STUDY TOURS
CUSCO & AREQUIPA
History Mysticism and Wonders in the Andes
STUDY TOURS
Cusco & Arequipa History, Mysticism and Wonders in the Andes
Cusco, located on the eastern slope of the Andes, is the capital of the Inca Empire. A few kilometers to the southwest, there is a majestic city surrounded by volcanoes; Arequipa: The White City. The Study Tour "Cusco & Arequipa - History, Mysticism and Wonders in the Andes" oers to participants enjoying an exclusive and tailor-made tour, collecting the charms of Cuzco and Arequipa culture, traditions of the communities in the area, history, music, gastronomy and archeology combined with the most prestigious hotels in each valley in order to make your experience unforgettable.
Day 1: March 31st.
Millennial Cusco: Ancient Practices in the Sacred Valley
Reception and permanent assistance by the OC in Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima for the trip to Cusco. Flight from Lima to Cusco City. Reception at the International Airport of Cusco and transfer to Hotel Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay. This hotel is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas with 1 hour of distance from Cusco city and near the train station in Ollantaytambo; ideal for the ride to Machu Picchu. It is a renovated monastery from the eighteen century that mantains its original colonial charm. Afternoon Tour to visit Maras and Moray: - MARAS: Located in the province of Urubamba above 3300 m.a.s.l. From there, you can appreciate the Vilcanota Mountain Range and the snowy peaks "El Chicon" (5530 m.a.s.l.) and "Veronica" (5682 m.a.s.l.). Today this quaint village stores attractive from pre-hispanic, colonial and republican period. Emphasizing in the town, there are colonial streets and doorways with nobles coats and chiefs of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. - MORAY: It is about 7 km southwest of Maras and 53 km from Cusco with an altitude of 3,385 m.a.s.l. It is a unique archaeological group of its kind in the region. In there, you can appreciate gigantic natural holes that were used by the Incas who built farming terraces with their respective irrigation system. The fund is on a natural rock formation that facilitates filtering out into the earth, so no floods occur in the rainy season. What is striking is the difference in average of temperature between the top and bottom, that can reach up to 15 ° C. Hotel night in Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay.
Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
Maras Salt Pans
Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
Moray Valley
Agricultural and Archaeological Complex of Moray
Day 2: April 1st
Machu Picchu: Wonder of the World
At the indicated time, we will leave the hotel in order to initiate the move to the Ollantaytambo Train Station where we will take the Expedition Train to Aguas Calientes. Then, we will arrive at Machu Picchu Station to start the climb to the Lost City of the Incas, where we will visit these sectors: Agriculture Sector, Handicraft Sector, homes, prisons, fountains and squares. We will also visit the “ Intiwatana� or Temple of the Sun. At the appropriate time, we will return to the train station to begin the journey back to Poroy and from there, to the city of Cusco. Check in by the night in Sonesta Hotel in Cusco city. This hotel is located in the heart of the touristic area of Cusco City, exactly 8 minutos from the Airport and few blocks from the main square.
Experience on Board - Expedition Train
Expedition Train
Machu Picchu - Wonder of the World Ceremonial Buildings - Machu Picchu
Sonesta Hotel - Cusco City
Sonesta Hotel
Intiwatana
Day 3: April 2nd.
Culture and Archaeology: Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo
Breakfast at Sonesta Hotel in Cusco city. At the indicated hour, we will start the trip to the all-day excursion to the Sacred Valley. In there, we will start the journey with the visit to Pisac town and its typical Indian Market where you will find the greatest diversity of handmade articles made by local craftsmen. This indigenous town is known for formerly being the famous place to do the “barter practice”. Buffet lunch in Urubamba. Then tour to Ollantaytambo ruins, where is the famous Temple of the Sun and place where the Civil Wars of the Incas were carried out. Return to Cusco city Hotel night in Sonesta Hotel in Cusco city.
Pisac - Craft Valley Ollantaytambo - Archaeological Valley
Pisac - Archaeological Valley
“Señor de Choquekillka” - Dances
Ollantaytambo - City View
Day 4: April 3rd.
Cusco: Historic and Prehispanic City
Breakfast at Sonesta Hotel in Cusco city. Free morning. In the afternoon, we will visit Sacsayhuaman ruins, Kenko Shrine, Tambomachay and Pucapucara Fortress. Return to the city in order to visit the Parade Ground, Cathedral and Koricancha Temple. Night at Sonesta Hotel in Cusco city.
Cusco City
Koricancha Temple
Pucapucara
Sacsayhuaman
Kenko Shrine
Day 5: April 4th
Arequipa: The White City
Breakfast in Sonesta Hotel in Cusco. At the indicated hour, we will check out and go to the Airport of Cusco in order to take the flight to Arequipa city. Reception in Arequipa’s Airport. Welcome Coca Tea. Then, transfer and check in at Tierra Viva Hotel in Arequipa city. This hotel is located in the historical center of the city; the hotel displays in their rooms and common areas, paintings of the most renowned artists of this town. At the indicated time, we will start the tour. Thus, we will cross the following destinations: during the afternoon we will visit Grau Bridge, Bolognesi Avenue, the colonial neighborhood of Yanahuara where we can see much of the city, Carmen Alto neighborhood and La Campiña Lookout Point. Then, we will go to the Cathedral, Parade Ground, Colonial Zone, Church and Cloister of the Campiña de Jesús and his polychrome dome . Then, we will arrive to the famous Monastery of Santa Catalina, belonging to nuns and built in the sixteenth century. This Monastery was opened to the public since 1970. Return to Tierra Viva Hotel.
View of Chachani Volcano surrounded by “Sillar� buildings Cathedral and Parade Ground, Arequipa
Tierra Viva Hotel
Misti Volcano from Yanahuara Lookout Point
Tierra Viva Hotel
Monastery of Santa Catalina
Day 6: April 5th
Arequipa: On the Colca’s route
Breakfast and check out from Tierra Viva Hotel. Start the journey to the Colca Valley. We will view behind the Chachani Volcano, Pampas Cañuhuas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve. During the trip, we will see the typical plateau landscape, characterized by the Andean grass or “icchu”, vicunas of Aguada Blanca, shrubs like Tola, Ccapo or Yareta plus some small ponds and birds like the Cacarara or Falcon Serrano, Bis Black, Huajllatas or Andean Goose, ducks and some flamingos and vizcachas are observed. Arrival in Pata Pampa with a maximum height of 4800 m.a.s.l. We will visit the Lookout point of the 6 Volcanoes and the Snowcapped Ampato and Sabancaya. Arrival to Chivay town and transfer to Colca Lodge Hotel. This hotel is located along the Colca River and is surrounded by hundreds of pre-Inca terraces declared Cultural Heritage of Peru. With a design inspired by the ancient pre-Incas buildings, Colca Lodge has used the mud, stone and straw to create a magical environment where the rooms are mixed with gardens and those with adjacent crop fields, without reasonable boundaries, walls or barriers. As a corollary to this privileged location, Colca Lodge offers to its guests and at any time of day, free unique relaxing thermal baths. The four pools with different temperatures and filled with lithium-rich waters are located in an absolutely natural environment where the magic of the elements takes on an extraordinary dimension. Lunch and dinner at the hotel. Afternoon and evening to enjoy the Colca Lodge.
Pata Pampa
Colca Lodge Hotel
Vicunas - Arequipa
Colca Lodge - Living Room
Colca Lodge - Thermal Baths
Day 7: April 6th
Colca Canyon: Nature and Mystic
Breakfast in Colca Lodge Hotel. Very early, we will exit on the left bank of the Colca River to the lookout Point of the Cruz de Condor. In there, we will observe part of the depth of the Colca Canyon (1200 meters) and the majestic flight of the Condor. Then we will visit the typical villages of Llanque and Maca. In addition, we will see some typical formations of the area such as the “model stones” and Pre Inca Hanging Tombs. During the tour, beautiful and typical costumes of each town will be observed, and an incredible number of Inca terraces cultivated with Andean fruits like potatoes, corn, quinoa and amaranth. Return and check out from Colca Lodge Hotel. Return to the city of Arequipa. Immediately, check in at Tierra Viva Hotel.
Condor Lookout Point
“Andenes”, Colca Canyon
Craft Valley - Colca
Products of the Andes - Corn varieties
View, Colca Valley
Day 8: April 7th
Arequipa: End of the trip; unforgettable experience
Breakfast and check out from Tierra Viva Hotel. At the indicated time, we will go to the Airport to take the ight back to Lima. Flight back from Arequipa’s Airport to Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima.
The Study Tour Cusco & Arequipa: History, Mysticism and Wonders in the Andes includes: Air tickets Lima - Cusco, Cusco - Arequipa and Arequipa Lima. 7 nights accommodation in the mentioned hotels. Breakfast included. 1 Lunch - Buffet in Cusco. 1 lunch and 1 dinner at the Hotel Colca Lodge, Arequipa. Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Round Train Tickets and Entrance to Machu Picchu. Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the Sacred Valley. Round transportation from Arequipa to Colca Valley. Permanent supportfrom a bilingual tour guide. First Aid Kit for assistance in emergencies cases and health situations. Permanent official photographer throughout the tour.
Below, we detail Study Tour prices per person in: Double Room: $ 1490.00 (USD).
Triple Room: $ 1450.00 (USD).
* There are also single rooms. If you are interested in a single room, ask the OC RAC to give you more information to: info.racperu@gmail.com.
How do I sign up? All you have to do to register and be part of this experience is to enter to the website RAC Peru 2017, fill your data and done!
www.racperu.com/info
The charms of Peruvian Culture, the Wonder of the World’s mystique, the charm of the volcanoes and the White City and our Alumni family are combined to make this a unique experience that you can not miss. We are waiting for you!
Cusco & Arequipa: History, Mysticism and Wonders in the Andes Decide enjoy it now entering:
www.racperu.com/info
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