Sacred Empire of the Incas

“Few romances can ever surpass that of the granite citadel on top of the beetling precipices of Machu Picchu, crown of the Inca land.”
-Hiram Bingham

On this Sacred Sanctuary of the Incas & Machu Picchu retreat Dr. Edward Viljoen will weave together the spiritual teachings of Pachu Mama (mother earth) 2,430 m above sea level, in the midst of a tropical mountain forest in an extraordinarily beautiful setting, Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height. Machu Picchu is a world-renowned archaeological site in the heart of Peru, South America.

Abbreviated schedule:

Day 1. Arrive in Cusco via Lima. You will be assisted at the airport and transferred to our beautiful hotel. located three blocks from Cusco’s main  square. Cusco, a city in the Peruvian Andes,  was once capital of the Inca Empire, and is  now known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. Plaza de Armas  is the central square in the old city. Welcome dinner.

Day 2: Early morning mediation and meeting with Dr. Edward at the hotel followed by breakfast, We will take a  bus to visit the ruins of Sacsayhuanan, an ancient Incan fort,  up above the hills of Cusco. After lunch, which is included, we will visit the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas. Remainder of the day is free.

Day 3:We return to the hills above Sacsayhuaman to experience an Incan Shaman as he creates with us an offering to Pachamama, mother earth.

Day 4: We then descend into the Sacred Valley to visit Chincheros town, and weaving center where local weavers demonstrate traditional weaving styles and techniques. Lunch is in the Sacred Valley, after which we visit Quechua an archaeological site containing enormous circular terraces, the largest of which is about 98 ft deep.The next town on our itinerary is Moras, known for its salt evaporation ponds. Since pre-Inca times salt has been obtained in Maras by evaporating salty water from a local subterranean stream.

Day 5:Early morning meditation and meeting with Dr. Edwar  is followed by breakfast and a trip to Ollantaytambo. The ancient site includes sumptuous constructions, extensive terraces and irrigation and is thought tO have been home to Inca nobility. It is one of the remarkable archaeological sites of the Incan empire with functioning aqueducts and ancient burial grounds. After which we take the train to Machu Picchu. The nearest town is Aguas Calientes, which is located in the valley beside the Vilcanota River.  There are no roads connecting Aguas Calientes to the outside world so we take the train following the Urumbamba River and enjoy spectacular views of the Andes.We have the afternoon to eat lunch relax and explore Aquas Caliente, its handicraft  market, restaurants and shops

 Day 6:Machu Picchu it is a 20 minutes bus ride to climb the narrow, steep zigzagging dirt track that connects the two. We rise early and after breakfast take the bus transfer to Machu Picchu.The day begins with a guided tour from 7:30 to 10:00 am after which you are free to explore the ruins. The ruins are usually shrouded in mist in the morning and the sun comes out in the early afternoon. One can only get a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of this sacred site.

Day 7: Free day in Aquas Calientes to explore the city, go up to  Machu Picchu again on your own *please note tickets (not included in tour) must be  reserved in advance.Farewell dinner included at the Inkaterra Hotel.

Day 8: Early morning mediation and meeting with Dr. Edward is followed by breakfast at the hotel. We will check out of our hotel in the morning and board the train to Ollantambo and transfer by bus back Cusco.

Day 9: Early morning mediation and meeting with Dr. Edward is followed by breakfast at the hotel. There is time for last minute shopping and exploration before we transfer by bus to Cusco airport to fly to Lima

• Explore the ancient town of Cusco
• Wonder at the ruins of the Incan sacred sanctuary of Machu Picchu
• Journey through the Sacred Valley
• Visit the weaving Center of Chincereos
• Take a train to Aqua Caliente
• Ceremony with an Incan shaman

Explore the ancient city of Cusco. Wonder at the beauty of the Sacred Valley. Join in a ceremony with an Incan shaman. Explore the ruins of Machu Picchu, the sacred sanctuary of the Incas. Standing 2,430 meters above sea level, in the midst of a tropical mountain forest in an extraordinarily beautiful setting, Machu Picchu was the most amazing urban creation of the Incan Empire at its height.