Sun Festival 6 days

TREKKING OUTDOOR CUSCO

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Sun Festival 6 days

Code:	TE-140
Difficulty:	Easy moderate, Moderately difficult, Very difficult
Activities:	Cultural, Ecological, Archaeological
Departures:	** (Minimum: 2 Passengers)
Locations:	Cusco Region

Introduction:

Inti Raymi is the Festival of the Sun, or Fiesta del Sol that continues an Inca tradition that dates back centuries. The Incas would hold an annual ceremony to celebrate the winter solstice. The name Inti Raymi is Quechua for new sun. In fact the festival is held entirely in Quechua, the language of the Incas, which is still spoken by millions of people throughout the Andes.

There is no Incan nobility anymore and the sacrifice of animals, although insinuated, would likely horrify tourists. Although it is not what you would have found centuries ago here, it is a lively ceremony and you can at the very least get an idea of how things once were with this majestic Andean culture. There is music, drums, speeches, dances, and other rituals that are re-enacted by the ancestors of the Inca.

Day 1: Sunday , 21th of June

Arrival to Cusco. Assistance and transfer to the Hotel. Free time to rest and acclimatize oneself with coca tea.

Day 2: Monday, 22th of June ( Cusco City Tour)

Breakfast in the morning. Visitors should take a short rest in order to adjust to altitude. Afternoon tour of the city visiting the Korikancha Temple and the Cathedral. Continue to the surrounding ruins: the fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking the city, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay ruins. The excursion ends at the bohemian district of San Blas, house to the most famous craftsmen of Cusco. Back to Cusco in the afternoon. Return to your selected hotel for overnight.

Estimated time: Half day

Day 3: Tuesday, 23th of June (Sacred Valley of the Incas – Cusco)

Excursion to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas", a succession of picturesque towns, agricultural terraces and archaeological sites. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, we´ll have the opportunity to bargain with vendors or stroll at the Pisac typical Indian market, with a catholic mass service on Sunday (celebrated in Quechua, the native language).

Lunch at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley. In the afternoon pass through Calca and Urubamba towns to arrive to the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, which was built to guard the entry of this part of the valley and protect it from enemies of the lower jungles. On our way back to Cusco we will visit the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero where the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui lies. Admire its well preserved Inca Wall at the Main Square. Back to Cusco in the afternoon.

Estimated time: 8-9 hours

Day 4: Wednesday, 24th of June (Inti Raymi / Cusco)

Participate of the impressive festival of the Inti Raymi at the Sacsayhuaman fortress and experience by yourself this ritual celebrated since Inca times. Box lunch. Full day tour.

Estimated time: 6-7 hours

Day 5: Thursday 25th of June (Cusco / Machu Picchu / Cusco)

The day starts with an early morning rise to transfer to Cusco train station for a four- hour train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas". Arrive at Aguas Calientes station followed by a 30-minute bus drive, climbing 6 km of winding road, to the incredible Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, we´ll participate in a guided tour of the Citadel. After the tour you will have time to stroll around the archaeological site at your leisure. Back to Cusco by train in the afternoon.