TREASURES OF THE ANDES
The Inca Empire and the Festival of the Sun

Cusco ? Machu Picchu ? Optional Amazon Voyage

 Hosted by  Kevin Patton  &  St. Charles Community College  &  International Expeditions, Inc.

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Introduction

For the this "decade of ecotourism" we have created an extraordinary expedition combining archaeology, cultural and natural history, pristine landscapes, rainforests, wildlife viewing, and an amazing network of rivers and lakes. Journey into the Sacred Valley of the Inca for an intense and exciting introduction to this ancient civilization. Turn back the pages of history as archaeology comes alive in a country that has changed little since the arrival of the Conquistadors. Fascinating remains are found in almost every street in Cusco , the capital of the Inca Empire. Inca baths, amphitheaters, temples and fortresses are some of the unique and amazing places you will discover. During our journey to the impressive ruins of Machu Picchu , you will glimpse soaring condors and the beauty of the magnificent snowcapped peaks of the Andes range. 

Continue into the heart of the Amazon jungle where you will find a fascinating variety of wildlife, an intriguing culture, and the expansive grandeur of the longest river in the world. Thousands of tropical birds, multitudes of both Pink and Gray River Dolphins, an abundance of primates and other exotic wildlife thrive here. Explore this incredible rainforest via our graceful and romantic, classically styled expedition ship. Outstanding naturalist guides open your eyes to the beauty and mystery of the Amazon with perfect sensitivity to this complex ecosystem, unlike any other on Earth. 

 Note: Click on any photograph below to enlarge it!

Wildlife of the Andes and Amazon

There is no animal that better represents the remote, wild spirit of the Andes than the magnificent Andean Condor. They are often seen soaring over the Urubamba Valley between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu . Other special birds of the Machu Picchu area include the Torrent Duck, White-capped Dipper and Andean Cock-of-the-Rock. An observant traveler may also find the Mountain Viscacha, a chinchilla-like dweller of the rock-strewn slopes. Although not truly wild, it is also fun to see both Llamas and Alpaca feeding in fields and being herded by local farmers. These cameloids were probably first domesticated by the Inca or their predecessors from their wild cousins the Vicuna and Guanaco, both of which still roam the wilder reaches of the Andes. 

The overwhelming abundance and variety of wildlife in the Amazon exceeds comprehension: more species of fish than in the entire Atlantic Ocean; thousands of butterfly species, from the enormous, iridescent blue Morpho to the tiny delicate Clear-winged Satyr; and one-third of the planet’s 8,600 bird species can be found here, in the largest rainforest on Earth. Untold numbers of invertebrates, reptiles, mammals, and lifeforms yet to be identified join this incredible panoply. While Harpy Eagles fly through the rainforest canopy hunting sloths, monkeys and other large prey, it is the innumerable plant species that seem to be the most animated life in the forest as they engage in fierce and relentless competition for survival. If not for the exceptional talents of our naturalist guides, who share with us their unparalleled insight into the natural and cultural heritage of their homeland, such spectacles would almost certainly be overlooked. 

As we withdraw from civilization, we become aware of the Amazon’s mind-boggling complexity. But, amazingly, simple patterns begin to emerge, and fragility and interdependence slowly become visible throughout the forest. In the crowns of giant emergent trees and on the shadowed forest floor, in every lake and stream, life abounds. On our voyage we are likely to encounter a variety of wildlife, including several species of primates. The Red Howler Monkey, one of the largest in the New World , lives in family groups; the males declare their territory with an incredibly loud roar that often resounds over one-half mile. In contrast, one of the smaller primates, the Squirrel Monkey, travels in troops of 40 or more and is frequently accompanied by other species such as the Capuchin Monkey. The oddly coiffured Monk Saki lives in small groups and is known to boldly challenge other monkeys, or even humans. Graceful Pink Amazon River Dolphins and the smaller Gray Amazon River Dolphin are abundant throughout the region, especially in smaller blackwater lakes and streams. Unlike most other large animals, they are seldom hunted by the natives since they are associated with, and therefore protected by, popular myths and beliefs. For any visitor to the Amazon rainforest, the sheer abundance of birds is a special treat. Colorful Blue-and-yellow Macaws fly overhead, Yellow-headed Caracaras patrol the shoreline, and Plum-throated Cotingas feed in forest trees. Vying with birds in brilliance of color and abundance, butterflies flutter continually along trails and shorelines. Perhaps one of nature’s most breathtaking experiences is the sight of a brilliant blue Morpho butterfly reflected from a blackwater lake and viewed against the lush, green tropical forest. 

From the largest mammals to the smallest insects, nature has found its ultimate expression in the rainforests of the Amazon—waiting to be discovered on this, the greatest voyage in natural history.

Culture of the Andes

The spectacular Andes Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for a distinctive and exciting facet of Peruvian culture. The Peruvian Andes and, specifically, the city of Cusco were the heart of the great Inca Empire. Today the imprint of that ancient culture is found everywhere and continues to be the most noticeable cultural influence in the mountains. No matter which way you look or in which direction you travel, the Inca influence is inescapable. For the people of the mountains, Quechua is the native tongue. Many, but not all, also speak Spanish or a combination of the two. Almost all place names are Quechua words, and correct pronunciations elude most English-speaking travelers. Just as the language has remained unchanged, so have many other cultural elements characteristic of the ancient Inca. Farmers still break the soil with wooden foot plows and plant the same crops of maize, potatoes and grain using terraced fields constructed by the Inca. Herdsmen keep watch over llamas and alpacas while housewives keep guinea pigs in the home. The women weave colorful textiles on handlooms, providing the distinctive traditional dress of the Andes , which is still the everyday attire of the mountain people. The folk music of the flute, animal skin drums and tiny, guitar-like charango is as distinctive and unchanged as the clothing and language. Indeed, the influences of modern life seem to have had much less impact here, in these remote mountain valleys, than in most places on Earth.

Culture of the Amazon

About four degrees south of the equator lies the colorful, bustling frontier town of Iquitos , Peru , the most inland port on Earth. Our journey begins here as we travel up the Amazon toward the junction of the Río Marañón and Río Ucayali, considered by many to be the inception of the Amazon River . Along the way, we pass the town of Requena , one of the largest settlements we will see. From this point on our Amazon voyage takes us through territory sparsely inhabited by humans. The few settlements that do exist along the way provide poignant insight into the daily life of the Ribereños (river people). Descended from European and Indian forebears, Ribereños are distinct from the indigenous people of the rainforest in both appearance and lifestyle, and speak a language that is a combination of Spanish and Quechua. To survive in their often-hallenging environment, they harvest the jungle and, over the centuries, have developed sustainable agriculture. They build their own canoes, fish the river, grow vegetables in small gardens, and live in shelters of wood and thatch. They raise livestock on bits of pasture supplemented with forest and garden browsing. Peculiar as it may seem, when we disembark from our vessel to visit a community, we are greeted like a family who has come from the opposite bank of the river to borrow a measure of rice—with little fuss, but implicit warmth. Our encounters with the people of the Amazon, like our encounters with its wildlife, will instill within us an understanding of the natural world that promises to transform us and broaden our minds forever.

Proposed Itinerary
TREASURES OF THE ANDES The Inca Empire and the Festival of the Sun
	Day 1 - Saturday, June 21 - St. Louis / Dallas / Lima St. Louis to Lima. Overnight Las Americas Hotel. *D Day 2 - Sunday, June 22  - Lima / Cusco / Urubamba Valley Arrive Cusco and descend into the Sacred Valley of the Inca.Visit the Pisac Market and Maras Salt Mines. B,L,D Day 3 - Monday, June 23 - Urubamba Valley Visit Willoq community where archaeology and anthropology come alive. Visit Ollantaytambo, the ancient Inca ruin protecting the Sacred Valley. B,L,D Day 4 - Tuesday, June 24 - Sacsayhuaman At Sacsayhuaman, a massive stone fortress, spend the day at the Inti Raymi Festival. B,L,D Day 5 -Wednesday, June 25  - Cusco / Machu Picchu Morning train to Machu Picchu, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Overnight Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. B,L,D Day 6 - Thursday, June 26 - Cusco Optional early morning return to Machu Picchu. Afternoon return to Cusco. Overnight Hotel Libertador. B,L,D Day 7 - Friday, June 27 - Cusco Morning tour of Cusco.Visit ruins of Kenko, Puca Pucara and Tampu Machay. Afternoon at leisure. Time for shopping. Farewell dinner with entertainment. B,L,D Day 8 -Saturday, June 28 - Cusco / Lima Morning return to Lima. Transfer to hotel for day use. Afternoon visit to Museum of the Nation. B,L Day 9 - Sunday, June 29  - Lima / Dallas / St. Louis Morning flight to Dallas from the "Heart of the Inca Empire." *B
	TRIP INFORMATION: Peruvian flights between Lima/Cusco/Lima are included. All scheduled activities and transportation are included. Accommodations and meals as outlined in the itinerary are included. Park and site fees are included. Based on double occupancy. The single supplement is $475, if required or requested. B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner; *In-flight Meal Click here to receive an enrollment package!
	Details coming soon:  Optional  6-day Amazon Voyage extension on an AIR-CONDITIONED river cruise boat!                     Please Note: Your itinerary may vary based on inner air schedules, wildlife sightings, water levels and navigability. This itinerary serves as an example of a typical experience. The order of events, tributary streams visited and villages visited intentionally varies to reduce impact on any one area. Each departure is a unique and exceptional experience.

Click here to receive an enrollment package!

This page was last edited on 04/01/07.