Machu Picchu

A Journey to Machu Picchu:
Yoga in the Andes

Location: Willka T'ika, Peru
Leaders: Thomas Fortel
Dates: May 27-June 3, 2008


Magical Journey: Bolivia
(Optional Extension)

Journey to La Paz - Tiwanaku – Copacabana – Lake Titikaka – Juliaca - Cusco

May 27
DEPART FROM HOME CITY

May 28
ARRIVAL IN LA PAZ

Arrival in the city of La Paz, Bolivia .Transfer to Hotel Presidente located in the modern
downtown area to rest an acclimate to the high altitude . There are two restaurants in
the hotel for lunch and there is also the option to explore the many nearby restaurants
close to the hotel area.

At 3pm you will be picked up for a city tour to the residential areas of La Paz an the Valley of the Moon , during this visit our spiritual oriented guide will also take you into the Witches Market area and the singular Andean handicraft market ,here you will introduced to the native elements used in the Aimara cosmic vision and rituals to the Pachamama ( Mother Earth).

Note about the flight of arrival: American Airlines flight into La Paz arrives early in the
morning at 6am, this will give you full morning for rest and relaxing prior to your activities in the afternoon.

May 29
LA PAZ - TIWANAKU – LA PAZ

Departure from the hotel at 09:00 in private transport. We skirt the Real Mountain range before arriving to the ancient city of Tiawanaku and the Sacred temple . En route, we will stop for an ancient ceremony to connect you to Pachamama (Mother Earth) an this ancient land. Visit a wonderful museum that introduces you to the region’s fascinating ancient history that pre dates the arrival of the Inkas A guided tour of the splendid pre-Inkan stonework an sunken pyramids of Tiawanaku follow After lunch, there is time for meditation an a second ceremony with coca leaves. Return to the hotel in La Paz around 5 pm.

Overnight at Hotel Presidente or similar .

May 30
LA PAZ – TIQUINA - COPACABANA ( LAKE TITI KAKA)

Departure from La Paz towards the Sacred lake Titikaka , a place abounding in mystery an one of the world ’s wonders. Our journey begins with the first offering ritual at the APACHETA WIÑAYMARKA located “Lago Menor “ . Greetings to the ancestors with the sacred Coca leaf . The spirit of INALMAMA gives us the channel to dialogue that we need to reconnecting with our ancient heritage , recognizing Who we are and Where we go. This spirits will accompany us thought this great path of JACHÁ THÁKI. At the time of understanding this new beginning of transition of humanity.

We will continue the trip to the Lake and make our second stop in Tiquina, union point of both lakes : Wañaymarka and Chucuito , here we will do our navigation crossing the lake from San Palo to San Pedro villages. Continuing the route we will arrive to the APACHETA , sacred place located at the entrance of Copacabana , visibly magical from where we will observe the great views of Copacabana like the epicentre of MAMAKOTA and the island of the Sun WILLKA WATA.

Arrival in Copacabana at mid day. Accommodation at charming Hotel Rosario del Lago, located on the shore of Lake Titi Kaka.

Free time in the afternoon.

Overnight at Hotel Rosario del Lago in Copacabana .

May 31
COPACABANA LAKE TITI KAKA

After breakfast walking visit to the main sacred places that still maintain their original
structure , the ancestors legacy. First place we will visit is the Copacabana church to continue afterwards to the Amawtas .Here we will share the ceremony of the incense , for cleaning and purification.

At sunset , time for individual meditation and connection the wonderful landscape of the Sacred lake Titikaka.

Overnight at Hotel Rosario del Lago

June 1
COPACABANA- SUN ISLAND (LAKE TITI KAKA )

After breakfast, departure to Sun Island WILLKA WATA. Our journey starts with an
introduction to feminine and masculine energies from both islands ( Sun and Moon island). Motor boat navigation to Sun island ( 1 hour and a half).

Arrival to Sun Island and visit to the temple of the Sun WILLKA WATA (the reflection of our internal light ) located at the South side of the island. This space is dedicated to WILLKA WATA, Father Sun ,pre Hispanic astronomical centre of orientation to the Achachila Illampu (Aimara ancestor that irradiates the Light) . Surrounding this temple , we will go for a 20 minutes walk by the pre Inca road towards North. Here we will find the Community lodge “La Estancia “ where we will overnight and enjoy the wonderful views of the Andes.

Complimentary dinner at the lodge

June 2
SUN ISLAND (LAKE TITI KAKA) – Copacabana - Chucuito ( Peru)

Journey starting early morning, we will first go trekking to enjoy the wonderful
views when sun is raising over the lake , by the road of the Andean ancestors we will
reach la Chinkana temple and the Sacred rock in the village of Challapampa , here we
will experience a genuine integration with the Aimara culture by being part of the
Special Ceremony of PACHAQHANA with the Amawtas ( Aymara Priests
Elders)of Sun Island .

After the ceremony, the local community will share with us the traditional meal “APTAPI” Return to Copacabana by private boat , arrival at 1.00 pm , time for lunch and continuation by shared bus to Puno (3 hours drive by paved road) .Overnight at Mystic hotel Taypikala located in Chucuito ( Peruvian side shore of the Lake Titi Kaka)

June 3
CHUCUITO – JULIACA – CUSCO

Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to Juliaca airport ( 40 minutes drive ) to take your flight Juliaca – Cusco (1 hour flight). There are daily flights operated by Lan Peru.

Arrival in Cusco .

Pricing

What is Included

Special Added Features

What is not included

More Information

Flights: compare rates with your preferred travel agents and online. We will be happy to assist you in booking the best connections. Most participants fly from their home country to La Paz, arriving in La Paz in the morning of the first day of the itinerary. You may wish to arrive a day early to help acclimate or to fit with your flight schedule.

Currency: for shopping and eating in restaurants, US dollars must be changed into Bolivianos. Your guide will show you where to change money in special money changing houses or banks. US dollars in cash get a good exchange rate that is higher than the exchange in Peru.

What to bring: dress is casual and PLEASE travel light. Too much luggage becomes a nuisance for you so please keep this in mind. Rather than carry heavy luggage, wear the same clothes over again. You can have your clothes washed at Willka T’ika in Peru. Bring a second small bag for the overnight on the Island of the Sun and you may leave your other luggage in storage in the Hotel Plaza in La Paz. You will need a warm jacket handy at all times and especially on the lake when the nights are cold. Bring something warm to sleep in. During the day it may be warm and sunny so wear layers. Should you be traveling from May through July when it is winter in Bolivia, inexpensive hats and gloves can be bought in La Paz. Always carry a light poncho and do not forget a good sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug repellent and film for your camera. A small flashlight may be useful on the island. Bottled water can be purchased everywhere.

High altitudes: if you feel you may react to the high altitude of 13-14,000 ft or have any known medical condition, please speak to your physician prior to the journey.  Not all people need or respond well to the prescription sulfa-based drug Diamox. There is over-the-counter soroche altitude-sickness medication available in all pharmacies in Bolivia and Peru to alleviate headaches and nausea (do not take if allergic to aspirin).  It is important to rest when you first arrive and drink a lot of water to acclimate on the first day. If you have any problems on the first day, please speak to your guide. Hotels carry oxygen tanks. Homeopathic remedies for altitude work well for many people: The medicine for high altitude is a combination of Carbo Veg. 30, Arsenicum  Alb. 30, Coca 30, Oxygen 30.  Take 2 x daily 3 days before entering high altitude. If you have negative reactions to the high altitude you can increase to hourly for a while. Ginger is also helpful for those who may feel nausea.

Fine Print

The order within this itinerary may vary slightly depending on whether participants are beginning their Bolivian extension before or after the Magical Journey to Machu Picchu program or if circumstances warrant change. Those coming from Cusco will already have acclimated to the altitude. Those coming from their home country will need to acclimate first in La Paz before going to higher altitude around Lake Titicaca. All elements of the itinerary will be included and the agents will do what is best for each individual group. Changes in schedules are common in Bolivia and the agents in Bolivia may need to adjust the itinerary.

While in Bolivia you will be taken care of by our reliable and highly rated agent and specially selected guides who will do their best to provide you with superlative service and attention. You will be accompanied on all the outings scheduled in this itinerary. Bolivia is a spectacular country that deserves to be visited. It is a country that has historically and in the present day had to cope with extremely challenging social problems. It has occasionally happened that such problems have given rise to protests that have disrupted travel. Participants must understand that should anything happen in the country due to circumstances beyond our control, neither Magical Journey nor its providers can be held responsible. If the program is disrupted for any reason, our agents will do everything they can to take care of you and make appropriate alternative arrangements.

Magical Journey strongly recommends that you purchase adequate travel insurance to protect your travel investment. No refunds are available 30 days prior to the program.