Cusco, the old capital of the Empire of Tahuantinsuyo, that in quechua means “navel of the worlds, it is one of the few places in the world able to please any traveller, even been a follower of the archaeology and history, nature lover, or an enthusiastic of the adventure sports. The UNESCO declared this Andean colonial city called as the “Cultural Patrimony of the World”. It was in their beginnings a vast empire as the Roman Empire; and had routes with more than 23,000 Kms. Cusco was considered as the center of the Old Andean world, besides being an important place for pilgrimage and cult. Built in a hill, Sacsayhuaman was in the high part adopting the form of a puma, religious symbol of strength. Between two rivers that limit the city, the old Incas constructed their palaces, the streets and public buildings, that still remain today, the gold abounded and were mostly used for the ornamentation of their constructions and utensils and clothes of the Inca. The conquest gave the city many different aspects. The spaniards built here one of the most beautiful cities of America. With the mixture of races, arose one of the best and more productive arts of the New World: The Cuzqueña Art and Painting School.

Historical Review:
The most common legends that wanted to explain the origin of the empire of Tahuantinsuyo are the one of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo and the Ayar. The first one tells the history of the foundation of Cusco by Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo that emerged from Lake Titikaka, sent by their father the Sun God, while the second is an allegory of the local tribes represented by each brother Ayar, who battles to obtain the hegemony of the place, being the winner Ayar Manco.
Whatever it would be, once the city was built, began to expand and absorbed the sorrounding tribes and it was not until the government of the Inca Pachacutec after defeating the Chancas, that the Empire expanded in all the zone and made social and economical reforms beginning the apogee of the Empire. The maximum splendor arrives with Inca Huayna Capac increasing their territorial expansion. Afterwards a civil war by the succession of the Inca throne, between the sons of Huayna Capac, Huascar and Atahualpa, the winner was Atahualpa, but not for a long time because when the Spaniards arrived the Tahuantinsuyo empire had ended after 100 years. The date of the Spaniard foundation was on March 23rd, 1534.

Weather
Pleasant weather, cold and dry with a temperature of 11 grades, the rainy season is from November to March. The dry season is from April to October.
Geography and Location:

Capital of the department with the same name with 300,000 inhabitants, located in the mountain side at 3400 above the sea level and 1102 kms to the southeast of Lima, 389 Km to the northeast of Puno and 518 Km. To the north of Arequipa.
Access: to Cuzco by plane (flights from La Paz-Bolivia, Lima, Arequipa and Juliaca, this last one with restrictions). Via highway from Puno, Arequipa, Nazca, Puerto Maldonado and Ayacucho; by train from Puno and Arequipa. The tourist places of connections are : Puno, Manu National Square, Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado and Lima.

MACHU PICCHU

CULTURAL PATRIMONY OF THE HUMANITY
Located at the subtropical zone to 113 Kms of Cuzco by railroad, height of 2350 above sea level, annual average temperature of 11º. This Inca city was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The archaeological group is divided in two sectors named agricultural and urban, where we can find squares, temples, palaces, warehouses, factories, stairs and water sources, standing out the Vigilance Tower, the Superior Cemetery and Ritual Rock (agricultural sector), Temple of the Sun, Intiwatana, Sacred Rock, Temple of the Three Windows, Principal Temple, The Doors, the Sources, the Springs, the Tombs (Urbane sector).
How to arrive:
• The most used is the railroad. The trip last 3 ½ hours with three different services of train. Departure from Cuzco is very early in the morning from 06:00 until 07:30 hours depending on the train. The returns are in the afternoon from 15:00 to 18:00 hours.
• Service in Helicopter, this is the fastest way to arrive to Machu Pichu in only 25 minutes flying, it allows the visitor to have a spectacular view of the Sacred Valley. Return to Cuzco is about 15:00 hours.
• The Inca´s trail (see adventure program).

Programs and Services:
BASE PROGRAM I
2 days - 1 nights

1st Day: Cuzco, reception and transfer to the Hotel. In the afternoon we begin our excursion by combining archaeology and art and a visit to the city, where we will appreciate the Cathedral, built in the palace of Wiracocha, the Koricancha, now the Temple of Santo Domingo, built on the old Temple of the Sun. Then we will go to the outskirts of Cuzco, to visit four bordering ruins: Sacsayhuamán, Military fortress and of astronomic observation, Kenko, temple where the world are represented and their link with men; Puka Pucara, a place that allow to control the routes and close territories and Tambomachay, important center of cult and worship to the water. Return and lodging.
2nd Day: Breakfast. Trf out hotel /airport or station.

This program includes:
• Trf In/Out
• 01 Night in the hotel
• 01 Breakfast
• City Tour + 4 Close Ruins

This program does not include:
• Entrances to the tourist places
• Feeding, except breakfasts
• What is not mentioned above

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