Science and Religion in the Ancient Inca Empire:

Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the Inti Raymi Festival in Cuzco

June 16 - 25, 2012

ITINERARY (subject to slight change)

June 16, Saturday - Arrival to Lima

Late evening arrival to Lima's international airport

Taxi to hotel in the Miraflores district and get some sleep

Overnight in Lima

 

June 17, Sunday - Museums and Pyramids

Morning: Huaca Huallamarca Pyramid

Morning: Larco Museum 

Afternoon: Huaca Pucllana Pyramid

Overnight in Lima

 

June 18, Monday - Lectures in Cuzco

Morning: Flights to Cuzco

Afternoon: Lectures on Ancient Inca Civilization

Evening: Rest and adjust to the 11,000 ft altitude

Overnight in Cuzco

 

June 19, Tuesday - Ruins Around Cuzco

Morning: Tours of Sacsayhuaman ruins and the Coricancha

Afternoon: Cuzco's Inca Walls and the Inka Museum

Evening: Lecture - Peruvian Cultures Before the Inca

Overnight in Cuzco

 

June 20, Wednesday - Machu Picchu

Morning: Vistadome Train to Machu Picchu

Afternoon: Tour of Machu Picchu

Overnight in Aguas Calientes

 

June 21, Thursday - Summer Solstice at Machu Picchu

Morning: Dawn at Machu Picchu

All day: Free time to explore at Machu Picchu

Overnight in Aguas Calientes

 

June 22, Friday - The Sacred Valley

Morning: Train to Ollantaytambo and tour fortress ruins

Afternoon: Lunch in Urubamba

Afternoon: Awana Kancha Quechua textile co-op

Evening: Return to Cuzco

Overnight in Cuzco

 

June 23, Saturday - Parades in Cuzco

Morning: Free time

Afternoon: Parades entering Cuzco

Evening: Parades continue 

Overnight in Cuzco

 

June 24, Sunday - Inti Raymi

Morning: The Inca arrives to the Plaza de Armas

Afternoon: Crowd carries the Inca to Sascahuaman

Late Afternoon: Festival and public sacrificing of the black llama 

Evening: Final dinner and course closing ceremonies

Overnight in Cuzco

 

June 25, Monday - Departure

Flights back to Lima and points beyond