Amazon Adventures

Peru

Essence of Peru

We are delighted to offer friends and customers the “ESSENCE OF PERU” fixed departure program. Explore the land of the Incas, South America’s most advanced pre-Hispanic civilization, in a sophisticated yet profound manner.
Have dinner in the “Casa Aliaga”, a colonial mansion built in 1535 on Lima’s main square and inhabited since then by the Aliaga family; enjoy a gourmet picnic on the grounds of the Sacsayhuamán fortress, while an Inca priest performs a centuries-old traditional ceremony in respect to the Pachamama (mother Earth); and visit the art-shops of the artisan’s in San Blas, Cuzco´s bohemian quarter.

The “ESSENCE OF PERU” tour is designed exclusively for individual travelers who want to benefit from activities usually affordable only by groups.

Sun AUG 12: ORIGIN – Lima
• Greet upon arrival and transfer to hotel
• Overnight at the JW Marriott 5**

Mon AUG 13: Lima
• Breakfast at hotel
• Lunch at Casa Aliaga
• PM Lima City Tour
• Evening free
• Overnight at the JW Marriott 5**

Tue AUG 14: Lima
• Breakfast at hotel
• AM Pachacamac ruins
• Creole lunch at Hacienda Mamacona with Peruvian Paso Horse show
• Evening free
• Overnight at JW Marriott 5**

Wed AUG 15: Lima - Cuzco
• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to the airport and assistance with flight
• Flight to Cuzco
• Greet upon arrival and transfer to Hotel Libertador 5**
• PM tour to Andahuaylillas´ church, known as the “Sistine Chapel of America”
• Overnight at Hotel Libertador 5**

Thu AUG 16: Cuzco
• Breakfast at hotel
• AM Cuzco city tour: Korikancha, Cathedral and Sacsayhuaman
• Gourmet picnic at Sacsayhuaman
• San Blas: a look at Cuzco´s bohemian quarter
• Overnight at Hotel Libertador 5**

Fri AUG 17: Urubamba Sacred Valley
• Breakfast at hotel
• Full-day Urubamba Sacred Valley: Pisac Indian market and Ollantaytambo fortress
• Andean lunch at Casa Hacienda Huayoccari
• Overnight at Hotel Libertador 5**

Sat AUG 18: Machu Picchu
• Breakfast at hotel
• Full-day Machu Picchu tour (VISTADOME coach), including lunch
• Overnight at Hotel Libertador 5**

Sun AUG 19: Cuzco – Lima – ORIGIN
• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to airport and assistance with flight
• Flight to Lima
• Greet upon arrival and transfer to hotel (use included until departure time)
• Free afternoon
• Transfer to airport and assistance with flight
• Flight to country of origin

ESSENCE OF PERU VENUES

CASA ALIAGA This house was built in 1535 on a sanctuary that existed before colonial times, and has been inhabited permanently by the Aliaga family. Its halls, extensive and luxurious, and the inner patio, have all the characteristics of the most important mansions of Lima of viceroyal times, and are in perfect state of conservation.

PERUVIAN PASO HORSES The Peruvian Paso is a unique breed of horse, considered to be the smoothest ride on earth. It is distinguished by a uniquely natural and efficient gait called the paso llano which is a lateral four beat gait. The breed's ancestors came from Spain and included a mixture of Berber, Spanish Jennet, and the Andalusian. The breed was carefully bred in Peru over several centuries. The Peruvian Paso has been declared a Patrimonio Cultural (Cultural Patrimony) of Peru in an attempt to shore up the breed within the country. There are now laws in place that restrict the export of national champion horses.

PICNIC AND INCA TRIBUTE IN SACSAYHUAMAN
Enjoy a gourmet picnic on the hills of Sacsayhuaman, while Inca priests perform a tribute to the Mother Earth. In the Andean world, Inca religious fervor has survived in old rites that link Man to Nature. The Pachamama or Mother Earth provides her fruits to feed Man. Thus, within the reciprocal nature of the Andes, villagers make offerings, that include coca leaves, a sacred plant which serves to mediate between the inner world (the Apu and the Pachamama) and the outer world (that of Man).

HUAYOCCARI HACIENDA
The Lambarri family has lived in the Urubamba Sacred Valley for over 3 centuries. Jose Ignacio and Ana María Lambarri, current owners, will host guests for ´s lunch. After a tour of the centuries-old property, and a detailed explanation of the family´s impressive pre-Columbian art collection, guests will be treated to a typical Andean lunch, prepared with the hacienda´s fresh produce.

ESSENCE OF PERU HISTORICAL SITES

CUZCO The first Cusco Cathedral was built in 1539 at the Suntur Wasi, current Iglesia del Triunfo, but in 1560 there was an order to build a new cathedral on the Kiswir Kancha lot, palace of Inca Wiracocha. The actual Cathedral was declared built in 1664, more than a century after.
The Coricancha was the most important temple in the Inca Empire, with walls and floors covered in gold. The Church of Santo Domingo was built on the site, using the ruined foundations of the temple - a fine example of where Inca stonework was used in the structure of a colonial building.
Sacsayhuamán is a walled complex near the old city of Cusco. Some believe the walls were a form of fortification, while others believe it was only used to form the head of the Puma that Sacsayhuamán along with Cuzco form when seen from above. Like all Inca stonework there is still mystery surrounding how they were constructed. Thanks to an as yet unexplained precision in stone-cutting, the structure is built in such a way that a single piece of paper will not fit between two stones.

URUBAMBA SACRED VALLEY Located almost 1,900 ft below Cuzco, through its fertile land flows the Vilcanota River, which is formed in Lake Titicaca. The Sacred Valley is one of the most beautiful places of Peru - a succession of picturesque towns (some with beautiful colonial churches), Incan platforms and archeological remains.
Pisac: Famous for its Indian market, Pisac does not escape from ancient Inca legends. The city presents a statue: it is said that the cacique Huayllapuma had a daughter called Inquill; who had to get married with the man that could be able to build, in one night, the bridge over the Vilacmayo River (a very significant bridge for the defense of the place). Asto Rimac, a handsome prince, decided to take the challenge and ask for the hand of the princess. While he was working, the princess had to climb a hill without turning around; otherwise, she and her fiancé would turn into rock. At dawn, the prince finished the work but Inquill, anxious, turned around thus becoming a stone figure up to now.
Ollantaytambo: Ollantaytambo got engraved in the world's memory thanks to a drama play written in the 16th century. The story narrates the conflictive love between general Ollanta and Cusi Coyllor, Inca Pachacútec's daughter. Ollanta distinguished himself from other generals of the Inca Empire for his braveness, but had to run away from Cuzco because he could not love a girl that belonged to a higher social class. Once he was far away, Ollanta encouraged his population to rebel against the imperial army, causing a war that lasted a decade. Finally, he was captured due to the betrayal of one of his captains and taken to Cusco before Inca Túpac Yupanqui, who, after hearing the story, decided to release him and accept him as his sister´s husband.

MACHU PICCHU The ruins of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham, are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. While the Inca people certainly used the Andean mountain top, erecting many hundreds of stone structures from the early 1400's, legends and myths indicate that Machu Picchu (meaning 'Old Peak' in the Quechua language) was revered as a sacred place from a far earlier time. Whatever its origins, the Inca turned the site into a small (5 square miles) but extraordinary city. Invisible from below and completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs, Machu Picchu seems to have been utilized by the Inca as a secret ceremonial city. Two thousand feet above the rumbling Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation. These structures, carved from the gray granite of the mountain top are wonders of both architectural and aesthetic genius. Many of the building blocks weigh 50 tons or more yet are so precisely sculpted and fitted together with such exactitude that the mortar-less joints will not permit the insertion of even a thin knife blade. Little is known of the social or religious use of the site during Inca times.

ANDAHUAYLILLAS The most important attraction is its church, San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, considered as the "Sistine Chapel" of America because of the quality of its art-work. Despite of a quite modest architecture, the inner decoration is impressive because of the vast collection of pieces of the Cuzco Academy.

SAN BLAS San Blas was a settlement for “Mitimaes” (ancient craftsman of the Inca period) with a special command: yachay, Quechua for “teach and learn”. San Blas was established in the Toqachui Hill, where master craftsmen from all around the Empire shared their knowledge. Located about four blocks from the main square, San Blas is considered one of the most colorful areas of Cuzco. It’s characterized for its streets that zigzag between huge colonial houses built on top of Inca walls.

Fixed Departure August 2007 08days/07nights

PRICES FOR LAND SERVICES (Per Passenger, in DBL room basis and in US$):
In DBL Accommodations: US$2,270.00
SGL Supplement: US$1,160.00

INCLUDED
• Private transfers and guides
• Entrance fees to sites
• Mentioned meals

NOT INCLUDED
• Domestic air
.. Current LAN Peru Lima-Cuzco-Lima fares US$300.00 per passenger
.. Prices are subject to change without previous notice
• Domestic (US$6.05) and international (US$30.25) airport taxes
• Services not specified above

PROPOSED HOTELS and TRAIN:
Lima JW Marriott 5* * www.jwmarriottlima.com
Cuzco Hotel Libertador 5** www.libertador.com.pe
Train VISTADOME www.perurail.com

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
• The group will have a maximum of 50 passengers.
• For guided tours, the group will be divided into groups of maximum 20 passengers per bus and per professional, English-speaking guide.
• For venues, the complete group will get together.