THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTI RAYMY 4d/3n

THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTI RAYMY 4d/3n
Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the Inti Raymi was the Empire's foremost celebration.
The sun's golden rays shine with a unusual intensity; at least that's the sensation it gives in Cusco - the magnetic center of the world - on the day of the Inti Raymi Celebration of the Sun. Perhaps it's simply a hallucination, an optical illusion or a mirage contrived by the profuse intensity of myths and legends or, maybe, an effect of the magic that pervades the physical limit of the stone walls of the Empire's ancient capital and is absorbed in soul and heart of whoever visits it. And this is because on June 24 it seems as if the city was cloaked in the past and the days of the Tawantinsuyo have returned. Once again, it is Inca who rules; once again, the sun is the Supreme God to whom to pray for abundant harvests and for famine to be vanished.
Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the Inti Raymi was the Empire's foremost celebration. It was held during the winter solstice, when the sun is at its furthermost distance from the Equator. The children of the Empire feared that their God, the source of life, would disappear into the vastness of the universe; to prevent this from happening, they implored and begged for him to stay and therefore the Empire would not be overcome by famine.
Day 01: CUSCO.-
In the morning, you’ll be transferred to the Lima Airport for the flight to Cusco (11,000 ft). Upon arrival, we'll go to our hotel and check in followed by a few cups of coca tea to ward off the altitude sickness. Lunch. Ahead of us, we will have a half-day tour of the highlights of Cusco. We will visit the Qorikancha Temple, The Main Square, the megalithic temple of Saqsaywaman, Q'enko, Pucapukara, and Tambomachay. Return to Cusco. Hotel. (B/L)
Day 02: CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY OF THE INKAS (Full Day)
After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Pisaq (9,750 ft)archeological site. You'll be conducted on a guided walking tour around this marvelous templeperched above the dizzying Vilcanota River. Then we’ll visit the Pisaq Andean market. We'll have a buffet lunch and we continue on to Ollantaytambo (9,200 ft). This is a perfect place to appreciate the technology and the vast archeological remnants of Inkas organization. There will be a guided tour. After Ollantaytambo, we'll drive up to Chinchero in our way back to Cusco. Here we’ll visit the colonial church of Nuestra Señora de Monserrate and the archeologicalcomplex. Hotel. (B/L)
Day 03: FESTIVAL OF THE SUN
This is the second largest festival in South America. Hundreds of thousands of people converge on Cusco from other parts of the nation, South America and the world for a weeklong celebration marking the beginning of a new year, the Inti Raymi, or The Festival of the Sun. The Inti Raymi was a religious ceremony of the Inka Empire in honor of the god “Inti” (Sun God), and was the most important Inka Feast celebrated every winter’s solstice. The version is expressed in the original Quechua language. The celebration starts on the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) then continues to the Saqsaywaman (12,140 ft), we will provide you the transportation, guide, entrance and box lunch. Afterwards you will be transfer by car to Ollantaytambo in your way by train to Aguas Calientes. Reception, transfer to the Hotel and overnight. (B/L)
Day 04: MACHUPICCHU
Very early and after breakfast we will start our ramble to arrive to Intipunku or The Sun Gate and we can have the first magnificent view of the terrific striking Machupicchu (7.900 ft), then we will descend to our excursion guided to the beautiful Inka Sanctuary, Our hour-long scheduled visit allows you a calm, quiet visit and lets you enjoy the natural beauty and the magical environment of this masterpiece of the Andean man. You'll be conducted on guided tour. After the scheduled hour, you can explore and relax by yourself. After a morning of wandering through the Sanctuary of Machupicchu, we'll return to Aguas Calientes and have lunch. We'll transfer from Aguas Calientes (6,560 ft) to Ollantaytambo (9,200 ft) by train, and by bus proceed back to Cusco. We'll check into our hotel and spend the night there. Farewell dinner show
INCLUDED
1.All the trips and private ground transportation described in the program, including train Cusco - Machupicchu - Ollantaytambo and transfer by bus Ollantaytambo - Cusco
2.Accommodations in select hotels, based on double or single occupancy with breakfast included and one night at Aguas Calientes
3.All the meals indicated in the program. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
4.Entry to all the sites listed in the program. (Optional visits are the responsibility of the individual)
5.All scheduled excursions with English-speaking guide services
6.First Aid kits and all safety equipment including oxygen tank if needed
7.Personalized attention and assistance
NOT INCLUDED
1.International and domestic airfares
2.Fees, tariffs, or taxes for international or domestic flights
3.Re-entry to tourist attractions
4.Personal Expenses
5.Excess baggage charges
6.Additional nights during trip due to flight cancellations
7.Insurance of any kind
8.Extra food or beverages
9.Tips
10.Other costs not specified
RECOMMENDATIONS AND NOTES

•Accommodations, transportation, meals, and optional excursions can be arranged
Prices (US $):
Private Service
Festival of the sun party
pax 1
Pax 2,3
Pax 4
Pax 6 +
Pax
4d/3n
More details at: info-cusco@incalandadventures.com