Cuzco or as it
is known locally, Qosqo, has origins that get lost in
the recesses & black nights of times past. Archaeological
excavations have provided direct evidence that primitive
residents inhabited the valley of Cuzco nearly three millenniums
ago.
Cuzco is located 1600kms south east of Lima at an altitude
of 3399 m which is 11,151 feet above sea level, high in
the Andes mountains. Cuzco is used as the stepping stone
to the most famous of all of the Inca ruins -Machu Picchu
which is known as "Cuidad Perdida de Los Incas"
- the Lost City of the Incas. It was never found by the
Spanish Conquistadores & only recently happened upon
by Europeans, in 1911.
Cusco & its surrounds are steeped in spiritual legend
& myth but little is factually known more than these
names & legends. However we do know the first Inca King,
Pachacutec (1448 - 1471) was pivotal as a great conqueror
who transformed Cuzco, reconstructing it & citing it
as the center of the universe.
The Spanish arrived here in 1533 & occupied the city.
At that time, the city was made with stone, wide plazas,
huge temples & palaces decorated with gold. Much of
the gold was plundered by the Spanish, but the colossal
constructions remain for eternity.
Cuzco in many ways is as much today as it was centuries
ago, with stone walls around the streets standing from
Inca times. The city center square has an abundance of
restaurants & little cafes but as well, is the place
to find local handicrafts, woven rugs & brightly adorned
wall hangings.
There are modern parts to Cuzco. Comfortable hotels, inexpensive
local restaurants & cafes & the wealthy attractiveness
of the city to visitors, makes it the most visited tourist
destination in Peru.
4 days -
3 nights
Day 1 Arrive
Cuzco & City tour
On arrival Cuzco you will be met & transferred to your
hotel accommodation. ( see 'tips for altitude acclimatization'
- below) Latter in the afternoon, you will be taken on
a city tour to acquaint you with this ancient citadel
of an amazing Inca civilization.
Highlights include Plaza Del Regocijo, Plaza de Armas,
Santo Domingo Monastery, the Cathedral, legendry Korikancha
& the ancient town with extremely narrow streets . Then
you will be taken outside of the city to archeological
sites to view the Inca remains of Tembomachay, Kinko,
Pica Pucara & the fortress of Sacsayhuaman which casts
an ever watchful presence over Cuzco.
Day 2 Machu Picchu - 'The lost city
of the Incas'
(B, L ) Today you are in for a cultural, historical &
archeological highlight unsurpassed in the world - a full
day & guided excursion of Machu Picchu.
You will transfer to the railway station for the first
part of the journey, continuing on by coach to the Lost
city of the Incas. This citadel is known throughout the
world for its amazing ruins & unusual location high
on the mountain overlooking the mighty currents of the
Urubamba River.
Machu Picchu is actually lower in altitude, being located
2300 metres or 7546 feet above sea level & some 112kms
from Cuzco.
Without doubt, Machu Picchu was a part of an extensive
& much greater complex of fortresses which defended
the Andean lands in the Sacred valley from assault from
Indian peoples of the jungles.
Probably constructed in the 15th century in a very inaccessible
location, it is the greatest achievement of the Inca architects
due to the intelligence & daring of the design. Even
today nobody has been able to solve the mystery as to
how the engineers & workers managed to transport the
enormous blocks of limestone to the top of this mountain
to enable the city to be built.
It has a total area of 13 sq kms & its main functions
were military & religious. At one time in its history,
it was surrounded by a wall topping 6 metres & 1.80 metres
thick. The outer walls & inner wall are constructed
of limestone & the doors & frames of durable hardwood.
The ceilings were made of platted woven straw thatch.
The city was designed in four distinct quadrants - the
northwestern sector being used for religious purposes,
sacrifices & astronomy as here, a huge limestone block
- 'Intuatana' - which translates from the native Quechua
language as "place where the sun is bonded"
remains. This is the place the solar observatory was citied
that allowed the Incas to have an almost exacting track
of time & seasons by the sun casting shadow on the stone.
Here too, the Priests Mansion, the Sacred Temple &
the Temple of Three Windows stood.
The largest residences are located on the northeastern
sector. On the southwestern sector luxurious residences
& a watchtower were located & it is surmised that
this part of the Citadel was the heart of all urban activities.
To the southwest are located the smallest & most humble
of the dwellings around very narrow streets close to numerous
terraces constructed for agricultural purposes, as denoted
by the proximity of an aqueduct system.
In the lowest part of the terraces is the cemetery where
135 skeletons, 109 of them female have been unearthed.
This has lead archeologists & scientists to believe
Machu Picchu was likely to have been heavily weighted
with a female population, who were the chosen ones of
the Inca, fleeing from the city of Cuzco as it was overrun
by the Spaniards.
You will have many hours to explore & wander this unique
testimony of the Inca civilization that was way advanced
of its time.
It the afternoon, you return to Cuzco by coach & then,
by rail.
Day 3 Pisac Markets & the ruins
of Ollantaytambo
(B) Start out today with a visit to small Andean village
of Pisac & its local craft markets. Time for you to
wander & hunt for handicrafts that typify this region.
The off to Ollantaytambo Fortress & village. This equally
impressive Inca site allows you another hands on experience
of dynasties past. Climb the terraces to explore this
site originally intended as a temple, but modified to
serve as a fort to protect the locals against the Spanish
invaders.
The village adjacent to Ollantaytambo provides an insight
into the 'living' world of the Inca. It contains dwellings
& original unaltered streets constructed centuries
ago. You will return to Cuzco in the afternoon with your
guide.
Day 4 Depart Cuzco
(B) After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport
for your onward flight
Included features
· Transfers from airport to hotel on arrival &
vv on departure Cuzco
· 3 nights accommodation in hotels
· City sightseeing tour of Cuzco
· Full day Machu Picchu guided excursion by rail
& coach.
· Full day Markets of Pisac & Ollantaytambo Fortress
excursion
· Meals as specified in itinerary ( B - breakfast,
L - lunch )
Please take careful note & consideration
of the following :
Cuzco is a city that we strongly suggest you 'ease' into.
At an altitude of 3399 metres or 11, 151 feet above sea
level, with much less oxygen in the atmosphere, it may
translate physically into shortness of breath & often,
headaches until one acclimatizes. We urge you to take
notice of these 'tips' to help you avoid the effects of
altitude.
· Do not try to sleep for at least two hours after
arrival although we do recommend you take things quietly
& most certainly, do not rush about or exert yourself
physically.
· Drink much more than usual fluid ( water, or
coca tea which is recommended locally)
· Avoid alcohol.
· Do not eat too much & what you eat is important.
Restrict eating to light foods.
· Before sleeping, take a digestive tablet &
a cup of coca tea.
The above tips are common sense insights & by no means
either contradict, or take the place of professional qualified
medical advice as they will not suit all people. Altitude
has differing effects individuals & can seriously effect
some people, so medical advice should be sought prior
to departing for your vacation or for Cuzco. |
