Part 1: Isla Del Sol

After Southern Skies, on Friday, June 15th, 2002, depart via hydrofoil to Isla Del Sol. Located in the center of Lake Titicaca, Isla del sol is a monument of its own. Known to the Incas as the birthplace of the Sun, this is the center of Incan Sun worship. The Island remains one of the most sacred sites in the Andes. You have several days to visit ,the Temple to the Sun and Inca palace, "Pilkugaima" the famous Incan Steps and the Sacred fountain fabled to offer long life.

Available extra tour options include: The Inca Solar Observatory at Copacabana and the Uros Floating Islands. Isla Del Sol is at an elevation of approximately 13,000 feet. We feel that this astronomical observing site offers the maximum altitude an observer can achieve with the benefits of comfort in accommodations and in truly dark, unobstructed sky. More serious observers should gain an extra magnitude of seeing due to the darker skies and higher altitude. Less serious observers will enjoy the sacred island's many sites. Stay Saturday night, Sunday night and Monday before returning to Inca Utama late Monday afternoon for one last night at the Inca Utama. After an early morning breakfast, you are transfered back to La Paz for your flight out either back to the United States or on to the Machu Picchu Solstice tour.
• You may chose to visit the Ruins of "Intiwatana" the Horca del Inca - solar observatory and "Intikala", or the Incan 'Place of the Sun', where you can see seats carved in the rock which has been used in meeings of the Incas and his counselors.
• Also, another option is an all-day tour traveling by boat to Copacabana, then bus to the Peruvian town of Puno. Here, you can visit the Uros floating islands where an Aymara village has survived for hundreds of years atop a floating island made of the tortura reeds used in boatmaking.
•••• Dates: June 15 - 18, 2002 4 days, 3 nights:
•••• Cost: $500pp with no optional tours, $650pp with both optional tours

Part 2: Machu Picchu Solstice Tour

Day 1 Tuesday, June 18th: Depart Inca Utama, transfer to La Paz airport. Fly direct from La Paz to Cuzco. You are greeted at the airport and transfered to your hotel at Posada Del Inca in Cuzco. Guided tour of city and surrounding ruins.
Day 2 Wednesday, June 19th: Explore Sacred Valley, visit Ollantaytambo fortres along the Urubamba River. Overnight at Posada Del Inca.
Day 3 Thursday, June 20th: Excursion to Machu Picchu including Lunch. Afternoon visit to Pisac city and Ruins market Overnight at Hotel Pueblo, Aguas Callientes.
Day 4 Friday, June 21st - Summer Solstice: Transfer to Machu Picchu National Monument to participate in Summer Solstice celebration ceremonies, the most revered of the Incan Ceremonies, local indians re-enact Incan rituals in traditional dress, mixing today's traditions with those of several millenia ago. Overnight at Posada Del Inca.
Day 5 Saturday, June 22nd: Transfer to airport in Cuzco for return flight to La Paz. From there, you are escorted to your hotel in downtown La Paz. Known for it's intriquing witch-doctor markets, La Paz has a wonderfull city square with shops of local artisans, weavers, instrument makers, textile and antique stores. Overnight at El Presedente Hotel.
Day 6 Sunday, June 23rd: Early morning transfer to Airport for your return flight home to the United States.

•••• Dates: June 18-23, 2002 6 days, 5 nights:
•••• Cost: $950pp all-inclusive with airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, guided tours and activities. (Program may begin on June 15th, 3 days earlier without the Isla Del Sol program, but it will then end prior to the June 21st Summer solstice activities)