The Inca civilization began as a small group, they were descendants of the Sun in the Cuzco area, where the legendary first Sapa Inca, Manco Capac founded the Kingdom of Cuzco around 1200. Under the leadership of the descendants of Manco Capac, the Inca state grew to absorb other Andean communities. In 1442, the Incas began a far-reaching expansion under the command of Patchacuti. He founded the Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu), which became the largest empire in pre-Columbian America.
The empire was split by a civil war to decide who would be Inca king.The problem was that Huascar was a direct son of the Inca Ki ng and the Inca Queen and Atahualpa was a son of one of the concubines of the Inca King and his large family it is believed that one of the brothers was from the Norht part of the Empire(Quito,Ecuador) and the other from Cuzco. Of the two brothers were fighting for the control of the empire. They began the civil war (1527) that ended with the arrival of the Pizarro forses. In 1533, Spanish Conquistadores led by Francisco Pizarro, took advantage of this situation and conquered much of the existing Inca territory.[2] In succeeding years, the invaders consolidated power over the whole Andean region, repressing successive Inca resistance and culminating in the establishment of the Viceroyalty of Perú in 1542. The militant phase of Inca liberation movements ended with the fall of resistance in Vilcabamba during 1573. Though indigenous sovereignty was lost, Inca cultural traditions remain strong among surviving indigenous descendants such as the Quechuas and Aymara people
Emergence and expansion
Inca expansion (1438-1527 AD)
The Inca people began as small group, small nation, Perhaps they were relate there origens and descenders with some of the preinca civilizations (Tiahuanaco, Wari, Quechua) . Also some of the ancient tribes in the valley of Cusco. Also some of them were called the Killke culture(the most important),Marcavalles,Sawasiras,Huallas and Lucres in the Cuzco area around the 12th century AD. Under the leadership of Manco Capac, they formed the small city-state of Cuzco (Quechua Qosqo).
In 1438 AD, under the command of Sapa Inca (paramount leader) Pachacuti, much of modern day southern Peru was conquered. Cuzco was rebuilt as a major city and capital of the newly reorganized empire. Known as Tawantinsuyu, it was a federalist system, consisting of a central government with the Inca at its head and four provincial governments with strong leaders: Chinchasuyu (NW), Antisuyu (NE), Contisuyu (SW), and Collasuyu (SE). The powerful Inca emperor is also thought to have built Machu Picchu, either as a family home or as a vacation retreat.
Pachacuti would send spies to regions he had wanted in his empire. They would then report back on the political organization, military might, and wealth. The Sapa Inca would then send messages to the leaders of these lands, extolling the benefits of joining his empire. He offered gifts of luxury goods like high quality textiles, and promised that all living in those territories would be materially richer as subject rulers of the Inca. Most accepted the rule of the Inca as a fait accompli and acquiesced peacefully. The neighboring rulers' children would be brought to Cuzco to be taught about Inca administration systems, and then would return to rule their native lands. This allowed the Inca to indoctrinate the former rulers' children into the Inca nobility, and, with luck, marry their daughters into families at various corners of the empire.
It was traditional for the Inca's son to lead the army; Pachacuti's son Túpac Inca began conquests to the north in 1463, continuing them as Inca after Pachucuti's death in 1471. His most important conquest was the Kingdom of Chimu, the Inca's only serious rival for the coast of Peru. Túpac Inca's empire stretched north into modern day Ecuador and Colombia, and his son Huayna Cápac added significant territory to the south. At its height, Tawantinsuyu included Peru and Bolivia, most of what is now Ecuador, a large portion of modern-day Chile, and extended into corners of Argentina and Colombia.
Tawantinsuyu was a patchwork of languages, cultures and peoples. The components of the empire were not all uniformly loyal, nor were the local cultures all fully integrated. For example, the Chimú used money in their commerce, while the Inca empire as a whole had an economy based on exchange and taxation of luxury goods and labor. (It is said that Inca tax collectors would take the head lice of the lame and old as a symbolic tribute.) The portions of the Chachapoya that had been conquered were almost openly hostile to the Inca, and the Inca nobles rejected an offer of refuge in their kingdom after their troubles with the Spanish. They ended up being conquered by Francisco Pizarro.
Itinerary
Day one:
We pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel to catch up on your sleep and a cup of coca tea (good for acclimatizing to the altitude). The rest of the morning is free. During the afternoon -after a good lunch- we shall start the City Tour to see part of the capital 
of the Inca Empire. We will visit several religious retreats and sanctuaries dating from Inca times. Also a good change to see the Giant hummingbird (Patagonia gigas) and the Rufus collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis) the native tree called Queoña (Polilepis incana) and the Chachacomo (Scallonia recinosa) all from prehispanish times found in the Andes. Light dinner and early sleep. (L).
Day two:
Today we will travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas for different activities. We visit an Alpaca and Llama breeding and fiber producing farm and witness aspects of the carding, spinning and weaving process. Later we visit the traditional market. We have lunch in the Valley and in the afternoon a visit to the Inca archaeological site of Ollantaytambo after which
we then we go to our hotel in the valley only 20 minutes away, rest of the afternoon free, dinner at the hotel. There is a great change to see the wild life such a the Great thrush (Turdus furcater) and the hummingbird called Sparkling violet ear (Colibri coruscans) and some flora such a Bromelacea called Maquey (Furcraea andina) and the Andean bush called Chillca (Bacharis latifolia). Optional visit to local pottery workshop and kiln. (B, L).
Day three:
After breakfast we ride the train for an hour and a half ride to the town of Aguas Calientes in the vicinity of Machu Pichu. We go to the hotel to freshen up and then up by bus to Inca city of Machu Picchu for a tour of the sanctuary, later in the afternoon free time in Machu Picchu.Good chance to see the local orchest like the Bamboo orchest (sobralia dicotoma) and the wakanky (masdevalia vietachina) and the native bromeliad called Puya (puya densiflora (B, L ,D).
Day four:
Today we go for a walk in one of the main Ancient Inca trail to Machu picchu.In this hike you will see the beatifull granite stone work from the Inca times used in order to connect Cusco with the Santuary of Machu picchu.Also in this path we will have diferent views of Machu picchu Citadel along the way,the hike will take 2 hours rounfd tripsAlso in this hike will see sightings of wildlife. The birdlife is abundant and the presence of hummingbirds prolific. Among all these we can mention: among the Troglodytae Family (Wrens) the Inca Wren and Thryothorus eisenmonni; among the Humingbirds we have the giant Patagonia gigas, the Sparkling Violet Ear (Colibri coluscans), the Bronzy Hummingbird, Tyrian metaltail, long tailed sylph, and others. There are over 450 varieties catalogued within the Machu Picchu Park, 100 of them in the ruins to river range.
There is also Aplomado Falcon (Falco Femoralis) Finches, Tyrannulets, the Great Thrush, Flower Piercers, Tanagers, Seedeaters, Stripe Headed Brush Finch, Kestrels, Siskins and Fly-Catchers, Tangaras, etc. The flora includes many species of Bromeliads (Puya densiflora), Passiflora, Begonias, Fuchsis, and numerous Compositae. And a countless number of Orchids among which stand out many varieties of Wiñay Wayna (Epidendrum Secundum), many members of the Solanaceae, Myrtaceae, Scrophularias, etc. We later return to Machu Picchu for relaxing or the choice of undertaking a beautiful hike to the Sungate or Huayna Picchu. Lunch in town; after that we take the train back; transfer to the hotel. Farewell dinner. Next day transfer to the airport to board Cusco – Lima flight. (B ,L, D).
Note: We can recommend the best and more comfortable hotels or we can take care of the reservations for you.
Included
Meals.
Transportation.
Bus.
Train.
Tickets.
Historical and natural guide.
First aid.
Radio communication.
What to bring:
This is a list designed to advise you what equipment is appropriate to bring according to the weather conditions predominating at the time of your trip:
Flashlights (at least one headlamp among them).
Sun Block; Insect Repellent.
Towels (Small; cotton and hygienic).
Rain Gear (Pants and Jacket) though not necessary during the months of July and August.
A couple of pairs of socks, perhaps even an extra pair.
One pair of trousers for the evening plus two more pairs for trail use (zipp-offs).
Sandals for River use (Teva types).
Low ankle height hiking shoes or regular hiking boots (check the season).
Reading material.
Binoculars (always useful regardless of season and activity).
Bathing Suit.
Water Bottle (I liter capacity).
Good Sun glasses, perhaps two sets.
A bandana for neck protection.
A couple of sets of underwear (perhaps an extra pair).
Camera and plenty of film.
Passport (plus a couple of Xerox copies).
At least one short sleeve shirt and one or two long sleeve shirts (dark colors, depending on the place and destiny chosen).
A good waterproof jacket.
Any questions, consults and information, contact us at:
Mail: info@cuscomachupicchu.com
Phone: (0051 - 84) - 984764938 
