Discovering  the Land of the Incas

"In the variety of its charms and the power of its spell, I know of no place in the world which can compare with it. Not only has its great snow peaks looming above the clouds more than two miles overhead, gigantic precipices of many-colored granite rising sheer for thousands of feet above the foaming, glistening, roaring rapids; it has also, in striking contrast, orchids and tree ferns, the delectable beauty of luxurious vegetation, and the mysterious witchery of the jungle."

Built on a mountaintop and invisible from the valley floor below, the city is thought to have been inhabited for as long as 200 years after the arrival of the Spanish, who, though they knew of its existence, never discovered its whereabouts. American explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered Machu Picchu in July, 1911, with the help of local farmers who were still grazing their animals on the city's stepped terraces. One of the key questions that remain unanswered about Machu Picchu is the mystery of how it was built: Much of the stone used in its construction comes from several miles away, and the Inca had neither the wheel nor draft animals with which to pull them thousands of feet up the steep mountain slopes. The mystery has led to much speculation about supernatural or extraterrestrial influences and  ufo sightings are commonly reported. To the Machu Picchu photo gallery.

This is a magical region of mystery, history, spiritual power and incredible sights. Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire is now a modern small city that has retained much of its colonial charm. While the Spaniards destroyed or built over most of the Inca architecture, they utilized the Incan stone and earthquake-proof foundations which are still visible in the city today.

Our tour of the city will include visits to the the central city market, the Inka Temple of the Sun, the fortress ruins of Sacsayhuaman and the Inka Bath at Tambomachay.

Cuzco is an excellent place to purchase wonderful arts and crafts. Alpaca wool sweaters are among the region's most conspicuous traditional wear...and the prices are very comfortable as well.

From Cuzco, we will travel to the Sacred Valley where we will visit the Indian Market at Pisac and the wonderful Inca ruins above the town, then journey on through the breathtaking Urubamba Valley to the spectacular Inca spiritual site at Ollantaytambo.  The trip down to Machu Picchu will be by express train. We will have two full days at the ruins, with comfortable 3 star lodging at Aguas Calientes.

You will want to combine this experience with one of our safe, inspiring and educational rainforest  workshop retreats in the Peruvian Amazon.

Discovering the Land of the Incas
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Press here  to request an application packet by e-mail.  Be sure to include your postal address or inquire about our online registration options. Your questions and comments are welcome... You can contact us in Peru at (011-51-94) 22-3595 or 22-3380.   We'd like to hear from you!

Extension options We specialize in excellent esoteric tour programs exploring the wonders of Nature, Culture and Spirit in the Peruvian Amazon.  Our lovely and tranquil riverside retreat is a perfect place to get to know the rainforest ... her wildlife and plants; her magical spirit and her people.   You will be perfectly safe, comfortable, and very much at home with us.  Consider Rainforest Odyssey., our prime introduction to Amazon nature and culture designed for the entire family.

You may wish to consider our keystone shamanic workshop program, SpiritQuest: Listening to the Plants, a workshop retreat exploring traditional shamanic Ayahuasca healing practices and medicinal ethnobotany in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon.

SpiritQuest: Listening to the Plants provides privileged access into the hidden shamanic culture of western Amazonia, instructed by true maestro curanderos, master shamanic healers, practicing ancient indigenous shamanism blended with post-colonial Christian influence, the latter manifesting in a uniquely non-dogmatic and non-judgemental manner. This experiential retreat offers not only much intellectual and spiritual enlightenment but also wonderful potential for personal healing and revitalization of ones' life.

You may also wish to consider  Exploring Ancient Shamanic Knowledge, to delve deeper into the hidden traditional knowledge of Peruvian teacher-healer power plants and shamanic healing and journeying techniques.

Instructors and guides include professional ethnobiologist and transcultural facilitator Howard Lawler, Bora, Yahua, Cocama and Huitoto Indians, and genuine master shamans and curanderos of varied traditional lineages.

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