St. Martin Apostolate - Pilgrimage to Peru Monday 31 October Tuesday 8 November 2016 This Pilgrimage starts in Lima, the birthplace of St. Martin de Porres and St. Rose of Lima, both of the Dominican Order. St. Martin died here on 3 November 1639 aged just 59 and we will celebrate his Feast Day during our visit. A short flight will take us to Cuzco the former Inca capital noted for its archaeological sites and Spanish colonial architecture and from here we will take a train through The Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu the spectacular Inca city set high in the Andes, justifiably one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Outline day to day Itinerary Day 1: Monday 31 st October Depart Dublin via Amsterdam (1 hr 40 mins) to Lima (12 hrs. 40 mins). Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Lima. Day 2: Tuesday 1 st November - Lima (National Holiday) Today explore the historic colonial heart of the city - Plazas de Armas, the Cathedral and ornate Archbishop s Palace, the Church of Santo Domingo which houses the remains of St. Martin de Porres and St. Rose of Lima, the Monastery of St. Francis with its catacombs and the National Museum. Overnight in Lima. Day 3: Wednesday 2 nd November - Lima Spend today visiting the works of the Missions and seeing first-hand the great work being carried out by the Irish and local religious there. Overnight in Lima. Day 4: Thursday 3 rd November - Feast day of St. Martin de Porres Celebrate Mass in the Church of Santo Domingo which houses the remains of St. Martin de Porres. Overnight in Lima. Day 5: Friday 4 th November - Lima - Cusco After breakfast take a flight to Cusco, (1 hr.5 min) the ancient Inca capital set high in the Andes mountains. Afternoon free to relax and acclimatise. Overnight in Cusco. Day 6: Sunday 6 th November - Cusco - Machu Picchu - Cusco After breakfast take the train to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas", one of the best known examples of surviving Inca architecture. On arrival at Aguas Calientes Station, a 20-minute bus drive, climbing 6 km on a winding road, takes you to the marvellous Citadel. Guided tour of the Citadel followed by some free time to stroll around the archaeological site. In the afternoon return to Cusco for overnight. Day 7: Monday 7 th November - Cusco Lima After breakfast transfer to the airport for return flight to Lima. Overnight in Lima. Day 8: Tuesday 8 th November - Lima Amsterdam - Dublin Breakfast. Day at leisure for last minute shopping or further sightseeing. Transfer to airport in time to check in for return flight arriving Dublin following day.
Proposed flights:- Monday 31 October Dublin Amsterdam 07.30 hrs. 10.05 hrs. Amsterdam Lima 12.25 hrs. 19.10 hrs. Monday 07 November Lima Amsterdam 21.15 hrs. 15.30 hrs. Tuesday 08 November Amsterdam Dublin 16.40 hrs. 17.20 hrs. Carrier : KLM and Aer Lingus Price includes: International flights Dublin/Amsterdam/Lima return Domestic flights Lima/Cusco/Lima Meet and greet on arrival in Lima and transfer to hotel 7 nights accommodation, twin sharing on a bed & breakfast basis Vistadome train from Cusco to Machu Picchu Entrances as per programme Services of a local Tour Manager throughout your stay in Peru Extras: Travel Insurance & single room supplements where required.
St. Martin Apostolate Pilgrimage
Celebrate 800 years of the Dominican Order on St. Martin de Porres Feast Day in Lima, Peru. This amazing 7 day tour of this wonderful country will include celebrations for our Patron Saint, St. Martin de Porres. Be there to celebrate with us! The Pilgrimage will be an inclusive trip to Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley of the Incas and many more places of interest in this wonderful country. We will be exploring Lima, Peru s capital which is dotted with a multitude of cultural sites, beautifully preserved architecture and a city that was first named City of Kings a biblical reference to the Three Wise Men of the East. We will also join a tour of the oldest religious complex in Lima, Neustro del Santisimo Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary) which includes the Church and Covent of Santo Domingo. This beautiful historic attraction was the convent that Saint Martin de Porres spent most of his life. He was initially left behind, then lived there as a monk and is now buried there, his tomb lying in the same crypt as Saint Rose of Lima.
Cusco, is our next stop. Cusco, remains a city that blends colonial Spanish charm with older remains of pre Columbian glory. It is bejewelled with Ornate cathedrals that squat over Inca temples making it the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas. Old ways are not forgotten here. Colorful textiles keep vivid the past, as do the wild fiestas and carnivals where pagan tradition meets solemn Catholic ritual. This magnificent city is set high in the Peruvian Andes at an elevation of around 3,400 m (11,200 ft). In 1983 Cusco was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
A trip to the Inca ruins, which form the base of the colonial church and convent of Santo Domingo. Qorikancha was once the richest temple in the Inca Empire; all that remains today is the masterful stonework. The temple was built in the mid-15th century during the reign of the 10th Inca. After the conquest, Francisco Pizarro gave it to his brother Juan, but he was not able to enjoy it for long Juan died in the battle at Sacsaywamán in 1536. In his will, he bequeathed Qorikancha to the Dominicans, in whose possession it has remained ever since. Today s site is a bizarre combination of Inca and colonial architecture, topped with a roof of glass and metal. Also known as Urabamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is located in the Peruvian Andes, beneath the world famous site of Macchu Picchu and not far from Cusco itself. Located more than 6000 feet above sea level in Peru s mountain peaks, Machu Picchu is one of the world s most impressive archaeological sites. This legendary lofty city was abandoned by the Inca Empire, reclaimed by the jungle and lost humanity until it s rediscovery in 1911. Built by the Incas on the summit of Machu Picchu, it is a site of extraordinary beauty and enormous archeological significance and has been labelled as another one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Day at leisure for last minute shopping or further sightseeing. Transfer to airport in time to check in for return flight arriving Dublin following day. The Peru Pilgrimage Tour is perfect for you if you re looking for a short but deeply meaningful journey to explore Peru s most sacred places. Quite simply, Peru is one of the most staggeringly beautiful, interesting and mystical countries you re ever likely to visit. Peru is incredibly geographically diverse, featuring dry desert regions, stunning mountain ranges and of course the amazing Amazon rainforest which is one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. Please feel free to ask questions and if you are feel you are called to this journey, please contact Marie Therese on 01 8745465 or email. mt@stmartin.ie to secure your place before St. Patrick s Day 17th March 2016. We will require a deposit of 350 to secure your place. Please note that cancellation after this time will incur a small fee as we will have paid a booking deposit to the Travel Company. We would love to have you there to experience this journey and celebrate St. Martin with us. Tel: 01 8745465 Email: mt@stmartin.ie