.
Itinerary – June 2008
Peru & Bolivia
13 June Fly Australia / NZ - Lima, Peru
Your destination is the Ancient Incan Kingdom and even with the invention of the metal bird its a long old flight most likely going via Sydney, Auckland and Santiago, to arrive in Lima on the evening of the 13th Peruvian time. There is usually a 10-12 hour lay over in Santiago, Chile so those with time up their sleeve may consider a 2 or 3 day stopover in either direction to explore this interesting city. If you choose to fly straight through, Santiago is a well equiped airport with some interesting shops and a good Lan Chile Lounge.
Adriel Vilcas, is a local Quechuan raised in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. He will be your guide and host throughout the journey. Adriel or one of his colleagues will meet each of you off the plane in Lima, escorting you to the hotel in Miraflores.
Meals incl. - flight meals
14 June Lima - Nazca (by bus, 6 hours)
Today the group will do a short city tour of Lima and then travel by bus into the desert to Nazca, with the late afternoon free to explore this cute, unsophisticated little town and it's friendly inhabitants. Buses in South America have amazing reclining seats so you can catch up on missed sleep from the flight and enjoy the moonlike scenery of the Peruvian coastline. The hotel in Nazca is a Spanish style Hacienda with beautiful grounds.
Meals incl. - B
15 June Nazca Lines - Lima
This morning you will take an overflight over the famous and intriguing Nazca Lines. The flights are in small, approximately 6 seater planes that give you amazing views of the many shapes marked out in the desert. There is something very amazing about these lines and the civilisation that created them. 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 and the energy grid lines in this area are very strong. In the afternoon you will take the bus back to Lima for the evening - perhaps a nice meal in the Miraflores area of town.
Meals incl. - B
16 June Fly Lima - Cuzco, transfer to Ollantaytambo
This morning you fly to Cuzco, and transfer by bus to Ollantaytambo, the Sacred Valley and "breadbasket" of the Incas. The valley is very beautiful and the land extremely fertile. Ollantaytambo is Adriel's home town and one of the most sacred and spectacular Incan sites. Adriel's ambition is to become Mayor of Ollantaytambo and restore much of the Ancient Andean Culture, he is also a Shaman in training and can tell you all about the ancient and medicinal uses of the plants and flowers of Pachamama (the Quechuan name for Mother Earth), which are found in this area. (Please note you will be approx. 2600 metres above sea level at this point and may need a relaxing afternoon with plenty of fluids and good food in order to acclimatise).
Meals incl. - B
17 June Ollantaytambo & Sacred Valley
Ollantaytambo is an amazing temple complex where the arrival of the Europeans was first prophesised. You will spend the day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Inca's and the market town of Pisaq, plus Maras, Moray and Chinchero. Llamas, alpacas and vicunias are abound in the valley - you will also see them on the menu; even the hardiest carnivore might find these guys too cute to eat.
Meals incl. - B
18 & 19 June Shaman - Sacred Valley
The Andean Healing systems is one of the simplest and most effective in the world, all of the Shaman I have met are incredibly humble people, understanding that healing takes place when we allow nature to flow through us. The group will spend two days in relaxed company with a Shaman/Healer of this region, visiting lesser known sacred sites and discovering some of the principles of the Andean model of the world and how balance can be restored within the human body. Your 2 days will include visiting the most important water temple of the Inca Culture - Tipon, a tour to the native communities of Willoc and Patacancha and some shopping in the Pisaq markets if you would like.
Meals incl. - B / L
20 June Aguas Calientes
A relaxing day prior to the Winter solstice Festivities at Machu Picchu tomorrow. A scenic train ride to the spa town of Aguas Calientes now best known as the gateway to Machu Picchu. On arrival you will take a lovely walk in the Cloud Forest with the Shaman and visit an important sacred waterfall, and there will be free time to wander through the extensive market complex before an early night in preparation for a dawn start to view the first rays of the sun striking the main temple at Machu Picchu.
Meals incl. - B
21 June Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
The main group will reunite with the 5 people on the Inca Trail today for a spectacular experience. Expect it to be busy with all the tourists especially today being the Winter Equinox - a wonderful day to be at one of our Earth's major sacred sites. Machu Picchu is a place of incredible power. You may choose to spend some time relaxing after the trek and soaking up the energy of the place on one of many spectacular ledges. In the afternoon Adriel will take you on a guided tour, leading you through the temples and initiatory sites. Tonight you spend the evening in Aguas Calientes, a lovely town at the foot of Machu Picchu, here your minds can link to the ancestry of the land and its people.
Meals incl. - B / L / D
22 June Aguas Calientes - Cuzco
Today you can either rest and shop in Agues Calientes with its many market stalls or return to Machu Picchu to revisit the temples, or even climb one of the surrounding peaks (talk with Adriel about this the day before as bookings need to be made for the hikes and an early start will be required). Entry to Machu Picchu on this second day is not included in the tour and is about $US50 including the return bus trip up the winding path.
In the afternoon you will head back to Cuzco by bus.
Meals incl. - B
23 June Cuzco
An exploring day in Cuzco, capital of the Ancient Incan Kingdom. Saqsayhuaman (pronounced roughly the way The Artist (now once again known as) Prince would say 'sexy woman') is the main temple complex overlooking the sacred town of Cuzco - Cuzco is laid out in the shape of the 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
24 June Cuzco, Inti Raymi Sun Festival
Today will be an amazing day at the most important spiritual festival of the Inca's. You will see that the spirit and passion of the Andes is alive and well. I wrote about my experience here in 2004, you can read it at; http://www.transformationaltours.com.au/images/pdfs/articles/hail_to_the_son.pdf
Meals incl. - B / L
25 June Cuzco - Puno (by bus, full day)
It is a full day travelling to Puno however you will see some spectacular scenery of snow encrusted mountains as you climb 1 km into the sky! You will also stop at the Racchi Temple of Wiracocha on the way. Puno is the gateway to my personal second favourite sacred site in the world - Lago (Lake) Titicaca. Titicaca is a high altitude inland sea, a tidal lake that stretches to beyond the horizon and is 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. You have risen to the maximum altitude of the journey so a very relaxing evening is in order before setting out on Titicaca in the morning.
Meals incl. - B
26 June Puno - Amantani, Lake Titicaca (by boat, 4 hours)
You boat out to Amantani, a picturesque island in the centre of Lake Titicaca, stopping at the floating islands made of woven reed - basically huge floating bowls that people live on. You will stay here for 2 nights billeted out with friendly local families who may share some story telling, song and dance with you!
Meals incl. - B / L / D
27 June Amantani
Today will be spent discovering the island and we hope spending time with Pedro, a Shaman and High Priest of the Island. In the afternoon you can climb to the temples of Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Pachatata (Father Spirit) - in the Andes Pachamma is always more honoured and has the higher peak. This is a pristine island with a very healing aura.
Meals incl. - B / L / D
28 June Amantani - Taquile Island - Puno (by boat)
On the way back to Puno you will stop at Taquile, which is like a beautiful Greek Island set on this ancient lake, quite different from Amantani. Taquile has a major energy line running through it which you can follow as you walk across the island, and crystal pure sky and water. There are many amazing legends about Titicaca, the famous Oceanographer Jaques Cousteau stated, after a underwater mission here many years ago he said something to the effect of "there are things down there the world is not yet ready to see", and decided not to share the footage. I feel we are now ready to explore these mysteries.
Meals incl. - B / L / D
29 June Puno - Copacabana, Bolivia (by bus, 4 hours) - Isla del Sol (by boat, 2 hours)
Today you cross the border into Copacabana on the Bolivian side of this magical lake and boat out to the Island of the Sun. The Islands of the Sun and Moon have deep spiritual significance as temple sites of ancient pilgrimage.
Meals incl. - B / D
30 June Isla del Sol y de la Luna
The day will be spent with a local Shaman, I hope Vincent is available - a truly beautiful man - on the Island of the Sun and the Island of the Moon, 2 major ceremonial sites in the region and of paramount importance for South America.
Meals incl. - B / L / D
01 July Isla del Sol - Copacabana - La Paz
You travel back to Copacabana by boat and onward to La Paz, the capital of modern Bolivia and a very interesting town, you will have the afternoon to explore.
Meals incl. - B
02 July La Paz - Tiawanaco - Desaguadero - Puno
Leaving La Paz, you will stop at Tiawanaco and Desaguadero on the way back to Puno. Tiawancao is one of the most important temple sites in South America and is built in the style of the ancient Mayan temples showing the unity of Wisdom throughout the continent prior to Spanish and Western imperialism.
Meals incl. - B
03 July Fly Puno - Cuzco *(shorter trip alternative below)
Today is a rest day with a short flight back to Cuzco, a chance to reflect on the past few days adventures and insights, to overnight before heading into the Amazon Jungle!
Meals incl. - B
04 July Fly Cuzco - Puerto Maldonado, Amazon Jungle & Isla de Los Monos
You 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 your comfortable bungalows. After lunch you will visit Monkey Island, which hosts a variety of species of Monkeys ranging from the noisy Maquisapa (Spider Monkey), the happy AchuNasua, the very impressive Fraile (Squirrel Monkey) to the tiny and funny Leoncito (Little Lions). The trip to the island affords interesting views of the local landscape as well as the flora and fauna, and to top it all off there will be that breathtaking and sublime jungle sunset.
Meals incl. - B / L / D
05 July Cocha Perdida (Lost Lake) & Local Life
Today's adventure takes you through the virgin jungle led by a 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 otters, crocodiles, turtles, tapir's, the majestic jaguar 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 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 from where a grand view of the great and magical forest can be admired. This is complimented by a pleasant canoe tour around the lake before a well earned lunch. This afternoon Adriel can set up a session with a local Shaman and an Ayawasca Ceremony (approx. cost U$50) or you will have the opportunity to visit with a local family, see the botanical gardens and maybe have a refreshing dip in the eco swimming pool.
Meals incl. - B / L / D
06 July Briolo & Gamitana Rivers
This morning you set off through the jungle once more, taking in the Tambopata Ecological Reserve and the EcoAmazon Rain and Cloud Forest as you go. You will walk along the Madre de Dios River to the trailhead where a 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. You will return by canoe, a chance to again closely observe the jungle life around you along the way.
Meals incl. - B / L / D
07 July Fly Puerto Maldonado - Lima
After breakfast you head out of the jungle and fly back into Lima.
Meals incl. - B
08 July Lima / Flight home
Lima is a dirty modern city, however the tourist part of town is quite cool to hang out in for the day if you would like to, instead of catching your flight home today.
Meals incl. - B
09 July Flight time / time difference
If you flew out of Lima on the 08 July, today will be spent in the air / time difference.
10 July Land in Australia / NZ
Please note this itinerary is subject to change
*If you do not have 4 weeks to travel, an alternative to the trip to shorten it would be:
03 July Fly Puno - Lima
This morning you take your flight back to Lima and can spend the afternoon roaming Miraflores, a cool place to hang out and reflect on the past few days adventures and insights, or perhaps do some last minute shopping.
Meals incl. - B
04 July Flight home
It is most likely your flight will leave Lima first thing this morning.
Meals incl. - B
05 July Flight time / time difference
If you flew out of Lima on the 04 July, today will be spent in the air / time difference.
06 July Land in Australia / NZ
Please note this itinerary is subject to change