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Sightseeing and walking tours of 2-3 hours over uneven terrain, up and down steps at elevations up to 12,350' Apr 28 - May 6, 2012 May 26 - Jun 3, 2012 Jun 18 - 27, 2012 Jun 30 - Jul 8, 2012 Aug 25 - Sep 2, 2012 Sep 22 - 30, 2012 Oct 27 - Nov 4, 2012 Nov 24 - Dec 2, 2012 Inti-Raymi Festival2012 $3,975 p.p.d. (4-6 participants) $3,675 p.p.d. (7-12 participants) $1,015 Single Supplement p.p.d. = per person based on double occupancy Upgrade to the Iconic Itinerary Extend Your Trip Meet Your Guides Peru FAQ Map of Peru Suggested Reading Travel Insurance Terms & Conditions World of the Incas A Classic Tour of Cusco and Machu Picchu |
World of the Incas A Classic Tour of Cusco and Machu Picchu The Incas . . . Sons of the Sun . . . mysterious builders of stone fortresses, mountaintop citadels and golden temples. According to legend Manco Inca and Mama Ocllo, the first Inca rulers, came forth from Lake Titicaca to unite warring tribes under a common language and a unified religion, creating one of the most fabulous of ancient empires, Tawantinsuyo, “the four quarters of the world.” At its apex in the late fifteenth century, this impressive kingdom spanned an area more than five times the size of the state of California! The Incas governed this vast realm, which was connected by thousands of miles of stone-paved highways, from their cultural and religious center in Cusco. Persecuted by Spanish conquistadores, much of the Inca’s history was destroyed. Even so, many stone monuments stand today, a testament to the skill of their master architects. Designed for those who wish to deepen their appreciation of the Incas, this exciting cultural and archaeological adventure takes us into the very heart of Tawantinsuyo. We begin in the Inca’s Sacred Valley, joining Quechua villagers at the traditional market in Pisac before surveying the ruins overlooking town. Next, we visit a family in Chinchero, enjoy a weaving demonstration by master craftswomen and view the fortress at Ollantaytambo. The following morning we take the train to Machu Picchu and spend two full days exploring this jewel of Inca architecture and the nearby village of Aguas Calientes. Returning to Cusco by train, we visit splendid royal palaces and admire the precise stonework of the Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman and other pre-Columbian sites. Our adventure ends with a tour of Lima’s magnificent Larco Herrera Museum. Brief Itinerary Day 1 : Evening arrival to Lima, Peru's capital and transfer to the hotel. Day 2 : Fly to Cusco (11,150') and drive to Pisac (9,708'). Stroll through the village on market day and hike through the ridgetop ruins complex. Day 3 : Drive to the picturesque highlands and explore the town of Chinchero. Meet with Quechua weavers & tour Ollantaytambo. Days 4-6 : Early morning drive to the Ollanta station and board the first-class Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Enjoy 3 days of guided explorations of the Inca's Lost City. Return to Cusco by train on the evening of Day 6. Day 7 : Private walking tour of the city, Cathedral & Coricancha. Drive to the nearby hills and walk through the ruins of Sacsayhuaman & Tambo Machay. Days 8-9 : Fly to Lima and join an expert guide for a private tour of the colonial section & Larco Herrera Museum, then fly home. "Your planning of the itinerary for this complex custom trip was superb - both the big picture and the flow of the tour; and the meticulous attention to detail & execution. I was most impressed overall - you and your staff did a superb job!" Mark Giesecke (Flagstaff, AZ) - Customized Program
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