PERU- TOUR OF LIVING CULTURES

Your Journey begins:

DAY 1- ARRIVE LIMA

Following your early arrival in Lima you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Miraflores. Rest of the morning is at leisure. Miraflores is known for its shopping areas, gardens, parks and beaches, one of the city’s upscale districts. As a result of the Battle of Miraflores fought during the War of the Pacific, Miraflores got the designation of Ciudad Heroica (Heroic City). The only pre-Inca ruin remaining in Miraflores, Huaca Pucllana (formerly Hispanicize as Juliana) can still be seen.

Day 2- LIMA – PACHACAMAC RUINS & CITY TOUR

Morning tour Pachacamac ruins. Pachacamac is the nearest archeological site to Lima. An important religious center of the coast more than 1,000 years before the Inca Empire. Under the Inca reign, the site kept its importance and certain buildings – as Mamaconas (House of the selected women) – were built at that time. When the Spanish arrived, Pachacamac was the largest religious center and city on the coast. It was a complex of palaces and pyramid temples where people came to adore the god Pachacamac. In the museum of the site there is a wooden statue of Pachacamac. Hernando Pizarro (the governor’s brother) came to Pachacamac in 1533 to claim the gold ransom for the release of Atahualpa. Not having found the gold, the Spanish killed the priests, destroyed the pagan images and plundered the temples. The ruins encircle a hill whose top is formed by the Temple of the Sun. This vast pyramid was built in 1350 using adobe bricks and was partially restored. Mamaconas is one of the principal buildings also restored. Here the “selected women” learned to weave the fabrics where the clothes of the Inca were made. This afternoon will be spent at leisure or explore the city on your own. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Afternoon embark on a tour of Lima, the social and economic heart of Peru. Your first stop will be at the Government Palace of Peru also known as the House of Pizarro was rebuilt in 1937. Continue to the Municipalidad de Lima (City Hall), the residence of Lima’s Mayor. Its trademarks are the colonial style wooden balconies, elaborate interior and exquisite library.  Archbishop’s Palace, residence of the Archbishop of Lima’s and the administrative headquarters of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lima. The palace is a prime Proceed to the Convento y Museo de San Francisco, the most spectacular of Lima’s colonial-era churches, the Convent of Saint Francis is a strikingly restored, yellow-and-white 17th century complex. Cloisters and interiors are lined with beautiful azulejos (glazed ceramic tiles) from Seville, and carved mudéjar (Moorish-style) ceilings are overhead.  Next, visit Plaza San Martín, the city’s most representative public spaces, located near the Plaza Mayor of Lima and is connected to by the Jiron de la Union. Its central monument gives homage to Peru’s liberator, José de San Martín. One of the last stops is San Isidro is an upscale district, a major financial quarter in recent years. San Isidro prides itself on being home to many Peruvian artists. A few museums, as well as the Huaca Huallamarca, a pre-Inca burying temple which dates back to the 4th century where concerts and exhibitions are held occasionally, show the cultural heritage of the district. Notable residents of San Isidro include painter Fernando de Szyszlo and Miss Peru 1965 Frieda Holler, among others.

Day 3- LIMA/TRUJILLO

Transfer and board early morning flight to Trujillo, one of the first cities founded by Spanish conquerors in America. It was founded among four Chimu settlements (Huanchaco, Huamán, Moche & Mampuesto), so they could rally against the Incas. The city played a significant role in the struggle against a complete Spanish rule. It was the first important city of Peru that proclaimed its independence from Spain in 1820, serving as a temporary capital of Peru in 1825 and was the main headquarters for Simon Bolívar. HOTEL

Visit the Museo Casinelli, a unique museum in the basement of a gas station. The exhibits showcase pottery and artifacts spanning thousands of years, collected from local huaqueros. The Salinar, Viru, Mochica, Chimu, Nasca, Huari, Recuay and Inca cultures are represented with highlights including Mochica pots reflecting images of daily life, people, animals and anthropomorphic deities. Continue to Huaca Esmeralda, temple in the Chan Chán complex dating from about 1,300 AD. It consists of two temples, one built in front of the other and there are friezes depicting the fisher king. Next visit Huaca Arco Iris (Huaca El Dragón), a religious temple from the early Chimú period around 850-900 AD. It was part of the city of Chan Chán, although separate from any of the governors’ palaces. The temple was originally painted bright yellow and it is believed when the Spanish sailed past the coastline they saw its golden walls from the sea. The temple has some beautiful friezes of Chimú gods, with strong links to the Moche culture, which look like dragons, hence the name of the temple. Your last stop will be the Tschudi Palace, named after a Swiss explorer. It was here where the most important members of Chimu society once lived and the most elaborate friezes can be seen. The palace probably housed between 500 and 1,000 noble people and its courtyard is one of the best places to observe Chimu friezes. The palace’s sanctuary is also of elevated interest, as its walls exhibit a sort of fishnet pattern. Even though, many of the friezes have been reconstructed, there are a few which are in their original state. Rest of the afternoon will be spent at leisure.

Day 4- TRUJILLO/CHICLAYO

This morning’s tour commences with a visit to the desert Valle de Moche, a complex of Moche ruins showcasing two impressive rounded-off and weather-beaten adobe pyramids. Built by the Moche people around 500 AD, they are about 7 centuries older than the ruined city of Chan Chan. The first pyramid, the Huaca del Sol (Temple of the Sun), is nearly 70 feet high and most probably the largest man-made structure in the Americas. The pyramid was believed to be constructed by 250,000 men and with 140 million adobe bricks. Across the field, burial sites were discovered also living quarters once erected. Continue to Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the Moon), which is better conserved and inside the adobe walls are polychromatic friezes of large rhomboids, featuring a repeated motif of the fearsome anthropomorphic figure Ai-Apaek, known as El Degollador (the decapitator) and several less important figures.

Travel overland to Chiclayo, en route stopping at San José de Moro, a small village on the banks of the Chaman River. It is one of the most vital cemeteries and ceremonial centers of the Mochica and subsequent cultures. Tombs, objects and architectural proof of these cultures are still buried at the site. An incredible discovery of the San José de Moro Archaeological Project (SJMAP) was the burial site of the most important women in the Andean region, tombs of Mochica priestesses. Around this type of tomb, Mochica pottery, adorned with a technique known as fine line painting, has been discovered, remnants of some of the most spectacular artistic works produced by the Mochica society. On arrival, transfer to HOTEL

Day 5- SIPAN & VALLEY OF PYRAMIDS EXCURSION

Visit Sipan, the burial site of the Moche culture, a civilization that flourished on the north coast of Peru between 100 and 800 AD. The burial grounds, which are extensive, contain several royal tombs, the 1,700 year old funeral offerings, among them pieces worked in precious metals, stone, pottery, textiles and decorated in gold. The original pieces are exhibited in the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, located 17 kilometers from Chiclayo. This museum is a replica of the Moche Pyramid, under which the tombs were discovered. Finally, visit the vast archaeological complex of Tucume, situated 35 kilometers north of Chiclayo also known as the Valley of the Pyramids. It was originally constructed by the Lambayeque people between 1,000 and 1,400 AD and is home to the largest adobe structure in the world. Your last stop will be the Huaca Rajada, a significantly important archaeological site where the high society of the Moche culture was buried. Climb to the largest of the adobe brick pyramids to drink in the panoramic view of the pyramid valley. The pyramid is 2,300 feet long, 910 feet wide, although it may have originally been three times this height.

Day 6- TRUJILLO/ CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY

This morning, fly to Cusco via Lima. Travel overland to Sacred Valley (home of the Great White Brotherhood and Ancient Mysteries Schools). Time free to rest and acclimatize.  Later in the evening, visit to the powerful Pisac Temples where we conduct a ceremony of liberation and connection with our ancestors. At sanctuary of Huanca, learn its history and receive sacred healing from the lord of Huanca. Later merge into the local culture at the lively Pisac Market. Hang with the locals, photograph & shop for treasures. The Shaman shop is always an adventure, and the pizza in Pisac is famous! Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 7 – OLLANTAYTAMBO EXCURSION

This morning travel to Ollantaytambo (City of the wind) located at the convergence of 2   powerful canyons and rivers. It is home to a surviving traditional community. Be impressed by the unique architecture of the town. Ollantaytambo was a very important sanctuary, a “tampu” to control the roads leading towards the “Antisuyo” (jungle). City is surrounded by mountains and the sounds of babbling sacred springs, which hold the spirits of Wiracocha and the Condor. Before dinner, we will learn the Andean cosmovision and attend a ceremony with our Paqo (Andean priest) Lorenzo.

Day 8 – MORAY / MARAS & CHINCHEROS EXCURSION

Today we will visit one of the ancient concentric circles in the world. Moray is an Inka site with circular terraces that used to create exceptional conditions or micro climates to foster domestication, acclimatization and hybridization of a wide array of wild vegetable species. The species were modified or adapted for human consumption. An important fact of the Inka’s technology was to work in harmony with nature. They used the natural forces, mastered hydraulic engineering, and use of soil & the earth. Participate in a prayer ceremony for mother earth (Pachamama) seeking blessings and sharing energy with mountain spirits. Next visit Maras a pre Inca town where salt has been obtained by evaporating salty water from a local stream. The highly salty water emerges at a spring, a natural outlet of the underground stream. The flow is directed into an intricate system of tiny channels so that the water runs gradually down onto the several hundred ancient terraced ponds. Enjoy picnic lunch before continuing to Chinchero called “El Pueblo Del Arco Iris” (the town of the rainbow), offering spectacular views of the Urubamba mountain range as well as the majestic Salkantay mountain. Here we connect with circle of light honoring the mountains around us and the eternal snow. Sunday is the day of the “qhatu” (market) – where the old system of exchange is used to purchase agricultural products, textiles, crafts etc. No currency is used to make purchases.

Day 9 – MACHU PICCHU

Travel by train this morning to the village of Aguas Calientes.  On arrival check in at the Hotel. After storing luggage and freshening up, visit the famous city of Machu Picchu, also named as the Crystal City, the Rainbow City, the City of the Condor and the Hummingbird, the City of Peace, and the City of Light. The legendary beauty of this magnificent city defines an ancient city of ascended masters. Feel the energies while exploring the sanctuary and work with the three sacred beings on the Inca trinity: CONDOR, ruler of the realm of spirit. PUMA, ruler of the realm of physical manifestation and AMARU the sacred serpent, ruler of the realm of the psyche, death & rebirth.  Later in the evening enjoy a stunning sunset experience form a vantage point. Machu Picchu, is the “Lost City of the Inka’s” an ancient site fed by grids of powerful natural energies patterned by surrounding mountains and extensive underground tunnels. Shamanic believe that this site served as an initiatory center for higher learning. Throughout the ages, the sheltered temple sights, geophysical conducive atmospheres were used for rituals and mind altering experiences. Shamanic legend believes that touching one’s forehead to the Intiwantana Stone opens one’s vision into the Spirit World.  Return back for Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 10 –MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO

Return back to the sanctuary in the morning. Explore the town of Aguas Calientes, shop for handicrafts etc. before taking the afternoon train to Cusco. Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Cusco was the first advanced trading post in the Andes, becoming a melting pot for the Inca and Spanish Cultures. Check in at Hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure to acclimatize with high altitude. In the evening walk through the local markets and main square to photograph and shop.

Day 11- CUSCO

This morning’s tour includes Koricancha originally named Inti Qancha (Temple of the Sun) the most important temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated primarily to Inti, the Sun God. Its walls and floors were once covered in sheets of solid gold and the courtyard was filled with golden statues. It is a fine example of Inca stonework incorporated into the structure of a colonial building. Major earthquakes have severely damaged the church but the Inca stone walls, built out of large, tightly-interlocking blocks of stone, still stands thanks to the sophisticated stone masonry. Nearby is an underground archaeological site museum containing a number of interesting pieces, including mummies, textiles and sacred idols. Continue to Cusco Cathedral, one of the finest colonial Cathedrals in the Americas. The architect is Latin – Cross base, the facade is Renaissance in style, very ornamental and houses the best manifestations of colonial goldsmith also wood carvings, as well as a valuable collection of canvases from the Escuela Cusqueña (Academy of Cusco). Your last stop of the day is at the Museo de Arte Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Art Museum) was an Inca ceremonial court around 1450 AD. In 1580 it was transformed into the mansion of the conqueror Alonso Díaz and in 1850 of the Earl of Cabrera. This extraordinary Cusco historic monument holds the only museum in Peru dedicated to rebound the arts of ancient Peruvian cultures. The collection of 450 master pieces dates from 1250 BC to 1532 AD.

Day 12 –TIPON EXCURSION

We will visit a very special and private site called TIPON (a water temple). This archaeological      site is a place of great water fountains, another one of the most important architectural complexes found in Cusco. This old site could have been the Royal House of one of the Incas, a great place for meditation. Attend a ceremony inside an ancient stone circle. Spend an afternoon of leisure exploring many plazas, shops and handicraft centers.

Day 13 – CUSCO/LIMA/ DEPART

Fly today to Lima where you will connect with international flight.