Itinerary
Peru & Bolivia
September 2007
09th Sept Fly Australia to Lima, Peru
We have quite a long journey of 3-4 flights and we arrive late in the evening to be transferred directly to our hotel for a night's rest before the adventure begins bright and early. (Meals incl. – all flight meals)
10th Sept Bus to Nazca (6 hrs)
Nazca is a cute, unsophisticated little town whose inhabitants share an ancient ancestry with Tibet & Polynesia. Most people pass through Nazca very quickly only stopping for a flight over the famous and intriguing Nazca Lines. We will take a flight and much more. Few people are aware that to the side of the Nazca Lines was a once thriving ancient civilisation that was buried by a desert sandstorm in a sudden geological disturbance. We will take part in a ceremony to assist in reactivating the energy grid lines and to release the trauma of the past. In the vicinity of Nazca is a temple site connecting 3 others forming a diamond around the globe with the recently activated one in Aotearoa, New Zealand. (Meals incl. - B)
11th Sept Nazca
Partial Luna eclipse, only visible from Peru and bordering countries, soul release ceremony and
evening celebration. (Meals incl. – B)
12th Sept Nazca – Lima (by bus, 6 hrs), Lima – Cuzco (by air)
Return bus ride to Lima and flight to Cuzco, capital of the Ancient Incan Kingdom (the Inca was the ruler or King of the Quechuan people who share ancestral roots with Maori, Tibetan and Polynesian people). Cuzco is at 2600 metres above sea level so a relaxing afternoon is desired to acclimatise. (Meals incl. - B)
13th Sept Cuzco, visiting Saqsayhuaman and other temples
Saqsayhuaman (pronounced roughly the way 'Prince' would say "sexy woman") is the main temple complex overlooking the sacred town of Cuzco – Cuzco is laid out in the shape of a panther, the animal of the underworld and transformation in the Andean tri-level world model. The stones on the pyramids at Giza are impressive, but wait until you see the size of some of the rocks here and how well they are joined together. The energy lines and patterns up here are incredible as the temple sites are still in regular use. (Meals incl. - B)
14th Sept Cuzco – Ollantaytambo (by bus)
Our fantastic guide for the whole trip, Adriel, is a local Quechuan raised in Ollantaytambo, who is very knowledgeable about the plants and herbal medicine of Pachamama (the Quechuan name for Mother Earth) and is also a shaman in training. Ollantaytambo is an amazing temple complex where the arrival of the Europeans was first prophesised. We will spend the night in Ollantaytambo, something few groups do, for us to knit our consciousness with that of the elders and guardians of the temple precinct. (Meals incl. - B)
15th Sept Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
We take a train ride to the spectacular and exhilarating Machu Picchu –a place of incredible power where we will have 2 half days, hopefully Adriel will also be able to arrange us special access to some of the 'closed' temples. Aguas Calientes is a lovely tourist town at the foot of Machu Picchu and will be our home for the evening, our minds linking with the ancestry of the land. (Meals incl. – B / L)
16th Sept Machu Picchu (a.m.), Aguas Calientes – Cuzco (by train, 4 hrs)
Today we have a second opportunity to connect with the ancient ramparts and temples of Machu Picchu. A lovely meal at one of the many quaint restaurants in Cuzco town centre, and an early night. (Meals incl. – B)
17th Sept Cuzco – Puno (by train, 9 hrs)
Not quite the orient express but a lovely vintage train ride through spectacular scenery of snow
encrusted mountains, climbing 1km into the sky. Puno is the gateway to my second favourite
sacred site – Lago (lake) Titicaca. Titicaca is a high altitude inland sea, a tidal lake that stretches
to beyond the horizon and flanked by 700 metre snow capped Andean peaks. It is a place where
the veils between worlds are especially thin and divine healing energy wafts over and through all who
visit her with an open heart. This visit will also be part of the reconnecting of the Maori of Aotearoa
with the Maori of Peru through special spiritual ceremony. We have risen to the maximum altitude
for our journey so a very relaxing evening before setting out on Titicaca. (Meals incl. – B / L)
18th Sept Puno – Amantani (by boat)
It is about a 4 hour boat ride to Amantani, in the centre of Titicaca, stopping at the floating islands
made from woven reed - basically huge floating bowls that people live on. We will stay 2 nights on
this picturesque island, billeted out with the families and depending on group size, gather for a family
meal around the fire with story telling and song and dance with the locals. This is the perfect place
for rest and healing. Meals incl. – (B / L / D)
19th Sept Amantani
This is the day we have set aside for the ceremony. There is a sacred mountain on the island that
we will climb (more a hill and a walk!) connected with the Mayan prophecy of the Twin Rainbows.
(Meals incl. – B / L / D)
20th Sept Amantani – Taquile – Puno (by boat)
Taquile is like a Greek Island set on this ancient lake, very picturesque but quite different from
Amantani. When I was here in 2004 I felt a major energy line that ran through, and I mean a major
one – the energy is strong and the sky and water are so crystal pure here. We will walk across the
island, most probably following this line most of the way, an integration of what has occurred on
Amantani. (Meals incl. – B / L)
21st Sept Puno – Copacabana (by bus, 4 hrs). Copacabana – Isla del Sol (by boat 2 hrs)
A bus ride across the border to Copacabana on the Bolivian side of the Lake….the start of the
Equinox….. and a short boat ride to the Island of the Sun. For the next 2 days we will be joined by
a local Shaman and friend of Adriel's on the 2 major ceremonial sites in the region and of paramount
importance for South America – the Islands of the Sun and Moon. (Meals incl. – B / D)
22nd Sept Isla del Sol y de la Luna
On the Island of the Sun and the Island of the Moon, we will take part in rituals for the Spring
Equinox Energy Grid Activation, awakening the twin rainbows to assist with unfolding of Mayan Time
Prophecy. The Spring Equinox when night and day are equal occurs at dawn on 23 Sept. The period
22 – 23 Sept is a very powerful time symbolising the convergance of female and male radiance to
herald the dawning of a new consciousness worldwide. Meals incl. – (B / L / D)
23rd Sept Isla del Sol – Copacabana (by boat). Copacabana – Puno (by bus, 4 hrs)
The actual point of the Equinox is 9am this morning, I am not sure where we will be on the island,
though my guess is we will be on a boat in the Lake, I trust the spirit that guides us will have us in
the perfect place.
You will spend the night in Puno before heading off for the trek. I will be heading back to Lima this
evening for my flight back to my young family the following day, leaving you to continue the journey
with Adriel and the friendships you have forged. (Meals incl. – B)
24th Sept Puno – Cuzco - Ollantaytambo (by bus)
A rest day of travelling to Ollantaytambo for the trek, time to reflect on the past few days adventures
and insights. (Meals incl. – B / L)
25th Sept Trek Trail
You will start the trek from Ollantaytambo, members of Adriel's extended family will be our cooks
and porters. The food will be simple and delicious, the Andean valleys have some of the richest
soils and most nutritious food (think Quinae, Amaranth and Maca). Adriel has a wide knowledge of
the ancient and medicinal uses of the Andean plants and flowers and will give impromptu seminars
as you walk and will revel in answering individual questions. You are welcome to walk on your own
at times and imagine yourself back on the land in ancient times. (Meals incl. – B / L / D)
26th Sept Trek Trail
You are not walking the Inca trail, the trail Adriel will lead you on is well off the beaten tourist track,
traveling with llama's as the Andeans would have in times gone past. The trail will wind through
remote villages which have changed little since the days of the Inca, providing you with an
opportunity to see sights seldom seen. As Adriel is a native of this area there may be impromptu
invitations to join villagers for chats or meals, to share song and dance, and you will certainly make
a welcome distraction to the local children. (Please consult with Adriel at the start of the tour about
what gifts are appropriate to give children and the polite way to make the gift, if you would like to.
Personally I always make the gift to the parents on the children's behalf and never give sugary
sweets. Pens, notepads and toy kangaroos are my favourite gifts to bring.) (Meals incl. – B / L / D)
27th Sept Trek Trail – Cuzco
This afternoon the trek finishes and the evening is spent back in Cuzco. (Meals incl. – B / L )
28th Sept Cuzco
A rest day in Cuzco after the trek before heading to the jungle. As you will know from your previous
visit, Cuzco is a great place to hang out for a rest day, soaking up the atmosphere and perhaps
doing some more exploring through the temples and beautiful old Spanish buildings. (Meals incl. –
B)
29th Sept Fly Cuzco – Puerto Maldonado & Isla De Los Monos (Monkey Island)
We start the jungle experience aboard a boat on an unforgettable journey down the Madre de Dios
River, checking out alligators (caimanes) and turtles (charapas) as well as herons and a variety of
birds before arriving at the EcoAmazon Lodge to settle in our comfortable bungalows. After lunch we
visit Monkey Island which hosts a variety of species of monkeys ranging from the noisy Maquisapa
(Spider Monkey), the happy AchuNasua nasua, the very impressive Fraile (Squirrel Monkey) to the
very little and funny Leoncito, little lions (Tit'Cebuella pygmaea). The trip to the island affords very
beautiful sightseeing of the local landscape as well as the flora and fauna and to top it all off, there is
that breathtaking and sublime jungle sunset. (Meals incl. – B / L / D)
30th Sept Cocha Perdida (Lost Lake) & Local Life
After breakfast we set out on an adventure through the virgin jungle led by our local guide, hiking to
the Lost Lake. This site is a unique protected Ecosystem, Refuge and Feeding ground for a great
diversity of jungle fauna including Nutria, Otter (Lutra incarum), Cayman (New World Crocodile),
Turtles (Charapa), Sachavaca (Amazonian Tapir) the majestic Jaguar, or Otorongo (Pantheraon) as
well as many birds with striking plumage and a variety of fish. This area is unique and distinctively
particular to the EcoAmazon?Reserve, by virtue of having remained altogether unaltered and is
conveniently surrounded by large swamps and wetlands. One of the highlights of today is the ascent
to the Mirador (the Amazonian Overlook) built atop the greatest of treetops in the Amazonian forest,
the revered Shihuahuaco (Diptrax alata, a relative of the Mimosa and Copaiba family) from where a
grand view of the great and magical forest can be admired. This is complemented by a pleasant
canoe tour around the lake, before a well earned lunch. This afternoon is probably when Adriel will
set up a session with a local Shaman and you will also have the opportunity to visit a local family,
the botanical gardens and have a refreshing dip in the eco-swimming pool. (Meals incl. – B / L / D)
01 st Oct Briolo & Gamitana Rivers
After breakfast we set off through the magical jungle once more, taking in the Tambopata Ecological
Reserve and the EcoAmazon Rain and Cloud Forest as we go. We navigate along the Madre de D'
River to the trailhead where our hike to the Briolo and Gamitana Rivers begins. Both of these rivers
originate in the heart of the jungle and their numerous meandering and large winding channels form
large navigable waterways. We return by canoe, closely observing along the way the jungle life
around us. (Meals incl. – B / L / D)
02nd Oct Fly Puerto Maldonado – Lima
After breakfast we head out of the jungle and fly back into Lima. (Meals incl. – B)
03rd Oct Hang out day in Lima
Party in Lima! Lima is a dirty, modern city, however the tourist part of town is quite cool to hang out
for the day and you can all have a farewell party and celebration. (Meals incl. – B)
04th Oct Fly Lima – Australia (or onward!)
The flight back to Australia leaves Lima at 07.00, so it's an early start! (Meals incl. – B / flight meals)
05th Oct Flight / time difference
06th Oct Land Australia
Please note, this itinerary is subject to change.