Visiting the "living behind the clouds": Kuelap, Gokta, Machu Picchu
Description:
1 day. Arriving in Lima, the capital of Peru. Accommodation in a hotel in one of the prestigious areas of the city.
2 days. Examination of Lima. Walk through the historical center of the city (in 1988 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List). Here you can see the Cathedral of Lima, the Palace of the Government, the Palace of the Archbishop, the Municipality and much more, including the famous wooden carved balconies in the Spanish-Moorish style, a legacy of the period of Spanish colonization. Visit to the Bohemian district of Lima Barranco: a walk on the Bridge of Sighs, acquaintance with local graffiti. In the evening, a walk along the embankment of Miraflores district, enjoying views of the Pacific Ocean and the coastal zone of the city. Dinner at the restaurant.
3 days. Departure to Chachapoyas. Hotel accommodation. This is a city in northern Peru located at an altitude of 2235 m above sea level, the administrative center of the Amazonas region. In the vicinity of the city found a large number of archaeological monuments of the Inca and pre-Inca periods.
4 days. Visit the unique ruins of Kuelap (about 3000 m above sea level). A whole day trip. This “lost” city is one of the most mysterious monuments in ancient America. Kuelap is a monumental example of the architecture of the Chachapoya culture that existed in these parts from about the 9th to the end of the 15th century, when they were conquered by the Incas. The ancient city was reopened in 1843. Until then, it had remained unknown due to its location in difficult terrain. The city belonged to a mysterious people who conquered it, the Incas called “the inhabitants of the clouds”, because they lived in villages located on the slopes of the mountains, covered with rainforests and often hidden behind the clouds. The name of this tribe is Chachapoyas (Chachapoya). According to legends, they were higher and lighter than other peoples living in the neighborhood, as well as lighter than the Incas. The Chachapoyas were also one of the most developed tribes of the Amazon. Their cities are built with engineering knowledge and excellent drainage systems. These ancient white people of Central and South America may have served as the prototype of the Indian legends of Viracoche and other light-skinned gods who came from across the ocean.
5 days. Visit to Gokta Falls. A whole day trip. Ride and hike through the rainforest to the stunning third highest waterfall in the world. The height of the fall of this waterfall is 771 m. Towering above the surrounding terrain, Gokta often plunges into a thick fog swirling over the mountains. Its jet falls down, first on a small ledge, and then breaks into two streams and rushes into the abyss. This asymmetrical division of the two stages makes this waterfall even more majestic and beautiful at the same time. In the vicinity of the Gokta waterfall, in the mountain jungle are inhabited by many animals and birds characteristic of the foothills of the Andes. Among them are the Andean spectacle bear, puma, toucans, the Andean rooster, as well as rare species of hummingbirds and parrots.
6 days. Back to Lima. Continuing to explore the city.
7 days. Flight to Cusco. See the sights of the city: the main square of the city, the market of San Pedro, the bohemian district of San Blas, the ancient Coricanche, the most important temple during the Inca Empire. In the evening, meet local delicacies.
8 days. Visit the round alpine terraces of Morai, the ancient salt deposit of Maras. A visit to Oyantaytambo, the ruins of which not only keep the memory of one of the greatest rulers of the Inca Empire - Pachacutecus, but also many more ancient mysteries. In the evening, transfer by train to Aguas Calientes, a hospitable town, which is essentially the “gateway” to Machu Picchu.
9 days. Early in the morning, visit the ancient city of Machu Picchu, if desired, a hike to the gates of the Sun, from where you can enjoy a fascinating view of the ruins of the ancient city and the surrounding mountains almost like the movie “Avatar”. Back to Cusco tonight. 1st
10 days. Moving to the city of Puno, located on Lake Titicaca at an altitude of about 3800 m above sea level.
11 days. A boat trip on Lake Titicaca with a visit to the famous reed islands of Uros and the island of Takile. Back to Lima tonight.
12 days. Transfer by comfortable bus to Paracas. Dinner by the ocean.
13 days. In the morning, a group boat tour to the Bayestas Islands. On the rocky islands there are rookeries of sea lions and many thousands of bird bazaars, where we will see goose, cormorants, Inca terns, Humboldt penguins and other sea birds. From the sea we will see the famous "Candelabre" - a giant drawing carved on the shore. Next, visit the Paracas National Reserve, famous for its picturesque landscapes (a combination of desert and numerous beaches, each of which does not resemble one another), a highway made of salt, and the remains of mollusks, which are 30 million years old. In the evening, return by bus to Lima.
14 days. Flight home.