety of crops. Here we may perform a metamorphosis ritual, attuning our body/mind with electromagnetic energy from Earth's Navel. An important fact of the Inka's technology was that its works harmonize perfectly with nature. They used the natural forces, they mastered hydraulic engineering, and knew the use of the earth. For instance, thanks to the "andeneras" (agricultural circular terracing) system, they could sow in abrupt places and avoid the erosion. The attractiveness of this area can be distinguished for its impressive landscape (nature and big snowy mountains), pleasant climate, fertile lands with abundant water, megalithic cultural evidences, people and its traditions.

Ollantaytambo: A National Archaeological Park is located in the Ollantaytambo district, province of Urubamba. Here is an amazing architectural wonder of unrivaled skill, believed to be built by solar masters. The town is about 76 Kms. (47.2 miles) away from Cusco by the road Chinchero - Urubamba and about 68 kilometers (42.2 miles) by railway at an altitude of 2700 meters (8856 feet). It is a very vast complex which central part is in the town and its surroundings; traveling from Cusco, from Pachar there is a large amount of farming terraces that are already part of the complex. Those terraces are deteriorated and most of them abandoned. The water that irrigated them does not flow any more. Their stone aqueducts that were a master work of engineering were extended by many kilometers; but, today they do not exist any more. The reason is that today no one is preoccupied with keeping them and because we had almost five centuries in which the invaders were not interested in agriculture but only in mining gold and silver.

Ollantaytambo is a compound Quechua word that is derived from " Ollanta" that is a personal name, and "Tambo" that is a Spanish form of " Tampu" that refers about a city that offered lodgings, food and comfort for travelers. "Ollanta" is the name of an Inka Captain whose history was kept as an oral tradition and written as drama by Antonio Valdez, a priest from Urubamba, by the middle of the XVIII century; it was adapted for a theatrical play and opened in 1780. The Ollantay Drama is considered as a classical work of Quechua literature.

Ollantaytambo was a very important sanctuary, it also was a "tampu" in order to enable control of the roads toward the "Antisuyo" (jungle). Today, still some people name this sanctuary as "fortress", which in practice is improper and we will need more space to explain all this. Besides, for the noble population dwelling in this city there was a very ample and well planned urban sector, a plaza surrounded by important buildings and toward the town's South an impressive "Kallanka"; that is, a building which dimensions are colossal and completely roofed. It served as a lodge and perhaps also as barracks for the numerous army of the region.

The present-day town is located in the same site where the urban sector was in Inkan times. It is really interesting because it is the only spot in Peru where it is possible to find people living in the same buildings that served as homes for the nobility of the Inkan Society. Some of its narrow streets still keep their water channels where very clean water flowed for the population use; they are by the middle or at one side. The streets still maintain their Inkan names. The town was divided in rectangular blocks with a very well planned geometrical layout giving the impression of being a town designed by modern architects. Every block was compound of two "kanchas" (patio, little plaza); the street gates had double jamb doorways which indicate that those were real palaces with rooms around a central patio. At least the lower part of the buildings is original and made with "pirka" type walls that were covered with a clay coat and possibly also had mural paintings. Today, their thatched roofs were replaced by red tiles and it is possible to breath a certain air of modernity as the town has electricity and tap water; but in short, the town has still an Inkan taste. Some decades ago in Ollantaytambo, a worldwide meeting of the "Andean" representatives was carried out and they declared this town as the " World Capital of Indianity." By that time there were some efforts willing to help for an effective conservation of original structures; in practice, it is so little what was and is done for that purpose, and it is so sad to prove that many of its innate elements are being lost slowly.

Towards the town's East is the Pinkuylluna hill (pinkuyllo = wind musical instrument similar to the "quena" or Andean flute) where an imposing huge building stands out and about which there is a lot of myth. Some very imaginative "scholars" argue that it's been a school, a hospital some others, jail others, and even a hurling precipice!; according to archaeology and the Inkan architectonic characterization it was a "Qollqa" or "Pirwa"; that is, a granary or storehouse for food, clothing and other elements. It has many doorways and openings that allowed ventilation, and surely they were built up there to enable protection of the stored goods. Likewise, some other smaller buildings are located in outstanding spots or angles of the mountain that served as watchtowers for controlling movement of persons in the valley.

Toward the Western end of the town and crossing the Patakancha (Upper Enclosure) stream is the great Plaza known as Manay Raqay (Pleas Plaza) which seem to keep its original name, surrounded by sun-dried mud-brick buildings that were very important in their epoch. Towards the West of this plaza is the entrance to the Temples; Somewhat higher is the spot of the most important temple: the Sun Temple that was constructed with huge red porphyry (pink granite) boulders. What is left of the Sun Temple are some peripheral walls and the classical major wall that according to most historians is part of the High Altar. It consists of six enormous stone blocks which average weight is about 60 tons and have as vertical joints some other smaller stones making a wall. It seems that this is a projection of the Tiwanaku architecture or possibly the architects were brought from the region of the Titikaka lake; but the final work is entirely Inkan with joints and outer surfaces complete and finely polished and glazed so that they could even serve as mirrors.

     

On the external surface of the fourth boulder (beginning in the Southern end), there are carved stepped symbols; they represent the stages of the Andean World: the "Hanan Pacha" (heaven), the "Kay Pacha" (earth surface) and the "Ukhu Pacha" (underground). Even more, there are some other carved bulges that were broken. It is evident the presence of the "idolatries extirpators" who destroyed the Sun Temple; nowadays, the stones that were part of this fabulous temple are all over the place, over the terraces, by the plaza surroundings, in the church and curate house, and wherever a person looks with care.

Toward the North of the temple's entrance gate is a series of water fountains that because of their location must have performed duties of "Ceremonial Fountains", that is, used in order to worship the water elementary. There is one inside a mud brick square building where water still flows; toward the East of it there is another one baptized by tradition as the "Bano de la Nusta" ("Princess's Bath") that shows stepped moldings in its surface below the spillway. Farther North there are also many other fountains constituting a vast temple dedicated to the cult of "Unu" (water). Nearby is the sector that today has the hybrid name of "Inka Misana" (spot where the Inka says mass) that shows an aqueduct carved in the mountain rock face and a liturgical fountain, small stairways, double jamb niches or false openings capriciously sculpted in the mountain surface. On the upper area there is a carved conical bulge that was surely another "Intiwatana" (Solar Meter); more over, there are diverse moldings which were part of a complex solar observatory used to measure the Sun variations during the year as well as for fixing solstices and equinoxes.

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DAY 4: Thurs., June 20, 2013
OLLANTA - MACHU PICCHU

In the morning we will take the train ride to the village of Aguas Calientes, arrival and luggage accommodation at the lodge. And in right time we will visit the famed city of Machu Pijchu, named by MALLKU as the Crystal City, the Rainbow City, the City of the Kondor and the Hummingbird, the City of Peace, and the City of Light. The legendary beauty of this magnificent city defies description. There are many trails and power sites to explore here, and we will have ample opportunity for ceremony to open to a deeper experience of the intrinsic magic if this amazing city with its temples. Overnight at the village of Aguas Calientes.

Planned 3-Star A Hotel (or similar):
*AGUAS CALIENTES: ANDINA LUXURY
Av. Imperio de los Inkas S/N - Phone: 0051-84.211102

  

Machu Picchu: The legendary beauty of this magnificent city defies description. There are many trails and power sites to explore here, and we will have ample opportunity for ceremony to open to a deeper experience of the intrinsic magic of this amazing city and temples. Guided visit with esoteric insights on the various temples and power spots. Participate in inspiring spiritual ceremonies to enhance your connection with your divine self--a transpersonal, transformational journey within. In the evening you will have the opportunity to bathe in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes. We will reach and visit the little village of Aguas Calientes. Overnight Machu Picchu area.

  

Mystical Paintings: Enjoy the amazing, inspiring, visionary art published in our guide Mallku's books. These awesome, mystical paintings of Machu Picchu are below and as you scroll down:

  

  

  

  

Aguas Calientes, is the nearest town to Machu Pichu (it is located 8 km. away). It is the richest little town in Peru. It has hot thermal springs (related to its name) where many tourists will stop after having done the Inka Trail.

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DAY 5: Fri., June 21, 2013: JUNE SOLSTICE CELEBRATION:
MACHU PIJCHU "CRYSTAL CITY" - "CITY OF RAINBOWS" / CUSCO

Early in the morning we enter Machu Pijchu to take part in ceremony for a deeper journey into the inner path to gain confidence in our souls and our unique purpose. The arrival of the solstice creates a cosmic wave and light influence into our planet, and we will have the chance to celebrate here in Machu Pijchu, sending light and transforming our own path in a solar experience. We return to Cusco on an afternoon train, and overnight in the "navel of the world."

Planned Hotel (or similar):
*CUSCO: SIETE VENTANAS
Calle Siete Ventanas N° 207, Cusco, Perú - Tel: +51 084 241917

    

     

Machu Picchu: the "Lost City of the Inkas," "City of Light for Initiates," An ancient site fed by grids of powerful natural energies patterned by surrounding mountains and extensive underground tunnels.

Shamanic belief is that for millennia this site served as an initiatory center for higher learning. The sanctuary cover many square kilometers constructed of mortared terraces and connected by endless stairs carved from solid rock all around the mountains. Throughout the ages, the sheltered temple sights, geophysically conducive atmospheres were used for ritual and mind-altering experiences. Shamanic legend says that touching one's forehead to the Intiwantana Stone opens one's vision into the Spirit World. Tune into Wakas (sacred spots) of individual rocks and boulders. Experience the classic "magical flight" of shamanic ecstasy.

 

Historical Conjecture: Rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, Machu Picchu was unknown to the Christians. Its reason for existence remains under debate. Some argue it was built and populated by the family of one Inka ruler, Pachakuti; others have proposed the principal function of Machu Picchu was to maintain a reliable supply of coca leaves for the priests and royals of Cusco. Bingham fostered the school of thought that the city existed primarily for strategic and defensive purposes, but other findings support the hypothesis that Machu Picchu was a university where the children of the leaders of other Andean cultures conquered by the Inkas were taken to Machu Picchu to be taught the Inka way of life. At any rate, as we wander through the maze of empty plazas, chambers and dwellings saddled atop steep mountainsides, we will be unable to resist our own speculations at the impenetrable mystery of these stones.

Today it is a Historic National Sanctuary, protected by the Peruvian Government, that tries to conserve the geological formations and archaeological remains inside the Sanctuary, besides protecting its flora, fauna and landscape's beauty. The whole park has an extension of 80,535 acres (32,592 hectares; 125.83 mile).

  

  

  

Locale and Climate: Machu Picchu (the Inkan City) is located on kilometer 112 (70 miles) of the Cusco-Quillabamba railway; the train station is now in Aguas Calientes and lies at an altitude of 2,000 meters (6,560 feet). From that station there are buses in order to get to South-America's most famous Archaeological Group that is found at an average altitude of 2,450 meters (8,038 feet). The climate in that sector has also some characteristics that are found all over the region; thus, only two well defined seasons are distinguished: the rainy season in the area goes between November to April, and the dry season from May to October. Machu Picchu is near the commencement of the Cusquenian Amazonian Jungle, so the chance of having rains or showers is possible any time of the year. In the hottest days it is possible to get even about 26° Celsius (78.8° Fahrenheit), while that in the coldest early mornings in June and July the temperature may drop to 5° C.; the average annual temperature is 16 degrees Celsius. Between May to August the weather is beautiful because the skies are nearly always blue and clear.

 

Geology: The Machu Picchu Historic National Sanctuary is found over a great granite orogenic structure baptized by Dr. Isaiah Bowman as the "Vilcabamba Batholith" that outcrops over about 400 km (154 mile). Its formation belongs in the scale of geological time to the Paleozoic or Inferior Primary and may have an approximate age of 250 million years.

  

    

     

Origin of Name: Machu Picchu (like most of the Quechua names of towns and different sites in the region) is a compound word that comes from machu = old or ancient, and picchu = peak or mountain; therefore, Machu Picchu is translated as "Old Mountain." The famous mountain that is seen in front, and appears in most of the classical views of the site is named Wayna Picchu (Young Mountain). Unfortunately the original names of the mentioned sectors are lost, Machu Picchu, Wayna Picchu and some other proper names used today are contemporary ones; ascribed probably by farmers living in the region before Bingham's arrival. However, according to studies about some XVI century documents, the original name of the whole area might be "Picchu."

  

History: It is known that Hiram Bingham, a descendant of missionaries, was the man who rediscovered Machu Picchu for the contemporary world and modern science. He was a North-American historian born in Honolulu, Hawaii; who in 1907 taught the South-American History and Geography course in Yale University. Later he was chosen as delegate of his country to the First Pan-American Scientific Congress carried out in Chile in 1908. By that epoch he began his activities as explorer taking a horseback journey from Caracas to Bogota, following the Simon Bolivar's way. Then he followed the old colonial trade way from Buenos Aires to Lima, arriving to this Andean zone in 1909; it is in that year when from Abancay he started with his first exploration towards Choquekirau, trying to find the last Inkan Capital. By that time many myths had been created about the possibility of finding the "Inkas' treasures" that according to tradition had been taken by Manko Inka in his retreat to Willkapampa (willka = sacred, pampa = plain; its Spanish form is "Vilcabamba"); thus it was so common by that epoch to find treasure hunters willing to get to this last Inkas' dwelling. That same intention moved Bingham to study chronicles and even to visit Spanish archives, and subsequently in 1911 to come back to Peru with the aim of performing studies of geology and botany, and for sure, also in order to try finding Willkapampa.

  

In Cusco, Albert Giesecke, a compatriot of his and rector of the local University had put him in touch with Braulio Polo y la Borda, owner of Mandor. That local landlord told Bingham that on the hill in front of his property there were ancient constructions covered by vegetation where cattle were frequently lost; and moreover, he introduced Bingham to Eduardo Lizarraga, a farmland renter living in the area since the 70s of the 19th century, who had seen the buildings. On July 23th, 1911 Bingham showed up in Mandor along with a policeman, Sergeant Carrasco, who escorted him by order of Cusco's Prefect Juan Jose Nunez. They found in his hut the peasant Melchor Arteaga who told Bingham about the existence of two Inkan sites named Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu; that same peasant was hired by Bingham to be the guide in order to get to the Inkan City. The next day, after examining the field they decided to climb up. After noon they arrived at another hut where they found Anacleto Alvarez and Toribio Recharte; they were two humble peasants who along with their families lived in the area and cultivated the pre-Hispanic farming terraces. After a short break, they provided a boy as the guide for Bingham in order to have a first look of the Inkan buildings that were completely covered with entangled vegetation. That was how Bingham, at 35 years old, stumbled onto Machu Picchu; a fortuitous happening that made manifest a great "discovery."

Almost immediately after his first exploration, he went back to the USA looking for economic support that was granted to him by the Yale University and the National Geographic Society. Subsequently, the Peruvian government in Lima facing Bingham's request in order to execute works in Machu Picchu, by means of law given on October 31th, 1912, authorized him to carry out his projected works. Besides, according to the fourth article of that authorization Bingham could freely take out of the country all the obtained pieces during his explorations, but with commitment of giving them back to Peru's simple petition. Authorization in the name of "international etiquette" that infringed some legal rules and caused irreparable damage to Peru's cultural heritage.

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DAY 6: Sat., June 22, 2013:
CUSCO - TEMPLE OF WATER - SERPENT CAVE - Q'ENQO

Morning visit Tipon, an ancient agricultural site with many terraces and an intricate irrigation system that culminates at a Temple of the Water. We stop in Cusco and then on to visit Amaru Machay, the cave of the Serpants, with guided ceremonies at this powerful location. Continue to Q'enqo, the sacred place of the Puma. Our shamanic guide Mallku is a specialist in Q'enqo and its rich lore and history. Overnight in Cusco. (Vegetarian Dinner Included)

Planned Hotel (or similar):
*CUSCO: SIETE VENTANAS
Calle Siete Ventanas N° 207, Cusco, Perú - Tel: +51 084 241917

The Archaeological Park of Tipon: Tipon is a place of great water fountains--another one of the most important architectural complexes found in Cusco. This old site is located 23 km. Southeast of the Inka capital at a height of 3,600 meters above sea level; the highest area of the park is found at the pass of Ranraq'asa above 3,900 meters. It belongs to the district of Oropesa, province of Quispicanchis in Cusco.

 

Historian Luis Antonio Pardo says the real name of Tipon may come from the Quechua word Timpuj which means "to be boiling", and it relates to the water flowing out of the fountains as if the liquid was boiling. This name was recently made up since the original name is not known.

 

Victor Angles holds that Tipon could have been the Royal House of Yahuar Huaca, who retreated here after being defeated by the Chancas. His son Wiraqocha faced the Chancas and defeated them, being crowned Inka instead of his father.

Garcilaso de la Vega wrote the following: "It was determined that the son, as most of the court decided, would be the head of the kingdom; and to avoid riots and civil wars, they accepted everything the prince wanted. After it was agreed, they obtained a Royal House, between Muyna and Quepicancha, in a pleasant place with all the gifts, fields, gardens and other royal amusements for hunting and fishing. The house was built close to the Yucay river.." Angles assumes that the place identified by Garcilaso is Tipon.

The Watanay river passes close to Tipon and two small rivers flow out of it to surround the complex. These could be the small rivers that the Garcilaso wrote about. Muiuparka: A vortex where Inkas performed rituals to create perfect union with the Creator and Cosmic energy (phenomenal healings occur here.)

Q'enqo Amaru Machay (Cave of the Serpent): Q'enqo means labyrinth or zigzag. Located 2km from Cusco, this temple dedicated to Mother Earth is a unique center of worship and for ceremonies. It has numerous ceremonial carvings, holes and canals cut into the rock. One of its features is a semi-natural underground chamber. Limestone formation intricately carved with depictions of mythical beings, as well as winding underground passageways and semicircular amphitheater. Believed to have been used for worshipping the Earth. Temple of the Living Light ceremonial altar and main spiritual center. Dedicated to the Puma, the vibrant vortexes are some of the most powerful for initiates, plus the mysterious Amaru Machay--Cave of the Serpent.

   

      

  

Cusco: The sacred city of Cusco, center of the Inkan empire, was designed by the legendary Inka Pachakuti in the physical shape of a Puma. At 11,200 ft. above sea level, Cusco is the heart of the Tawantinsuyo, Peru's pre-Colombian Empire. Cusco today is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America, a fascinating and colorful paradox of the past and the present. When this ancient city was the Tawantinsuyo's Capital it also must have been the biggest and most important metropolis of the continent. Pedro Sancho de la Hoz, a Spanish soldier who acted as Pizarro's secretary, wrote in 1543 that in the city were found more than 100,000 houses. Santiago Agurto following relative population densities estimates about 126,000 persons for the urban zone and about 100,000 for the rural one, that is, a total population of about 225,000 inhabitants. Today Cusco is considered the oldest living city in the American Continent with a continuous occupation of about 3,000 years until today.

  

What is traditionally known as the Inka civilization (empire or state) began approximately by 1200 A.D. in its initial phase, and later around 1400 A.D. in its expansive phase. One of the most difficult epochs in the city's life was begun in 1533 with the arrival and subsequent Christian invasion and ethnocide. November 15th 1533, Francisco Pizarro refounded it for the Spanish King following the Christian tradition on March 23rd 1534; with the name and title of: THE VERY NOBLE AND GREAT CITY OF Cusco. In 1535 Pizarro founded the new capital in Lima that immediately gained importance and power even until today. In 1536 Manko Inka began a long and bloody war against the Christian invaders having a siege of 8 months over the city. Finally in 1572, after a war that lasted 36 years, Tupaq Amaru I, the last emperor of the Inkan dynasty was defeated, captured and executed cutting his head off in Cusco's Main Square.  

Santo Domingo: This church is built over what once was the most magnificent temple in the Americas, Qorikancha or Temple of the Sun. Its courtyards were filled with life-sized gold and silver representations of all the flora and fauna of the Empire. Pizarro's men looted the temple as part of Inka Atahualpa royal ransom who was held prisoner in Cajamarca by the Spaniards and later killed. An earthquake destroyed the Santo Domingo church in 1950 revealing the Inka walls that were hidden or plastered over. These walls of the Temple of the Sun are some of the finest example of Inka stonework in existence.

Plaza de Armas: Called Wakaypata by the Quechuas, signifies cry or moan, and originated in the expressions of reverence and celebrations with which the priests or military ceremonies were carried out in this place.

  

  

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DAY 7: Sun., June 23, 2013:
PISAQ INKA TOWN - SAQSAYWAMAN

Today we will explore the Inka town of Pisaq. The entire mountain behind the village is considered an archaeological treasure, and for good reason. We are bussed several miles up to the top, from where we can hike downhill past ancient sites and burial grounds along an amazing trail with breathtaking views. We arrive at the Inka altars and ceremonial places, and in a release meditation, we discover our inner power and mastery. In the afternoon, we visit Saqsaywaman, a huge, stunning site, which holds the great house of the Sun, where the head of the Puma of Cusco resides. Its megalithic, zigzag stone walls were pieced together with amazing skill, drawing snakes and other Andean symbols like a lightening bolt across a great field. Return to Cusco and rest. (Late Vegetarian Lunch Included)

Planned Hotel (or similar):
*CUSCO: SIETE VENTANAS
Calle Siete Ventanas N° 207, Cusco, Perú - Tel: +51 084 241917

  

Pisac (2,970m) constitutes one of the most important Archaeological Sites in the region. It is located about 30 Kms. (18.6 miles) Northwest of Cusco City. Possibly its name comes from a type of partridge very common in the area known as "Pisaca." A vital Inka road once snaked its way up the canyon that enters the Urubamba Valley at Pisac. The city, at the entrance to this gorge, now in ruins, controlled a route that connected the Inka Empire with Paucartambo, on the border of the eastern jungles. Set high above a valley floor patchworked by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing, the stonework and panoramas at Pisac's Inka city are magnificent. Terraces, water ducts and steps have been cut out of solid rock, and in the upper sector of the ruins, the main Sun Temple is equal of anything at Machu Picchu. Above the temple lie still more ruins, mostly unexcavated, and among the higher crevices and rocky overhangs several ancient burial sites are hidden.

The colonial town named Pisac in the lower part of the valley was established as consequence of the famous "Indians Reductions" by which the Quechuas were joined in small towns. Historians suggest that it was established in order to protect the great capital from possible attacks of the Antis nations (the name of the "Andes" Mountains derives from "Anti"). Today it is still possible to observe the surrounding wall that protected the most important zone of the city. Moreover, inside the protected area are the vast farming terraces that supplied enough food for its inhabitants in case of sieges or conflicts; and there are also aqueducts that supplied water for agricultural development. It seems that water for consumption of the inhabitants was harnessed on the mountain's upper side and transported through underground channels.

Toward the West, on the irregular almost vertical surface of the mountain there is a large amount of something like hollows: they are looted tombs of the biggest pre-Hispanic cemetery in the region. Today. the cemetery is known as "Tankanamarka" (tankay = to push, marka = spot; it may be translated as "hurling spot"), and according to some estimates it must have contained about 10,000 tombs. In the Inkan belief it was stated that once persons died they began a newer life; therefore, their mummies were kept along with all their goods and necessary food.

When the invaders arrived they soon knew that inside the Inkan tombs they could also find jewels of precious stones and metals, thus they began with their diabolical profanation and pillaging of ancient Peruvians' tombs. That is why that cemetery in Pisac contains mostly looted tombs, some mummies are still inside the graves but not their jewels and daily life elements.

Intiwatana (inti = sun, watana = fastener) is the most important district in Pisac. It corresponds to the ceremonial core or spiritual complex of the city that has the best quality constructions with "sedimentary" type walls; that is, with polished-joint carved stones that have a rectangular outer surface. Its location on the mountain's upper section is superb and dominates visually a great territory of the valley. This sector must have been constituted by diverse temples with shrines for different deities. The lack of precise information today makes it difficult to know which were the ceremonies worshipped in every temple. In the complex's central part is a semicircular building with one lateral straight wall which main gate is toward the south, by deduction and analogy with other similar buildings it is established that this was the Sun Temple in Pisac. By the middle of this building is the altar carved in the in-situ rock, with a central interrupted conical protuberance that is known as "Intiwatana" ("Solar Meter"). but its original name must have been "Saywa" or "Sukanka") and must have been used for allowing observation of the solar movements with the help of some other elements or carved angles that served as "pegs" for calculating the shadow projections. The altar served to carry out different ceremonies worshipping to the Sun.

  

  

Descending the Sun Temple stairway, farther to the Southwest side is another interrupted conical carving that was surely used in a close relationship with the "Intiwatana." Even farther down to the west is a carved stone altar and a "stepping symbol" sculpted in the natural rock representing the three stages of the Andean World: the heaven, the earthly world and the subsoil. That sculpture was possibly used as a help element for solar observations too.

Pisac Market: Modern Pisac is a picturesque Andean Village. The village is best known for its market, which draws hundreds of tourists. In spite of its popularity the market retains much of its local charm, at least in the part where villagers from miles around gather to barter and sell their produce. In the tourist section of the market you can buy a wide variety of handicrafts - mostly the same things you see in Cusco.

Sacsayhuaman (Saqsaywaman): Located one kilometer from the city of Cusco, the immense walls of the complex made up of huge stones distributed in a zigzag pattern in three platforms with an average of 1,181ft in length. These platforms are connected by flights of stairs and doorways also in stone; one of these is 2ft tall and 15ft wide and weighs more than 100 tons. The largest stone block found in Saqsaywaman stands 27.88ft high and weighs 130 tons. Together with the city of Cusco, this monumental complex is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world. This huge construction was planned and built by Andean Man. The Inkas called it the House of the Sun. The construction, which is made up of three platforms one on top of the other, was one of the most important spiritual centers at the Andes. Inka Pachakuti and other spiritual leaders considered this place as the most important temple dedicated to the Sun.

      

  

 

  

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DAY 8: Mon., June 24, 2013:
INTI RAYMI: FESTIVAL OF THE SUN and HOUSE OF THE MOON

In Cusco city - around the main square, we dedicate the morning to enjoying the performance of the Festival of the Sun (Inti Raymi). Beautiful celebration in Cusco honoring the solstice. In the afternoon we discover the House of the Moon, an amazing place related to the feminine energies. Return to the hotel. At night celebration with local dances and Andean musicians. Overnight Cusco. (Vegetarian Lunch Included)

Planned Hotel (or similar):
*CUSCO: SIETE VENTANAS
Calle Siete Ventanas N° 207, Cusco, Perú - Tel: +51 084 241917

Inti Raymi Festival, Cusco: Before the invader Spaniards banned the ceremonial events occurring each June Solstice in Cusco, the native residents gathered to honor the Sun, they offer their respect to the Pachamama and Wiracocha, as the main entities giving life to humanity.

These ceremonies took place at the June solstice, when the Sun is farthest from the earth in the Southern Hemisphere. The celebrants fasted and purify their bodies for days before the event, and were educated in the earth rituals. In 1572, Viceroy Toledo banned Inti Raymi celebrations as pagan and contrary to the Catholic faith. Following the edict, the ceremonies went underground. Today, thousands of people converge on Cusco from other parts of the nation, South America and the world for a week long celebration marking the beginning of a new year, the Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun.

Every day has its events, from daytime expositions, street fairs, and people milling and dancing in the streets. In the evenings, live music from the best of Peruvian musical groups draws the crowds to the Plaza de Armas for free concerts. During the preceding year, in preparation for Inti Raymi, hundreds of actors are chosen to represent historical figures. Being selected to portray the Sapa Inka or his wife, Mama Ocllo, is a great honor. The centerpiece of the festival is the all-day celebrations on June 24th, the actual day of Inti Raymi. On this day, the ceremonial events begin with an invocation by the Sapa Inka in the Qorikancha. Here, the Sapa Inka and the spiritual leaders call on the blessings from life. Following the invocations, the Sapa Inka is carried on a golden throne, a provably replica of the ancient ones which weighed about 60 kilos, in a procession to the Solar temple of Sacsayhuaman, in the hills above Cusco. With the Sapa Inka come the high priests, garbed in ceremonial robes, then officials of the court, nobles and others, all elaborately costumed according to their rank, with silver and gold ornaments.

They walk along flower-bedecked streets, to music and prayers and dancing. Women sweep the streets to clear them of evil spirits. At Sacsayhuam¡n , where huge crowds await the arrival of the procession, Sapa Inka climbs to the sacred altar where all can see him. Once all the celebrants are in place in the grand square of the temple, there are speeches by Sapa Inka, the priests and representatives of the Suyos: the Snake for the world below, the Puma for life on earth, and the Kondor for the upper world. It will be celebrations to ensure the fertility of the earth which in combination with light and warmth from the Sun provides a bountiful crop. As the sun begins to set, stacks of straw are set on fire and the celebrants dance around them to honor the Tawantinsuyu or the Empire of the Four Wind Directions. The ceremony of Inti Raymi ends with a procession back to Cusco. The Inka and Mama Ocllo are carried on their thrones, the high priests and representatives of the masters pronounce blessings on the people. Once again, a new year has begun. The Inti Raymi today occurs on June 24th and is also celebrated throughout Peru as Indians Day.

House of the Moon: In the afternoon we discover and meditate at the HOUSE OF THE MOON, an amazing place of initiation related to the feminine energies, east of Cusco. Here are some photos from a previous tour:

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DAY 9: Tues., June 25, 2013:
CUSCO - PUNO - LAKE TITIKAKA

Nice trip to Lake Titikaka, stopping along the way at the magnificent Temple of Wiraqocha. This is a beautiful ride and with all the stops, you will have the opportunity to register in your memories the power of the Apus or Mountain Spirits. We will arrive at our hotel in Puno in the late afternoon. (Lunch Included)

Planned Hotel (or similar):
*PUNO: QALASAYA
Entre Jr. Grau & Lima – Phone: +511 5136 8238 / 9510 24756

Raqchi: On the road from Cusco to Puno in the town of Raqchi lies an Inkan city-temple, dedicated to the most important entity Wiraqocha. Raqchi is found on the right bank of the Vilcanota River, at an altitude of 3500 mts. (11500 ft.). Apparently its pre-Hispanic name was "Cacha" and not "Raqchi." Raqchi was a complex village with multiple constructions for various purposes; including farming terraces, "kanchas" (plazas), "wayranas" (buildings having only 3 walls), "qolqas" (storehouses), different shrines, water fountains, etc.

The most important building within the complex is the "Wiraqocha Temple", built by Inka Wiraqocha in homage to the Superior Invisible Entity of Andean people: "Apu Kon Titi Wiraqocha." The shrine was built after the appearance of a man who began performing miracles, and the village inhabitants decided to stone him to death. After searching for him, they found him knelt with arms extended skyward. Immediately, a fire rain fell. With remorse the men left him free. That strange man went toward the coast and submerged into the ocean waters, disappearing forever. Thereafter, a shrine was constructed in his memory, as well as the sculpture of a stone representation. Concerning the fire rain, it may have been an eruption of the presently extinguished volcano "Kinsach'ata." There is a great quantity of dried lava (volcanic rock) around the area.

The "Wiraqocha Temple" is a grandiose construction for its era. Architectonically it is classified as "kallanka"; that is, a large building completely covered with a thatched roofing (wood and "ichu").

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DAY 10: Weds., June 26, 2013:
AJAYU MARKA & CHARKAS

Today we discover the ancient Aimara altars as we walk the sacred path on the Magical Serpent and explore the Ajayu Marka, an inter-dimensional world with its doors. Continue to the ancient path of the pre-Inka in Charkas for a salutation to the spirit of Titikaka. At the end of the afternoon, visit the Temple of Fertility. Overnight Puno. (Picnic Lunch Included)

Planned Hotel (or similar):
*PUNO: QALASAYA
Entre Jr. Grau & Lima – Phone: +511 5136 8238 / 9510 24756

Lake Titikaka and the House of the Golden Sun Disc. Peru is a land steeped in ancient wisdom that is vital for our planet during these transitional times. Life in the Inkan empire was measured by a thousand year cosmic cycle called an Inti, which means 'Sun'. This thousand year cycle was then divided into halves, each of which was referred to as a Pachakuti ("he who transform the earth"). The cosmovision of the Andean world is the conception of duality that is in permanent opposition, but complementary, like the principle of ying/yang that expresses this opposition. This same principle of duality applies to each Pachakuti. However, Pachakuti also refers to the transitional time that divided each Pachakuti and this is characterized as a time of great changes.

During the five hundred years of the eighth Pachakuti, Pachacuteq, the greatest spiritual leader of the Inkas and the builder of Machu Picchu ruled. This was a time of light when the Inka Empire flourished and there was expansion and good fortune.

The ninth Pachakuti, on the opposite side of the duality, brought with it the five hundred years of darkness when the Spanish invaded the Andes. We are now entering the tenth Pachakuti, which the Andean people refer to as the returning of Pachacuteq, the returning of the Light. This is the time when the etheric crystal cities of the fourth dimension such as the lost golden city of Paititi and the eternal etheric city under lake Titikaka will again be available to us.

One of the Solar Discs in the Inka time that was at Cusco, and placed in the Qorikancha, the main Temple of the Sun, stayed there until the coming of the Spanish. At that time, it was returned to Lake Titikaka and placed in the Eternal Etheric City inside the Lake. In the legend of their origin, this is the place from where the first Inkas, Mallku Qhapak and Mama Oqllo, entered the Earth.

Mallku Qhapak and Mama Oqllo
The Solar Disc was used in the capacity of a cosmic computer that received light information directly from the Universal Mind Source, Wiraqocha, at the Universe. By entering the Temple of Illumination and opening themselves, the Inkas could access the sacred wisdom. During this age of Pachakuti, the sacred Solar Disc is to be re-activated accessing the cosmic wisdom. Many of the world's spiritual leaders, as well as indigenous teachers, acknowledge the energy of the Andes, which is the expression of the feminine electromagnetic light, having its center in the Lake Titikaka. This area is the acknowledged portal through which the new feminine energies are entering Mother Earth 'Pacha Mama."

We wonder how pre-Columbian and other great cultures had precise knowledge of astronomy, of planetary and sidereal dimensions, without possessing the technology of today. These ancient peoples built cities with solar orientation, knew about geographic and magnetic North, verified the precession of the equinoxes, arrival of the solstices, passage of the Sun at the zenith, inclination of the axis of the Earth's rotation axis in accord with the ecliptic (Earth's orbital plane), and elliptical orbit of the Earth around the Sun. This is the mystery of the ancients, awakening wonder and awe as we visit Peru's sacred sites.

  

Ajayu Marka, Titikaka: Walk the sacred path on the Magical Serpent and discover the Ajayu Marka, a dimensional
world with its doors. We walk to the Magical Power source of the Ajayu Marka, House of the ancient Spirits and Masters and the dimensional doorway of the Ancient Ones. House of the spirits--an interdimensional doorway. The Ancients created the main altars to the Sun in the Aimara regions. We will travel to "Ajayu Marka" to walk on the back of the Cosmic Serpent before arriving to revel in and experience the vortex energy of the Interdimensional Gate of Aramu Muru, a portal for dimensional shifting and University of the Seven Rays. Experience a ceremony at the Doorway that will help you connect with the powerful Interdimensional energies that flow into this timeless altar. Stand in portals carved out rock on either side of the main alter, to balance your male and female energies.

The experience of placing your 3rd eye on the contact point on the doorway itself can only be described by you as you have your own unique experience.

     

Copamaya and Aimara People: We continue to the Sun gate of the Copamaya altars, located closeto beautiful beaches, where we give salutations to the Spirit of the Lake Tiitikaka.

The Aimara people living in the Titikaka Basin and on the islands still practice their ancient methods of agriculture on stepped terraces that predate Inka times. They grow barley, quinoa (a type of pigweed that produces a small grain), and the potato, which originated on the Altiplano.

  

     

The remnants of an ancient people, the Uru, still live on floating mats of dried totora (a reedlike papyrus that grows in dense brakes in the marshy shallows). From the totora, the Uru and other lake dwellers make their famed balsas--boats fashioned of bundles of dried reeds lashed together that resemble the crescent-shaped papyrus craft pictured on ancient Egyptian monuments. The Uros are singular people and even though they keep to themselves, they do allow people to visit with them.

  

     

   

 

Chucuito Fertility Temple: On a small promontory on the southern shore of Lake Titicaca, Chucuito, a small Aymara town, is one of the oldest in the altiplano region. The town, capital of the province during colonial times, has a lovely main square and a colonial church, Nuestra Senora de La Asuncion (built in 1601). Chucuito was also the primary Inca settlement in the region. Near another colonial church, Santo Domino, is a most curious construction dating to pre-Columbian times and the town's main attraction: Inca Uyo is composed of dozens of large, mushroom-shaped phallic stones, most a few feet high, which were apparently erected as part of fertility rituals.

The anatomically correct stones, which until a few years ago were kept in a sterile museum, leave little doubt as to what their creators were getting at. Some point up at the sun god, Inti, while others are inserted into the ground, directed at Pachamama, or Mother Earth. At the center of the ring, lording over the fertility temple, is the king phallus. Local guides tell tales of the exact rituals during which virgins purportedly sat for hours atop the phalluses to increase fertility.

     

The stones might predate the Incas, but some contend that they are fake. Spanish missionaries did everything in their power to destroy all symbols and structures they considered pagan, and it does seem odd that they would have constructed two churches nearby but left this temple intact.

       

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DAY 11: Thurs., June 27, 2013:
AMANTANI - LOVE ISLAND - THE CENTER OF LIGHT

This morning we cross the highest navigable lake in the world to the island of Amantani. The spiritual leader of the community will led us in a power offering for Pachamama. This night we share with the locals and stay in their homes to become one of the most remarkable memories of the journey. (Lunch and Dinner Included)

Accommodations: In the simple homes of island inhabitants

Lake Titikaka Legend: Titikaka ("Rock of the Puma") was, according to Andean legend, the birthplace of civilization. Wiraqocha, the creator, brought light into a dark world by directing the Sun, Moon and stars to rise up out of the lake and take their place in the sky. With time the Sun and Moon had children who also rose from the depths of the lake. These new people were sent out from Titikaka to the four corners of the earth, with Mallku Qhapac and his sister Mama Oqllo and their family clan being sent off to inhabit the Cusco region. Inka legend believed that Mallku was the first Inka and a direct descendent from the Sun.   

The supposed location in Titikaka of the birthplace of the Sun, Moon and Mallku Qhapac is actually on the Bolivian side of the lake on the islands named the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) and Isla de la Luna (Island of the Moon).

In Inka mythology, Mallku Qhapac and Mama Oqllo, children of the Sun, emerged from the depths of Lake Titikaka to found their empire. Like famous naturalist Jacques Cousteau, today's visitors to Titikaka will surely feel the same emotion that captivated the symbolic universe of the ancient Peruvians. With lofty snow-capped peaks along its far shores, the vast blue lake at 3,810m is one of the Andes' most enchanting scenes.

Lake Titikaka statistics: The world's highest lake navigable to large vessels, lying at 12,500 feet (3,810 m) above sea level in the Andes Mountains, astride the border between Peru to the Northwest and Bolivia to the Southeast. Titikaka is the second largest lake of South America (after Maracaibo). It covers 3,350 square miles (8,600 square km) and extends for a distance of 120 miles (190 km). It is 40 miles (65 km) across at its widest point. A narrow strait, Tiquina, separates the lake into two bodies of water. The smaller, in the Southeast, is called Lake Winay Marka which belongs to Bolivia; the larger, in the Northwest, is called Lake Chucuito and belongs to Peru.

The meaning of the name Titikaka is uncertain, but it has been variously translated as Rock of the Puma, Stone Puma, or Crag of Lead. In the snow-covered Cordillera Real on the Northeastern (Bolivian) shore of the lake, some of the highest peaks in the Andes rise to heights of more than 21,000 feet (6,400 m).

The lake averages between 460 and 600 feet (140 and 180 m) in depth, but the bottom tilts sharply toward the Peruvian shore, reaching its greatest recorded depth of 920 feet (280 m) around the Soto island in the lake's Northeast side.

  

More than Forty islands rise from Titikaka's waters. The largest, Titikaka Island (Spanish: Isla de Titikaka, also called Isla del Sol), lies just off the tip of the Copacabana Peninsula in Bolivia. There are several islands that can be accessed from Puno City. The most popular of these are the islands of Uros, Taquile and Amantani.

  

Ruins on the shore and on the islands attest to the previous existence of one of the oldest civilizations known in the Americas, antedating the Christian era. The chief site is at Tiwanaku, Bolivia, at the Southern end of the lake.

          
   

Amantani Island is located 38 km from the city of Puno, 3,810 meters above sea level, 3,5 hours by motorboat. Amantani is a beautiful island with warm and hospital inhabitants. Its greatest attraction is based on the social, ethnic and archaeological aspects. Among its most important and well-known places are the temples of Pachatata and Pachamama dedicated to the cult of the earth and heaven. From there on you can have an excellent panoramic view of the lake, as well as a view of the oriental mountain range and the Bolivian side with its mountain range.

  

  

  

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DAY 12: Fri., June 28, 2013:
TEMPLES OF LIGHT - PUNO

Early in the morning we ascend to the temples of Pachatata and Pachamama where we present our offering to Pachamama and to life. After a light meal, we boat back to the continent and will have our transportation to Puno and have a free afternoon.

Planned Hotel (or similar):
*PUNO: QALASAYA
Entre Jr. Grau & Lima – Phone: +511 5136 8238 / 9510 24756

   

  

   

Puno City is located in the Southeast corner of Peru, on the shores of the magnificent Lake Titikaka and only 126km from the frontier with Bolivia. At 3,827m in altitude, Puno is a melting pot of Andean cultures including the Aimara from the South and Quechua from the North. This has earned Puno the title of 'Folkloric Capital of Peru' which it lives up to well with its huge number and variety of traditional fiestas, dances and music.

   

     

The city, whose full name is San Carlos de Puno, was founded in 1668 following the discovery of nearby silver mines. Prior to this, Puno had been a small stopping off place between the much larger silver mines at Potosi in Bolivia and to the way to Lima.

        

Today, Puno is a predominately agricultural region. Its main economic activities are cultivating potatoes, barley and quinoa, as well as raising cattle, sheep, llamas and alpacas. If you're looking for Peruvian knitwear you'll find the markets in Puno have a huge selection and are probably the cheapest in Peru.

    

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DAY 13: Sat., June 29, 2013:
PUNO - SILLUSTANI - LIMA

Morning visit to the Andean Taj Majal in Sillustani, another sacred site for our closing ritual and circle. Then transfer to the airport for our flight to Lima. Arrival in Lima and transfer to the hotel or to the airport for international connections. If your flight is at night on June 30, then you can book an extra hotel night for late check-out on June 30. If your flight is July 1 or later, then you can book more hotel nights, which are available on the REGISTRATION FORM.

Planned Hotel (or similar):
*LIMA: CARMEL
Calle Atahualpa 152 Miraflores - Lima - Phone: 51(1)241-8672

If you must leave on your international flight tonight, then we will take you to the airport for your international connection. However, it is preferable to leave on your international flight on June 30.

     

    

        

Sillustani: Sillustani is an ancient burial ground near lake Titikaka. The tombs are built above the ground, and with deep symbolism. The ancient people in Peru believed in a mother earth that created and regulated life. When a person died, they were mummified in the fetal position, just like they came into the world. The doors of the tombs face east, because that is where the Sun is born from the mother earth every day.

DAY 14: Sun., June 30, 2013:
LIMA to HOME.

Transfer to the airport to your international flight home and begining of a new path in your life.

      

END OF TOUR.

For fees, for more information,
or to register for this tour on our secure server,
CLICK HERE.

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PERU Travel Information

PERU WEATHER:

In general, Peru has two seasons, wet and dry, but in a country as geographically diverse as Peru, local weather patterns vary greatly. In the highlands, the dry season is between May and November, but even the mountains' wet season is not always wet and the dry season sees downpours. Temperatures during the day in the dry season can get hot. At night, temperatures can drop quickly and a warm sweater makes walking around the plazas comfortable.

The Mountain Highlands (Cusco, Lake Titicaca)
 
Mid April to October.
This period is the dry season, with hot, dry days and cold, dry nights, often hovering just above freezing, particularly in June and July. May is perhaps the best month with the countryside exceptionally lush, yet with superb views and fine weather. You'll find the flowers in full bloom, the grass green and the streams full.
 
November to Mid April
This is the wet season with most rain in January and February. It's usually clear and dry most mornings with outbursts of heavy rain in the afternoons. The daily temperatures are typically mild with only a small drop at night.
 
The Coast (Lima, Nasca, Arequipa).
 
December to April
This is summertime on the coast where the weather is hot and dry and ideal for swimming and getting a tan. Temperatures on average range from 25 to 35°C. There is little or no rain during these months.

May to November
From May to November the temperature drops a bit and you'll find blankets of sea mist engulfing the coast from the south right up to about 200 km north of Lima. At this time of year only the northern beaches such as Mancora and Punta Sal are warm enough to provide pleasant swimming.

 Average Temperatures and Rainfall

LIMA	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High (°F)	77	79	79	75	70	66	63	63	63	66	68	73
Low (°F)	66	68	66	65	61	59	57	56	56	57	61	63
High (°C)	25	26	26	24	21	19	17	17	17	19	20	23
Low (°C)	19	20	19	18	16	15	14	13	13	14	16	17
Wet Days	1	0	0	0	1	1	1	2	1	0	0	0

CUSCO	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High (°F)	66	66	67	68	68	67	67	68	68	70	69	68
Low (°F)	44	44	44	41	37	34	34	34	39	42	43	43
High (°C)	19	19	19	20	20	19	19	20	20	21	20	20
Low (°C)	7	7	7	5	3	1	1	1	4	6	6	6
Wet Days	16	12	10	7	4	3	2	2	6	8	10	14

WE RECOMMEND YOU TO:

- Use boots or athletic shoes during walks.
- Drinking lots of water on long excursions, especially at Lake Titikaka.
- Always take an umbrella or rainwear.

WATER

The tap water in most of Peru is potable, but the chemical content varies from place to place. To avoid problems, we recommend that you always drink bottled water, which is readily available everywhere for purchase. Do not drink any tap water, even to brush your teeth. Do not eat any raw salads, raw fruits or raw vegetables. If you want to purify your water before drinking it, your can either bring a 220-volt heating coil for boiling water, or you can use water-purification tablets or a water purifier, which is available at any camping store.

VALUABLES

Pickpockets abound in crowded areas and muggings in Cusco are on the rise. Therefore you are advised to leave all valuables in the hotel safe, including passport, credit cards, and other identifying papers. You are advised to leave valuable clothing, precious jewelry, valuable papers, and all unnecessary items at home and not take them to Peru.

HEALTH

Because you are visiting Andean areas, take precautions to avoid altitude sickness if you are prone to it. During your first day move slowly and eat lightly, resting the first couple of hours. Drink lots of bottled water. We recommend that you get CELL FOOD from a health food store. This product, created by NASA, has components to produce oxygen in a liquid form.

Please consult the CDC website for health information, and please keep in mind that we will not be visiting any tropical regions in Peru: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.htm

NOTES ON WALKING:

Some visits involve a lot of walking at very high altitudes:

*Machu Picchu, from the entrance, we will walk uphill to a viewpoint above the city, about one mile steep walk. Within the city, many stairs to climb.

*Amantani Island, from the port on the island we will walk a distance of one mile steeply uphill to get to the houses where we will be lodged. The next morning, the ones who feel ready will climb to the temples, which are one more mile uphill from the houses. In none of these place we are running; we are walking and taking our time. The difference altitude from the port to the temples in the next day is about 1000 feet. If some feel that they can not make to the temples can wait in the lower part of the island.

*Ajayu Marka Dimensional Door Way, from the bus we will walk a few meters to the first stops, not very far to walk. For the second part, we need to walk half a mile to get to the Dimensional Doorway. This is flat.

*Sillustani, here we will do a walk of about half a mile, with some little climbing, but accessible.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

At the airport in Lima, you will be met by our representative with a placard that has your name on it. You will be transported to your hotel. At the time of your departure, our representative will take you to the airport. As long as you sent us your detailed flight information, you are all set.

BAGGAGE

Weather and loading and unloading can cause more than usual wear and tear to luggage in Peru. Accordingly, all luggage should be capable of withstanding rain and rugged treatment. For your flights within Peru, the weight limit is 20 kilograms (44.1 pounds) or less. If you exceed this weight, you will have to pay a penalty. Generally as you arrive at the hotels, you do not need to handle luggage from one place to another. You have to identify your luggage to the porters of hotels so they can carry your luggage to your room. We recommend that all bags have your identification name in order to bring to your room or to the places you need. 

Carry-On Allowance: 1 Bag + 1 Personal Item

Each passenger is allowed to carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase. Assistive devices and outer garments do not count as personal items. All carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you and adhere to the following requirements:

     - Maximum Weight of Carry-on Luggage for first and business class: 16kg/35lb*
     - Maximum Weight of Carry-on Luggage for economy class: 8kg/18lb
     - Maximum Dimensions of Carry-on Luggage: 46 linear inches/115 cm (22x14x10 in/ 55x35x25 cm)
     - Maximum Dimensions of Personal Item: 21in x 16in x 8in (length x width x height)
* In addition, first and business class passengers may take a folding garment bag.

Checked Baggage Allowance for domestic flights within Peru

     - First class: 88lb/40kg
     - Business class: 66lb/30kg
     - Economy class: 44lb/20kg

Excess, overweight, and oversize baggage fees vary by route.

Excess baggage is defined as:
     - An extra piece in addition to the two permitted.
     - Any piece exceeding the permitted dimensions.
     - Any piece weighing 50 lb/23kg - 70lb/32kg: $50
     - Any piece weighing 70 lb/32kg - 99lb/45kg will be charged according to the route.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

One U.S. dollar = approximately 2.58 PEN Perun Nuevo Sol (subject to fluctuation). One PEN = approximately U.S. dollar $.38. You may experience difficulty in exchanging traveler's checks outside Lima or in exchanging currency other than U.S. Dollars. Please consider changing your money in Lima. There is usually a currency exchange bank at international airports such as in Lima. That would be a good option for changing money.

INSURANCE

Be sure to get travel insurance in case you need to cancel for any reason. Divine Travels carries no travel insurance. Please go to http://www.insuremytrip.com

LAUNDRY

There are laundry services at the main towns, and the hotels are also doing this service. In Cusco, after returning from Machu Picchu, you can use laundry at the hotel or at the different houses in town. Of course the hotels are always more expensive.

INTERNET

Internet cafes abound in Peru. You will have the opportunity to connect via the Internet in many places. There is Internet service all over the main towns and in some little ones. There are Internet cabins or Internet cafes in many places, but if you prefer, you can bring your own laptop with all the accessories to plug in some of the hotels or even Internet cafes with wireless. In nearly all the hotels you find some internet services. Some are charging US $2 per hour, and others offer for free. In towns you pay US $1 per hour.

VOLTAGE

Be sure to bring an adapter for Peru/South America so you can plug in to the 220 voltage system in Peru. Nearly all laptops and cell phone adapters are already built for dual voltage (110 and 220), so you would not need a transformer unless you are plugging in something that is 110 volt only.

PHONE CALLS

There are call centers in all the towns where you can make international phone calls for about 30 to 50 cents per minute. If you wish to use your cell phone, you can make arrangements with your phone carrier to make international calls while you are in Peru.

REMEMBER TO BRING:

-Passport (and visa, if required from your country).
-Airplane tickets or E-Ticket page with confirmation number and/or ticket number.
-Camera and camcorder, and extra batteries, to photograph interdimensional lights or beings.
-Clothing for Winter (June to Sept.): Temperature can get down to below freezing.
-Clothing for temperatures listed in chart above. Please note low temperatures.
-Gloves, scarf.
-Warm jacket.
-Hiking shoes or athletic shoes.
-Warm socks.
-Warm hat or cap.
-Swimming suit.
-Waterproof shoes or sandals for walking on gravel in lakes, streams, and hot springs.
-You can buy alpaca sweaters in Peru.
-Sunscreen.
-Sunhat.
-Toilet paper for emergencies.
-Antiseptic wipes for emergencies.
-Binoculars, if you enjoy them.
-Sunglasses, if needed.
-Seat cushion for rocky or wet ground, if you feel you need it.
-Towel for hot springs.
-Rain poncho or other rainwear (it may rain, even during dry season)
-Gifts for children, such as boxes of crayolas, boxes of pencils, toys, or clothing.
-A few crystals, sage, or sweetgrass, to give to Pacamama in ceremonies.
-Alarm clock.
-Do not bring expensive jewelry or perfume.
-Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes.
-Flashlight and extra batteries.
-Backpack, fannypack, and secret pack for valuables.
-Prescriptions, vitamins, and medications.
-Wash kit, water bottle and water purifying tablets.
-Personal first aid kit.
-Immodium for diarrhea.
-May consider bringing oscillococcinum, aspirin, CO-Q10, E-mergen-C, L-Tyrosine, DMG.
-CELL FOOD: A product for high altitudes, created by NASA, that produces oxygen in a liquid form.

GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

About the gifts, we recommend to bring colors, crayons, pens, notebooks, pencils, toys, clothes, or others, but not candies or chemical products. The quantity is never easy to say. For sure, children will love to receive more than one piece--at least two or more. There will be at least three or four places where we meet children from communities or little villages in the Lake Titikaka area.

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