The Magic of Machu Picchu & the Amazon

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14 days . Machu Picchu . Culture and Sightseeing

A fantastic land of gold, Peru was sixteenth-century Europe's major source of treasure, and also once the home of the largest empire in the world - the sun-worshipping Incas. Peru also lays claim to the world's first stone pyramids, whose genuine antiquity was only discovered quite recently. The most varied and exciting of all the South American nations, Peru offers the diversity of the immense desert coastline, tropical rainforest, and the Andes rippling the entire length of the nation. The country's appeal lies in the sheer beauty of its landscapes, the abundance of its wildlife, and the strong character of its people.

Our journey into the Magic Lands of the Incas will be guided by Ruben Orellana, external consultant to The National Institute of Culture in Cusco, Peru. Ruben's career as an archaeologist culminated with being named Head of Archaeology at Machu Picchu, discovering 44 new sites surrounding this crystal city. He has done extensive research into the mystical aspects of various sites, uncovering the true usage of many temples in the empire. Ruben has worked with the healing techniques of the Andes for twenty years, researching the concepts of subtle energy and how they influence aspects of life and healing for the Incan people. Ruben is the founding director of Kamaquen Healing Center ("source of energy"), nestled deep in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Ruben has committed his time, energy and heart to create a Healing Center with the intent to soothe and rejuvenate the human spirit.

Ruben will lead our group into the mysteries of Machu Picchu while we witness and participate in the healing ceremonies of the ancient Inca customs. From here we will travel to the eastern most region of Peru to the Amazon jungles of Puerto Maldonado. Traveling along the Rio del las Piedras we will find ourselves immersed among the diversity of wildlife echoing within the jungle canopy.

Itinerary

Arrive Lima City
The adventure begins upon an evening arrival into Lima just in time to get a good night’s rest!

Lima to Puerto Maldonado

After breakfast we will fly into Puerto Maldonado, a frontier colonist town with strong links to the Cusco region and a great fervor for bubbly jungle chicha music. With an economy based on gold-panning and Brazil-nut gathering from the rivers and forests of Madre de Dios, it has grown significantly over the last twenty years from a small, laid-back outpost of civilization to a busy market town. Upon arrival, we will spend time meandering through the markets before transferring by boat for our 1 ½ hour boat ride along the banks of the Madre de Dios to the EcoAmazonia Lodge. The surrounding jungle of the EcoAmazonia Lodge is very impressive, the highlight being the nearby Cocha Perdida lagoon, reached by a 6.5km trail through the rainforest. There’s also an 11m high observation platform within an hour’s walk. Lunch will be waiting for us before heading out for a visit to Monkey Island. We will observe extraordinary landscapes with an exuberant flora that shelters a great variety of species of monkeys in their natural habitat as well as "maquisapas", "martin", "leoncitos", "frailes", "achuñis", etc. and a great diversity of birds. We will complete our visit to the island enjoying the setting of the sun - twilight in the forest a very impressive sight to be seen. A return to the EcoAmazonia Lodge will complete the day with a dinner and relaxation in our cozy bungalows. (B,L,D)

EcoAmazonia to Lost Cocha

Our adventure begins traveling by foot through the virgin rainforest to the Lake Lost Cocha, a protected ecosystem sustaining an immerse variety of animals such as giant otters, caimans, turtles, the colorful "sachavacas" birds, majestic jaguar and diverse fish species. This area is a unique part of the Amazonia Reserve with its immense swamps and marshes. We will arrive to the extraordinary Amazonian Watch Tower, built in the summit of an immerse tree, the "Shihuahuaco", from where you can appreciate the magical beauty of the rainforest. A pleasant canoe ride around the lake – if we are lucky we will spot alligators, turtles, and a variety of birds. Our walk will take us back to the Lodge for lunch. A short boat ride down river will bring us to a local family living in the rainforest. Relax, reflect, or take a plunge in the cool waters of the pool before dinner. (B,L,D)

EcoAmazonia to Lake Apu Victor

Our eyes open as we wake up to the beautiful harmonies of the birds. Our early morning hike will take us into the depths of the Amazon rainforest. During the walk we will observe the Cave of the Caymans before arriving to the crystalline waters of majestic Lake Apu Victor. Ascending the Amazon Watch Tower, we get a bird’s eye view panorama of the lake and the multitude of parrots, macaws, toucans, horned screamers, hoatzins and herons. Caymans, turtles and if we are lucky we observe one of the most spectacular animals in the forest, the giant otter. Explore the area at your leisure before we return to the Lodge for lunch. The afternoon is yours to explore, nap riverside in a cozy hammock, swim, or relax. Witness the setting sun while listening to the sounds of the forest before gathering for dinner. (B,L,D)

Puerto Maldonado to Cusco City to Urubamba

After breakfast, we travel by boat back to Puerto Maldonado where we catch our flight to Cusco. Upon arriving into Cusco, we will travel the beautiful countryside of these highlands of dotted with the rich history of the Incan Empire. Our destination – our wonderful wellness retreat in Urubamba shadowed by the beautiful Chicon and Pumahuanca glaciers. A ceremony of offering to our Mother Earth (Pacha Mama) will be lead by a Shamen of Qeros to ask for guidance and insight during our pilgrimage. The afternoon is free to explore the surrounding area, have a massage, or rest before our evening meal. (B,L,D)

Urubamba to Pisaq & Urco

After breakfast we will travel by bus to the archaeological site of Pisaq and the citadel. Set high above a valley floor patchworked by patterned fields and rimmed by centuries of terracing amid giant landslides, the stonework (water ducts and steps have been cut out of solid rock) and panoramas at the citadel are magnificent. A semicircle of buildings is gracefully positioned on a large natural balcony under row upon row of fine stone terraces thought to represent a partridge’s wing (pisac meaning “partridge”). A ceremony at this site will recognize the ancient wisdom from those who have come before us. From here we will have lunch and visit the bustling local market where you will find local artisans showing their craft of hand-painted ceramic beads. The afternoon brings us to the citadel’s Temple of the Sun – equal to anything at Machu Picchu. A sun ceremony to absorb the energy of this site is performed before heading back to Urubamba. A steam room awaits us before sharing our adventures over dinner. (B,L,D)

Urubamba to Ollantaytambo

Breakfast and then a bus ride to Ollantaytambo. This village was built as an Inca administrative centre rather than a town and is laid out in the form of a maize corn cob: it’s one of the few surviving examples of an Inca grid system, with a plan that can be seen from vantage points high above the village. We will visit the archeological site of the Wind Temple and perform our ceremony before lunch. Traveling back to Urubamba we will have the afternoon free for massage and/or a visit to the world renown Pablo Seminario ceramist. Dinner will provide us a gathering place to share our stories and reflect on the next day’s journey to Machu Picchu. (B,L,D)

Urubamba to Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu

We will travel by train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu and settle into our hotel before heading to the Machu Picchu citadel (Crystal City). The day will be spent learning of the great history of this Incan Empire. Though more than 1000m lower than Cusco, Machu Picchu seems much higher, constructed as it is on dizzying slopes overlooking a U-curve in the Rio Urubamba. More than a hundred flights of steep stone steps interconnect its palaces, temples, storehouses and terraces, and the outstanding views command not only the valley below in both directions but also extend to the snowy peaks around Salcantay. Wherever you stand in the ruins, spectacular terraces (some of which are again being cultivated) can be seen slicing across the steep cliffs, transforming mountains into suspended gardens. A sunset ceremony will be held to witness the transition of day into night and we gaze upon a star-filled sky blanketing us on this journey of wonder. A late dinner awaits us before retiring for the evening. (B,L,D)

Machu Picchu

In the early morning hours we again travel to the citadel to greet the morning sunrise. Time for meditation and personal exploration will fill the morning. If you are up for an adventure try the hike to the top of Huayna Picchu which sits above Machu Picchu and provides epic views to the ruins below. A mid-day lunch awaits us back in town before we spend the afternoon exploring the narrow and winding streets of Machu Picchu. A nap and then we venture into town for a hearty dinner. Our evening ends with a private hot springs as we gaze upon a star filled sky. (B,L,D)

Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo to Urubamba

Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo to Urubamba After breakfast, we board our train back to Ollantaytambo and then journey by bus back to our cozy haven in Urubamba. The countryside provides a sense of peace as we digest all that we have seen thus far on this incredible journey. Lunch awaits us in Urubamba before gathering with a weaver of Chinchero who will show us the ancient way of spinning and weaving. You might even try your hand at this amazing craft. Relax and enjoy the gardens of our special retreat before gathering for dinner. (B,L,D)

Urubamba to Cusco City

We transfer from Urubamba to Cusco City. The morning provides us a visit to Tambo Machay, an impressive Inca bath or Temple of Water. Situated at a spring near the Inca’s hunting lodge, its main construction lies in a sheltered gully where some superb Inca masonry again emphasizes the Inca fascination with, and adoration of, water. Our next stop is the large limestone outcrop of Qenko. This great stone, carved with a complex pattern of steps, seats, geometric reliefs and puma designs, illustrates the critical role of the Rock Cult in the realm of Inca cosmological beliefs. The name of this huaca derives from the Quechua word quenqo, meaning “labyrinth” or “zigzag”, and refers to the patterns laboriously carved into the upper, western edge of the stone. Our final stop of the day is Sacsayhuaman which forms the head of Cusco’s ethereal puma, whose fierce-looking teeth point away from the city. Protected by such a steep approach from the town, the fortress only needed defensive walls on one side. This ‘wall’ is one of South America’s archeological treasures, formed by three massive, parallel stone ramparts zigzagging together for some 600m across the plateau just over the other side of the mountain top from Cusco City and the valley below. These zigzag walls incorporate the most monumental and megalithic stones used in ancient Peru. Lunch is served and then we have the afternoon free to shop, relax and experience the local surroundings before gathering for dinner. (B,L,D)

Cusco City

Both in setting and architectural design, the Tipon ruins are one of the most impressive Inca sites. Well hidden in a natural shelf high above the Huatanay valley, the lower section of the ruins is a stunning sight: a series of neat agricultural terraces, watered by stone-lined channels, all astonishingly preserved and many still in use today. Another sector of the ruins contains a reservoir and temple block centered around a large exploded volcanic rock. Coming off the back of the reservoir, a large tapering stone aqueduct crosses a small gully before continuing uphill to a vast zone of unexcavated terraces and dwellings. So impressive is the terracing at Tipon that some archeologists believe it was an Inca experimental agricultural center. We reflect on this beauty with a ceremony and then lunch. Heading back to Cusco, we visit the Koricancha (Sun Temple). The remainder of the afternoon is free to rest, shop and explore. Dinner and the lively entertainment of the locals singing and dancing will close our time in Cusco. (B,L,D)

Cusco to Lima

After breakfast we will journey to the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha) and then explore Colonial Cusco. Our final lunch in the highlands and then we are off to Lima. Upon arrival to Lima we will visit Miraflores before settling into our hotel. A seafood dinner and cultural show will top off the day before retiring for a good nights rest. (B,L,D) August 10: Lima to Home We will have a leisurely morning before venturing into town to visit the museum and the local market for our last shopping excursion. Or you might opt to have a massage and sauna and relax. We will gather for our late afternoon feast before transferring to the airport for evening flights. Please note that most U.S. flights leave Lima at 11:30pm on the 10th and will arrive to the U.S. on the 11th. (B,L)

Meeting/Departure Location

Lima Airport
Lima Airport
Lima
Peru

See Location on a Google Map

Cancellation Information

At the time we receive written notice that you must cancel your trip, the following fees will apply: 121 Days or more = Full Refund; 90-120 Days = 25% of trip fee; 61-89 Days = 50% of trip fee; 60 Days or less = 100% of trip fee; Full refunds will be made if Soul Adventures cancels a tour.

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