Tours Available for 2020
Best of the Sacred Andes
Cusco, Sacred Valley of the Incas
& Machu Picchu
8 Days and 8 Nights
Day 1: Cusco – Welcome to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire and the energetic ‘Navel of the World’! In the morning, we will gather together for the first time. Here you will meet the other tour participants and your lead guide. After a short, but thorough, orientation, we will leave and set out on a walking tour of the Historic Center of Cusco– stopping at various points of interest throughout the city, which include great look-out locations for photos, examples of ancient and colonial architecture, and a general glimpse of what life is like here. After a group lunch, we will visit the first sacred archeological site of our tour, The Qoricancha. During Ancient times, this site was regarded as the most sacred throughout all of the Andes, and it was considered to be the ‘Center of the Center’. Here, you will be able to marvel first hand at the sophisticated and advanced stonework of which the ancient builders had mastery.
Day 2: Cusco-Sacsayhuaman – In the morning we will travel by car/van up to the rim of the Cusco valley to visit our first megalithic archeological site of the journey—Sacsayhuaman. This was an ancient initiation site into the mysteries. It is a sprawling complex comprised of massive stones fit together with incredible precision, and offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and Cusco city below. The powerful energy here is palpable. We will spend several hours exploring the ancient history and spirituality of the site, and also participate in an initiation ritual of our own. After our time here, we will take a scenic walk back down to Cusco, and then you will have a free afternoon to explore the city at your leisure, before regrouping in the evening for dinner.
Day 3: Pisac – In the morning we will check out of our accommodation in Cusco and depart for the Sacred Valley of the Inkas. You will enjoy a scenic 45-minute van ride that crosses the high plane between Cusco, and our first destination in the valley, the colonial village of Pisac. Along the way, we will pay a visit to the Cocha Wasi Andean Condor and Animal Sanctuary—a lovely, family-operated animal rescue and breeding program. Here you will be able to view up close a variety of animal species native to the Andes mountains and surrounding forests, including the flight of the majestic Andean Condor—one of the 3 most sacred animals in ancient Andean cosmology, as well as the world’s largest avian bird.
In the afternoon, we will participate in a sacred ‘Despacho’ or ‘Pago a la Tierra’ ceremony led by a Q’ero Paqo (medicine man/shaman). The Q’ero was the last indigenous group in the Andes to resist the conquest and colonialization of Perú. The Despacho ceremony is a beautiful offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and the Apus (Mountain spirits). In return for this offering, we will receive blessings in our lives in the areas of health, work/wealth, love, family, and others.
Day 4: Pisac- Ruins – Market – In the morning, we will journey up to the Pisac archeological site. This is a sacred and energetic center located on the mountaintop towering over the village below. Here you will see amazing terraces built along the cliff sides and more examples of advanced ancient Andean architecture. The views from the site are some of the most breathtaking that you will witness during your journey here.
Day 5: Ollantaytambo – After checking out of our accommodation in the morning, we will travel by van down through the Sacred Valley to our next destination, the ancient town of Ollantaytambo. The ride follows the path that the Wilcamayu (sacred river, in the Quechua language) carves through the valley, offering us many beautiful views along the way. After check-in and lunch, we will visit the impressive Ollantaytambo archeological site. In fact, much like Cusco, the entire town of Ollantaytambo is built upon an ancient settlement. The sacred site is perched above the valley floor separated by approximately 200 stones steps. Get ready for a climb… the views will be worth the effort!!
Day 6: Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu – After breakfast, we will depart from Ollantaytambo by train, as we make our way towards mystical Machu Picchu. The train ride itself is a delightful highlight of the tour, affording spectacular views of the high mountain terrain with its snow-capped peaks, as we gradually arrive in the lush, green cloud forest. After check in at our hotel and lunch, we will visit at last the ‘Crystal City’ of Machu Picchu. On this, the first of our 2 entrances to the archeological park, we will participate in a small sacred ceremony and have a full guided tour of the ancient city.
Day 7: Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu – Today we will enter the Machu Picchu archeological site for the second time and complete one of the famous hikes: either to the top of Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain. Time of year will determine whether we enter in the AM or PM. After the hike, you will have time to explore the site on your own, if so desired. During the downtime of the day, you can explore the town of Aguas Calientes at you own leisure, perhaps taking advantage of a spa treatment and massage, a soak in the nearby hot springs, or some time for souvenir shopping.
Day 8: Return to Cusco – All good things must come to an end. On this, the final day of the tour, we will return to Cusco city by train. In the evening, we will attend a ‘Farewell’ dinner, as we celebrate the conclusion of our sacred journey together through the Andes.
What to Expect
1. Group Tour
- Small, engaging groups of 10 or fewer people (minimum 2)
- Guided tours in 5 Sacred Archeological Parks with local guides and practitioners of Andean spirituality
- Entrance tickets to all Sacred Archeological Parks and Andean Condor & Animal Sanctuary – includes Qoricancha, Sacsaywaman, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo and 2 entrances to Machu Picchu
- One Q’ero Despacho Ceremony
- Lunches and dinners with the group (additional cost)
- Bi-lingual Guides (English and Spanish)
- Knowledgeable suggestions for free-time activities
2. Accommodation
- Comfortable mid-range hotel with private bath
- Double occupancy shared room – private single occupancy room upon request (additional cost)
- Includes continental breakfasts
3. Transportation
- Transportation between destinations
- Airport transfers available upon request (additional cost)
- **This trip does not include your transportation/airfare to Cusco**
Sacred Travel Peru has taken the time and care to scout comfortable yet affordable accommodations. STP has also included flexibility for your personal meal choices. In order to accommodate your personal choices, lunches and dinners are not included in the price of this mostly inclusive Spiritual Tour.
Please note, that the cost of the tour does not include your airfare. Also not included in the price are gratuities for guides, which are not expected, but greatly appreciated.
PRICE: US $1,975.00 per person
Book and pay in full 90 days in advance for $2,100 per person.
If you are ready to Discover Yourself in Peru, please leave a deposit via Paypal to reserve your spot.
May 20 – 28, 2020
June 5 – 15, 2020 – reserved for wachumAwaken Retreat
August 1 – 9, 2020
September 20 – 30, 2020 – reserved for wachumAwaken Retreat
November 21 – 29, 2020
December 5 – 15, 2020 – reserved for wachumAwaken Retreat
In the event of a cancellation or rescheduling, the following applies:
|
More than 30 days from start of your itinerary |
deposit of $300 is non-refundable, balance paid is fully refundable |
|
Less than 30 days from the start of your itinerary |
$1250 refund when paid in full ($2,250) |
|
Less than 30 days from the start of your itinerary |
$1100 refund when paid in full early ($2,100)
|
Sacred Travel Peru highly encourages you to purchase trip insurance when you purchase your tour.