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Wellesley Education Expedition

Colonial and Ancient Treasures of Peru
2008
March 4-18
Optional Extention:
March 17-21

Join Wellesley alumnae and friends on a journey through Peru, known for its Andean landscape, archaeological treasures, colonial heritage, and indigenous cultures. From the bustling colonial port of Lima at the foot of the Andes to the center of the Inca universe at Cuzco, we will gain a unique perspective on the country’s colorful traditions and history.

Accompanied by Dr. Sonia Guillén, native Peruvian archeologist and professor at the Universidad Católica in Lima, we will explore Lima’s colonial and pre-Columbian treasures. At the home of art collector Enrico Poli, for example, we’ll see his collection of gold pieces from Sipán. The site of royal Moche tombs, Sipán has the richest burial chamber ever discovered in the Americas. Along the country’s northern coast, we will explore the colonial city of Trujillo, where the pre-Inca culture of the Moche flourished. Ancient frescoes in that region shed light on the practice of human sacrifice. We will also tour the imperial city of Chan Chan, one of the largest adobe cities in the world. The journey will continue on to Cuzco and the Urubamba Valley, with a visit to the Hacienda Huayoccari, known for its fine collection of colonial art. Traveling by train to the impressive site of Machu Picchu, we’ll explore the serene sanctity of the “Lost City of the Incas” and enjoy luxury accommodations near the site.

Other highlights include a visit to Santa Rosa, a private hacienda in the south of Lima, where as guests of Alfonso and Carmen Navarro, we will enjoy a costeño lunch and a Peruvian Paso horse demonstration.

Travelers wishing to extend their sojourn in South America will have the option of a post-tour extension to Puno, Lake Titicaca, and La Paz, Bolivia. This portion of the trip will offer opportunities to discover those areas’ awe-inspiring landscapes, indigenous cultures, and remnants of ancient civilizations.

Throughout our journey, we will sample Peru’s regional cuisine and witness the influence of the Spanish colonizers. Don’t miss this educational opportunity to delve into this South American country’s cultural and geographic diversity.

 

Dr. Sonia Guillén
is a native Peruvian archaeologist and professor at the Universidad Católica in Lima, Peru. She is the Director of Centro Mallqui, an institution dedicated to archaeological and anthropological research
of Peru’s ancient cultures. She is a leading expert on pre-Hispanic mummified bodies and has appeared on public television’s science program NOVA “ Ice Mummies: Frozen in Heaven.” She has directed major excavations and published extensively in archeology and science magazines. She is a Fulbright Scholar and has participated in fellowships at the Smithsonian Institution. She consults in matters of forensic anthropology and archaeology for the Peruvian government. She will share her vast knowledge of her country and provide insight into the native way of life and the particular Peruvian way of thinking and feeling.
More Information Trip Details
For reservation and/or a detailed itinerary of this tour, please contact:

Jayne Lew, Assistant Director of Travel
Phone: 781-283-2389
Email: travelprograms@alum.wellesley.edu
 

Duration: 14 days

Activity Level: Moderate

Cost: $7345 (land only)
Deposit: $1000