Journey to Peru
Machu Picchu to Lake Titikaka
May 17-29, 2009
Led by Jose Luis Herrera
Join us as we fly high above the Andes Mountains and land in Cusco, the old capital of the legendary Inka Empire. The Jaguar city of Cusco is
one of the oldest dwellings in the Americas. Timeless temples and palaces stand as living legacy of the magnificent mixture of Inka and Spanish architecture. We visit the temple fortress of Sacsaywaman, the head of the jaguar, and participate in ceremonies as we connect with the organizing energies of the Andes. We cleanse our luminous bodies in sacred springs as medicine people have for a thousand years. We retrace the footsteps of Inka wizards who have mastered their engagement with the organizing energies of the land as we participate in meditations and ceremonies with Inka Medicine People.
In the Sacred Valley of the Inkas we are guests in one of the most wonderful settings for our work, surrounded by 19,000 ft. towering glaciers. We visit the Temple of the Winds at Ollantaytambo and its timeless village with street water aqueducts still flowing as it did 500 years ago.
Medicine people believe that one's identity in the landscape of life is defined by who we are becoming and not by who we have been. We visit the Temple of the Visionary at Pisaq to reenact the journey into our own becoming as we meditate, embraced by incredible vistas. The archetypal energy of this site allows us to tap into our own visionary within.
It is said that comprehending the Kausay Pacha (the life force we source from), is embracing our love, our potential, and ultimately our transcendence. In Machu Picchu, the most prized indigenous sacred site and the most enigmatic for westerners, master shamans and leading archeologists accompany us in an experiential journey through talks, tours, and meditations. We spend two days in the city of light of the Inka visiting nearby sacred sites along the Royal Inka Road or hiking up to the top of Apu Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu for breathtaking views and ceremony.
At Lake Titikaka, the mythical birthplace of the Inka, we visit the floating reed islands of the Uru people whose myth of origin points to the stars. Taquile and Amantani are two of the most picturesque and colorful islands in the lake. Their traditions and costumes have not changed since Inka times. The Andean principle of reciprocity and balance: Ayni is the guiding more of society and the interface with Mother Nature. We visit incredible pre-columbian sacred sites on the shores of the lake as we enjoy the myths, traditions, and way of life of the people of the lake.
About Us:
Jose Luis Herrera: While formally educated in Civil Engineering and Computer Science, Jose Luis’ talents and skills are evidenced in the exquisite beauty and heart he brings to his shamanic teachings. A native of Cusco, Jose Luis was born into the medicine traditions of the Andes. For the past twenty years he has traveled extensively studying the different medicine traditions of the Andes, and working with Peru’s most respected medicine people. Jose Luis is a trained naturalist, explorer, as well as a mountain and trekking guide. His deep connection with the Apus (mountain spirits) has led him to climb many mountains in Peru and Bolivia and he is a foremost expedition leader in Peru. Jose Luis' journey has allowed him to teach in America, Canada and Europe becoming a genuine bridge between the Western and the Andean cultures and paradigms.
Amy Wilinski is an Energy Practitioner with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. She has over 24 years of healing experience in a variety of conventional medical settings. Her ability to blend the world of energy medicine with traditional healthcare has allowed her to reach into the hearts and minds of many western, left-brain skeptics. Her love of nature has led her on a journey of personal healing and learning in the Peruvian medicine tradition. She is owner of Golden Light Healing, a company specializing in assisting others in developing their own innate healing abilities.
The Medicine People of Peru We will also journey with many indigenous shaman who reside in Peru including the Q'ero and Altomesayoks.
Proposed Itinerary
May 17: USA/LIMA Late evening arrival in Lima and transfer to a nearby Hotel for a few hours of rest (on your own). If you arrive early in the morning is preferable to stay at the airport and immediately transfer to a Cusco bound flight.
May 18: LIMA/CUSCO/URUBAMBA Morning flight to Cusco, the capital of the Inka Empire. After a short city sightseeing, our bus takes us to the Sacred Valley of the Inkas nested amid beautiful mountains for better acclimatization to altitude. Our hotel is spread out on the banks of the Urubamba river which later becomes the Amazon. B, L
May 19: SACRED VALLEY Full day visit to the Inka ruins of Ollntaytambo and P’isaq. In Ollantaytambo we stroll along streets with unchanged inka walls, notable for the precision of the stone fittings and trapezoidal patterns The temple fortress that stands above the village displays an amazing array of gigantic blocks of polished stone and more so, knowing that the quarries were located across the valley half way up in the opposite mountain. After lunch we go upstream the Urubamba river to P’isaq, the Temple of the Falcon. P’isaq is, without doubt, one of the finest examples of Inka architecture as it displays beautiful cascading terraces, temples , palaces, tunnels, double jamb doors, and so on. B, L
May 20: SACRED VALLEY An easy hike takes us to the Waka of the Jaguar at Chincheros. We visit the colorful Indian market of Chincheros and feast with the colors and landscapes. After ceremonies and meditations with local medicine people we visit the temple to the Earth Mother Pachamama at Moray. The site comprises incredible concentric terraces creating a womb like environment for healings and ceremonies. B, L.
May 21: SACRED VALLEY To be determined.
May 22: SACRED VALLEY/MACHU PICCHU Early morning train ride to the city of light of the Inkas. After settling in our hotel in Aguas Calientes, we go up to the citadel in that way avoiding the crowd of tourists that storm in the ruins as soon as the train arrives. We are guided by an expert historian as we visit the different temples, palaces, sections of the city. Exuberant orchids, semitropical vegetation, low clouds give Machu Picchu an aura of enigma and mystery. Late afternoon return to Aguas Calientes and optional visit to the nearby hot springs. B, L
May 23: MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO We go up again to the fabled city of the Inkas to further explore the surroundings. Optional hikes to Inti Punku, the Doorway of the Sun, along the famous Inka trail to Machu Picchu, the most extrenous hike to Machu Picchu peak, or hike up to the summit of Huayna Picchu, an astronomical observatory, to overlook in a 360 degree fashion the mountain landscape around the wonderful architectural achievement of the ancient Peruvians. Mid afternoon return by train to Cusco. B
May 24: CUSCO Morning walking tour of the city which combines Baroque, Spanish colonial, and Inka architecture in its more than 300 monuments as temples, palaces, plazas, etc. We visit the fabled temple of he Sun, Coricancha, where according to the first chroniclers all the walls were covered with sheets of gold and silver, as well as natural size statues of animals and people. A short bus ride will take us to Sacsaywaman, the mythical head of the Jaguar city of Cusco. Colossal size granite stones make up a three tier zigzag wall that symbolizes Illapa – The Thunder God-.We visit kenko with its magnificent carvings and underground walkways. Free mid afternoon and evening for shopping and resting. B, L
May 25: CUSCO/PUNO Full day train ride across colorful villages spread out along the railroad tracks. The Andean mountains are more alive and dynamic in range as we ride to Lake Titikaka, the mythical birthplace of the Inkas. Overnight in Puno. B, L
May 26: PUNO/ISLANDS Boat ride across the limpid waters of the Titikaka to the island of Amantani. Along the way, we stop at the legendary Uru floating reed islands. Although they are practically extinct as people, they are considered one of the oldest races in the world with no genetically similarities with other people from the Andes. In their myth of origins they point at Sirius the Dog Star as the place of origin. Amantani is the biggest island on the lake and the most beautiful of all. Although some believe that the island of Taquile is such. We are guests for a treat of island hospitality and spend the night at their rustic humble homes. B, L, D
May 27: ISLANDS/PUNO We board our boats en route to Taquile and witness a great lineage of textile weavers. Everybody in the community takes part of the weaving process aside from their farming chores. Note that in the traditions of Andean Medicine people their metaphors are those of farming seeds and weaving luminous threads of life. After lunch, we head back to Puno for a free evening and rest. B, L
May 28: PUNO We spend the day exploring this ancient city on the lake filled with filled with old traditions in their people, colonial churches and colorful markets. In the morning we visit the ancient burial towers at Cutimbo for meditations and ceremonies with local Yatiris (medicine people). Remaining of the afternoon free. B
May 29: PUNO/JULIACA/LIMA/USA Morning visit to the enigmatic burial towers of Sillustani, where Kings, Queens, Medicine people have been entombed. Inmediately after, we catch our flight to Lima to connect to our USA bound flight. B
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.
*Itinerary subject to change*
Tour Conditions
INCLUSIONS:
· Transportation throughout by private motor coach, boat, and train to Machu Picchu.
· All Hotel accommodations based on double or triple occupancy.
· Continental breakfasts in all hotels.
· All entrance fees to archeological sites as outlined in program.
· Activities including talks by renowned Medicine People.
· Services of Rainbow Jaguar tour leader and staff at specific sites.
· Local and return flight reconfirmation, airport check-in, luggage assistance.
EXCLUSIONS:
· Meals not specified in the detailed itinerary of the tour.
· US domestic, International or flights within Peru
· Airport departure taxes in Lima, Cusco, and Juliaca.
· Transfers for independent arrival or departure.
· Optional gratuities.
· Additional hotel nights made necessary by airline schedule changes or other factors,
· Traveler's insurance.
· Cost of medical immunizations (if any).
· Items of a personal nature (liquor, laundry, toiletries, phone calls, etc.)
· Single supplement charge, if requested.
Land Cost: $3,000 (based on double occupancy; airfare not included, ). A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is due at time of registration to secure your space. Balance is due 60 days before departure. Single accomodations are available for an additional fee of $425.
