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The origins of Cusco get lost in the night of times. Archaeological excavations
made us know that primitive residents inhabited the valley of Cusco (except for
its bottom, then marshy) near three millenniums ago. Toward the XII century,
Manco Cápac and his sister-wife Mama Ocllo emerged from the waters of the Lake
Titicaca, semi Gods daughter and son of Inti (the god Sun), with the mission of
the foundation of a new Kingdom that would improve the conditions of life of the
towns. Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo would have to walk until finding a place in
the earth where the great gold scepter that Manco Cápac had would submerge, they
walked to the north and they arrived to Pacárec Tampu (Pacaritambo) where rested
in a small cave; to the dawn they continued to the north arriving to the hill
Huanacaure and there the scepter submerged, and there he founded the city of
Cusco. Also called Qosqo and Cuzco (Quechua Language: the navel of the world) |
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The spirit of Peruvian Man, sculpted by art and religion, has given rise to a
creative vein which crops up in an endless variety of shapes, rhythms and
rituals. Year after year, more than 3,000 folk festivals, 1,500 musical styles
and countless arts and crafts confirm that Peru is home to one of the most
varied folk legacies on Earth. With this outpouring of artistic expression,
Peruvians feed on their deep-lying roots to project a timeless alliance with
nature and through rhythms and colors, strengthen their commitment to life and
extend to visitors the hospitality and reciprocity that are so typical of
Peruvian culture. The many festivals, even those of a religious nature, reveal
the joyous nature of Peruvians, both men and women, their inclination to be
sociable and share their hopes.
Festivals and rituals in Cusco: Cusco celebrates some hundreds festivals a year.
Most of them are held in homage to a patron saint and are part of the Christian
calendar adopted in colonial times, although they have blended with the magical
beliefs of ancient forms of worship
The celebrations of the Inti Raymi, Holy Week, Carnivals, Corpus Christi, and
the feast of "Señor de los Temblores" (Lord of the Earthquakes), have special
significance for cusquenians, becoming a great folkloric expression of their
people. |
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Peru and Cusco undoubtedly, one of the world’s top destinations for
nature-lovers. Blessed with the richest ocean in the world, largely unexplored
Amazon forests and the highest tropical mountain range on the planet, the
possibilities for the development of bio-diversity in its territory are
virtually unlimited. With a little over 10% of all species of plants and animals
on earth and a surprisingly diverse range of climates and ecosystems, Peru has
become a modern Noah’s Ark for nature-lovers, who along with students from all
over the world, visit Peru to chalk up more experience, gain new knowledge and
to get to know unique varieties. The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Manu
National Park and Tambopata National Reserve are nature paradises. |
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Cusco outdoors: Excursions, trekking, hiking, rafting, mountain biking,
mountaineering, horseback riding, paragliding and hang gliding, river or lake
fishing, they are only some of the adventure and sports activities that can be
practiced in one of the best scenarios in the world. The Inca Trail is Peru's
most famous trekking route and possibly one of the most spectacular in the
Americas. Every year some 25,000 hikers from around the world walk along the
extraordinary 43 kilometers of this stone-paved road built by the Incas leading
to the unassailable citadel of Machu Picchu located in the depth of the Cusco
jungle.
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