Machu Picchu: the "Lost City of the Inkas," "City of Light for Initiates," An ancient site fed by grids of powerful natural energies patterned by surrounding mountains and extensive underground tunnels.

Shamanic belief is that for millennia this site served as an initiatory center for higher learning. The sanctuary covers many square kilometers constructed of mortared terraces and connected by endless stairs carved from solid rock all around the mountains. Throughout the ages, the sheltered temple sights, geophysically conducive atmospheres were used for ritual and mind-altering experiences. Shamanic legend says that touching one's forehead to the Intiwantana Stone opens one's vision into the Spirit World. Tune into Wakas (sacred spots) of individual rocks and boulders. Experience the classic "magical flight" of shamanic ecstasy.

---

DAY 4:
TEMPLE OF WATER (Led by MALLKU)

Visit to the Water Temple of Tipon, where you will have a sweet and nourishing experience for your soul. The water that flows along the terraces, towards the waterfalls and the fountains comes from the energy sources of the sacred mountain Pachatusan. The site is known to have produced phenomenal healings. The healing ritual that you will follow in this place will be marked by a great transformation.

Today we work the energies for purification at the Temple of Water. Personal cleansing and healing action for the planet. The Inka sages honored all the elements and this journey will be completed in the Temple to honor the Water in Tipon. Beautiful Inka Center that allows us to carry out energy and personal healing work. This ancestral engineering center not only proposed structures to change the conditions for improving food, but also the frequencies of the human being.

Overnight in Cusco.

---

 

DAY 6:
TEMPLE OF THE SUN and CAVE OF THE SERPENTS (Led by MALLKU)

In the morning we will visit the amazing remains of the Temple of the Sun – QORIKANCHA (Coricancha) in Cusco. In the right time, Pachamama - Mother Earth invites us to go deep in ourselves as we connect with the ancient Cave of the Serpents: Amaru Machay. Guided ceremonies at this powerful location; Mallku will unveil the magic of the ancestors and the esoteric wisdom of the heavens where astronomy was the base to understand a practical life as a way of meditation. Pachamama - Mother Earth invites us to go deep in ourselves as we connect with the ancient caves of the Serpents. Open your inner temple for a personal rebirth.

Afternoon return to Cusco. Overnight in Cusco.

Qorikancha: Originally named Intikancha or Intiwasi, the Temple of the Sun was dedicated to Inti (Sun God), and is located at Cusco, the former Inka capital. Most of the temple was destroyed after the 16th-century war with the Spanish conquistadors, and settlers scavanged the stones to build their own churches and residences. Much of its stonework formed the foundation for the seventeenth-century Santo Domingo Convent—built after the 1650 earthquake destroyed the first Dominican convent.

To construct Coricancha, the Inka used ashlar masonry—the placement of uniformly sized, cut, and shaped cuboid stones. Stones with a slight imperfection or break were rejected. Due to the arduous labor needed to construct buildings with ashlar masonry, this form of construction signified the Inka's imperial power to mobilize and direct local labor forces. The replication throughout Andean South America of Inka architectural techniques expressed the extent of Inka control over a vast geographic region.

Pachakutiq Inka Yupanqui rebuilt Cusco and the House of the Sun, enriching it with more oracles and edifices, and adding plates of fine gold. He provided vases of gold and silver for the Mama-cunas, nuns or cloistered women, to use in the veneration services. Finally, he took the bodies of the seven deceased Inkas and adorned them with masks, head-dresses, medals, bracelets, and sceptres of gold, placing them on a golden bench.

The walls were once covered in sheets of gold, and the adjacent courtyard was filled with golden statues. Spanish reports tell of an opulence that was "fabulous beyond belief". When the Spanish in 1533 required the Inka to raise a ransom in gold for the life of their leader Atahualpa, most of the gold was collected from Coricancha.

This is one of numerous sites where Spanish colonists incorporated Inka stonework into the structure of a colonial building. Major earthquakes severely damaged the church, but the Inka stone walls, built out of huge, tightly interlocking blocks of stone, still stand due to their sophisticated stone masonry. Nearby is an underground archaeological museum that contains mummies, textiles, and sacred idols from the site.

Inka Astronomy: Similarities are found in the semicircular temples found in the Temple of the Sun in Cusco, the Torreon in Machu Picchu, and the Temple of the Sun in Písac. In particular, all three exhibit a "parabolic enclosure wall" of the finest stonework, as Bingham describes it. These structures were also used for similar purposes, including the observation of solstices and Inka constellations.

Within the Milky Way, which the Inka called mayu or Celestial River, the Inka distinguished dark area or clouds, which they called yana phuyu. These were considered silhouettes or shadows of animals drinking from the river water. Amongst the animals named by the Inka, was a llama extended from Scorpius to Alpha Centauri and Beta Centauri, in which those two stars formed the llama's eyes, or llamaq ñawin. A baby llama, llama-cría, was inverted underneath. To the left of the llamas is a red-eyed fox, atuq, which lies between Sagittarius and the tail of Scorpius. The tail of Scorpius is known as a storehouse, or qullqa. A partridge, yutu, was just below the Southern Cross, and a toad, hamp'atu, to the lower right. A serpent, machaguay, extends off to the right.

During the Inti Raymi (June Solstice), the Sapa Inka and curacas would proceed from the Haucaypata, where they greeted the rising June solstice sun, to the inner court of the Coricancha. On a bench in the "sun room", the Sapa Inka sat with the mummies of his ancestors. This and other rooms were oriented northeast–southwest, shingled in gold plate, and embedded with emeralds and turquoise. Focusing the sun's rays with a concave mirror, the Sapa Inka would light a fire for the burnt sacrifice of llamas.

The Coricancha is located at the confluence of two rivers. Here, according to Inka myth, is where Manco Cápac decided to build the Coricancha, the foundation of Cusco, and the eventual Inka Empire. According to Ed Krupp, "The Inka built the Coricancha at the confluence because that place represented terrestrially the organizing pivot of heaven."

Cave of the Serpents: Amaru Machay: The Temple of the Moon is located in the Sacsayhuaman archaeological park. Very strange structures can be found here, including some caves. Offerings to Pachamama are still made on an altar that looks like a layer of metallic sheen once covered it. The cave features mirror-like shining surfaces, vitrified rock borders on the walls, and pieces of the rock that look like they cut big parts out of the mountain as if it was a giant cheese. A shiny snake form in the rock can also be found. Discover and meditate at this amazing place of initiation related to the feminine energies.

---

DAY 8:
KIMSAQOCHA LAGOONS (Led by MALLKU)

Little adventure to discover the lagoons of Kimsaqocha to connect with the energy of Apus and the spirit of water. And in the afternoon visit to the mountain overlooking the Inka community of Pisaq, which is considered an archaeological and initiatory treasure. There you will explore one of the most important Inka towns in the Sacred Valley, famous for its Temple of the Sun. At the Inka altars and ceremonial places you will experience an intense meditation to discover your superior abilities.

Connect with the spirit of the mountains and the water as we reach these gorgeous lagoons. Today the mountains call us to discover the lakes of Kimsaqocha. Nature expresses itself with spectacular formations inviting us to connect with the force of water as a source of life and an energetic activator to purify us. In a Vision Quest exercise we performed a meditation to enter the parallel world of the magic of Being. (BOX LUNCH)

At the right time we will return to Cusco and resting. Overnight Cusco.

 

---

DAY 9:
INKA CITY OF CUSCO (Led by MALLKU)

Easy walk at the amazing Inka streets in Cusco to connect with the ancient energies as a step deepening into the Andean cosmology and personal preparation to discover more of the Inka ancestors. In the afternoon open time for personal discoveries of the beautiful city, time for shopping and other exploration.

Overnight Cusco.

Cusco: The sacred city of Cusco, center of the Inkan empire, was designed by the legendary Inka Pachakuti in the physical shape of a Puma. At 11,200 ft. above sea level, Cusco is the heart of the Tawantinsuyo, Peru's pre-Colombian Empire. Cusco today is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America, a fascinating and colorful paradox of the past and the present. When this ancient city was the Tawantinsuyo's Capital it also must have been the biggest and most important metropolis of the continent. Pedro Sancho de la Hoz, a Spanish soldier who acted as Pizarro's secretary, wrote in 1543 that in the city were found more than 100,000 houses. Santiago Agurto following relative population densities estimates about 126,000 persons for the urban zone and about 100,000 for the rural one, that is, a total population of about 225,000 inhabitants. Today Cusco is considered the oldest living city in the American Continent with a continuous occupation of about 3,000 years until today.

What is traditionally known as the Inka civilization (empire or state) began approximately by 1200 A.D. in its initial phase, and later around 1400 A.D. in its expansive phase. One of the most difficult epochs in the city's life was begun in 1533 with the arrival and subsequent Christian invasion and ethnocide. November 15th 1533, Francisco Pizarro refounded it for the Spanish King following the Christian tradition on March 23rd 1534; with the name and title of: THE VERY NOBLE AND GREAT CITY OF Cusco. In 1535 Pizarro founded the new capital in Lima that immediately gained importance and power even until today. In 1536 Manko Inka began a long and bloody war against the Christian invaders having a siege of 8 months over the city. Finally in 1572, after a war that lasted 36 years, Tupaq Amaru I, the last emperor of the Inkan dynasty was defeated, captured and executed cutting his head off in Cusco's Main Square.  

Santo Domingo: This church is built over what once was the most magnificent temple in the Americas, Qorikancha or Temple of the Sun. Its courtyards were filled with life-sized gold and silver representations of all the flora and fauna of the Empire. Pizarro's men looted the temple as part of Inka Atahualpa royal ransom who was held prisoner in Cajamarca by the Spaniards and later killed. An earthquake destroyed the Santo Domingo church in 1950 revealing the Inka walls that were hidden or plastered over. These walls of the Temple of the Sun are some of the finest example of Inka stonework in existence.

  

Plaza de Armas:Called Wakaypata by the Quechuas, signifies cry or moan, and originated in the expressions of reverence and celebrations with which the priests or military ceremonies were carried out in this place.

  

---

Raqchi: On the road from Cusco to Puno in the town of Raqchi lies an Inkan city-temple, dedicated to the most important entity Wiraqocha. Raqchi is found on the right bank of the Vilcanota River, at an altitude of 3500 mts. (11500 ft.). Apparently its pre-Hispanic name was "Cacha" and not "Raqchi." Raqchi was a complex village with multiple constructions for various purposes; including farming terraces, "kanchas" (plazas), "wayranas" (buildings having only 3 walls), "qolqas" (storehouses), different shrines, water fountains, etc.

---

DAY 11:
UROS ISLAND - AMANTANI LOVE ISLAND (Our team guide or Mallku if group has 8 or more participants)

---

DAY 12:
AMANTANI - TAQUILE - PUNO (Our team guide or Mallku if group has 8 or more participants)

Today continue with the energy of the lake and discover the neighbor island of Taquile, a special place where men are the specialist of the weaving techniques. Return to Puno in the afternoon and over night. (LUNCH)

  

---

DAY 13:
AJAYU MARKA DIMENSIONAL DOORWAY - PUNO (Our team guide or Mallku if group has 8 or more participants)

Puno City is located in the Southeast corner of Peru, on the shores of the magnificent Lake Titikaka and only 126km from the frontier with Bolivia. At 3,827m in altitude, Puno is a melting pot of Andean cultures including the Aimara from the South and Quechua from the North. This has earned Puno the title of 'Folkloric Capital of Peru' which it lives up to well with its huge number and variety of traditional fiestas, dances and music.

   

     

The city, whose full name is San Carlos de Puno, was founded in 1668 following the discovery of nearby silver mines. Prior to this, Puno had been a small stopping off place between the much larger silver mines at Potosi in Bolivia and to the way to Lima.

        

Today, Puno is a predominately agricultural region. Its main economic activities are cultivating potatoes, barley and quinoa, as well as raising cattle, sheep, llamas and alpacas. If you're looking for Peruvian knitwear you'll find the markets in Puno have a huge selection and are probably the cheapest in Peru.

    

---

DAY 14:
PUNO - JULIACA flight to LIMA - HOME (Our team guide)

(FLIGHT NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR FEE)

Transfer to the airport at Juliaca (Airport code JUL) for your flight to Lima, arrival and connection to your international flight home and beginning of a new path in your life.

 

      

END OF TOUR.

For fees, for more information,
or to register for this tour on our secure server,
CLICK HERE.

---

PERU Travel Information

PERU WEATHER:

In general, Peru has two seasons, wet and dry, but in a country as geographically diverse as Peru, local weather patterns vary greatly. In the highlands, the dry season is between May and November, but even the mountains' wet season is not always wet and the dry season sees downpours. Temperatures during the day in the dry season can get hot. At night, temperatures can drop quickly and a warm sweater makes walking around the plazas comfortable.

The Mountain Highlands (Cusco, Lake Titicaca)
 
Mid April to October.
This period is the dry season, with hot, dry days and cold, dry nights, often hovering just above freezing, particularly in June and July. May is perhaps the best month with the countryside exceptionally lush, yet with superb views and fine weather. You'll find the flowers in full bloom, the grass green and the streams full.
 
November to Mid April
This is the wet season with most rain in January and February. It's usually clear and dry most mornings with outbursts of heavy rain in the afternoons. The daily temperatures are typically mild with only a small drop at night.
 
The Coast (Lima, Nasca, Arequipa).
 
December to April
This is summertime on the coast where the weather is hot and dry and ideal for swimming and getting a tan. Temperatures on average range from 25 to 35°C. There is little or no rain during these months.

May to November
From May to November the temperature drops a bit and you'll find blankets of sea mist engulfing the coast from the south right up to about 200 km north of Lima. At this time of year only the northern beaches such as Mancora and Punta Sal are warm enough to provide pleasant swimming.

 Average Temperatures and Rainfall

LIMA	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High (°F)	77	79	79	75	70	66	63	63	63	66	68	73
Low (°F)	66	68	66	65	61	59	57	56	56	57	61	63
High (°C)	25	26	26	24	21	19	17	17	17	19	20	23
Low (°C)	19	20	19	18	16	15	14	13	13	14	16	17
Wet Days	1	0	0	0	1	1	1	2	1	0	0	0

CUSCO	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High (°F)	66	66	67	68	68	67	67	68	68	70	69	68
Low (°F)	44	44	44	41	37	34	34	34	39	42	43	43
High (°C)	19	19	19	20	20	19	19	20	20	21	20	20
Low (°C)	7	7	7	5	3	1	1	1	4	6	6	6
Wet Days	16	12	10	7	4	3	2	2	6	8	10	14

WE RECOMMEND YOU TO:

- Use boots or athletic shoes during walks.
- Drinking lots of water on long excursions, especially at Lake Titikaka.
- Always take an umbrella or rainwear.

WATER

The tap water in most of Peru is potable, but the chemical content varies from place to place. To avoid problems, we recommend that you always drink bottled water, which is readily available everywhere for purchase. Do not drink any tap water, even to brush your teeth. Do not eat any raw salads, raw fruits or raw vegetables. If you want to purify your water before drinking it, your can either bring a 220-volt heating coil for boiling water, or you can use water-purification tablets or a water purifier, which is available at any camping store.

VALUABLES

Pickpockets abound in crowded areas and muggings in Cusco are on the rise. Therefore you are advised to leave all valuables in the hotel safe, including passport, credit cards, and other identifying papers. You are advised to leave valuable clothing, precious jewelry, valuable papers, and all unnecessary items at home and not take them to Peru.

HEALTH

Because you are visiting Andean areas, take precautions to avoid altitude sickness if you are prone to it. During your first day move slowly and eat lightly, resting the first couple of hours. Drink lots of bottled water. We recommend that you get CELL FOOD from a health food store. This product, created by NASA, has components to produce oxygen in a liquid form.

Please consult the CDC website for health information, and please keep in mind that we will not be visiting any tropical regions in Peru: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/peru.htm

NOTES ON WALKING:

Some visits involve a lot of walking at very high altitudes. A walking stick can be helpful, and is available to purchase in Peru, if you don't want to bring one.

*Machu Picchu, from the entrance, we will walk uphill to a viewpoint above the city, about one mile steep walk. Within the city, many stairs to climb.

*Amantani Island, from the port on the island we will walk a distance of one mile steeply uphill to get to the houses where we will be lodged. The next morning, the ones who feel ready will climb to the temples, which are one more mile uphill from the houses. In none of these place we are running; we are walking and taking our time. The difference altitude from the port to the temples in the next day is about 1000 feet. If some feel that they can not make to the temples can wait in the lower part of the island.

*Ajayu Marka Dimensional Door Way, from the bus we will walk a few meters to the first stops, not very far to walk. For the second part, we need to walk half a mile to get to the Dimensional Doorway. This is flat.

*Sillustani, here we will do a walk of about half a mile, with some little climbing, but accessible.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

At the airport in Cusco, as long as you have booked your hotel through us and have notified us of your flight itinerary, you will be met by our representative with a placard that has your name on it, and you will be transported to your hotel. At the time of your departure from Juliaco, our representative will take you to the airport. If you sent us your detailed flight information, you will be all set.

BAGGAGE

Weather and loading and unloading can cause more than usual wear and tear to luggage in Peru. Accordingly, all luggage should be capable of withstanding rain and rugged treatment. For your flights within Peru, the total number of free checked bags is 2, and the TOTAL combined weight limit for those 2 bags is 20 kilograms (44 pounds). If you exceed this weight, you will have to pay a penalty. The maximum size of each checked bag is 158 cm (60 in) length x width x height.

Generally as you arrive at the hotels, you do not need to handle luggage from one place to another. You have to identify your luggage to the porters of hotels so they can carry your luggage to your room. We recommend that all bags have your identification name in order to bring to your room or to the places you need. 

Carry-On Allowance: 1 Bag + 1 Personal Item

Each passenger is allowed to carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase. Assistive devices and outer garments do not count as personal items. All carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you and adhere to the following requirements:

     - Maximum Weight of Carry-on Luggage for first and business class: 16kg/35lb*
     - Maximum Weight of Carry-on Luggage for economy class: 8kg/18lb
     - Maximum Dimensions of Carry-on Luggage: 46 linear inches/115 cm (22x14x10 in/ 55x35x25 cm)
     - Maximum Dimensions of Personal Item: 21in x 16in x 8in (length x width x height)
* In addition, first and business class passengers may take a folding garment bag.

Checked Baggage Allowance for domestic flights within Peru

     - First class: 88lb/40kg
     - Business class: 66lb/30kg
     - Economy class: 44lb/20kg

Excess, overweight, and oversize baggage fees vary by route.

Excess baggage is defined as:
     - An extra piece in addition to the two check bags permitted.
     - Any piece exceeding the permitted dimensions.
     - Any piece weighing 50 lb/23kg - 70lb/32kg: $50
     - Any piece weighing 70 lb/32kg - 99lb/45kg will be charged according to the route.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE

One U.S. dollar = approximately 2.58 PEN Perun Nuevo Sol (subject to fluctuation). One PEN = approximately U.S. dollar $.38. You may experience difficulty in exchanging traveler's checks outside Lima or in exchanging currency other than U.S. Dollars. Please consider changing your money in Lima. There is usually a currency exchange bank at international airports such as in Lima. That would be a good option for changing money.

Important: If you bring U.S. Dollars to exchange for PEN, or to pay for any goods or services in Peru, the locals will not accept any tears or damages in the currency notes. So bring crisp new notes from the bank.

INSURANCE

Be sure to get travel insurance in case you need to cancel for any reason. Divine Travels carries no travel insurance. Please go to: adele@legendaryworld.com.

LAUNDRY

There are laundry services at the main towns, and the hotels are also doing this service. In Cusco, after returning from Machu Picchu, you can use laundry at the hotel or at the different houses in town. Of course the hotels are always more expensive.

INTERNET

Internet cafes abound in Peru. You will have the opportunity to connect via the Internet in many places. There is Internet service all over the main towns and in some little ones. There are Internet cabins or Internet cafes in many places, but if you prefer, you can bring your own laptop with all the accessories to plug in some of the hotels or even Internet cafes with wireless. In nearly all the hotels you find some internet services. Some are charging US $2 per hour, and others offer for free. In towns you pay US $1 per hour.

VOLTAGE

Be sure to bring an adapter for Peru/South America so you can plug in to the 220 voltage system in Peru. Usually the wall sockets look the same as in the USA. But on occasions, you might find a socket for rounded plugs rather than flat USA-style plugs. Nearly all laptops and cell phone adapters are already built for dual voltage (110 and 220), so you would not need a transformer unless you are plugging in something that is 110 volt only. But if your appliance or device is 110 volt only, you will need to bring a transformer. Otherwise you will burn out your appliance or device within seconds.

PHONE CALLS

There are call centers in all the towns where you can make international phone calls for about 30 to 50 cents per minute. If you wish to use your cell phone, you can make arrangements with your phone carrier to make international calls while you are in Peru.

REMEMBER TO BRING:

-Passport (and visa, if required from your country).
-Airplane tickets or E-Ticket page with confirmation number and/or ticket number.
-Camera and camcorder, and extra batteries, to photograph interdimensional lights or beings.
-Clothing for Winter (June to Sept.): Temperature can get down to below freezing.
-Clothing for temperatures listed in chart above. Please note low temperatures.
-Gloves, scarf.
-Warm jacket.
-Hiking shoes or athletic shoes.
-Warm socks.
-Warm hat or cap.
-Swimming suit (in case there's a clean pool available).
-You can buy alpaca sweaters in Peru.
-Sunscreen.
-Sunhat.
-Toilet paper for emergencies.
-Antiseptic wipes for emergencies.
-Binoculars, if you enjoy them.
-Sunglasses, if needed.
-Seat cushion for rocky or wet ground, if you feel you need it.
-Rain poncho or other rainwear (it may rain, even during dry season)
-Gifts for children, such as boxes of crayolas, boxes of pencils, toys, or clothing.
-A few crystals, sage, or sweetgrass, to give to Pachamama in ceremonies.
-Alarm clock.
-Do not bring expensive jewelry or perfume.
-Plastic bags for dirty and wet clothes.
-Flashlight and extra batteries.
-Backpack, fannypack, and secret pack for valuables.
-Prescriptions, vitamins, and medications.
-Wash kit, water bottle and water purifying tablets.
-Personal first aid kit.
-Immodium for diarrhea.
-May consider bringing oscillococcinum, aspirin, CO-Q10, E-mergen-C, L-Tyrosine, DMG.
-CELL FOOD: A product for high altitudes, created by NASA, that produces oxygen in a liquid form.

GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

About the gifts, we recommend to bring colors, crayons, pens, notebooks, pencils, toys, clothes, or others, but not candies or chemical products. The quantity is never easy to say. For sure, children will love to receive more than one piece--at least two or more. There will be at least three or four places where we meet children from communities or little villages in the Lake Titikaka area.

For Tour Fees or to Register: CLICK HERE Email Us: