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INTI
RAYMI 2005
For
a culture that worshiped the sun, most celebrations
revolved around sun cycles. For the Incas, t he
Winter Solstice was the most important day of the year.
This is the Day of the Inti Raymi - Quechua name for
Festival of the Sun. It was a time of offerings, sacrifices,
dancing and celebrating. In the old Capital City of
the Incas, this festival continues with all its ancient
royal pomp and energy.
Dances and ceremonies are played out at the Worship
Centre of Sacsayhuaman above Cusco. During this holiday,
visitors from all corners of Peru and from other countries
arrive in Cusco to celebrate together with Cusco residents!
Come and enjoy this magical celebration in a 6 day-programme
where we have also included a visit to Machu Picchu,
the "Lost City of the Incas".
Duration 6 Days / 5 Nights
Tour Type: Archaelogical, Cultural.
Tour
Itinerary
All
our programmes can be tailor made according to your
requirements, whether regarding the le ngth
of your tour, any special interests or specific activities,
flight reservations, optional destinations or tours.
Monday, June 20 : International Arrival in Lima.-
Assistance at your arrival to Lima International Airport
and transfer to your hotel. There you will receive a
briefing on your tour; receive vouchers covering all
the services included in your tour and additional information
on the organisation of your Peru trip.
Meals Included: None.
Tuesday, June 21 : Lima / Cusco.- Transfer
to Lima Airport to board your flight to Cusco. Reception
upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Visitors should
take a short rest in order to adjust to the altitude.
Afternoon sightseeing tour visiting the Korikancha Temple
and the Cathedral. Continue to the Surrounding Ruins:
the Worship Centre of Sacsayhuaman overlooking the City,
Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay Ruins. The excursion
ends at the bohemian District of San Blas, where live
and work the most renowned craftsmen of Cusco.
Wednesday, June 22 : Full-day excursion to Machu Picchu.-
Breakfast. The day starts with an early morning rise
to transfer to Cusco Train Station for a 3 ½
hour train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu
Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas".
Arrival: Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes, you will make
the 25-minute motor coach ascent to the "Lost City
of the Incas".
We tour the ruins for around 3 hours, during which time
our guide explains the astounding degree of technology
achieved by the builders of this famous site. The tight
construction, the water channels, the staircases carved
from the living rock of the mountain, and the Intihuatana,
(or "Hitching Post of the Sun"), which served
as an Astronomical Calendar, all show technological
advancement far beyond anything this area of the world
was thought to have achieved. These, along with the
Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the Priests' House,
the Inca Baths and the Temple of the Three Windows,
all allow us to glimpse back into the past and, with
the help of our guide, revisit the lives of these truly
remarkable people.
We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
The mid-afternoon train takes you back to Cusco. Meet
by our Representative and transfer to your hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.
Thursday, June 23 : The Sacred Valley of the
Incas.- Excursion to the Sacred Valley of the
Incas, alongside the Vilcanota River, visiting the Inca
Citadel of Pisac where a typical Indian market takes
place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. In the afternoon
pass through Calca and Urubamba to arrive at the Inca
Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo. On the way back
to Cusco visit the picturesque Andean Village of Chinchero
where the remains of what was the Royal Hacienda of
Tupac Inca Yupanqui lies. Admire its well preserved
Inca Wall at the Main Square, visit the beautiful Colonial
temple with interesting frescoes on the portico, built
on Inca foundations. 
Note: The visit to the Village of Chinchero depends
on the time available.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.
Friday, June 24 : Inti Raymi.- Attendance with
a guide to the impressive Festival of the Inti Raymi
at the Sacsayhuaman Esplanade and experience by yourself
this Ritual celebrated since the Inca times. It is the
central act of the celebrations done in Cusco during
this month evoking the ostentatious of the Religious
Ceremonies of the Inca Empire. The staging begins in
the Qoricancha, continuing on to the Main Square of
the City and ending at the Esplanade of Sacsayhuaman.
The central most important character is the Inca. When
the ceremony ends the presentation of folklore groups
begins. The concurrence is multitudinal.
Note: The setting of the Ceremony may vary according
to local government dispositions.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Box Lunch.
Saturday June 25 : Cusco / Lima / International Departure.-
Transfer to Cusco Airport for departure flight to Lima.
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon,
guided sightseeing tour to the most attractive and important
sites in Lima, the "City of Kings". The tour
includes Lima's Historical Centre, passing by Plaza
San Martin, Plaza Mayor, the Government Palace, the
City Hall, the Cathedral and its Religious Art Museum,
the Church of Santo Domingo, with the tombs of Santa
Rosa and San Martin de Porras, and Lima's Colonial Balconies.
We will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco,
the greatest monumental complex of Colonial Art in America
and Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The tour includes
a visit to the Basilica of 21 altars, Convent of Cloisters,
Capitulary and Clementine Rooms, Chorus and Library
of the monks, a Museum showing 11 paintings of the Rubens
School, the sacristy with paintings of Surbaran and
Ribera, its great patio decorated with Seville tiles
of the XVIth Century, Moorish arches and underground
Catacombs.
We then drive through the residential Districts of San
Isidro and Miraflores, passing by the Huaca Pucllana,
a Ceremonial and Administrative Centre of the Lima Culture
built in the II Century A.C. that the Incas considered
as "Ñaupallaqta" or Sacred Town. We
will also visit El Olivar Park with olive trees brought
from Spain in the XVth Century, the Central Park of
Miraflores and Larcomar, a symbol of modern Lima and
a tourist and entertainment Centre as well as a privileged
site to enjoy an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean.
Late afternoon transfer to your hotel.
At the appropriate time, transfer to the airport to
board your international homebound flight.
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