6 day itinerary
day 1
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/3/13533574/5458730.jpg)
Palenque
Morning: Having arrived in Palenque the previous night, rise early and take advantage of the entire day in Palenque. Set in the foothills of the Tumbalá mountains of Chiapas, Mexico, Palenque, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is perfectly situated on a ledge overlooking the swampy plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf coast. Begin your day by wandering around the city as a whole to gain a sense of appreciation for the distinct style of architecture at Palenque. You will notice that most of the works have a characteristic lightness to them--the spaces in the temples are airy, thanks to the innovation of Pakal the Great. (Pakal ingeniously used honeycomb as part of the structure of the buildings arches to lessen the weight the arches bore, thus allowing him to have thinner walls in his architecture to create airier spaces.) The main temple you should see in the morning is the Temple of Inscriptions. The temple is the funerary monument of Pakal the Great, though this information was not uncovered till recent times. In 1948, Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz discovered a secret passage leading to the stone chambers holding Pakal's sarcophagus during an excavation of the site. The passage traveled through the floor of temple, down a stairway, continued 80 feet below the temple floor to the burial chambers. The temple, located on southern edge of central plaza of Palenque and set in a steep limestone hill, was commissioned by Pakal himself, but completed under Pakal's son Kan Bahlem--it was Kan Bahlem who ended up dictating the contents of the temple's inscriptions and exterior imagery. It is interesting to note, when looking at the full plans of the Temple, that Pakal's tomb "plants" him in the interior of the structure, recalling an analogy between the seed planted in a mound of earth (Pakal's body being that seed) and the body of the dead entombed in the pyramid--both the seed and Pakal's body were placed in their resting grounds with the expectation of rebirth, as the inscriptions along Pakal's sarcophagus depict Pakal's rebirth in the afterlife. Here, the religious belief of the Maya in death and rebirth is prominent.
Afternoon: Visit the "Cross Group," a group of three temples built by Kan Bahlum (Pakal’s successor) that are among the most elegant of all Maya architecture. These three temples are the Temple of the Cross, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of the Foliated Cross. All three temples have a large central opening framed by decorated piers and narrow portals. The interiors are divided into front and back rooms, much like the traditional Mayan home. The back rooms house a sanitary displaying a three-part panel. The panels of all three temples depict Kan Bahlum as a boy on one side and as a man on the other. The center section of the panels differs from temple to temple, but each is decorated with glyphs declaring Kan Bahlum the rightful heir of the throne as ruler of Palenque, exposing that the Maya rulers used architectural feats to legitimize their rule. The Temple of the Cross was known as Six Skies to the ancient inhabitants of Palenque because it was a shrine to the Maize god, one of the most valued gods in Maya religion. The dedication of the temple to the Maize god expresses the importance of agriculture in Maya society. The temple came to be known as the Temple of the Cross because the iconographic representation of the world tree in the temple's central tablet was mistaken for a cross by archaeologists. The Temple of the Sun, meanwhile, had a central tablet that depicted the face of GIII, a fire god and solar deity in his "Jaguar God of the Underworld" manifestation. The Temple of the Foliated Cross has a central tablet that depicts a world tree, just as the Temple of the Cross does. However, the world tree in the Temple of the Foliated Cross is in the form of a maize plant, expressing that the tree is now "foliated," as it has the growth of leaves.
Evening: Drive to Merida, Mexico, where you will spend the night. The drive should take approximately 6.5 hours, so plan to depart by 6pm.
Morning: Having arrived in Palenque the previous night, rise early and take advantage of the entire day in Palenque. Set in the foothills of the Tumbalá mountains of Chiapas, Mexico, Palenque, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is perfectly situated on a ledge overlooking the swampy plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf coast. Begin your day by wandering around the city as a whole to gain a sense of appreciation for the distinct style of architecture at Palenque. You will notice that most of the works have a characteristic lightness to them--the spaces in the temples are airy, thanks to the innovation of Pakal the Great. (Pakal ingeniously used honeycomb as part of the structure of the buildings arches to lessen the weight the arches bore, thus allowing him to have thinner walls in his architecture to create airier spaces.) The main temple you should see in the morning is the Temple of Inscriptions. The temple is the funerary monument of Pakal the Great, though this information was not uncovered till recent times. In 1948, Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz discovered a secret passage leading to the stone chambers holding Pakal's sarcophagus during an excavation of the site. The passage traveled through the floor of temple, down a stairway, continued 80 feet below the temple floor to the burial chambers. The temple, located on southern edge of central plaza of Palenque and set in a steep limestone hill, was commissioned by Pakal himself, but completed under Pakal's son Kan Bahlem--it was Kan Bahlem who ended up dictating the contents of the temple's inscriptions and exterior imagery. It is interesting to note, when looking at the full plans of the Temple, that Pakal's tomb "plants" him in the interior of the structure, recalling an analogy between the seed planted in a mound of earth (Pakal's body being that seed) and the body of the dead entombed in the pyramid--both the seed and Pakal's body were placed in their resting grounds with the expectation of rebirth, as the inscriptions along Pakal's sarcophagus depict Pakal's rebirth in the afterlife. Here, the religious belief of the Maya in death and rebirth is prominent.
Afternoon: Visit the "Cross Group," a group of three temples built by Kan Bahlum (Pakal’s successor) that are among the most elegant of all Maya architecture. These three temples are the Temple of the Cross, the Temple of the Sun, and the Temple of the Foliated Cross. All three temples have a large central opening framed by decorated piers and narrow portals. The interiors are divided into front and back rooms, much like the traditional Mayan home. The back rooms house a sanitary displaying a three-part panel. The panels of all three temples depict Kan Bahlum as a boy on one side and as a man on the other. The center section of the panels differs from temple to temple, but each is decorated with glyphs declaring Kan Bahlum the rightful heir of the throne as ruler of Palenque, exposing that the Maya rulers used architectural feats to legitimize their rule. The Temple of the Cross was known as Six Skies to the ancient inhabitants of Palenque because it was a shrine to the Maize god, one of the most valued gods in Maya religion. The dedication of the temple to the Maize god expresses the importance of agriculture in Maya society. The temple came to be known as the Temple of the Cross because the iconographic representation of the world tree in the temple's central tablet was mistaken for a cross by archaeologists. The Temple of the Sun, meanwhile, had a central tablet that depicted the face of GIII, a fire god and solar deity in his "Jaguar God of the Underworld" manifestation. The Temple of the Foliated Cross has a central tablet that depicts a world tree, just as the Temple of the Cross does. However, the world tree in the Temple of the Foliated Cross is in the form of a maize plant, expressing that the tree is now "foliated," as it has the growth of leaves.
Evening: Drive to Merida, Mexico, where you will spend the night. The drive should take approximately 6.5 hours, so plan to depart by 6pm.
Day 2
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/3/13533574/2887485.jpg)
Chichen-Itza
Morning: Drive out from Merida to Chichen-Itza (the drive is approximately 1.5 hours). The brilliant ruins of Chichen-Itza evidence a dazzling ancient city around which the Maya Empire was once centered. Currently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen-Itza is the most important archaeological remnant of the Maya Empire. The stepped pyramids, temples, columned arcades, and other stone structures of Chichen-Itza were sacred to the Maya and created a sophisticated urban center of their empire from750 A.D. to 1200 A.D. Once you have taken in the site as a whole, the main temple to explore in the morning is the Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo, the most recognizable structure of Chichen-Itza. The step pyramid's architecture is based on the Mayan knowledge of astronomy. The temple has 365 steps—one for each day of the solar year according to the calendar devised by the Maya--each of the temple’s four sides has 91 steps, and the top platform makes the 365th step. The temple was also so accurately designed in accordance with the solar calendar that twice a year on the spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow falls on the pyramid in the shape of a serpent. As the sun sets, this shadowy snake descends the steps to eventually join a stone serpent head placed at the base of the great staircase. (Our trip has been perfectly planned so that you too may witness this phenomenon!) The incredible "shadow snake" evidences that the Maya's astronomical skills were so advanced, they could predict solar eclipses! Following the theme of Mayan astronomy, next visit El Caracol, the impressive and sophisticated observatory structure that remains on the site today. The circular observatory has four entrances leading to narrow passageways that coil upwards to a chamber with only three surviving windows. The observatory is aligned with Venus, a planet whose pathway the Mayas tracked, as Venus was of religious important to the Maya.
Afternoon: Visit Chichen-Itza's ball court, the largest known in the Americas. The court measures 554 feet long and 231 feet wide. While the ball court may sound like an arena for harmless play, it had much more cultural and religious significance to the Maya, causing its sport to take a bloody turn. During the ritual games that took place in the ball court, players tried to hit a 12-pound rubber ball through stone scoring hoops set high on the court walls. A harmless game by description, but after the games the losers were put to death, exposing the often violent life of the Maya people. After visiting the ball court, explore further the "violent" side of Maya culture by going to the Temple of the Warriors. The temple lies to the east of the Temple of Kukulkan, and has rows of columns leading to its entrance. Climb the entrance stairs to view at the top of the landing a pair of feathered serpent statues and a statue of Chacmool, the messenger of the Maya gods. Historians believe that the flat area of Chacmool's stomach was a surface where humans were laid down before they were sacrificed, sacrifices that had great meaning to Maya religion. While leaving Chichen-Itza, go see the 900 feet long causeway leading to the well called the Sacred Cenote. Down this well both human sacrifices and artifacts were tossed, highlighting again the practice of human sacrifice in Maya religion.
Evening: Drive to Merida Rejon Airport, 1.5 hours from Chichen-Itza. Fly that night to Mexico City (the flight is approximately 2 hours).
Morning: Drive out from Merida to Chichen-Itza (the drive is approximately 1.5 hours). The brilliant ruins of Chichen-Itza evidence a dazzling ancient city around which the Maya Empire was once centered. Currently recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen-Itza is the most important archaeological remnant of the Maya Empire. The stepped pyramids, temples, columned arcades, and other stone structures of Chichen-Itza were sacred to the Maya and created a sophisticated urban center of their empire from750 A.D. to 1200 A.D. Once you have taken in the site as a whole, the main temple to explore in the morning is the Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo, the most recognizable structure of Chichen-Itza. The step pyramid's architecture is based on the Mayan knowledge of astronomy. The temple has 365 steps—one for each day of the solar year according to the calendar devised by the Maya--each of the temple’s four sides has 91 steps, and the top platform makes the 365th step. The temple was also so accurately designed in accordance with the solar calendar that twice a year on the spring and autumn equinoxes, a shadow falls on the pyramid in the shape of a serpent. As the sun sets, this shadowy snake descends the steps to eventually join a stone serpent head placed at the base of the great staircase. (Our trip has been perfectly planned so that you too may witness this phenomenon!) The incredible "shadow snake" evidences that the Maya's astronomical skills were so advanced, they could predict solar eclipses! Following the theme of Mayan astronomy, next visit El Caracol, the impressive and sophisticated observatory structure that remains on the site today. The circular observatory has four entrances leading to narrow passageways that coil upwards to a chamber with only three surviving windows. The observatory is aligned with Venus, a planet whose pathway the Mayas tracked, as Venus was of religious important to the Maya.
Afternoon: Visit Chichen-Itza's ball court, the largest known in the Americas. The court measures 554 feet long and 231 feet wide. While the ball court may sound like an arena for harmless play, it had much more cultural and religious significance to the Maya, causing its sport to take a bloody turn. During the ritual games that took place in the ball court, players tried to hit a 12-pound rubber ball through stone scoring hoops set high on the court walls. A harmless game by description, but after the games the losers were put to death, exposing the often violent life of the Maya people. After visiting the ball court, explore further the "violent" side of Maya culture by going to the Temple of the Warriors. The temple lies to the east of the Temple of Kukulkan, and has rows of columns leading to its entrance. Climb the entrance stairs to view at the top of the landing a pair of feathered serpent statues and a statue of Chacmool, the messenger of the Maya gods. Historians believe that the flat area of Chacmool's stomach was a surface where humans were laid down before they were sacrificed, sacrifices that had great meaning to Maya religion. While leaving Chichen-Itza, go see the 900 feet long causeway leading to the well called the Sacred Cenote. Down this well both human sacrifices and artifacts were tossed, highlighting again the practice of human sacrifice in Maya religion.
Evening: Drive to Merida Rejon Airport, 1.5 hours from Chichen-Itza. Fly that night to Mexico City (the flight is approximately 2 hours).
Day 3
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/3/13533574/4225872.jpg)
Mexico City
Morning: In the morning, walk around Mexico City, the city under which the great Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán is buried. Almost all evidence of the past city of Tenochtitlán has vanished, having been razed by the Spanish invaders led by Cortez in 1519 to 1521; what remained of the razed city was completely built over by Cortez, who wished to destroy all evidence of the old order. However, one prominent ruin remains. The Templo Mayor was the main religious building of Tenochtitlán, capital of the Aztec Empire. The temple was 15 stories, towering at 197 feet tall, at its height--the ruins today do not hold such a grand stature and are considerably smaller. The Templo Mayor consisted of two twin temples, both made of lime plaster and volcanic rock, to honor two Maya gods. One of the twin temples honored the god of rain and agriculture, called Tlaloc, while the other twin temple honored the god of war and the patron god of the Mexica people, called Huitzilopochtli. Both of these gods required constant human sacrifice to be pleased, so during the final phase of construction thousands of people were sacrificed to ensure that the gods were pleased with their new temples. Specifically, Tlaloc required children sacriced through drownings, according to Maya legend, and Huitzilopochtli required the spilling of warrior blood. Once the temples were constructed, they remained a main site of violent, bloody Aztec religious rituals. Rituals that occurred within the temples included human sacrifice, ritual blood letting, and less violent rituals as well, such as the burning of copal (a tree resin), and worshiping the gods through musical expression. The architecture of the temples was equally as awe-inspiring as the stories behind its construction. The temple represented the Hill of Coatepec, a hill where the Mexica people believe their patron god, Huitzilopochtli, was born. It was very important to the Aztecs that this temple never sink and so dishonor the gods. To prevent poor maintenance of these temples, the Aztecs rebuilt the temple seven times, each rebuilding adding a stage on top of the previous stage. Adding so many layers to the temple ensured that, even if the temple sunk a little overtime in the swampy island of Tenochtitlán, it would always retain a hefty stature to honor the temples' deities.
Afternoon: To compliment your visit to the Templo Mayor, visit the Museo del Templo Mayor, the museum dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the archaeological remains excavated over the course of several years by the Templo Mayor Project. The museum was inaugurated on October 12, 1987, and it displays artifacts uncovered on site from 1978 to present day. The museum has eight halls to explore, with thousands of objects inside. The artifacts include sculptures, reliefs, and other elements found in the digging sites. The museum also has a down-scaped reproduction of the Templo Mayor in the form of museum displays. The walls of the museum even mirror the religious dedication of the twin temples--the halls in the south wing are dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, god of war, related to the Sun, and those in the north wing to Tlaloc, god of rain.
Evening: Drive to Teopanzolco, located in present-day Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, where you will spend the night. The drive should be only 2 hours.
Morning: In the morning, walk around Mexico City, the city under which the great Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán is buried. Almost all evidence of the past city of Tenochtitlán has vanished, having been razed by the Spanish invaders led by Cortez in 1519 to 1521; what remained of the razed city was completely built over by Cortez, who wished to destroy all evidence of the old order. However, one prominent ruin remains. The Templo Mayor was the main religious building of Tenochtitlán, capital of the Aztec Empire. The temple was 15 stories, towering at 197 feet tall, at its height--the ruins today do not hold such a grand stature and are considerably smaller. The Templo Mayor consisted of two twin temples, both made of lime plaster and volcanic rock, to honor two Maya gods. One of the twin temples honored the god of rain and agriculture, called Tlaloc, while the other twin temple honored the god of war and the patron god of the Mexica people, called Huitzilopochtli. Both of these gods required constant human sacrifice to be pleased, so during the final phase of construction thousands of people were sacrificed to ensure that the gods were pleased with their new temples. Specifically, Tlaloc required children sacriced through drownings, according to Maya legend, and Huitzilopochtli required the spilling of warrior blood. Once the temples were constructed, they remained a main site of violent, bloody Aztec religious rituals. Rituals that occurred within the temples included human sacrifice, ritual blood letting, and less violent rituals as well, such as the burning of copal (a tree resin), and worshiping the gods through musical expression. The architecture of the temples was equally as awe-inspiring as the stories behind its construction. The temple represented the Hill of Coatepec, a hill where the Mexica people believe their patron god, Huitzilopochtli, was born. It was very important to the Aztecs that this temple never sink and so dishonor the gods. To prevent poor maintenance of these temples, the Aztecs rebuilt the temple seven times, each rebuilding adding a stage on top of the previous stage. Adding so many layers to the temple ensured that, even if the temple sunk a little overtime in the swampy island of Tenochtitlán, it would always retain a hefty stature to honor the temples' deities.
Afternoon: To compliment your visit to the Templo Mayor, visit the Museo del Templo Mayor, the museum dedicated to preserving and exhibiting the archaeological remains excavated over the course of several years by the Templo Mayor Project. The museum was inaugurated on October 12, 1987, and it displays artifacts uncovered on site from 1978 to present day. The museum has eight halls to explore, with thousands of objects inside. The artifacts include sculptures, reliefs, and other elements found in the digging sites. The museum also has a down-scaped reproduction of the Templo Mayor in the form of museum displays. The walls of the museum even mirror the religious dedication of the twin temples--the halls in the south wing are dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, god of war, related to the Sun, and those in the north wing to Tlaloc, god of rain.
Evening: Drive to Teopanzolco, located in present-day Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, where you will spend the night. The drive should be only 2 hours.
Day 4
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/3/13533574/6452335.jpg)
Teopanzolco/Cholula
Morning: Explore the site of Teopanzolco, located in the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. The Tlahuica people lived in the ancient city of Teopanzolco after settling there in the mid-13th century. However, shortly after their settlement, the Aztecs invaded and conquered the city of Teopanzolco, adding it to their ever-expanding empire. Though the old city is mostly covered by the new, just as Tenochtitlán is mostly covered by modern Mexico City, one main ruin remains protected in the city. This ruin to explore at Teopanzolco is the Great Pyramid of Teopanzolco. The main structure of the pyramid is a large double pyramid built in the style of the larger pyramids in central Mexico, such as Templo Mayor in Mexico City. Just like the Templo Mayor, the gods worshiped by this site were the gods Tlalcol and Huitzilopochtli, whose shrines are still visible within the temple. Having just visited and explored the Templo Mayor, you should gain greater appreciation for the similarities between Aztec architecture.
Afternoon: Drive to Cholula, located just outside the city of present-day Puebla, Mexico, whose center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive should take approximately 2 hours. In the ancient times of the Aztec Empire, Cholula was a sacred city and major commercial center. Being an important sacred center, even the Aztec leaders went to Cholula to be annointed. Pilgrimages were made to the city for times of worship. While Cholula is famous as a ruin of the Aztecs, the area of Cholula has probably been inhabited for over 3000 years, and its main temples from over 2,000 years ago, so it is still unclear whether the Aztecs can be accredited for all of the city's glory. As the city rose to power, developing from a village to a city of importance, many of the powerful cultures of Mexico had their turn to rule it, including the Olmecs, the Toltecs, and later the Aztecs. Each group that at one point dominated the city added to its largest architectural feat--the Great Pyramid of Cholula. The Great Pyramid of Cholula is the largest pyramid by volume in the world, and the largest monument ever constructed. The magnitude of this architecture can probably be explained by the fact that three of the great civilizations of Mexico added to it at one point or another, resulting in a magnificent expression of architecture combining the styles of the Olmecs, the Toltecs, and the Aztecs. The joint architectural feat also emphasizes the timeline of Aztec rule--there were other thriving civilizations before the dominance of the Aztecs. One of the most interesting aspects of the pyramid to explore is the 5 miles of secret tunnels dug through the temple. Visitors can explore these tunnels alone or with a guide to uncover the mysteries of the cultures that built the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
Evening: Drive to the Hermanos Serdán International Airport to take the 10 hour red-eye to Cuzco. Make sure you get plenty of rest on the plane so that you will be set for a full day of sightseeing when you arrive!
Morning: Explore the site of Teopanzolco, located in the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. The Tlahuica people lived in the ancient city of Teopanzolco after settling there in the mid-13th century. However, shortly after their settlement, the Aztecs invaded and conquered the city of Teopanzolco, adding it to their ever-expanding empire. Though the old city is mostly covered by the new, just as Tenochtitlán is mostly covered by modern Mexico City, one main ruin remains protected in the city. This ruin to explore at Teopanzolco is the Great Pyramid of Teopanzolco. The main structure of the pyramid is a large double pyramid built in the style of the larger pyramids in central Mexico, such as Templo Mayor in Mexico City. Just like the Templo Mayor, the gods worshiped by this site were the gods Tlalcol and Huitzilopochtli, whose shrines are still visible within the temple. Having just visited and explored the Templo Mayor, you should gain greater appreciation for the similarities between Aztec architecture.
Afternoon: Drive to Cholula, located just outside the city of present-day Puebla, Mexico, whose center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive should take approximately 2 hours. In the ancient times of the Aztec Empire, Cholula was a sacred city and major commercial center. Being an important sacred center, even the Aztec leaders went to Cholula to be annointed. Pilgrimages were made to the city for times of worship. While Cholula is famous as a ruin of the Aztecs, the area of Cholula has probably been inhabited for over 3000 years, and its main temples from over 2,000 years ago, so it is still unclear whether the Aztecs can be accredited for all of the city's glory. As the city rose to power, developing from a village to a city of importance, many of the powerful cultures of Mexico had their turn to rule it, including the Olmecs, the Toltecs, and later the Aztecs. Each group that at one point dominated the city added to its largest architectural feat--the Great Pyramid of Cholula. The Great Pyramid of Cholula is the largest pyramid by volume in the world, and the largest monument ever constructed. The magnitude of this architecture can probably be explained by the fact that three of the great civilizations of Mexico added to it at one point or another, resulting in a magnificent expression of architecture combining the styles of the Olmecs, the Toltecs, and the Aztecs. The joint architectural feat also emphasizes the timeline of Aztec rule--there were other thriving civilizations before the dominance of the Aztecs. One of the most interesting aspects of the pyramid to explore is the 5 miles of secret tunnels dug through the temple. Visitors can explore these tunnels alone or with a guide to uncover the mysteries of the cultures that built the Great Pyramid of Cholula.
Evening: Drive to the Hermanos Serdán International Airport to take the 10 hour red-eye to Cuzco. Make sure you get plenty of rest on the plane so that you will be set for a full day of sightseeing when you arrive!
Day 5
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/3/13533574/1099441.jpg)
Machu Picchu
Morning: Drive from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo (a 1 hour drive). From Ollantaytambo take the train into Machu Picchu (a 1 hour 30 minute journey). You will arrive at the site park and walk up to the top of the mountain crest in the Peruvian Andes on which the site sprawls, 8,000 feet in the air. Machu Picchu, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, like Chichen-Itza, is the most famous archeological ruin in the Western Hemisphere and an iconic symbol of the power and engineering skill of the Inca Empire. The "Lost City of the Incas" was discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American explorer who made the site public with the guidance of indigenous farmers. Though theorized about for some time, the site remains an enigma to historians today. It seems impossible to determine why it was abandoned by the Inca people over 400 years ago--throughout the city, it appears as though the stones were in the middle of being placed when work was suddenly halted, leading many people to question why the work was so abruptly relinquished. The quality of the stonework suggests that Machu Picchu was constructed at the orders of royalty, but not much else has been derived from the in-tact ruins of the site. Don't leave your mind to be swayed by the accounts of theorizing historians! See the sites for yourself--visit the fountains, small pools, temples, homes, and alters cut out of granite, stone structures numbering over 200 across the site. See the great engineering and architectural prowess of the Inca, and theorize for yourself why such artistry was left behind. On your tour of the site as a whole, visit the Huayna Picchu, the mountain on which the superior priest of the Incas and the virgins of the empire, known as the acllas, would worship Inti, the sun god, every day. This site has remarkable views that you will want to capture to display once back home in the States. Huayna Picchu is also a brilliant reminder of the polytheistic religion of the Inca, as their chief deity of the sun god was one of many worshipped figures.
Afternoon: Circle back from the path leading to Huayna Picchu to visit the Temple of the Moon, a cave temple carved directly from the stone side of the mountain. The cave in an excellent example of Incan engineering and mathematical skill, as planned geometric shapes are carved in the stone. The Temple of the Moon is thought to have been a place for the ritual gatherings and ceremonies specifically of the Incan elite, as a throne, probably from a member of the royal family, is carved from the stone within the cave. After exploring the Temple of the Moon, visit another prime combination of Incan architecture and mathematical skill at the Temple of the Sun. The Temple of the Sun is constructed in a semicircle, and has a tower above it with a trapezoid-shaped window. The prevalence of distinct geometric shapes in the architecture shows the detailed, planned approach the Incas took to architecture, using it as a base for their knowledge of engineering and mathematics. For all practical purposes, however, the temple was a solar observatory where pottery was placed in the windows to bring the position of the sun into equilibrium in order to preform rituals perfectly. (It should be noted that these rituals did not include human sacrifice like the Maya and Aztec rituals often required, but relied primarily on animal sacrifice.) Even the placement of the temple as a whole is determined by astronomy--the Incas placed the temple at the highest point of Machu Picchu, a place where they could "reach" the sun during their rituals. Thus, not only did the temple emphasize the breadth of knowledge the Incas possessed in mathematics, but also the span of their talent in astronomy.
Evening: Travel back to Cuzco where you will spend the night.
Morning: Drive from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo (a 1 hour drive). From Ollantaytambo take the train into Machu Picchu (a 1 hour 30 minute journey). You will arrive at the site park and walk up to the top of the mountain crest in the Peruvian Andes on which the site sprawls, 8,000 feet in the air. Machu Picchu, named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, like Chichen-Itza, is the most famous archeological ruin in the Western Hemisphere and an iconic symbol of the power and engineering skill of the Inca Empire. The "Lost City of the Incas" was discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American explorer who made the site public with the guidance of indigenous farmers. Though theorized about for some time, the site remains an enigma to historians today. It seems impossible to determine why it was abandoned by the Inca people over 400 years ago--throughout the city, it appears as though the stones were in the middle of being placed when work was suddenly halted, leading many people to question why the work was so abruptly relinquished. The quality of the stonework suggests that Machu Picchu was constructed at the orders of royalty, but not much else has been derived from the in-tact ruins of the site. Don't leave your mind to be swayed by the accounts of theorizing historians! See the sites for yourself--visit the fountains, small pools, temples, homes, and alters cut out of granite, stone structures numbering over 200 across the site. See the great engineering and architectural prowess of the Inca, and theorize for yourself why such artistry was left behind. On your tour of the site as a whole, visit the Huayna Picchu, the mountain on which the superior priest of the Incas and the virgins of the empire, known as the acllas, would worship Inti, the sun god, every day. This site has remarkable views that you will want to capture to display once back home in the States. Huayna Picchu is also a brilliant reminder of the polytheistic religion of the Inca, as their chief deity of the sun god was one of many worshipped figures.
Afternoon: Circle back from the path leading to Huayna Picchu to visit the Temple of the Moon, a cave temple carved directly from the stone side of the mountain. The cave in an excellent example of Incan engineering and mathematical skill, as planned geometric shapes are carved in the stone. The Temple of the Moon is thought to have been a place for the ritual gatherings and ceremonies specifically of the Incan elite, as a throne, probably from a member of the royal family, is carved from the stone within the cave. After exploring the Temple of the Moon, visit another prime combination of Incan architecture and mathematical skill at the Temple of the Sun. The Temple of the Sun is constructed in a semicircle, and has a tower above it with a trapezoid-shaped window. The prevalence of distinct geometric shapes in the architecture shows the detailed, planned approach the Incas took to architecture, using it as a base for their knowledge of engineering and mathematics. For all practical purposes, however, the temple was a solar observatory where pottery was placed in the windows to bring the position of the sun into equilibrium in order to preform rituals perfectly. (It should be noted that these rituals did not include human sacrifice like the Maya and Aztec rituals often required, but relied primarily on animal sacrifice.) Even the placement of the temple as a whole is determined by astronomy--the Incas placed the temple at the highest point of Machu Picchu, a place where they could "reach" the sun during their rituals. Thus, not only did the temple emphasize the breadth of knowledge the Incas possessed in mathematics, but also the span of their talent in astronomy.
Evening: Travel back to Cuzco where you will spend the night.
Day 6
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/5/3/13533574/5174895.jpg)
Sacsayhuaman/Pisac
Morning: Drive to Sacsayhuaman from Cuzco--the drive is only a few minutes, so you may walk to the site if you wish (the walk should take approximately 30 minutes at a leisurely pace). Once at Sacsayhuaman, turn back to get a sweeping view of the city of Cuzco, which the Sacsayhuaman ruins overlook. The large complex of ruins at Sacsayhuaman is arguably the greatest Incan ruin after Machu Picchu. Sacsayhuama, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is surrounded by the Ausangate, Cinca, and Pachatusan Mountains. The strategic location of the Sacsayhuaman site has led many historians to believe that it was a royal retreat or a fortress, or possibly both, located within the geographical boundaries of the mountains. The fortitude of the walls at Sacsayhuaman have also helped historians conclude its purpose--the zigzag walls are built with some of the largest stones in Incan masonry, some weighing up to 300 tons. The site is also a study in Incan architectural excellence. the stones all fit together perfectly, a fit that took an estimated 50 years and 20,000 men to perfect. The men use would have been subjects of the labor levy, or mita, which decreed that all Incan people owed the government two months of labor per year--this tax allowed the Incan government to access large portions of their male population at once to achieve such grand architectural feats. Other evidence supporting the theory that Sacsayhuaman was a fortress are the three fortified towers, known as Muyucmarca, Sallacmarca, and Paucamarca, on the top of the main structure. Sacsayhuaman is further guessed to be a fortress because it is shaped like a puma, and a translation of Sacsayhuaman means puma, an animal that the Inca believed was a watchful protector. The Incas may have wanted the puma to guard Sacsayhuaman as one would want a fort to be guarded. While visiting the ruins as a whole, make sure you visit the temple at Sacsayhuaman; this temple was an important place of worship and ritual celebration for the Incas. In the temple, celebrations such as the Inti Raymi feast took place, highlighting the celebratory and ritual nature of Inca religion.
Afternoon: Drive out to Pisac in time for a late lunch in the Pisac markets. The whole town of Pisac is encompassed by the street market that sprawls through it, where vendors sell crafts from all over Peru, Alpaca wool clothing, and fresh produce. While the market place has become a tourist destination, it still provides an "old world" feel and insight into the native life of modern Pisac. After your trip to the market, continue on to the ruins of Pisac that overlook the Urbamba river. On site, you will be exposed to the agricultural values of the old Inca society through the waterworks, terraces, and colcas present. The terraces are remnants of the terrace farming method the Incas employed along their mountainous lands to achieve flat growing spaces for crops, and the waterworks would be aqueducts and other architecture to manipulate water and bring it to the terraces. The colcas, meanwhile, are the storage houses where the Incan government would keep agricultural surpluses to dole out in case of an emergency in the provinces, a tactic that put all control in the hands of the Incan government who literally controlled the hunger of the nation. Another site to see while in Pisac is the Amaru Punku. The Amaru Punku is the wall surrounding and securing Pisac--Amaru Punku translates to the "snake gate," named such probably because it coils around the site like a serpent. You should also stop at the Inca cemetery, the resting place of over 10,000 tombs. The bodies in these tombs where mummified, reflecting the Incan belief in rebirth in the afterlife, as the wrapped mummies were preserved with food, jewels, and weapons for their next life, much like the Egyptian pharaohs were prepared. The cemetery is a solid reminder of the Incan religious beliefs and their advanced medical knowledge that helped them preserve their bodies for the afterlife.
Evening: Drive back to Cuzco to catch a late flight back to the USA, hopefully with an enriched knowledge of the three great American civilizations: the Maya, the Aztec, and the Inca.
Morning: Drive to Sacsayhuaman from Cuzco--the drive is only a few minutes, so you may walk to the site if you wish (the walk should take approximately 30 minutes at a leisurely pace). Once at Sacsayhuaman, turn back to get a sweeping view of the city of Cuzco, which the Sacsayhuaman ruins overlook. The large complex of ruins at Sacsayhuaman is arguably the greatest Incan ruin after Machu Picchu. Sacsayhuama, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is surrounded by the Ausangate, Cinca, and Pachatusan Mountains. The strategic location of the Sacsayhuaman site has led many historians to believe that it was a royal retreat or a fortress, or possibly both, located within the geographical boundaries of the mountains. The fortitude of the walls at Sacsayhuaman have also helped historians conclude its purpose--the zigzag walls are built with some of the largest stones in Incan masonry, some weighing up to 300 tons. The site is also a study in Incan architectural excellence. the stones all fit together perfectly, a fit that took an estimated 50 years and 20,000 men to perfect. The men use would have been subjects of the labor levy, or mita, which decreed that all Incan people owed the government two months of labor per year--this tax allowed the Incan government to access large portions of their male population at once to achieve such grand architectural feats. Other evidence supporting the theory that Sacsayhuaman was a fortress are the three fortified towers, known as Muyucmarca, Sallacmarca, and Paucamarca, on the top of the main structure. Sacsayhuaman is further guessed to be a fortress because it is shaped like a puma, and a translation of Sacsayhuaman means puma, an animal that the Inca believed was a watchful protector. The Incas may have wanted the puma to guard Sacsayhuaman as one would want a fort to be guarded. While visiting the ruins as a whole, make sure you visit the temple at Sacsayhuaman; this temple was an important place of worship and ritual celebration for the Incas. In the temple, celebrations such as the Inti Raymi feast took place, highlighting the celebratory and ritual nature of Inca religion.
Afternoon: Drive out to Pisac in time for a late lunch in the Pisac markets. The whole town of Pisac is encompassed by the street market that sprawls through it, where vendors sell crafts from all over Peru, Alpaca wool clothing, and fresh produce. While the market place has become a tourist destination, it still provides an "old world" feel and insight into the native life of modern Pisac. After your trip to the market, continue on to the ruins of Pisac that overlook the Urbamba river. On site, you will be exposed to the agricultural values of the old Inca society through the waterworks, terraces, and colcas present. The terraces are remnants of the terrace farming method the Incas employed along their mountainous lands to achieve flat growing spaces for crops, and the waterworks would be aqueducts and other architecture to manipulate water and bring it to the terraces. The colcas, meanwhile, are the storage houses where the Incan government would keep agricultural surpluses to dole out in case of an emergency in the provinces, a tactic that put all control in the hands of the Incan government who literally controlled the hunger of the nation. Another site to see while in Pisac is the Amaru Punku. The Amaru Punku is the wall surrounding and securing Pisac--Amaru Punku translates to the "snake gate," named such probably because it coils around the site like a serpent. You should also stop at the Inca cemetery, the resting place of over 10,000 tombs. The bodies in these tombs where mummified, reflecting the Incan belief in rebirth in the afterlife, as the wrapped mummies were preserved with food, jewels, and weapons for their next life, much like the Egyptian pharaohs were prepared. The cemetery is a solid reminder of the Incan religious beliefs and their advanced medical knowledge that helped them preserve their bodies for the afterlife.
Evening: Drive back to Cuzco to catch a late flight back to the USA, hopefully with an enriched knowledge of the three great American civilizations: the Maya, the Aztec, and the Inca.