Machu Picchu GD

Praise to the Holiest: In the heights and depths of Peru - For group leaders

peru2

Introduction

A pilgrimage through Peru undoubtedly provides an unforgettable experience and adventure where we can learn also from seeing Christianity practised in a very different world to ours but as part of the same family. No visit to Peru would be complete without seeing the ancient Inca temples and settlements of Ollantaytambo, at Machu Picchu and in and around Cusco. In Lima, churches and monasteries dating from the time of the Spanish conquest can be seen as well as the shrines of two Peruvian saints: Rose of Lima and Martin de Porres.

THIS TOUR IS AVAILABLE TO PARISH AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS OF BETWEEN 20 - 40 PARTICIPANTS 

Basic Itinerary

DAY ONE

UK - Lima

Early morning flight by Iberia from London Heathrow to Madrid. We catch a connecting Iberia flight to Lima. Between Madrid and Lima two meals will be served in flight. On arrival in Lima (early evening, local time) transfer to our centrally located hotel for an overnight stay. There will be a welcome drink on arrival.

DAY TWO

Lima

Free Morning to recover from the journey. Lunch in a local restaurant is included. In the afternoon we visit the peaceful house and gardens of St Rose of Lima, Latin America’s first Saint, and then to the Church of St Dominic, which contains the tombs of St Rose and St Martin De Porres. Mass will be celebrated here.

DAY THREE

Lima - Arequipa 'The White City'

After Breakfast, transfer to the airport for our flight to Arequipa, known as the White City on account of its beautiful graphite buildings, lying at the foot of the El Misti Volcano. We transfer to our hotel. This morning we visit the ‘Comedor’ Beata Madre Teresa de Calcutta. Lunch is included in a local restaurant followed by a city tour to include the Santa Catalina Convent, Main Square and the Cathedral, and the church of St Francis. Dinner will be at choice in Arequipa. During the day we will celebrate Mass either at the Cathedral or the Santa Catalina Convent.

DAY FOUR

Cuzco, Capital of the Incas

Morning flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival, proceed to the hotel to have a welcome drink of coca tea. This should help us to relieve altitude sickness. The remaining of the morning is free to relax, and slowly acclimatize. This afternoon we start with a tour of the centre of Cuzco, to include the Monastery of San Domingo, the oldest in Latin America, which contains some fascinating remains of Inca temples. We also visit the Cathedral, which is in fact three churches in one. Next, we visit the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machay. Please note that the ground is uneven underfoot, particularly at Qenqo and stout footwear with good grip is strongly recommended. In the evening we will attend a dinner and a show, with typical Peruvian dances and music.

DAY FIVE

Cuzco

In the morning we visit the Salesian Lay Missionaries. They founded ‘Casa Don Bosco’ 25 years ago. This house is the home for 28 children of extremely poor families from Cuzco’s neighbouring towns. They remain here until they finish school. After that they get the chance to acquire work skills and obtain a driving licence. As a result of donations received the ‘Casa Don Bosco’ is planning to extend its capacity and accommodate 40 children yearly. A further project is planned to introduce solar panels to supply the home with hot water in an environmentally friendly and cost efficient way.
The afternoon will be at leisure. Dinner at Cava San Rafael Restaurant.

DAY SIX

Ollantaytambo - 'Sacred Valley'

Today we visit the ‘Sacred Valley’ of the Incas, starting with a visit to a typical market at Pisac, where farmers and inhabitants of nearby villages come, dressed in traditional attire. Lunch is included in a local restaurant. After lunch we drive to Ollantaytambo, the birthplace of the Inca Empire and one of the most imposing reminders of this civilisation. We climb the array of terraces to view the temple of the Sun, and look across the valley at the grain silos and the carving of the Incas’ spiritual god. Drive to our hotel in Ollantaytambo for an overnight stay. Dinner is at choice tonight.

DAY SEVEN

Machu Picchu - 'Lost City of the Incas'

After an early breakfast, we transfer to Ollantaytambo railway station for our train journey to Machu Picchu. On arrival, we take an hour-long coach ride up the series of hairpin bends to Machu Picchu – the lost city of the Incas. After a comprehensive tour of the ruins, we return by coach to the valley bottom for our lunch (included) in a local restaurant. After time for shopping we return by train and bus to Cuzco and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner is at choice tonight.

DAY EIGHT

Cuzco - Lima

Early morning flight from Cuzco to Lima. On arrival transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. A buffet lunch in a local restaurant is included after which we will have a guided tour by coach to visit the Cathedral and the Monastery of St Francis with its tiles and ceilings of Moorish influence and fascinating catacombs. We make our final visit to the Church of St Dominic, which contains the tombs of St Rose and St Martin de Porres. During the visit we will celebrate Mass either at the Cathedral or the Church of St Dominic.

DAY NINE

Lima

Visit to ‘Casa de Ayuda Social’ in Salamanca Lima. This project has been active for 12 years. The construction of this building was possible thanks to the donation of a Swiss citizen. Today it is a school attended by 90 children from low income families. The children (from 3-5 years) receive daily breakfast and lunch and are provided with a school uniform to attend classes. The center is managed by lay people. The project stays alive thanks to charitable donations. It is able to offer computer lessons for the children and handicraft workshops in textiles and dressmaking for women. In mid-afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for the return Iberia flight which departs for Madrid. In-flight meals will be served appropriate to the time of day.

DAY TEN

Madrid - UK

Late afternoon arrival at Heathrow Airport from Madrid.

Terms of Payment:

Deposit of £150 (and insurance premium) when booking.

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

EXTRAS:

RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND WORSHIP:

Ecumenical