Down load: Application Form and Waiver

    Adventure Specialists Inc.
    Bear Basin Ranch
    Westcliffe, Colorado 81252
    Info@adventurespecialists.org
    www.adventurespecialists.org
    719 783-2076

    Secrets of the Inca -Amy's alternative cultural tour to Machu Picchu - light hiking selected hotels and an easy schedule designed to connect with our Classic Inca Trail ride.

    2012 Price and Date: $2995 (min of 4)
    April 13-21,
    By popular demand, we have decided to offer an alternative trip for those wishing to experience Peru with Adventure Specialists without riding horses. We remain dedicated to sharing our years of experience, and education in the culture and history of Peru as well as sharing the seldom seen special sites and hotels we have discovered.

    Sample Itinerary: We may vary the route from trip to trip but count on seeing and experiencing the best of the Inca heartland.

    Day 1) This will be a travel day from home and you may arrive on an overnight flight to Lima, especially if traveling from North America, and connect directly to Cusco early the following morning. Or for a better night’s sleep, you may arrive in the evening and we can help with reservations at a nearby hotel. Arrangements can be made to assist you onto your connecting Cusco flight or we can advise you of the process should you feel uncomfortable in strange airports.

    Day 2) We meet your arrival at the Cusco airport. We try to have everyone arrive by 10am so we can make one trip together to our lodging at Pisac, less than an hour drive from Cusco. We choose to avoid your first night at 11,300 feet in elevation in Cusco. Our hotel, the Royal Inca in Pisac sits several thousand feet lower in the comfortable lushness of the Sacred Valley. We plan an afternoon visit to the ruins of Pisac. The Inca emperor, Pachacuti first built a Royal Estate at Pisac prior to building Machu Picchu and in much the same style.

    Day 3) The following morning, we drive a short distance up river to visit the seldom seen pre-Inca, Huari culture ruins of Piqtillacta. Here we tell the story of what happened prior to rise of the Inca. This Huari administrative center had 200,000 buildings associated with its compound as well as a recently found burial site. Afterwards, we’ll stop to see Tipon, an Inca experimental crop, water works site. We return for dinner and the night at the Royal Inca hotel in Pisac.

    Day 4) Just a short drive through small farms and country villages we come to a high plateau of rolling hills and immense grasslands, called the alti-plano. A spectacular panorama of the great Ice peaks of the Vilcanota range crowns the near horizon. Our first stop is the town of Chinchero, where Pachacuti’s son, Topa Inca built his royal estate. Discovered and pillaged by the Spaniards, a colonial church now sits on top the estate ruins. We tell the history of the beginning of the rise of the Inca and the accomplishments of the Empire in its prime. Then, sometime around mid-day we arrive at an isolated cathedral seeming lost and forgotten by time which is a further reminder of the march of civilizations that occurred in Peru. We are pleasantly surprised to discover our support vehicle and crew awaiting us with the table set for lunch. The destination for the afternoon is the Salineras. This is a huge area of terraces which form hundreds of baths all fed by a single saline stream. The salt water is allowed to evaporate leaving the salt to be mined and carried out by burros. The Salineras are worked now much as they were in pre-Hispanic times. We then drive the short distance over to the magical Inca site of Moray.. Located in a complex geological region with sink holes and other natural phenomena to arrive at a complicated, unusual archaeological complex of circular walls, structures and terraces that remain a mystery to modern science. Colorado archeo-hydrologists Ken and Ruth Wright have recently conducted an investigation at Moray. We of course, share our own theories on why this site was built. Late in the afternoon, we arrive at the beautiful gardens of the Pakaritampu Hotel in Ollantaytambo.

    Day 5 We visit the major Inca temple/fortress of Ollantaytambo. Probably built by the great Inca ruler, Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaro’s defeat by Manco Inca in 1536. Constructed of finely cut polygonal stones and rhyolite blocks, the fortress and nearby town represent the best of Inca architecture and construction. Large worked blocks, some weighting as much as 100 tons were quarried from a site more than a thousand vertical feet above the valley floor using a technique of pecking with hammer stones, then skidded down and across the Urubamba river several kilometers to the temple site. Inclined ramps were built to raise the blocks several hundred feet up hill to the construction area. We take ample time to examine the complex and ponder its many mysteries. Those who don’t want to climb the many stairs to the fortress site can see the lower ruins where the fountains and baths are located and we’ll cross over to the narrow streets of modern Ollantaytambo where residents still live in inca houses and utilize the old Inca water channels that flow down the streets. Another night at the Pakaritampu.

    Day 6) Having systematically made our way down valley, our magical journey concludes with the narrow gauge train ride to the New World's most spectacular archaeological monument, Machu Picchu. We breakfast then hop aboard the morning narrow gauge train heading down valley. An interesting hour of click, clack and sway with all of the accompanying sounds and smells of rural Peru takes us to the bustling backpacker town of Aguascalientes, now called Machu Picchu Pueblo. the portal for Machu Picchu. Soon we are gathered at the entry to the famous "Lost City of the Incas". We visit the lower ruins today and save the upper, ceremonial area for tomorrow. We head out into the hopping town of Machu Picchu Village for traditional Andean music and food. We spend the night at the Intipunko hotel.

    Day 7) We have a second entry to Machu Picchu and are able to visit the site before the arrival of most tourists on the train. Our guide walks us through magnificent architectural monuments and temples, pointing out key ceremonial features that represent mountain and sun worship incorporated into the design by Machu Picchu's builders under royal mandate of the Inca Emperor Pachacuti. We return for an evening in Cusco with everyone on their own to try out the different cafes and restaurants for dinner.

    Day 8) This is the day to relax, shop and wander around Cusco on your own or with friends. The city abounds with small shops and street side vendors selling their wares. Colorful weavings and hand made alpaca sweaters are popular gifts for friends at home. Try out a local restaurant for lunch, take a hike, or just sit in the plaza. We meet for a last farewell dinner at our favorite restaurant.

    Day 9) Breakfast at the hotel then we help you onto the morning flight to Lima. Adios amigos… buen viaje. (See Lima below)

    Scheduling Suggestions:
    Arrival: We recommend arriving in Cusco a day or two before the program if possible. You will enjoy added time exploring the many interesting aspects of the region and extra time helps acclimation to the high altitude. We arrange hotels, other services and suggest itineraries for a 10% service fee over the actual cost.
    Lima: Flights from Cusco arrive between 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM. Depending on your connecting flight schedule home, you have several options. U.S. bound flights seems to leave either late at night or early in the morning. We recommend taking a room in Miraflores for the day or overnight if leaving the next morning. Miraflores is a bustling upbeat suburb of Lima above the beach where one can enjoy relaxing or endless activities. We can make the hotel arrangements and transfers to and from the airport.

    Suitability: Modern Peru is built upon the ruins of past civilizations, and therefore has many irregular streets, sidewalks and stairways which can be challenging to negotiate. Participants must be able to walk and be in reasonably good physical condition. We think of this as an easy trip but hiking and climbing stairs will take place at high altitudes (8-12,000 feet). We’ve learned that altitude can lower blood sugar and people with blood sugar problems should carry appropriate supplemental snacks to correct it. Please consult your doctor.

    This is our latest itinerary (2012) in which we make every effort to follow. However, Peru is subject to strikes, weather, landslides and many events beyond are control, which may cause changes and delays. We may also change the route from time to time for other good reasons. Please come prepared to cheerfully accept the unexpected with the insurance that you are in the hands of the most experienced and best adventure program operator in Peru.

    Travel Insurance:
    We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance when you book. This can reimburse you if you need to cancel last minute due to sickness or other emergencies. This is available on line or through the agency below.

    Air Travel: American is our favorite scheduling. But shop online or use your miles for the best deal.

    Inclusions: Quality Cusco hotel and Deluxe Sacred Valley hotels. All meals accept one dinner and two lunches. Machu Picchu visit by train with narrated walking tour. Entrance fees. Inca Specialist guide and support staff. Quality van or Bus transportation within Peru. Airport/hotel transfers, Cusco.

    Exclusions: Not included are airport taxes, bottled drinks and alcohol, gratuities, optional activities, personal expenditures, some meals in Cusco, costs resulting from illness or injury and emergency evacuation, program changes and delays beyond our control.

    Reservations: info@adventurespecialists.org
    Call or e-mail us to answer your questions or make a reservation. Carefully read the application/contract form for details about payment, cancellation, refunds and legal responsibilities. You can reach us at the following numbers:
    Bear Basin Ranch phone 719-783-2076 fax toll free 866-244-4691.

    SUGGESTED READING:
    1) The Last Days of the Inca. Kim MacQuarrie.
    1) Lost City of the Incas: The Story of Machu Picchu and its Builders. Hiram Bingham.
    Orion, London.2001. (edited and revised by Hugh Tompson)
    2) Realm of the Incas. Max Milligan 2001
    3) The Conquest of Peru, William H. Prescott. New American Library, 1961.
    4) The Conquest of the Incas, John Hemming. Hartcourt Brace 1970
    5) Pizarro, Conqueror of the Inca. National Geographic. Feb. 1992 Vol. 181, no. 2.
    6) The Incas And Their Ancestors, Michael Moseley. Thames and Hudson, 1993.
    AVAILABLE IN CUSCO:
    7) Exploring Cuzco, Peter Frost. Lima, 1984
    8) Machu Picchu - The Sacred Center. Johan Reinhart, Lima 1991
    9) Machu Picchu Abandoned, Gary Ziegler, Lima 1996.
    10) Beyond Machu Picchu, Gary Ziegler, Crestone 2001
    11) Forgotten Vilcabamba, Vincent Lee 2000
    12) The White Rock, Hugh Thomson 2001
    13) The Machu Picchu Guide Book, Ruth Wright and Alfredo Valencia
    14) Machu Picchu; A Civil Engineering Marvel, Kenneth Wright and Alfredo Valencia, 2000
    15) The Birds of Machu Picchu. Barry Walker (available in Cusco)
    16) Assorted Inca papers and publications, Gary Ziegler: online at http://www.adventurespecialists.org/news.html

    EQUIPMENT AND PREPARATION LIST:
    Passport __Credit cards and cash for tips, Lima meals, shopping etc. _Airline tickets _Travel Insurance to include emergency medical, trip cancellation etc. available any travel agency __Duffle bag or rolling luggage for the majority of your gear__ Day Pack or Fanny Pack for daily items and bag to camera _Leisure clothing for travel and dining out. We have same day laundry service in Cusco. _Hiking/walking shoes. _Leisure Shoes _ Warm outer coat or parka or shell jacket __ Polar fleece type pullover for layering _ Rain gear: we like long outback type slickers and pull over rain pants __Hat with a Brim...essential for sun and rain protection __ Warm cap and gloves __ Assortment of light clothes: pants, shirts, socks, underwear _ Toiletries: sun block (#30 or more), lip balm & personal items __ Insect Repellant __ Personal medications... Ask your Doc about Diomox for altitude comfort _ Quality sun Glasses... UV is intense at altitude near the Equator. _ Flashlight - We like headlamps. __Water Bottle __Camera __Binoculars.

    HEALTH: We ask that you consult your family doctor concerning what medications, shots or inoculations he or she may recommend. Unless you travel to Manu, you will probably not be exposed to tropical diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. The occasional case of traveler’s diarrhea can be rapidly treated with Cipro or other medication that your doctor may suggest. We have a very low incidence of illness on our trips. We eat in only the best restaurants and our own cooks are carefully sanitation trained. We have had good results with Diomox as an aid in acclimatization and alleviation of the effects of altitude. Ask your doc.

    WEATHER: This is a trip of great contrasts. In the high altitude, it can get very chilly, even into the 30's at night and then zoom into the 70's during the day. When we descend into the cloud forest, the temperature rises into the 80's. Although the dry season normally persists April through November, it can rain at any time. Please come prepared.

    Have A Great Trip!
    Adventure Specialists Peru

    Gary Ziegler
    Amy Finger Ziegler
    Edwin and Fanny Duenas