INTI RAYMI 2008

(Program IR2008: 5 Days - 4 Nights)

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

    - Transfers and Trips according to itinerary
- 4 Hotel Nights in Cusco (breakfast is included)
- Admissions
- Food according to itinerary
- Tour Guide and professional personnel
- Comfortable Transportation
- Permanent Assistance given by our personnel.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Cusco.

Reception in the Velasco Astete Airport of Cusco. Transfer to your HOTEL.

During the afternoon, your will tour the city and the nearby archaeological places. We will make easy to enjoy this wonderful city where the old and original Incan walls and cobbled floors blend with the colonial Spanish architecture. Visit to the TEMPLE OF THE SUN or Qoricancha the “Golden Palace”; its perfect architecture and fine construction reflect the fact that it was the most important and sacred temple in the the whole Incan Territory; it was the mystical peak of the Inca Empire.

The CATHEDRAL shows its fabulous paintings and works of gold flakes (golden leaves); you will see lots of carved wood covered with embossed silver.
You will walk by the huge stone ruins of the SAQSAYWAMAN TEMPLE (the cyclopean stones of this temple were joined so closely that it is not possible to insert a knife between them). You will also visit the ceremonial fountains of TAMBOMACHAY, the Temple of QENQO that was dedicated to the Mother Earth and the four natural elements. You will also see the archaeological site of Puca Pucara.

Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas (Tue, Thu, Sun)

Start time between 08.30am to 09:00am.

Visit of Pisac, one of the most important colonial towns in the area; located by the lower part of the Vilcanota Valley, to the northwest of the City of Cusco. This small town was made in the Andean way, with narrow and paved streets, with a Main Square where every Sunday there is a nice native Market that attracts hundreds of farmers from the surrounding communities that descend from the mountains to carry out their commercial transactions. A big sector of the market contains crafts or "souvenirs". Consequently, nowadays it is possible to find two markets in the same square: the "Indian" and the souvenir one. In general, this is a good place to shop for pottery that is made locally and somewhat old weavings (15 or 20 years). On the other hand, on Sunday mornings, by 11:00 am. there is a Catholic Mass in the church for the local populace as well as for the "Varayoq" (whom has a "vara", that is, a staff of office) or mayors of peasant communities of the region

You will continue along the banks of the Urubamba River, through diverse towns and flanking mountains with a beautiful landscape. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant in Urubamba.

In the afternoon you will tour the old Incan Town of OLLANTAYTAMBO, a fortified town built by the Quechuas that also served as protective spot for Machupicchu. Ollantaytambo is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in South America; its inhabitants still live in the same houses and palaces used by the Incas about 500 years ago. Return to Cusco by way of Chinchero.

Day 3: Machupicchu 

Transfer early in the morning to go to the train station for a trip of approximately three hours and a half to the Lost City of the Incas: Machupicchu. The train goes along the banks of the Urubamba River, flanked by high cliffs and high mountains.

After the arrival you will have a short but spectacular bus ride of 25 minutes to get to the higher part of the mountain, where the Incan City is located.

It was here where the Inca were very successful when blending the marvels of their civilization with those of mother nature. The great beauty of what is considered one of the most dramatic places in the world, will immediately transport you to its immobile living mysteries."

You will have a guided tour of the sacred city containing the most spectacular work of architectural design in ancient America. Buffet lunch is included.

Late in the afternoon, return to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

Day 4: Inti Raymi

Transfer to start the tour and to attend the impressive Inti Raymi (Sun Festivity) in the Saqsaywaman Archaeological Site. You will witness the performance of the most important Incan Ceremony in ancient times.

The ceremony starts in the Temple of the Sun in downtown Cusco, and then continues in Saqsaywaman.

Entrance and box-lunch are included.

Shared transportation and guide (Spanish–English)

Return to your hotel.

Day 5: Last day in Cusco 

Transfer from your Hotel towards the airport, for your exit flight.

Our personnel, will assist you in the checking your tickets and baggage.