Day 1 flying from Amsterdam to Lima. Day 2 flying from Lima to Cusco

Transcription

1 Day 1 flying from Amsterdam to Lima Day 2 flying from Lima to Cusco Day 3 ( ) cusco sacred valley. Enjoy breakfast with fellow travelers and then transfer to the airport, where we will fly to the Inca capital city of Cusco. Our guide will pick us up from the airport in Cusco and embark upon an excursion through snowcapped mountains to the legendary Sacred Valley. Stop for a brief visit at Awana Kancha, a weaving textile center and delicious lunch. Along the way we will be treated to the sight of Inca terracing that climbs the steep valley walls and the beautiful temples of Pisac with panoramic views of the jagged granite mountains. We will participate in a welcoming Ceremony and guided practice at an Inca sacred space at a retreat overlooking Pisac, which includes an expansive textile market that we will visit next. Exchange currency and learn about the day s activities. Check in at Las Casitas del Arco Iris, Where we ease into acclimatizing at the lower elevation of the Sacred Valley. (B,L,D)

2 Day 4 ( ): moray, salt mines valley Begin the day by grounding with morning yoga, if you like, eat breakfast at the hotel and be ready for the day s adventure at 9:00 am. We will visit the circular terraces of Moray, known as the Navel of the Earth and thought to be an ancient experimental agriculture center. We will visit the Temple of the Sun, a smaller terraced amphitheater set in the hollow of snow covered peaks, and one of the most spiritually powerful places in Peru. Here, we will incorporate meditation and a Shaman led ceremony to embrace the energy of the three worlds represented by the condor, puma and snake. Lunch will be a Peruvian specialty. We will visit the Sacred Maras, a salt mine which has been in use since the pre-inca times. Walk from the salt mines down to the Sacred Valley where we meet our private van to travel back to the hotel and have a delicious dinner at our hotel. Accommodation: Las Casitas del Arco Iris (B, L, D) Day 5( ) sacred valley meet the children ollantaytambo Today we will spend time in the Sacred Valley, visiting a local community near Ollantaytambo and learning more about the culture and native people of Peru. We will be able to share with the children any little gifts that we have brought (school supplies, clothing.) We will have a hot chocolate celebration with them and be welcome into their community. Then we will have an amazing lunch in town. We will enjoy a guided tour of the ancient town the only living Incan town that still exists! We will explore the ruins the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, and the pink granite Princess Baths. Our guides will lead us in ancient traditional ceremony at the ruins. Then there will be time to spend in the artisans marketplace. We will enjoy the amazing energy and beauty of the gardens at our retreat center, as we prepare for our Lares trek to Machupicchu tomorrow. Accommodation: Camping (B, L, D)

3 Day 6 ( ): Ollantaytambo Urubamba Pumahuanca Valley P acchayoq Our private bus leaves Ollantaytambo at 08:45am for a scenic drive through the Sacred Valley, passing through Chincheros and stopping in the town of Urubamba, (2,700m) for a brief rest and the chance to buy any last minute snacks, water, etc. A small picnic breakfast will be served at this time. Departing Urubamba around 07:15, we ll drive 20 minutes more to the beginning of the Pumahuanca Valley, land of the famous white corn crops and the Chicha, the Inca s favorite corn beer. This is where we will meet our horses and handlers, (arrieros), and trek staff. All of our equipment will be carried by mules and horses. We commence our hike through the beautiful Polylepis Qeuñas Valley with a gentle switchback ascent on a gravel path from 2,850m to 3,600m. It s a four hour walk to the Incan complex of Inca Kancha for a guided visit, and a stop for our first lunch. Our talented cook will spoil you with delicious Peruvian food. Continuing along the way, you will be able to see native trees such as qeuñas and eucalyptus. After several hours of walking, we will reach a series of small waterfalls and the beautiful campsite of Cuyoc (3,950m). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks Accommodation: Camping Maximum Altitude: 3,950m Minimum Altitude: 2,700m Distance Travelled: Approx. 14km Approximate Walking Time: 7 hours Day 7 ( ): community service Rise early and be introduced to a local family! You will have a traditional breakfast with the community before our journey starts. We ll also participate in an Incan ceremony to offer thanks to Pachamama (Mother Earth) for all that she provides and ask for her grace. Then you will plant your tree with a local family. Your tour guide will explain the importance of environmental conservation to the local family and ask them to care for the tree that you ve planted. We ll spend the rest of the day doing community service with the family, helping them go about their daily tasks. This could include anything from shepherding llamas or alpacas to caring for guinea pigs, shearing wool, weaving or farming potatoes and quinoa. You will learn some basic Quechua, the native indigenous language, as you become friends with the family members. As the day comes to a close, we will help prepare a traditional Pachamanca (traditional cooking method using hot stones) for a delicious dinner to share with your family by the campfire.

4 Day 8 ( ): cuyoc pumahuanca pass cuncani campsite We ll wake up at 06:00 am with a cup of coca leaf tea and good breakfast of quinua pancakes. At 07:00am we ll recommence our trek with scenic views of Chicon, San Juan and Veronica mountains. Surrounded by a native forest for a challenging five hour climb along a dirt road, until we reach some zig zag switchbacks that will lead us towards the Pumahuanca Pass (4,740m). Once we reach the pass, we ll honor the top of this mountain with coca leaves as is the local custom. Then we are ready to descend for an hour along a stone road until we arrive to our lunch spot, near impressive lakes. After lunch we ll walk downhill for two more hours. Enroute, we may meet local campesinos (local people) in colorful costumes; this is the tradition with all villages around Lares. Our campsite is at Cuncani (3,700m) where we ll enjoy dinner and camp for the night. Cuncani is also very famous for its textile production and ancesteral weaving techniques. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks Accommodation: Camping Maximum Altitude: 4740m Minimum Altitude: 3700m Distance Travelled: Approx. 16km Approximate Walking Time: 7-8 hours

5 Day 9 Can we make a trip for more days in nature? More ceremonies on the way? Day 10 Day free at Las Casitas del Arco Iris, Day 11 ( ): ollantaytambo aguas calientes Before we begin the final leg of our trek, we ll wake at 7:00am and have breakfast. We ll also have the chance to visit the home of our arriero, who will share with us their lifestyle of deep connection with nature and preservation of traditional customs. He will show us the weavings from generations past, use of medicinal plants etc. Then it s a simple four hour walk to reach the Lares village. Once we arrive we can soak in the medicinal hot springs. After lunch, it s a three hour drive to Ollantaytambo, where we will have a Peruvian-style dinner. We will then take a 2-hour train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes where we will stay overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Hostel in Aguas Calientes Maximum Altitude: 3200m Minimum Altitude: 2700m Distance Travelled: Approx. 12km Approximate Walking Time: 4 hours Day 12 ( ): aguas calientes machupicchu ollantaytambo cusco At 5:00am we ll have an early breakfast before taking the 5:30am bus directly to Machu Picchu. **The option is there for those still are able/wanting to walk to leave at 04:30am and walk up to Machu Picchu to meet us at 06:00am** Machu Picchu is still a fifteen minute walk from the drop-off point to the entrance. Enjoy an early tour of Machu Picchu with your guide who will unfold the mysteries of this magical site. Your tour of Machu Picchu should finish between 10 and 10:30am, and then you ll have free time to explore by yourself. Around 10:45am the guide will leave you at the trail head to climb Huayna Picchu if you booked this in advance. Meals: Breakfast Maximum Altitude: 3400m/11186ft Minimum Altitude: 2100m/6909ft Day 13 and 14 Free days Las Casitas del Arco Iris, or perhaps visit Ollantaytambo secret place and do a ceremony Day 15 city tour in cusco 1.30pm: meet at the predetermined location for transport. We first visit the central exquisite architectural feats of the ancient Koricancha Temple, and the Principal Cathedral, in which the first stone was placed in 1560, is a marvel of the religious art possessing approximately 300 paintings from the Cusqueña School.

6 Then, the tour moves to the archaeological park complex of Saqsayhuamán, majestic place with impressive works in stone, some up to 120 tons. Q enqo (Labyrinth) a religious center dedicated to the adoration of the Earth. Puca Pucara (reddish place) that was used as a military control center, and a mandatory stop for all travelers of the Inca era. Tambomachay (Temple of the Water) a center of adoration and worship of water. Day 16 flying to Lima and stay there for a day Day 17 or 18 flying to Amsterdam

7 love and light Warm Regards

8 Wilfredo Gibaja Tapia (Eddy) General Managers Puma Path Adventures Peru EIRL R.U.C facebook puma path skype pumapath