- Folklore and Traditions
- 12 days
- February 2009
- Private
- English-speaking local
Along the way......
For 12 days, the town of Puno, located on the shores of Lake Titicaca, transforms itself in America’s folkloric capital with the famous celebration of the “Virgen de Candelaria”. We suggest that you participate in the main even, uniting over 200 bands of dancers for an out of the ordinary competition. The climax of the event being the colorful procession in which the Virgin is transported through the town’s streets accompanied by the excited competitors.
Day 1 :
Reception upon arrival at Jorge Chavez airport, in Lima. Transfer to the hotel. Meals open.
Day 2 :
Transfer to the Lima airport for a flight with destination Arequipa, the White City. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon dedicated to the discovery of the city: visit of the colonial center and the Santa Catalina Convent. Back to the hotel at the end of the day. Meals open. Note 1: Visitors are not accompanied by a guide on this flight. Timetable and specific airline details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru. Note 2: Visit of the Convent with a specialized guide.
Day 3 :
In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Colca, whose canyon is one of the deepest in the world, with 3680 meters depth (12073 feet). Crossing of the National Preserve and of the Patapampa pass. On the way, we admire magnificent landscapes and possibly observe vicunas and other camelids. Transfer to the hotel in Colca. Option to take a bath in the village hot springs (not included). Meals open. Please note: 99 miles – around 5-hour of travel time. Option: entrance fees to the hot springs to be paid directly on location.
Day 4 :
In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for Arequipa, the White City. First stop at Cruz del Condor, at the heart of Colca, to observe the condors. Visit of picturesque villages, including Maca. Transfer to the hotel in Arequipa. Meals open.
Day 5 :
In the morning, transfer to the Arequipa land terminal. Journey by bus to Puno, town located on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This itinerary gives you the opportunity to discover the rather unusual landscapes of the Altiplano. Reception and private transfer to the typical village of Llachon, which overlooks Lake Titicaca, at 3820 meters above sea level (12532 feet). Felipe and his family welcome us in their community. Evening meal and night in the community. Lunch open. Note 1: visitors are not accompanied during the journey. 5-hour of travel time. Note 2: timetable and specific transport company details to be communicated to visitors upon arrival in Peru.
Day 6 :
In the morning, transfer to the port of Puno to embark for the islands of Uros and Taquile. After a 25-minute cruise, we visit of the floating islands. These islands are not natural; the Uros tribe, whose main activity is fishing, built them. We then head for Taquile (around 2-hour cruise), an island of great cultural interest, where residents live in harmony with the ancestral traditions. Visit and lunch in a typical restaurant, not included. Back to Puno in mid-afternoon. Transfer to the hotel. Meals open. Please note: Option to plan a two days excursion with one night at a local resident’s place on the island.
Day 7 :
More than 200 groups from every department are confronting each other during a dance competition in the Enrique Torres Belon stadium. Every dancer is dressed with its most beautiful costume demanding several months of work. In mid-afternoon, at around 3 p.m., Procession of the Candelaria Virgin in the lively streets of Puno. This celebration is related with the pre-Hispanic sowing agrarian cycles, the harvest and the “Pachamama” cult. This “Pachamama” converted herself into a virgin with the arrival of the Spanish people. Meals open.
Day 8 :
Transfer to the Puno land terminal. Journey by bus to Cuzco, Navel of the Inca Empire. This itinerary allows you to enjoy wonderful landscapes along the road, via the Raya Pass, at 4320 meters above sea level (14173 feet). Visit of the Pukara Museum, the archaeological site of Raqchi and the “Sistine Chapel” of the Andes in Andahuaylillas. Reception and transfer to the hotel in Cuzco. Lunch included (buffet lunch at Sicuani). Dinner open. Note: visitors are not accompanied by a guide on the bus journey. However, a Spanish/English-speaking guide, exclusive to the bus company, participates to the journey and gives information along the way.
Day 9 :
In the morning, departure in a private vehicle for a day dedicated to the discovery of the Sacred Valley. First stop at the ruins of Pisac. Visit of the site and walk around the handicraft market. Typical lunch and continuation of the excursion to the Incan village of Ollantaytambo. On the way, stop in a ceramic workshop in Urubamba (Ayllu if opens). Arrival in Ollantaytambo, visit of the fortress and transfer to the hotel. Lunch included. Dinner open.
Day 10 :
In the morning, departure from the train station of Ollantaytambo for the journey to Aguascalientes. Direct connection to the shuttle service that will drive you to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Day dedicated to the visit of the site; one of the wonders of the world, discovered in 1911 by the American anthropologist Hiram Bingham. Meals open. Note: depending on availabilities, the return journey can be done by train to Ollantaytambo and then by private vehicle to Cuzco.
Day 11 :
Day dedicated to the discovery of Cuzco and its surrounding areas. In the morning, visit of the archaeological sites overlooking the city: Tambomachay, Q’enko, Pukapucara and Sacsayhuaman. We then walk down to the San Blas quarter (the artists’ place). We pass by the famous 12 angles stone and continue to the San Pedro market to familiarize ourselves with local products. In the afternoon, visits of the Koricancha (Temple of the Sun), and of the Cathedral, exhibiting some paintings from the School of Cuzco and many goldsmith’s art, silver and precious stones treasures. Transfer to the hotel at the end of the afternoon. Meals open.
Day 12 :
We always advise our clients to arrive in Lima the day before their international departure. Indeed, flights out of Cuzco are often cancelled or delayed due to bad weather conditions, thus preventing travelers from getting to Lima on time for their international connection. This inconvenience could cause you to have to purchase a new international ticket and incur expenses for your extra stay in Lima (the return flights being often full, it can take a few days before getting on a plane). Terra Andina will not be held responsible for the extra expenses above mentioned. You will be responsible for these unexpected expenses.
Included:
All tours mentioned in this program
Private English-speaking guide
Aforementioned transport: domestic flights, trains
Private transfer to airport / station / bus terminal / hotel with Spanish-speaking chauffeur
Entrance to sites, museums and natural parks
Hotels with double or triple room including breakfast
Aforementioned meals
Guide expenses (transport, hotels, meals, etc…)
Not Included:
International return flight
Individual equipment (sleeping bag, torch lamp, etc…)
Obligatory travel insurance
Entrance fees if mentioned
Drinks
Tips
Airport tax ($US 6 per person for national flights, $US 30 per person for international flights)
Aforementioned free meals