Peru

Starting Price:	£1,877.00
Trip Length:	8 days

Sacsahuamen

Machu Picchu

Ollantaytambo Fortress

Pilgrimage to the Sacred Temples of the Inca Empire

Description Pricing Itinerary Hotels

In this excursion we will search to purify and energize our bodies and souls. We will learn about the rituals of the Incas and participate in a pilgrimage to several of their places of worship. Starting in Cuzco, we will travel to the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. This pilgrimage will be lead by a Master Shaman who will accompany us through the entire circuit.

We will start in Cuzco, by requesting permission of the entities and the Mountains for the pilgrimage, and visiting several sacred temples. We will then take the train to Aguas Calientes and the Sacred Citadel of Machu Picchu, considered by the Incas to be the essence of wisdom. In Machu Picchu, we will take part in several other ceremonies and rituals, relax at the hot springs, and visit the historic place where Iram Bingham, the person who discovered Machu Picchu, first arrived. The voyage will take us to other sacred sites of the old Inca Empire, such as Ollantaytambo, Yucay, Pickillacta, the lagoon of Huarpacay and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Recently, following UNESCO recommendations, Peruvian authorities have placed restrictions on the visitation of Machu Picchu, the lost Incan ruins. Currently, no more than 2,500 people daily will be allowed to visit the ruins. While these new restrictions are great for the preservation of the ruins, they may cause some difficulties in your ability to visit them, so we recommend booking with plenty of notice.

This is a fully private tour.

Day 1

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon city tour of Cuzco and Inca ruins. Evening presentation by our Master Shaman. He will introduce the principles of Andean cosmogony and its sacred elements. We will start the ritual of purification and request the due permission from the Almighty and the Apus or Sacred Peaks (Mountains), to start the pilgrimage to the temples and sacred places that we will visit.

Day 2

We will commence the pilgrimage in the morning. We will celebrate the “Tinkuy” or encounter with the Gods, and the contact with the three worlds of the Andean cosmogony: Hanan Paccha, Kaypaccha and Hucqu Paccha. We will then begin the Inca spiritual route, starting with the Temple of Tambomachay. Here, we will do the ritual of purification of the seven “chakras” in the fountains of energy. (The seven chakras represent everything around us. The Inca flag has seven colors, the color red being oneself. The other colors represent what is on your right, left, in front, behind, above and beneath.) This ritual is similar to a baptism. We will then proceed to the Fortress of Puca Pucara and the Temple of Laqo (Temple of the Moon), where we will focus our energy at the great altar. Then we will head toward the Altar of Kusilluchayo’q, where we will give an offering to the Pachamama or Mother Earth, and the funerary Temple of Q’e’qo, which has the important meaning of life after death. Lastly, we will visit the gigantic observatory of Sacsayhuaman, where we will meditate and focus our energy at the Eye of the Puma.

Day 3

Cuzco-Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes
Morning transfer to the train station to head toward Aguas Calientes at the foot of the citadel. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon visit to the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu, considered the essence of wisdom. Here we will commence our ritual “situa” which is the cleansing of our body and soul, and the ordinance of the flow of energy. Prayer of thankfulness to the Andean Gods for the marvels of the citadel. Evening relaxation at the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.

Note: Government regulations limit the number of visitors to Machu Picchu daily. Entrance is subject to availability. Please book with plenty of notice so we may confirm your entrance to the ruins today and tomorrow. Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Day 4

Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu
Early morning, we return to Machu Picchu to make our offering at the Ritual of the Sun and give thanks to the Inti Father or Sun God. We will then trek to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu (a moderately difficult trek) to conclude our offering to the elements of the Wind and the Fire. At night, we will do the ancient ceremony of the offerings and intentions thanking the Apus or guardians of the citadel (the mountains) for all the mysteries that were revealed to us and the messages received during our visit.

Note: Government restrictions limit the amount of hikers on Huayna Picchu daily. In order to confirm your hike, please book with plenty of notice.

Day 5

Aguas Calientes-Urubamba
Morning hike toward Mandor Pampa, a historic place near the citadel since this was where Hiram Bingham first arrived in 1911 in his search for the Lost City of the Incas. Afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes to take the train to Ollantaytambo, where we will catch a bus to take us to the town of Yucay. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 6

Yucay-Cuzco Morning visit to the Temple of Ollantaytambo or the Temple of Love, to thank the Andean Gods and give another offering to the Pachamama and the divine entities. Then we will go to the huge laboratory in Moray, used for agricultural purposes in Inca times. Afternoon, return to Cuzco. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Day 7

Morning visit to the citadel of Pickillacta, to the canals of Tipon and, to finalize the sacred circuit, we will do the ceremony at the sacred lagoon of Huarpacay, where we will make a final offering to the mother Cocha. Afternoon free.

Day 8

Transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima.

Suggested Hotels by City and Category *

Cuzco
3-star	Casa Andina Classic, San Agustin El Dorado, Rumi Punku or similar.
4-star	Costa del Sol Picoaga, Novotel, Casa Andina Private Collection (oxygen available) or similar.
5-star	Inkaterra La Casona, Libertador, or Suite at the Casa Andina Private Collection inc. oxygen, matrimonial beds only, or similar.
Deluxe	Monasterio (Orient Express), Casa Cartagena or similar.
Machu Picchu
3-star	El MaPi or similar.
4-star	Sumaq Machu Picchu (this is a free upgrade to all 4 star clients). Yampu guests enjoy special benefits: welcome drink, tea time, dinner and cooking lessons.
5-star	Sumaq Machu Picchu (see above for special benefits) OR Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Yampu guests enjoy dinner and a choice of a 25 min massage, a wine bottle or chocolate truffles
Deluxe	Sanctuary Lodge (Orient Express - includes all meals), or Junior Suite at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Sacred Valley
3-star	La Hacienda Sacred Valley, La Casona de Yucay or similar.
4-star	Sonesta Posada del Inca, Casa Andina Private Collection (standard room) or similar
5-star	Casa Andina Private Collection (suite), Sol y Luna, Aranwa or similar.
Deluxe	Tambo del Inka, Rio Sagrado or similar

* Subject to confirmation at time of booking

8 days , from £1877

Occupancy Type	3-star	4-star	5-star	Deluxe
Double/Triple	£1877	£2219	£2565	£2833
Single	£3192	£3905	£4489	£5100

Prices shown above are per person, in Sterling (Ł).

Price includes air transportation from Lima return, all private services, hotel accommodation including daily continental breakfast, train and bus transportation, private bilingual guide and Shaman, entrance fees and all transfers. Local airport taxes that are payable in the country of destination are not included. Taxes and security fees that can be paid at time of ticketing are already included in the quote (if airfare has been included in the quote).

Note: Cost includes Expedition train for 3-star category, and Vistadome train for 4-star category and above. Expedition train features comfortable seats, fixed tables, backpack storage, panoramic windows as well as heating and air conditioning. Vistadome is ideal for travelers who want a personalized immersion of Andean culture with traditional dances and music along the way. This train features panoramic windows, leather seats, new table design as well as heating and air conditioning. Upgrades available from Expedition to Vistadome; please add $46 per person.

Deluxe service Hiram Bingham train features an observation wagon with a bar and two dining cars. In addition, this train includes a gourmet brunch on board, exclusive bus return to Machu Picchu, entrance to Machu Picchu as well as a guided tour. Afternoon tea in the Sanctuary Lodge, pre-dinner cocktails and a 4-course, a la carte dinner is also included. Does not operate on Sundays. Upgrades available from Vistadome to Hiram Bingham Deluxe; please add $575 per person.

Yampu Tours is a trading name of Yampu Tours & Travel Ltd – Registered in England, Company No: 6054303 ATOL Number: 9522 VAT Number 919 1679 90 – 0800 011 2424 – Email Us

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