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Travel(on your own) from your country to Lima, capital of Peru since the spanish colonial era. You will be meet by your driver, who will take you to your selected hotel near the airport a for a night of a good rest and sweet sleep.
Hotel Limaq or similar
Transfer to the airport to board your flight to Arequipa, the colonial city at the foot of snow-capped Misti Volcano. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Half day walking city tour of Arequipa. Because some of the old buildings are made of white volcanic material (sillar) Arequipa is also known as the ‘white city’. You will visit the extraordinary Santa Catalina Convent. This cloister, built in the 16th century, is a huge construction which once served as a town within itself housing 450 nuns. Traditionally, the oldest daughters of Arequipa’s aristocratic families entered the convent in their early teens and spent their lives there, cloistered away. The convent complex has been beautifully refurbished, bringing the past vividly alive once more.
Hotel Casona Plaza or similar
A spectacular drive takes us to the Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest canyons. On the way we pass volcanoes and will almost certainly see vicuñas in the highlands before we cross the Patapampa Pass (4910m) which marks the descent into the canyon itself. As we take the winding road to the town of Chivay, the sight of the green and fertile terraces of the canyon is a real contrast to the barren yet beautiful landscapes we have travelled through for most of the day. This is the first day where we may feel the effects of altitude – although we do not linger at the top of the pass, we spend the night at around 3600m and so it is a good idea to take it easy on arrival.
Hotel Refugio or similar
Today we have a half day exploring the Colca Canyon, starting with a visit to the Cruz del Condor, the best place to see the mighty Andean condors as they glide on the morning thermals. We also see ancient tombs which line the cliffs on one side of the canyon, and make stops in the villages along the way which house several interesting colonial churches. Depending on time, we may take a short walk along the canyon and then find a spot to do a ceremony to connect with the vision of the condor, this archetype in the Andean cosmology represent the upper world and it is the messenger of the spirits. After that we will return to Chivay to have lunch.
In the afternoon we drive from Chivay to Puno (3800m) 7h approx..
Casona Plaza Hotel Puno
We have a full day on and Lake Titicaca visiting the descendants of the Uros indigenous who live on islands of floating reeds, still live like their ancestors would have done centuries ago. These days, although the tourism has had a significant economic impact on the islands, the indigenous still use a barter system to trade with those living on the mainland, and fishing and weaving remain key elements of their daily life. we continue on to Taquile Island, home to a community known for their remarkable weaving and traditional lifestyle. The panoramic views of the lake from the island are incredible, and it is often possible to see the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real in the distance. There’s the option to eat lunch on the island, before we return to Puno.
Casona Plaza Puno
Today we have a drive across the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle. Although it is quite a long drive( 10hrs approx.) it is often spectacular. We will do stops on the way to visit some interesting sites to help break up the day and appreciate the immensity of the Andean landscapes. These include La Raya Pass (4313m), the watershed and geographical dividing line between the altiplano and the Vilcanota Valley where Raqchi – the Inca temple of Wiracocha is located. We arrive in Cusco( 3400m) late in the noon.
Tierra Viva San Blas or similar
We will leave the hotel towards the overwhelming buildings of the temple of the Lightning called Sacsayhuaman we will explore the sacred temple, then we will head to the sacred valley of Pisaq. Here you will discover several major Incan holy temples. The ceremony we join in with the Paqos will take place in a stunning location designed to facilitate our deepest connection to the vision of the falcon. After the ceremony, you will explore the colorful market in the main town of Pisaq. The market is renowned for the exquisite arts and crafts brought in by many native artisans from the surrounding communities. There are many different handicrafts available, including textiles, weavings, ceramics, ponchos, and much more.
Tierra Viva San Blas or similar Cusco
A day of exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas visiting important Inca sites, Chinchero, in ancient times this was an important place for Incan ceremonies and rituals to connect with the stars. Here we will have a beautiful ceremony to connect with ancestral wisdom through the shrines, the Paqos will do a ritual to reconnect with it. After this ceremony we will have time to visit the local houses where local women will show us the traditional process of weaving and expressing Inka symbols express on the textiles. Afterwards we continue to Ollantaytambo, where we will see on of the most well-preserved buildings in terms of how the Incas lived, we visit the main temples of Ollantaytambo dedicated to different deities, our guide will explain about how important was this sacred site for the Incas.
After the visit we take the train toward Machupicchu town.
Gringo Bill’s - Machupicchu
For most people the highlight of the trip is the visit to the lost city of the Incas Machu Picchu. Early in the morning we will head up to the ancient citadel. This is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world, in a mountain setting of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found this city lost in the clouds, and the Incas left no records of it, so Machu Picchu remains a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle. The citadel is located at an altitude of 2490 meters (8,169 ft). From here, you can view the sacred mountains (Apus) like Wayna Picchu, Putukusi, and Inti Punku. Machu Picchu also is known for its astronomical alignments and observatory. The Intihuatana Stone or Hitching Post of the Sun has been shown to be a precise indicator of the date of the two equinoxes, the summer and winter solstice and other significant celestial periods. To touch one’s forehead to this stone is said to bring many blessings and insights. We will meditate to reconnect with the Crystal city in a quiet spot on Machu Picchu.
Return train in the afternoon to Ollantaytambo.
Tierra Viva San Blas Cusco or similar
Today has been left free to relax and enjoy the many attractions of Cusco. It is possible to visit the Cathedral, Qoricancha temple of the Sun, San Pedro local market and the witches market.
Tierra Viva San Blas or similar
We have an early start today for the flight to Puerto Maldonado, a small jungle town. After a short drive to the river port to take a boat to our lodge in the Tambopata reserve ( 40 minutes approx. depending on the lodge used). On the way we may see caimans, river turtles and wide birdlife.
The rainforest lodge is basic but all accommodation has some facilities with cold showers, electricity is by generator and just a few hours a day and in the dining time.
The next three days, we will be immerse in the jungle to explore the rivers, lakes on foot and boat trips. Although wildlife tends to hide in the dense foliage, we should expect to see a wide variety of birds, including herons, egrets, macaws and the prehistoric-looking hoatzin as well several species of monkeys, reptiles and insects.
In the evenings we will have Ayahuasca ceremonies with a local ayahuasquero, a master who has experience for years the gifts of the mother nature. Ayahuasca has been used since ancients time in order to cleanse our bodies and spirits and reach high stages of consciousness that helps to find clarity, balance in our daily life.
Today, we will leave the lodge to head to Puerto Maldonado airport to take flight to Lima and later home.
Included:
- Hotel (double rooms), including breakfast
- Lodge in the jungle
- All entrance fees for the sacred sites we visit
- Private transportation, Train tickets to Machupicchu.
- 2 Paqos during the whole journey, tour guide
- Meals in the jungle trip
- Ceremonies with two Paqos
- Three Ayahuasca ceremonies
- Not Included:
- Flight from your home country to Lima, Lima to Arequipa, Cusco to Puerto Maldonado – Lima and from Lima to your home country
- Domestic flights within Peru
- Additional meals (lunch, dinner), as specified above
- Individual healings/initiations with the paqos (upon request)
- Travel Insurance (including health insurance)
- Supplement in a SGL room Euro:
- Flashlights
- Bathing suit.
Tour Leaders:
- Luis Alejo ( Peru)
- Raj Padam ( Ireland)
- Paqos from the Andes
- RECOMMENDATIONS AND WHAT TO BRING:
- Light, long sleeved, tee shirts and long pants
- Sun hat
- Insect repellent and sun cream.
Total Cost of Program: Euro:
Note: Although carefully anchored in an energetic “template” as well as in detailed practical advance planning, this itinerary remains “subject to reality.” It is the nature of pilgrimage and apprenticeship that some things may change at the last minute. In our experience, the few changes that occurred on our previous journeys often opened the door to unforeseen (and usually wonderful) opportunities. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and willingness to adapt, to take advantage of the ever-changing possibilities inherent in a fluid shamanic universe
For more informations and bookings please contact:
rajspadam@gmail.com
Skype: luisqero
luis@back2nature.com.pe
Peru:0051-84-244454, Movil: 0051-84-984001975