Jetsettersblog

On A Spring Break Family Vacation

WATERTOWN, Mass.—Take your family to experience the rich culture of the Andes in Ecuador and the natural history of the Galapagos on this incredible family “Islands And Inca Ruins” spring break adventure by Thomson Family Adventures. The journey begins in the rolling highlands of the Ecuadorian Andes with visits to local villages and artisans, optional horseback riding, rock climbing at Cojitambo Mountain, a hike through Aguarongo Forest, and more.

The journey continues west into the Pacific for a four-night cruise through the Galapagos Islands, one of the planet’s most fascinating ecosystems. Highlights of this portion of the trip include two shore expeditions per day, wildlife viewing, tours led by professional naturalist guides, accommodation aboard the 293 foot Galapagos Explorer II, and much more.Each day we disembark on a different island to explore, swim and view the almost tame wildlife.

Optional extensions to Peru are available. Prices start at $4540. Dates available Feb-December.

Spring break departures are available in March and April.

www.familyadventures.com

in 2013

SeaDream Yacht Club is offering a seven-day voyage on the Upper Amazon River in 2013. The voyage sails roundtrip from Iquitos, Peru, March 16 to 23. The ports visited will include Leticia, Colombia; Panelas, Jutai, Santo Antonio do Ica and Amatura, Brazil; Monkey Island, Colombia; and Pebas, Peru.

Local experts will sail along, including naturalists, a botanist, a historian and an expedition leader. This “expedition team” will take guests on complimentary Zodiac safaris, village walks and jungle treks. The team will also provide daily lectures and presentations. A land program to Machu Picchu can be added before or after the cruise.

Peru celebrates over 3,000 vibrant festivals each year so whatever time Aussies plan a visit they are likely to stumble across a unique insight into the Peruvian culture. However, so as not to miss some of the most flamboyant and diverse festivals that are held, take note of some of the festivities taking place in 2012, and plan a trip accordingly.

Peru has many traditional dances and the north is home to the elegant couples Marina dance. Aussies can get off the beaten track and head to the northern sites to coincide with the Marinera Festival from 23 – 29 January in Trujillo where the city comes alive with processions and dancing. This festival and competition celebrates this dance which involves a great deal of flirting between the couple, who each twitch a handkerchief in their right hand.

Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca is known as the Folkloric capital of Peru and holds one of the biggest festivals in the country, the Fiesta de la Candelaria where the city comes to life in a grand spectacle from 2 February to honour the Pachamana (Mother Earth). With over 200 bands of musicians and 200 groups of dancers parading behind the Virgin in the streets and stadium of Puno, the festival is a spectacular array of colours and sounds.

The country comes alive at Carnival time in March with a colourful display of dance, elaborate costumes and unique masks. These festivities include throwing buckets of water and handfuls of powder over each other, so visitors need to be prepared to end up messy!

The southern province of Ica is famous for wines and Peru’s famous Pisco liquor and in the first two weeks of March the city of Ica celebrates the International Grape Harvest Festival. Visitors will enjoy tastings of wines, Pisco brandy and cachina (mature fermented grape juice) as well as gastronomic fairs, parades, music and the crowning of the Queen of the festival.

With its 33 churches, the Andean town of Ayacucho is a hive of activity during Easter with several daily processions on the city’s streets. Faithful devotees wait around bonfires lit in the main square overnight and then at dawn Christ Resurrected leaves the cathedral and is carried on a wax portable altar.

Museums, galleries and art spaces in Lima’s trendy neighbourhoods of Barranco, Miraflores and San Isidro throw open their doors during Peru Art Week every year in May. Visitors can take advantage of free music concerts, talks and Gallery Night circuits where galleries are open until late.

On 24 June the entire Amazon region comes alive for the Feast of Saint John the Baptist. This celebration has a strong association with water which is vital in the Amazon region as the rivers and rains are very important for the survival of the biodiversity. All the stops are pulled out for these celebrations with live bands playing traditional music, dancing parades and a feast made up of Amazonian food is enjoyed.

Every year on 24 June Cusco celebrates the most famous festival in the Inca calendar, Inti Raymi – Festival of the Sun. The winter solstice and local harvest are the driving force behind the celebration in honour of the God of the Sun: Wiracocha. Visitors are advised to book accommodation early as it is now the second largest festival in Latin America with over 200,000 people visiting Cusco to join the merriment, parties and fireworks. Professors, archaeologists and historians carefully script a performance of an Inca ritual in the fortress of Sacsavhumán which is just 2km away from Cusco then the city itself parties the day and night away.

Lima’s Independence Day Fiestas are eagerly awaited and celebrated in plazas and parks throughout the city centre around the 28 July. On the final day a Great Military Parade takes place on either Avenida Brasil or Avenida De La Peruanidad and is a great spectacle to witness.

Every October hundreds of devotees crowd and parade the streets of Lima for the Procession of the Lord of Miracles through clouds of incense, singing and dancing. This month is also known as the mes morado, or purple month as purple is the patron saints colour and people in Peru honour this. Visitors should also try the sweets and delicacies which can be bought alongside the procession such as Turrón de Doña Pepa, a delicious soft and sweet paste made with eggs, butter, flour, aniseed and fruit syrup.

For more information on Peru and further festivals, please visit www.peru.travel.com

AdventureSmith Explorations is offering five new Central and South American cruises, thanks to the relaunch of renovated Sea Voyager, starting in March.

The 60-passenger expedition ship will offer eight- to 12-night cruises from a per diem of $365 per person, double.

Included are all meals, pre- and post-cruise hotels stays, shore tours, admission to museums and parks, tax and port fees.

In addition, travelers can save up to $2,000 per couple if they book their cabin on any of the Sea Voyager departures by Jan. 31.

The discount amount depends on the time of year, the cabin type and the itinerary.

Onboard are a lounge, a bar, a fitness and massage rooms, a library with Wi-Fi, a dining room, a buffet, fore and aft deck space, and a platform for getting on and off of Zodiacs.

The five new itineraries are a nine-day Panama to Costa Rica Pacific cruise, a 10-day Panama to Costa Rica Caribbean cruise, a nine-day Panama to Colombia Caribbean cruise, a nine-day Columbia Caribbean cruise, and a 13-day Panama to Ecuador Pacific cruise.

Biosphere Expeditions
www.biosphere-expeditions.org

Biosphere Expeditions Announces New Offerings For Volunteer Travelers in 2012

Biosphere Expeditions, a volunteer wildlife conservation organization, is announcing brand new offerings for volunteer vacationers in 2012, including two new volunteer wildlife expeditions and the debut of new volunteer “Sampler Days” in select US national and state parks:

Find Out What It’s Like To Volunteer During New ‘Sampler Days’

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to take part in a volunteer vacation or a volunteer wildlife conservation program? Biosphere Expeditions is announcing brand new Sampler Days that will take place in select US state and national parks in 2012.

These one-day events will offer people the chance to be “scientist for the day” as they find out what it’s really like to be a part of a team of volunteers, assisting scientists with wildlife research and conservation.

The Sampler Days will take part in Minnewaska State Park in New York, Lory State Park in Colorado, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California, and participants will see what it’s like to be part of a small team, working alongside park rangers, expedition leaders, and fellow volunteers while learning about wildlife research and conservation skills.

Journey To Dubai’s Desert Landscape To Help Protect Wildlife Species Of The Emirates

On this new volunteer wildlife expedition, travelers from around the world are invited to the iconic sandy desert landscape of the Arabian Peninsula to work on a conservation project that will help to ensure the survival of some wildlife species that are on the IUCN Red list. Working alongside scientists from the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, volunteers will be part of a small international team that will work to help monitor wildlife like the Arabian oryx, Gordon’s wildcat, and other desert species as part of a conservation initiative.

From a comfortable oasis field camp, participants will venture out in expedition Land Rovers and on foot to study oryx behavior and social structures, camera- and live-trap Gordon’s wildcat, and monitor Macqueen’s bustard by radio and GPS telemetry.

Dates: January 15-23rd, 2012. Expedition contribution: $1490 pp.

Be An Underwater Volunteer On A Volunteer Diving Expedition In Exotic Malaysia

This SCUBA diving volunteer vacation takes a group of international divers to Tioman, the Malaysian island that was called “one of the world’s most beautiful islands” by Time Magazine. Working in a very small group of five participants, a scientist, and an expedition leader, volunteers assist the local researcher to study and protect the local marine park’s beautiful but fragile coral reefs, as well as its marine megafauna such as sharks, dolphins and turtles.

The first five days of the expedition are spent learning the Reef Check research techniques while volunteers are based on a beach chalet resort on Tioman Island.

After this, volunteers move to a 45-foot sloop rig sailing yacht research vessel, which will take them to the most remote areas of the marine park.

The expedition includes training as a Reef Check EcoDiver; with this qualification volunteers are eligible to apply for PADI or NAUI Reef Check Speciality Course certification after the expedition. Volunteers must be fully qualified divers to take part in this expedition (minimum PADI Open Water or equivalent) and they can obtain this qualification on site prior to the expedition (allow four to five extra days). March 18-30th, April 1-13th, 2012. $2140 pp.

New One Week Volunteer Expedition In Peru

This project takes volunteers to a remote biodiversity hotspot of the upper Amazon rainforest in the wilds of Peru. As part of a small team, participants will experience living and working in the jungle together with local biologists on an important wildlife survey concentrating on cats, primates and other flagship species of the Amazon to aid community conservation efforts and the development of sustainable management strategies. Based at a comfortable jungle lodge in a remote part of the forest, volunteers spend their days working on foot in the largest trail grid in the entire Amazon, and in canoes on natural waterways through the jungle, recording species, setting camera traps, creating databases, etc. All of this as an integral part of a wildlife volunteer conservation project that will preserve an intact landscape of forest for further multidisciplinary research projects. August 19-25, August 26-September 1, 2012. $1690 pp.

For more information about Biosphere Expeditions, visit www.biosphere-expeditions.org

On An Unforgettable Cultural Exploration
CONTACT: Justin Laycob
TEL: 877-784-5400

 justin@southernexplorations.com
WEB: www.southernexplorations.com

SEATTLE, Wash.— Southern Explorations, specialists in South America travel is announcing an exciting Peru tour that offers adventurers the chance to experience Peru’s “Festival of the Sun”, or Inti Raymi, which only comes once a year.

Guests will experience this amazing cultural event within the Inca heartland, while experiencing Machu Picchu and other cultural highlights.

The entire week is full of colorful processions and dancing, culminating with the religious ceremony of the Inca Empire at the legendary Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán.

Along the way, travelers have an opportunity to bargain at the vibrant markets of Piscac, experience the best of the famous city of Cusco, and spend winter solstice, one of the most important days of the year for the Incas, in the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. The tour carries on to the hidden city of Machu Picchu, where travelers spend two days exploring its mysterious ruins and the surrounding cloud forests before returning to Cusco for the exciting Inti Raymi Celebration.

The Inti Raymi (“Festival of the Sun”) in ancient times was a religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the god Inti which also marked the winter solstice and a new year in the Andes of the Southern Hemisphere.

Since 1944, every year on June 24th, a reproduction of the Inti Raymi has been taking place at Sacsayhuamán attracting thousands of tourists and local visitors. This exclusive tour offers travelers the chance to combine two once in a lifetime events: Experiencing Inti Raymi and traveling to Machu Picchu.

This tour sold out in 2011, so travelers are encouraged to book early. Dates: June 18-25, 2012. $2095 per person for 8 days. For more information about Southern Explorations visit www.southernexplorations.com  or contact Justin Laycob at Justin@southernexplorations.com

South America adventure travel specialists Andean Trails has four exclusive deals to bring extra cheer to the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Anyone liking their Facebook page before December 19 is automatically entered into a prize draw for six bottles of fine Argentinian Malbec.

If that whets your appetite for travel to South America, then all entrants are also eligible for a five per cent discount on any land tour (flights excluded) booked before Jan 31, 2012.

And Antarctica travellers are urged to look at their exclusive discount deal with the Antarctic Dream.

Book an 11-day cruise before January 15, 2012, – and get 10% off sailings departing on January 21 and 28, February 5 and 15, 2012.

Meanwhile, trekkers get 15% off their 13 day and 15 day Patagonia Adventure tours, which run December 24-January 5 and December 24-January 7.

Spaces will fill up quickly, so please contact info@andeantrails.co.uk to start planning your South America trip as soon as possible.

Website: www.andeantrails.co.uk

Contact: info@andeantrails.co.uk

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Andean-Trails-wwwandeantrailscouk/63308976046?ref=mf

From colourful festivals to unique local celebrations, World Expeditions and their European division UTracks choose their favourite events around the world for 2012…

JANUARY: VIETNAM
TET NGUYEN DAN – VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR 23 January 2012
WHY: Festive atmosphere, street gambling and dragon dances: Tet Nguyen Dan (literally meaning “the first morning of the first day”) is the biggest and the most sacred festival in Vietnam and is celebrated nationwide. An occasion for family reunions, it marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and the arrival of spring, with the Vietnamese taking extreme care to start the new year out right: they buy new clothes, paint and clean their homes, pay off all debts and make amends to rid themselves of all bad feelings!
BOOK IT: Treat your family to the Vietnamese New Year celebrations with World Expeditions’ luxury 13-day Vietnam Family Explorer. Departs on 22 January, from £1,250 per adult (£790 per child).

FEBRUARY: LAOS
LAO ELEPHANT FESTIVAL 17-19 February 2012
WHY: Saddle up – who could pretend to have visited Laos, the ‘Land of a Million Elephants’, without meeting one of these superb animals? The Elephant Festival is organised to raise awareness of the need for action to protect the Asian elephant as part of Laos’ vital cultural and natural heritage. Expect to see colourful elephant processions, elephant bathing, mahout demonstrations, ancient Baci ceremonies, traditional Monk blessings, night markets and of course the prestigious ‘Elephant of the Year’ contest.

BOOK IT: Make sure you are in Laos on time for the Elephant Festival with World Expeditions’ Best of Laos and Cambodia (15 days) that departs on 16 February. From £1,550 per person.

MARCH: INDIA

HOLI – FESTIVAL OF COLOURS 8 March 2012

WHY: Let the spirit of revelry overtake you… Although it is the least religious of Hindu holidays, Holi (“the Festival of Colours”) is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. Celebrated all over India since ancient times, it welcomes the arrival of spring, commemorates various events in Hindu mythology and is a time of disregarding social norms and indulging in general merrymaking: participants hold a public bonfire, spray friends and family with coloured powders and water and go absolutely crazy!

BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ compact Delhi to Kathmandu trip (7 days) will make sure you are in Jaipur, the capital of the desert lands of Rajasthan, for Holi. Departs on 7 March, from £590 per person.

APRIL: HOLLAND
QUEEN’S DAY 30 April 2012

WHY: Europe’s biggest street party! Every year on 30 April the Dutch celebrate their Queen’s Day. It is by far the most widely celebrated holiday in the country (Amsterdam alone welcomes two million party-going visitors) and the entire nation dresses in orange, the royal colour. Grab a bargain at one of the many garage or car boot sales (street trading laws are relaxed for 24 hours), there are street performers on every corner and cafés see their outside terraces in full swing, with live music pulling in the customers.
BOOK IT: Celebrate Queen’s Day in Holland with UTracks’ compact 4-day Tulip Tour. Departs on 28 April, from £430 per person.

MAY: UK
GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHEESE ROLLING 28 May 2012

WHY: For hundreds of years the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling has been taking place on this steep hillside. Although traditionally by and for the residents of the local village of Brockworth, the event now sees people from all over the world taking part. A guest roller starts the race by releasing a 7-8lb round of cheese down a treacherous slope and competitors then hurl themselves down the slope after it. The first person to arrive at the foot of the hill (usually after numerous tumbles) is the winner and gets the cheese!
BOOK IT: Book UTracks’ self-guided A Week in the Cotswolds (8 days, NEW FOR 2012) which departs daily and plan it around the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling. From £556 per person.

JUNE: PERU
INTI RAYMI – FESTIVAL OF THE SUN 24 June 2012

WHY: Daytime expositions, street fairs, dancing in the streets and live music from the best of Peruvian musical groups: Inti Raymi (“the Festival of the Sun”) is a weeklong celebration marking the beginning of a new year. Originally celebrated by the Incas, today it is the second largest festival in South America, after the carnival of Rio de Janeiro, with hundreds of actors chosen to represent historical figures. The greatest honour? Being selected to portray the Sapa Inca, the Emperor of the Inca Empire, or his wife Mama Occla.

BOOK IT: Book World Expeditions’ Peru – Raft, bike and hike (14 days) that departs on 24 June and get to Peru on time for the Inti Raymi celebrations. From £1,590 per person.

JULY: MONGOLIA
NAADAM – THE THREE GAMES OF MEN 11-13 July 2012

WHY: Inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Naadam is a true test of manhood in such traditional games as horse racing, archery and wrestling. The most widely watched festival among Mongols, it enjoys special popularity comparable to that of football in Europe, baseball in the US or sumo wrestling in Japan. It is believed to have existed for centuries, although today it formally commemorates the 1921 revolution, when Mongolia declared itself a free country.

BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ special Trans Siberian Adventure Naadam Festival (23 days) departure on 2 July costs £3,690 per person.

AUGUST: FRANCE
CORSO DE LA LAVANDE – LAVENDER FESTIVAL 3-7 August 2012
WHY: Corso de la Lavande (“the lavender festival”) is a significant colourful local affair – and a wonderful excuse to visit Digne-les-Bains, the self-styled “capitale de la lavande” and one of the most visually striking regions of Provence! Here, the local lavender harvest is celebrated during the first week of August in a half-a-century old festival. The town comes alive as parades with elaborate floats and presentations of folklore culminate in a grand ball, all devoted to this abundant crop.

BOOK IT: Celebrate Corso de la Lavande with UTracks’ self-guided Best of Provence (8 days). Departs daily from April to October, from £790 per person.

SEPTEMBER: ETHIOPIA
MESKEL – FINDING OF THE TRUE CROSS 27 September 2012

WHY: Meskel is Ethiopia’s most colourful Christian festival – but even for non-believers, it offers a dazzling excuse to celebrate with bonfires and parties! Thousands of locals and visitors get together to watch priests, nuns and parishioners sing, clap, beat drums and dance as they put on a unique show for the crowd. Meskel commemorates the recovery, 17 centuries ago, of the cross on which Jesus was crucified and the Ethiopian Church still claims to have its own piece, hidden from public view at the remote monastery of Gishan Mariam.

BOOK IT: Make sure you are in Ethiopia to celebrate Meskel with World Expeditions’ special departure of the Ethiopia Explorer (16 days) on 21 September. From £2,220 per person.

OCTOBER: BHUTAN
JAMBAY LHAKHANG FESTIVAL 29 October – 2 November 2012

WHY: A hugely popular religious festival, Jambay Lhakhang takes place every autumn at one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples in Bhutan. Jambay Lhakhang is known for its two special events: ‘Mewang’ (the “fire blessing ceremony”), where locals run underneath a huge flaming gate made out of dry grasses with ambers and piles of burning grasses falling on their head; and ‘Tercham’ (the “dance of treasure”), where dancers with their face covered by a mask perform a dance completely naked.

BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ dedicated departure for Land of the Thunder Dragon – Jambay Lakhang Festival (13 days) is on 25 October 2012. From £1,890 per person.

NOVEMBER: ARGENTINA
FIESTA DE LA TRADICIÓN – TRADITION DAY 10 November 2012

WHY: This is the best opportunity you will have to see the ‘gaucho’ culture and get a feel for country life in Argentina. There are competitions, dances, horse and bronco riding, folk music and asados (“barbecues”), as well as exhibitions of local craftwork including silverware, spurs, stirrups and saddles. The finale involves hundreds of gauchos in their traditional dress – typical bombachas (“baggy jodhpurs”), wide-leather belts, boots and leather hats – parading through the centre of town.

BOOK IT: Book World Expeditions’ 11-day Patagonia Adventure which culminates just in time for Fiesta de la Tradición. Departs on 27 October, from £1,890 per person.

DECEMBER: CHILE
NEW YEAR’S FESTIVAL 29-31 December 2012

WHY: Attracting one million tourists from around the world, this three-day festival culminates with a huge (30,000 explosions!) firework display. Live bands play until the early hours of the morning on Plaza Sotomayor, while local traditions include: eating lentil dishes with 12 grapes to symbolise each month of the year; writing down everything that was bad about the old year and then symbolically burning the paper; going out walking with luggage so that you travel during the year; and wearing ‘lucky’ items, such as yellow underwear.

BOOK IT: Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Chile with World Expeditions: Book Chile End to End (18 days) that departs on 31 December 2012, from £3,290 per person.

For more information and bookings please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk and www.utracks.com  The all-inclusive policy of World Expeditions and UTracks ensures there are no local payments. Prices do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.

Not traditionally known as a honeymoon destination, Latin America offers everything a newlywed couple could wish for from their trip of a lifetime. Over the past 12 months specialist tour operator Journey Latin America have seen a 60% increase in the number of couples enquiring about honeymoons in this part of the world and as a result have just launched a collection of brand new honeymoons for couples looking for something a bit more unique than the typical Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius offering.

With the whole of the continent to choose from, Journey Latin America has taken the stress out of booking a honeymoon in Latin America by designing eleven unique itineraries in the areas they feel are most suited for a romantic holiday-of-a-lifetime. Each holiday offers the best accommodation in the most romantic locations and newlyweds will enjoy private excursions to visit the region’s best highlights, travel in private transport and benefit from having all their flight arrangements etc pre-booked. And with the help of a dedicated travel consultant, couples can choose to personalise their trip even further to make their holiday a truly memorable experience.

A few of Journey Latin America’s hot honeymoon picks include:

An Alternative Honeymoon Safari in Brazil, 15 days from £4,069pp
For a relaxing and stress-free honeymoon, but one that is full of adventure, this honeymoon ticks all the boxes. Stay at two of the best lodges in Brazil’s primary wildlife wilderness areas, the Amazon and the Pantanal. Add a couple of days at the stupendous Iguazú Falls on the border with Argentina and stay a few days in fabulous Rio de Janeiro, enjoying its views and sunlit beaches.

Nicaragua, 12 days from £2,026pp
For those looking for something a bit more adventurous and off-the-beaten-track, offering a bit of adventure and discovery, unspoilt scenery with glimpses of wildlife and a little history and culture Journey Latin America propose a honeymoon in Nicaragua, fast gaining popularity among travellers but as yet free of hordes of tourists.

Argentina, 15 days from £4,914pp
For couples looking for something a bit different from their honeymoon: who are not keen on the idea of lying on a beach all day, and would prefer to fill their time with exciting, unique experiences in stunning natural scenery, Argentina will not disappoint. Staying in first-class hotels, feast on sumptuous steaks in Buenos Aires, trek amongst the glaciers of Patagonia, and relax in the beautiful wine region around Mendoza.

Costa Rica, 11 days from £2,384pp
The friendly, peaceful little country of Costa Rica is the perfect choice for a relaxing honeymoon spiced up with a bit of adventure and wildlife watching. This honeymoon holiday includes white water rafting, spotting turtles and exotic birds at a top rated jungle lodge, and long lazy days on a near perfect Caribbean beach; all while based at first class accommodation.

Recently returned from her honeymoon in Peru, Head of Product Diana Henderson says ‘Latin America really is a wonderful place for a honeymoon. From a moonlit dinner on a secluded Brazilian beach to star-gazing in the Atacama desert to cruising down the Amazon on a luxury boat, there really is an endless amount on offer to make your trip one to remember. The biggest problem is trying to work out what you can realistically fit in!’.
For more information on Journey Latin America and to see our full range of holidays, please visit www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk  or telephone: 020 8747 8315.

Southern Explorations, a specialist in South America travel, is offering a tour that coincides with Peru’s annual Festival of the Sun, Inti Raymi, in the land of the Incas, and includes a visit to Machu Picchu. The festival encompasses a week and includes colorful processions and dancing all leading up to the Inca religious ceremony at the ruins of Sacsayhuamán.

Also included are opportunities to shop at the markets of Piscac, explore the city of Cusco, and experience the winter solstice, one of the most important days of the year for the Incas, in the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. The tour includes two days at the lost city of Machu Picchu before returning to Cusco for the Inti Raymi Celebration.

In ancient times, the Inti Raymi was a religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the god Inti, which also marked the winter solstice and a new year in the Andes. Since 1944, every year on June 24, a reproduction of the Inti Raymi has been taking place at Sacsayhuamán, attracting thousands of tourists and local visitors. This exclusive tour offers travelers the chance to combine Inti Raymi and Machu Picchu. The dates are June 18 to 25, 2012. The cost is $2,095 per person for eight days.