Machu Picchu versus The Amazon
Jun 12, 2000 | 9:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 3,069
Machu Picchu versus The Amazon
I am currenly booked for 2 nights in Cusco to see Machu Picchu as part of my million mile trip. I am considering a switch to Iquitos for a 3 day, 2 night Amazon River tour at the Explorama lodges. Explorama picks you up at the airport, provides all transportation, lodging, and meals for $315 for a single traveller. I compare this to the hassle of getting the 3 hour train and bus to Machu Picchu. Both destinations sound fantastic and I wish I had time to do both. Has anyone done both? Any input welcomed. Thanks.
Jun 12, 2000 | 1:37 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 190
I've just done the one...and the train/bus are not an all a pain when you discover what is at the end of the run. Definitely stay overnight at Machu Picchu or at Aguas Calientes. I've been around the world, and I can't imagine anything comparing to MP.
Mind you, I'm going to use some of my miles to go to Iquitos some time soon.
Mind you, I'm going to use some of my miles to go to Iquitos some time soon.
Jun 12, 2000 | 6:55 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Posts: 232
Iquitos was great, and Explorama was pretty wonderful too. However you are comparing Machhu Pichu with the Amazon! I would choose machu Pichu
Jun 12, 2000 | 8:13 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Seattle, Cagayan de Oro
Programs: CebGo 5J, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Alaska Titanium
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I chose Iquitos over Cusco because ironically I did not want to be in Cusco during the Sun(or moon!) Festival and because I never heard of Iquitos and also because - get this - the flight left later than Cusco and I am a grump in the morning 
)
)
Jun 12, 2000 | 10:38 pm
#5
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: The shape-shifting urban sprawl that is El Lay. FT member #71.
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I was in Cuzco during the Inti Rami (solstice) festival in June 1995. Absolutely one of the greatest three day periods of my life. In addition to the Inca activites it was the Catholic festival of Corpus Christi. Nothing like a quarter million of your closest friends partying in the streets of the central square.
BTW, a couple of friends I traveled with in '95 went directly to Iquitos/Explorama after Cuzco. They had a good time, but got bitten pretty bad. Bring lots of "bug juice".
[This message has been edited by Craig6z (edited 06-12-2000).]
BTW, a couple of friends I traveled with in '95 went directly to Iquitos/Explorama after Cuzco. They had a good time, but got bitten pretty bad. Bring lots of "bug juice".
[This message has been edited by Craig6z (edited 06-12-2000).]
Jun 12, 2000 | 11:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: seattle, wa usa
Posts: 105
I have not heard of inti rami. I am arriving cuzco on the 20th with plans to leave the 21st. should I stay a day longer (that would be the most i could do) for this festival? Is there somewhere to learn more about it? thanks!
Jun 13, 2000 | 6:27 am
#7
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Boston
Posts: 9
You shouldn't miss Machu Picchu - there's nothing else like it. You can avoid the 3 hr train hassle by taking the helicopter. It's 25 min and some spectacular sightseeing along the way.
Jun 13, 2000 | 7:26 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 3,069
I didn't realize there was a solstice festival either. I'll be there June 20-22 so my timing was good. However the train or helicopter to MP may be harder to get on. I'll also make sure I arrive early for the LIM-CUZ and CUZ-LIM flights. I have decided to stay with my original plans. Thanks for the help.
Jun 13, 2000 | 7:41 am
#9
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: The shape-shifting urban sprawl that is El Lay. FT member #71.
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My spelling of the festival was a little off. It s/b "Inti Raymi". The event is on June 24th:
Every year on the 24th of June Cusco celebrates the festival of Inti Raymi. This festival was celebrated by the Incas as the Festival of the Sun where the God of the Sun Wiracocha is honored. The Inti Raymi symbolizes the eternal consecration of marriage between the Sun and his sons, the human beings.
Inti Raymi was the most important festival of the Inca empire Tawantinsuyu which based its religion on the cult of the Sun. On the 24th of June they celebrate the winter solstice, in other words the beginning of the Sun's New Year.
Scientifically the solstice begins on the 21st of June, but according to the Pacha Unachaq, a sundial used by the Incas, the sun stays some days in the same place before rising on the 24th of June. This day was proclaimed by the high priest as the New Year: Inti Raymi!
The inhabitants of Cusco traditionally involve about everybody, including tourists, to enjoy and marvel this most special day. Countless additional events are to be seen before, during and after the 24th. These are expositions, street and square activities in daytime and in the evening live concerts given by the very best of Peru's diverse musical talents, staged in the Plaza the Armas. This is the second biggest festival in Latin America, after the carnival of Rio.
Most of the concerts and expositions are for free and sponsored by the city of Cusco and Peruvian companies.
For more than half a century the festival takes place at the archeological complex of Sacsayhuamn, also called the Sacred House of the Sun. More than 200 thousand people come together to witness the most beautiful spectacle of the year where more than 500 actors proudly bring the past alive.
The highlight of the Inti Raymi is in the oration given by the Sapa Inca and the high priest in the original language of the Incas, Quechua. This ancient language is still spoken in wide areas in and around Cusco, mainly in the Peruvian highlands.
For some years the Inti Raymi starts in the square in front of the Qorikancha,also known as the Santa Domingo in the Avenida del Sol (see picture). The Sapa Inca honors, with an eloquently strong voice, the blessings of the Sun and this most sacred day. After this initiation the procession moves with imperial dignity to the fortress of Sacsayhuamn. At the top the Inca is carried on a golden throne. The abundant gold and silver worn by the men and women, respectively, represent their status as the high society and invokes deep respect for their fallen empire.
"Inti Raymi" la fiesta del Solisticio de invierno, es la ms importante celebracin en Cusco. Todos los aos el dia 24 de Junio revive la antigua celebracin Inca en adoracin al Sol. Los bailarines lucen atuendos tradicionales de aquella poca y al finalizar este ritual el Inca matara una llama usando su cuchillo para ofrecer el corazn al Dios Sol. La fiesta continuara durante toda la semana.
_____________________________
Pictures of the event from 1998 are available at:
http://www.infoperu.com/peru/eng/cusco/raymi2.html
As best as I can tell, "Corpus Christi" is in mid-July, this year.
[This message has been edited by Craig6z (edited 06-13-2000).]
Every year on the 24th of June Cusco celebrates the festival of Inti Raymi. This festival was celebrated by the Incas as the Festival of the Sun where the God of the Sun Wiracocha is honored. The Inti Raymi symbolizes the eternal consecration of marriage between the Sun and his sons, the human beings.
Inti Raymi was the most important festival of the Inca empire Tawantinsuyu which based its religion on the cult of the Sun. On the 24th of June they celebrate the winter solstice, in other words the beginning of the Sun's New Year.
Scientifically the solstice begins on the 21st of June, but according to the Pacha Unachaq, a sundial used by the Incas, the sun stays some days in the same place before rising on the 24th of June. This day was proclaimed by the high priest as the New Year: Inti Raymi!
The inhabitants of Cusco traditionally involve about everybody, including tourists, to enjoy and marvel this most special day. Countless additional events are to be seen before, during and after the 24th. These are expositions, street and square activities in daytime and in the evening live concerts given by the very best of Peru's diverse musical talents, staged in the Plaza the Armas. This is the second biggest festival in Latin America, after the carnival of Rio.
Most of the concerts and expositions are for free and sponsored by the city of Cusco and Peruvian companies.
For more than half a century the festival takes place at the archeological complex of Sacsayhuamn, also called the Sacred House of the Sun. More than 200 thousand people come together to witness the most beautiful spectacle of the year where more than 500 actors proudly bring the past alive.
The highlight of the Inti Raymi is in the oration given by the Sapa Inca and the high priest in the original language of the Incas, Quechua. This ancient language is still spoken in wide areas in and around Cusco, mainly in the Peruvian highlands.
For some years the Inti Raymi starts in the square in front of the Qorikancha,also known as the Santa Domingo in the Avenida del Sol (see picture). The Sapa Inca honors, with an eloquently strong voice, the blessings of the Sun and this most sacred day. After this initiation the procession moves with imperial dignity to the fortress of Sacsayhuamn. At the top the Inca is carried on a golden throne. The abundant gold and silver worn by the men and women, respectively, represent their status as the high society and invokes deep respect for their fallen empire.
"Inti Raymi" la fiesta del Solisticio de invierno, es la ms importante celebracin en Cusco. Todos los aos el dia 24 de Junio revive la antigua celebracin Inca en adoracin al Sol. Los bailarines lucen atuendos tradicionales de aquella poca y al finalizar este ritual el Inca matara una llama usando su cuchillo para ofrecer el corazn al Dios Sol. La fiesta continuara durante toda la semana.
_____________________________
Pictures of the event from 1998 are available at:
http://www.infoperu.com/peru/eng/cusco/raymi2.html
As best as I can tell, "Corpus Christi" is in mid-July, this year.
[This message has been edited by Craig6z (edited 06-13-2000).]
Jun 13, 2000 | 10:27 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Third planet from the Sun
Posts: 7,024
The main problem with the Amazon is the extra steps you need to take for malaria and yellow fever. Cuzco is high enough to avoid these problems.
Jun 13, 2000 | 11:14 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 3,069
Cusco is specifically listed by the CDC as a yellow fever area. I got my vaccination last week and am taking malaria pills.
Jun 13, 2000 | 4:16 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: Latinpass Million Miler. BA Gold.
Posts: 3,544
Having been both to MP (a few years ago) and iquitos (last month on my 1M run) I'd recommend MP - much more impressive. We decided to go to IQT on the spur of the moment (and a little bit because the flights leave later) as we had already been to MP. Perhaps we took a bit of a chance with the health risks - but then I don't like "eating" malaria pills for five weeks to cover a two day visit - and after I have survived all the real indigenous food, I didn't worry too much.
Jun 14, 2000 | 9:57 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Seattle, Cagayan de Oro
Programs: CebGo 5J, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Alaska Titanium
Posts: 4,778
Sounds we should have chosen Cuzco over IQT but what is done is done. We will be staying at the Rio Grande Hotel - Anyone been there?
Sounds like a lot of people will be doing the Million run in the last two weeks of June. I'll wear my flyertalk T-Shirt.
Just look for a 6ft 3" Aussie with Chinese Canadian wife. Looking forward to our departure.
Sounds like a lot of people will be doing the Million run in the last two weeks of June. I'll wear my flyertalk T-Shirt.
Just look for a 6ft 3" Aussie with Chinese Canadian wife. Looking forward to our departure.