Inca Inspiration – 2012 Fixed Departure Group Tour 13 days - 12 nights

A 13-day vacation highlighting the Inti Raymi Solstice Festival. Lost for centuries after the Spanish Conquest, and replaced by Catholic celebrations of Corpus Christi, Inti Raymi was revived in 1944. It has since grown into Latin America's largest festival, a spectacle of ancient royal pomp and energy. Following the festival, you continue in the footsteps of the Inca from to along the world's most famous trek, the classic four-day Inca Trail. The journey culminated on the floating islands and mystic shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

2012 Fixed Departure: June 20 – July 02

This group tour requires an initial $200 reservation fee and must be booked at least four months in advance. For less than four months booking, please contact your Fertur Travel Coordinator for the tour availability.

Day 1: City Lima International Airport Arrival

We meet you on your arrival at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima and take you to your selected hotel. Day 2: Lima City Tour

After breakfast, you will meet with your fellow group members and your tour leader for a general orientation session about Peru and to discuss the journey you are about to embark on together. Take the rest of the morning to rest and relax. In the afternoon, around 2 pm, we start a city tour that takes in the most important and attractive sites in Lima, the "City of Kings."

Highlights include the Huaca Pucllana, an adobe pyramid structure in the heart of the seaside district of Miraflores and the Historic Center of Lima. Lima's stunning Colonial, Republican and modern architecture, as well as its religious and archaeological sites, offer a broad canvas that your guide will use to put into context Peruvian history and culture. We pass through old streets with colonial mansions, and intricate wood- carved balconies to reach the stately Plaza de Armas, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The plaza is girded by the Government Palace, the Cathedral (housing the tomb of Pizarro) the Archbishop's Palace, and the Municipal Palace.

Next you will visit the Convent and Church of San Francisco, which holds the oldest collection of colonial art in the Americas. You will tour the exquisitely carved chorus, a library of ancient manuscripts, and the Sacristy with paintings by Zurbarán and Rivera. The grand courtyard of the main cloister is decorated floor-to-ceiling in blue and white Sevillian tiles that dates back to the 16th Century, depicting scenes from the bible. Moroccan-style arches lead us to the Catacombs, a subterranean crypt from the colonial period, where the bones of 25 thousand colonial-era Lima residents are entombed. The tour continues through the most traditional residential areas of the city: San Isidro, the Central Park of Miraflores and down to the cliff-side shopping complex of Larcomar, a symbol of modern Lima. (B)

Day 3: Lima / Cusco - City Tour and Surrounding Archaeological Sites

We transfer to Lima's airport early in the morning for the flight to Cusco. On arrival we transfer you to your selected hotel. We recommend you take the rest of the morning to acclimatize to the altitude and have a light lunch in or near the hotel.

In the afternoon we start to explore the city of Cusco on a guided tour, visiting the main plaza, the Cathedral, and the Temple of the Sun or Koricancha. We then visit the ruins on the outskirts of the city, stopping at the Inca ritual site of Quenqo, the water temple of Tambomachay, the customs house of Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Saqsaywaman, built strategically on the hill above city of Cusco. It's famous for its enormous stone blocks, assembled with incredible precision to form the imposing external walls of the complex. Some of the stones stand 9 meters tall and weigh more than 350 tons. We then return you to your hotel. (B)

Day 4: Cusco / Sacred Valley of the Inca

In the morning we take a guided excursion through the Sacred Valley of the Inca, along the Urubamba River, to visit the extensive Andean arts and crafts market in the town of Pisac. We have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon we pass through the towns of Calca and Urubamba on the way to the Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the northwest entrance to the Sacred Valley and protect the Empire from possible invasions by the people of the jungle. We have the opportunity to walk through the stone alleyways of the city and get an idea of what life was like in a military, religious and cultural center at the height of the . For the Inca, Ollantaytambo's placement at the head of the Urubamba and Patakancha river valleys made it a formidable stronghold in battle. The fortified town's fortress stands on a cliff surrounded by broad, steep terraces. On the way back to Cusco we stop at the picaresque town of Chinchero, where we visit the ruins of a royal hacienda built for Tupac Inca Yapanqui. You'll admire the well-preserved Inca wall in the main plaza, and visit the beautiful colonial church with intriguing frescos painted on its portico, all built on Inca foundations. We return you to your hotel in Cusco. (B/L)

Day 5: Inti Raymi Ince Solstice Festival (June 24)

This the day of the Inti Raymi – The Quechua name for the Festival of the Sun (pronounced: In-tea-rye-me). This annual reenactment of the millenary Inca summer solstice celebration is a “must” experience that you will never forget. Lost for centuries after the Spanish Conquest, and replaced by Catholic celebrations of Corpus Christi, Inti Raymi was revived in 1944 as a private initiative of Instituto Americano de Arte del Cuzco. It has since grown into Latin America's largest festivals, a spectacle of ancient royal pomp and energy. Dances and ceremonies are played out at the worship center of Sacsayhuaman above Cuzco. Attend the festivities with your guide to experience for yourself this spectacular reenactment of the ancient Inca rituals. The staging begins in the Koricancha, continuing 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 folkloric groups begins. Box lunch included. (B/L)

Day 6: Cusco – Classic Inca Trail

Classic Inca Trail Cusco - KM 82 - Huayllabamba - Lluncachimpa In the morning we leave Cusco (altitude 3350m.a.s.l.) in a private van or bus. On the way we pass cultivated fields and towns that have maintained their ancient traditions and customs, all surrounded by craggy peaks and glaciers. We enter the Sacred Valley of the Inca at KM 82, where we gather to start walking the classic Inca Trail. We stop at the town of Miskay for lunch and to hear a brief description of the archaeological complex of Llactapata. We then continue to the town of Huayllabamba at 3100m.a.s.l. Finally we complete a climb up the valley to our campsite at Lluncachimpa at 3300m.a.s.l. Walking time: 6 hours. (B/L/D)

Day 7: Lluncachimpa – Llulluchapampa – Pacaymayu – Chaquicocha

Dawn is the best time to start climbing through the enigmatic valley of Lluncachimpa (3300m.a.s.l.) through Lluchapampa at 3850m.a.s.l. to reach the highest point of the trek named Paso de Warmihuañusca or "Dead Woman's Pass". From here we take in impressive views of the Veronica Range and the remnants of the Inca trail running through the mountains. After a short rest we descend to the deep valley of Pacaymayu at an altitude of 3500m.a.s.l. We have another climb to Runcuracay at 3950m.a.s.l., then descend to the archaeological site of Sayacmara. We finally arrive at our campsite in Chaquicocha at 3650m.a.s.l. Walking time: 7 hours. (B/L/D)

Day 8: Chaquicocha – Wiñayhuayna

Today we have a beautiful day's walk through the middle of a tropical forest, known as Yunga. We also stop at some of the most important archaeological sites along the Inca Trail. We visit the sites of Phuyupatamarca (3600m.a.s.l.) and finally Wiñayhuayna (2650m.a.s.l.) our last campsite. Walking time: 5 hours. (B/L/D) Day 9: Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco

After we've enjoyed a very early breakfast, around 5:00 am, we're guided by torchlight to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at 2780m.a.s.l, where we can experience the sunrise over Machu Picchu and the peak of Wayna Picchu.

Machu Picchu (2400m.a.s.l.) stands in all its glory, leaving us breathless, and we descend into the Lost City of the Inca. After a full afternoon of exploration, we then return to Cusco. (B)

Day 10: Cusco – Puno

Early in the morning (7:30 am) our tour bus leaves for the city of Puno, 3,860 meters above sea level. During the journey we pass the Lake of Wacarpay, offering spectacular views of snow capped mountains reflected in its tranquil waters. Near the lake we visit the Pre-Inca citadel of Pikillacta, Quechua for "City of the Thumbs", one of the most impressive sites built by the Wari culture, consisting of more than 700 structures, with walls almost 12 meters high. We continue to the picturesque town of Andahuaylillas, where we visit the temple of Saint Peter of Andahuaylillas, also known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, for its rich colonial artworks and painted murals that cover the walls, arches, entrance ways and ceilings. Further on we stop at Archí, where we visit the spectacular Inca sanctuary built by the Inca Pachacútec, dedicated to the great Inca god Wiracocha. It has a grand central wall made of stone, with other walls built with adobe bricks. Around the temple you'll find a multitude of ancient buildings that were used as houses or storerooms. About 70 kilometers, or 43 miles, later we pass through the Ranch of La Raya, where we can spot herds of vicuñas and llamas.

We then travel along the Collao plateau, stopping at the town of Ayaviri an important cattle and textile center, where we visit the temple of Kalasaya, belonging to the ancient Pucara culture. We stop for a buffet lunch in a rustic rural setting where we can sample the culinary delights of the region. We arrive in Puno in the afternoon, and then transfer you to your selected hotel. (B/L) Day 11: Puno - Lake Titicaca - Floating Islands of Los Uros – Taquile

Early in the morning we start an unforgettable boat tour around Lake Titicaca. Our first stop is the Floating Islands of Los Uros, where people have lived since pre-Inca times. These Andean natives have built their own islands out of reeds, stacking on new layers to form floating structures dozens of meters deep. The vegetable fiber used is Scirpus Totora, from the papyrus family. They also use this material to build their houses and boats. We continue to Taquile, inhabited by quechua speakers who have developed, over generations, an efficient and original social system, and their own weaving techniques to produce magnificent textiles. After lunch at a local tavern on Taquile we walk around its hillsides and archaeological sites. In the evening we return you to Puno, and your hotel. (B/L)

Day 12: Puno – Lima

On the way to the airport in Juliaca we detour to visit the burial towers of Sillustani. The famous cylindrical stone structures were first built by the to entomb their high priests, and were then used by the Inca to bury their nobles. Umayo Lake, in front of the "chullpas" only adds to the beauty of the site. We also have the chance to observe native birds of the region. After the flight to Lima we take you to your selected hotel to relax. Overnight in Lima. (B)

Day 13: Farewell: International flight

Transfer to the airport at your appointed time for your flight home. (B)

Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) Dinner (D) Program Includes:

 Airport transfers  Accommodations at selected hotels with buffet breakfast  Meals as described in the itinerary (alcoholic beverages not included)  24-hour support and assistance in case of emergency  Transfers, tours and excursions as per itinerary based in private service with English- speaking guides  Entrance fees and permits to all attractions and historic sites as indicated in the itinerary  City tour in Lima  City tour + 04 archaeological sites in Cusco  Inti Raymi Festival  Excursion Sacred Valley + buffet lunch  Inca Trail program 4 days / 3 nights  Bus ticket Cusco – Puno with Inka Express  Full Day Uros Island + Taquile  Tour Sillustani in private service

Not Included:

 International airfares  Domestic flights and US$7.00 airport tax for all national departures  Personal expenses such as telephone bills, laundry expenses, beverages, etc.  Insurance against theft, loss, illness and/or accident etc.  Baggage porterage and other extras not specified

Note : Permits for the Inca Trail are limited and subject to availability. In the event that entry dates close unexpectedly before booking, this portion of the program will be replaced with an alternative 4 day / 3 night Lares trek to Machu Picchu.

With Offices in Historic Downtown Lima, Miraflores and Cusco (Click on address to open map)

Jirón Junín 211, Lima 1, Perú Calle Schell 485, Miraflores, Lima 18, Perú Calle San Agustín Nº 317- Cusco, Perú Telephone: (+51-1) 427-2626 Telephone: (+51-1) 242-1900 Telephone: (+51-84) 221-304 (+51-1) 427-1958 (+51-1) 445-1760 TeleFax: 428-3247 Telefax: 445-1974

E-mail: [email protected]

Call your Peru travel agent's TOLL FREE number: USA: 1-877-247-0055 In UK : 020-3002-3811 Business Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Peruvian Time Zone/EST - GMT 14:00 - 00:00 hours Saturday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm