dossier

Cuzco Extension

Day 1:
On the first day we fly to the highland city of Cuzco (3400 meters)

According to legend, Cuzco was founded by Manco Capac, having been sent to earth by his father, Inti (the Sun God), to civilize humanity. The absence of a written language makes it difficult to separate myth from history, but it seems likely that Manco arrived from the south of Peru about 800 years ago and founded what would become the capital of the Inca empire. It was only with the accession of Pachacutec several centuries later, however, that major expansion began. Under his successors, Tupac Yupanqui and Huayna Capac, the empire reached its zenith, stretching from Colombia in the north to central Chile in the south. Consequently, Cuzco became a very important city; in the native Quechua tongue, Cuzco means "navel" or focal point. But, in 1532, a band of bearded desperados appeared on the scene and within a year the largest empire in the Western Hemisphere had fallen into their hands. These were the Spanish Conquistadores led by Francisco Pizarro, and under their auspices Cuzco was steadily transformed. Today, the fascinating blend of finely engineered sloping Inca walls and Spanish colonial architecture give Cuzco its special character. Outside the red-tiled city, beyond the labyrinthine whitewashed streets are some outstanding examples of sacred architecture; most notably, perhaps, the monumental temple-fortress of Sacsayhuaman, (easily accessible on foot), made up of precisely interlocking stones, many weighing upward of 200 tons. Further afield, the stunning Sacred Valley can easily be reached on public transport. Well worth visiting are Pisac, with its twice-weekly craft and produce market and nearby mountain top citadel, and the fascinating Indian town of Chincheros.

At night, Cuzco offers perhaps the best selection of live Andean folk music to be found anywhere. (Hotel in Cuzco).

Day 2:
Free in Cuzco, for shopping, exploring or simply relaxing. Alternatively, you may fancy white-water rafting on the Urubamba (optional ) or taking the local bus to the Sacred Valley. (Hotel in Cuzco).

Day 3:
Early this morning, we take the train to Puente Ruinas, the station nearest to the world-famous Machu Picchu, Lost City of the Incas. A short bus journey, amid these indescribably beautiful forested mountains, takes us to the site, perched dramatically on a ridge 400 metres above the Urubamba river. Because of its remoteness, the site remained protected from the plundering Spanish colony and when, early this century, it was "rediscovered" by an American (and his guides, who of course knew about it all along); and cleared from encroaching forest its structures were found to be in surprisingly good condition. Since then, the enigmatic site has posed many questions and provided few answers. The ruins are extensive and we have all day to explore the temples and palaces whose purpose still baffles archaeologists. Late in the afternoon, we descend to our night stop, Aguas Calientes. (1 night hotel )

Day 4:
(Optional) Today you can return to Machu Picchu and enjoy the morning tranquility, while further exploring the site, or climbing Huayna Picchu mountain. In the afternoon, we take the train back to Cuzco. (1 night hotel)

Day 5:
We take an early flight down to Lima, the City of Kings. The afternoon is free to explore and enjoy the local Creole cuisine. (1 night hotel)

Day 6:
Tour ends Lima. Depart, return flight.