MAGICAL PERU June 27 – July 7, 2005
LOOKING TO THE ANCIENTS: JOURNEY TO PERU AND MACHU PICCHU
JUNE 27 (SUN.) Day 1 – ATLANTA TO LIMA, PERU
Evening departure from Atlanta to Lima, Peru, arriving early am June 28
JUNE 28 (MON.) Day 2 – LIMA-CUZCO-URUBAMBA
We will connect with an early morning flight to Cuzco, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. The hour long flight takes us soaring over the breathtaking snow capped Andes to the center of the Incan world, located 11,400 feet above sea level. We will be met by our esoteric guide in Cuzco and travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Urubamba Valley, located at an altitude some 2,000 feet lower than Cuzco. Being at a lower elevation will make our acclimation to the altitude easier. After checking into our hotel, we will have the balance of the day to relax, acclimate and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. In the evening after dinner, we will be joined by a local shaman who will perform an Incan ceremony with the group as our opening ceremony. Overnight in the Urubamba Valley (L, D)
JUNE 29 (TUES.) Day 3 – URUBAMBA-PISAC
Following breakfast, we will drive to the colorful market of Pisac, where hundreds of indigenous people (Quechua Indians) gather from different surrounding villages to exchange/buy/sell their hand made products and produce. You will see colorful tapestries & clothing, Alpaca sweaters, ponchos, rugs, ceremonial artifacts, jewelry, pottery, wind chimes, chullos (the native hats with ear flaps), and much more. Of course, we will have time to shop for our perfect purchases. Lunch will be at typical restaurant in the village of Pisac. Following lunch, we will drive into the mountains to explore the ancient solar observatory and spiritual site at Pisac, Sanctuary of the Sun. We will visit the reconstructed site of the Sun Temple where we will be blessed with the offering of a despacho by a local healer to assist us in connecting more fully with the powerful energies of Mother Earth (Pachamama). We will receive the gift of the traditional offering and prayers for our well-being. We will also visit the visit the Temple of the Condor. There will be time for meditation to connect individually with the Pachamama (Mother Earth). Late afternoon return to our hotel for dinner. Evening is free. Local healers will be available for private appointments for those who are interested. Overnight Urubamba Valley (B, L)
JUNE 30 (WED.) Day 4 – OLLANTAYTAMBO
After breakfast we depart for the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo, the Sanctuary of the Wind, one of the most important and impressive archaeological sites in Peru. We will visit the ceremonial baths and fountains, with a special ceremony to cleanse our chakras, just as the ancient priests and priestesses before us, before we walk to Initiation Rock, climb up to the altar for a time of silent meditation in the peaceful energies. Afterwards, we’ll have time to climb the steep stone stairway to the high terraces and the main altar of the temple. The main altar is made of gigantic stones not indigenous to the area. These massive monoliths were mysteriously brought from the other side of the valley across the river to where they stand today. We will also visit the Temple of the Condor, totem of the Upper World in the Andean cosmovision, and the six monoliths of the Temple of the Sun. Time will be allotted for reflection and meditation among the gigantic stones. This evening we will join a local Q’ero healer for a despacho (traditional) ceremony to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) for her love and support. Overnight Urubamba Valley (B, box lunch)
JULY 01 (THUR.) Day 5 – OLLANTAYTAMBO-MACHU PICCHU
After an early breakfast, we depart for the train station and travel into the mountains, following the sacred Urubamba River to the hidden and mysterious Machu Picchu – the most spiritual center of the Incas and considered by some to be the 8th Wonder of the World. After checking in to our hotel in Aquas Calientes, the small village at the base of Machu Picchu, and having lunch, we will board a bus for the ride up a dramatic switchback road to the top of the sacred crystal mountain. Machu Picchu, situated high on the mountain, among the encircling protective mountains with the sacred Urubamba River flowing at its base, is one of the strongest energetic vortices on the planet. Afternoon will be free to explore the citadel on our own, to meditate and attune with the transformation energies found in this special place. Late afternoon return to our hotel in Aquas Calientes to rest before dinner or perhaps to enjoy a soak in the local hot springs. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. (B, L)
JULY 02 (FRI.) Day 6 – Full day Machu Picchu with Special Night Entrance
A full day of exploration at Machu Picchu, the initiatory center for students of higher learning for many millennia. Here you will find a powerful grid of terrestrial energies, shaped by the surrounding peaks and numerous caverns, all of which charge this incredibly beautiful site. It is here that we begin to understand more about the 3 Runa Inca Cosmological Worlds-Hanan Pacha (lower), Kay Pacha (middle) and Uju Pacha (upper). Our guide will share the traditions of Machu Picchu as passed down by the elders. In the early morning, a local shaman/healer will lead us in a ceremony of connection and vitalization to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) spirits. Following the ceremony, our guide will provide an in depth tour of the mysterious labyrinth of ancient buildings and important power spots including the Temples of the Sun and the Moon, the Temple of the Three Windows, The Temple of the Condor, the Death Rock, the Hitching Post of the Sun, Inti Punku (Gate of the Sun) and more. Lunch at the restaurant near the ruins is included. Balance of the day is at leisure with time to visit the Temple of the Moon or other sites within the citadel to find that special place for you to attune to the powerful energies in this magical/mystical place. Perhaps you will choose to climb up to the Death Rock for private meditation to transform and release those aspects of yourself that are no longer useful and are being left behind. You may decide to return to Aquas Calientes in the afternoon to relax in the thermal baths or to explore the village, the local shops and the surrounding area or maybe take a nap. Time in this powerful place is yours to use as you choose. After dinner, we will return to Machu Picchu for night entrance to the Sanctuary to experience a special ceremony with a local shaman to connect with the very intense and transformational energy found only at night in Machu Picchu – truly an incredible experience that will stay with you forever. Overnight in Aquas Calientes (B)
JULY 03 (SAT.) Day 7 – MACHU PICCHU-CUSCO
Breakfast at hotel. Morning free. Those who wish can take the early bus up to Machu Picchu for meditation and reflection time prior to the onslaught of tourists. This will be a quiet time for a last goodbye to this wondrous “lost city” where you have been blessed and nourished by the sacred energies found only in this place. (Note: Entrance to ruins & bus ticket not included today). Lunch is on your own with free time until around 3pm when we board the train to Cusco, arriving at our hotel in the early evening. Evening free to relax and explore a bit of Cusco and the shops in the Plaza. Overnight Cuzco (B)
JULY 04 (SUN.) Day 8 – CUSCO
Morning tour of the City of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and center of the ancient Incan civilization, with a stop at the Coricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun. It was considered the most important, most sacred, mystical temple in the entire Incan realm. Its altar of the Sun, considered most holy by the Inca’s still remains. Our guide will help us in exploring the significance in Incan cosmology of its various temples to the rainbow, the lightning, the stars, Venus, the moon and the sun. We will drive out of Cusco to the peaceful site of Tambo Machay, the place of very powerful purifying baths where the Inca nobility bathed. Here a local shaman will lead the group in an energy-clearing ceremony. There will be time for meditation among the gigantic stones of the spring-fed baths. We’ll continue to the most impressive fortress and power place of Sacsayhuaman. Originally, Cusco was laid out in the shape of a puma. The puma was the totem animal of the Kay Pacha, the middle world in Inca cosmology. Sacsayhuaman was the puma’s head with incredible Inca architecture and engineering. The walls were made of giant megalithic stones, fitted together without mortar and so perfectly than a knife blade cannot be inserted between the stones. The zigzag walls of Sacsayhuaman represent the teeth of the puma. The zigzag was also to represent the path of lightning, a most revered earth elemental for the Incas. There are several power spots in this area in which you can experience the powerful transformational feminine energies. Next, we will go to the very special area closest to Sacsayhuaman, the Temple of the Moon. For many thousands of years, shamen have used this feminine energy cave to make offerings to Mother Earth (Pachamama). A local shaman/spiritualist will lead our group in a special shamanic ceremony to connect to the powerful feminine healing energies, to rebirth the feminine, opening our hearts fully to Mother Earth and her gifts of wisdom, love and life. In the afternoon, we will return to Cusco with the balance of the day free to visit the archaeological museums, art museums or shop in the many shops of local artisans. Local healers will be available for those interested in a private appointment. Overnight Cuzco (B)
JULY 05 (MON.) Day 9 – CUSCO-HUASAO – Coca Leaf Reading
After breakfast, travel to Huasao, to meet with local ritual specialist and have a reading with the Coca leaves. Huasao is a small town located south of Cuzco, where shamen hold their traditional ceremonies, “despachos”, to the Pachamama for her love and support. A local healer or shaman will lead us in a closing ceremony for our group. Return to Cuzco in the afternoon with the remainder of the day free for individual exploration. Farewell dinner and traditional folklore show at local restaurant.
Overnight Cuzco (B, D)
JULY 06 (TUES.) Day 10 -CUSCO-LIMA-USA
Following an early breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Lima.
Transfer to a Lima hotel, where we’ll have use of a day room. Balance of the day free to do a bit of last minute shopping, rest or take the optional visit to the Gold Museum (tour cost not included). We will transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back to Atlanta.
JULY 07 (WED.) DAY 11 ARRIVE USA
Early morning arrival in Atlanta
Itinerary subject to change
PRICE OF TOUR
$3,055 per person based on double occupancy from Atlanta
NOTE:Valid US Passport is required for this tour
DEPOSIT
A non-refundable deposit of $300.00, which includes the travel protection insurance, is due by December 1, 2003. The deposit must be submitted by check, payable to Triple B Travel, LLC
FINAL PAYMENT
Full and final payment will be due 90 days prior to departure, and no later than March 29, 2004. Credit card may be used for final payment.
TOUR PRICE INCLUDES
International round trip air from Atlanta
Round trip air from Lima to Cusco
Train fare from Urubamba Valley to Machu Picchu and from Machu Picchu to Cusco
Round trip transfers between airport, hotels and train station
Lodging in three and four star hotels, double occupancy with private bathrooms
Hotel service charges and taxes (Note: Single rooms are available at a supplemental fee of $600)
Luggage handling at airports, rail station and hotels
Daily buffet breakfast and other meals as specified in itinerary
Sightseeing tours as per itinerary, including entrance fees where applicable, and a special night entrance to Machu Picchu
Private Esoteric Guide
Gratuities for our guide and driver
Travel Protection Insurance
45 contact hours of continuing education with certificate of completion
NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE
Transportation to gateway city of Atlanta
US departure taxes – $75 dollars at present but subject to change – US departure taxes will be collected at time of final payment
Peru airport departure tax – currently $25, but subject to change and paid at time of departure from Peru
Meals not listed in the itinerary
“Love offerings” and giveaways to native healers and wisdom keepers that provide ceremonies for our group.
Items of a personal nature (laundry, phone calls, room service, etc.) and items & services not listed in the itinerary.
Optional tour in Lima to Gold Museum – approximately $30 per person
For more information about Continuing Education Hours or Suggested Reading, contact us.
Continuing Education Information
This experience has been approved for 45 contact hours of continuing education by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Check with your tax advisor about the tax implications of this educational experience. You will receive a certificate of completion, which may apply to professions other than nursing. You are welcome to experience this journey regardless of your interest in contact hours.
Suggested Reading
Three books by author Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D