Cultural Tours

Truly off the beaten track, and immersed in Peruvian culture.

• Inti Raymi (June 24)

• Lord of Colloritty (first week of June)

• Virgen del Carmen (mid July)

• Yawar Fiesta (27-29 July)

• Chiraje (January 20)

See also our Cultural Events Calendar for more information.

REMEMBER we offer customised tours - so if you have an interest in something on our cultural events calendar we can probably take you there!

All images on this site, unless otherwise acknowleged. The pictures of theVirgen of Carmen celebration in Paucartambo on this page are from http://www.peru.info/perueng.asp, this is a highly recommended site!

Woman in the market at Chinchero.

Local women gather for the celebrations of Senor of Colloritty, held in June each year.

Photo from: http://www.peru.info/perueng.asp

Click here to see Yawar Fiesta (27-29 July)

Fiesta Virgen del Carmen

This trip only leaves once a year. A once in a lifetime opportunity!

15th - 16th July 2006

Paucartambo is small town about 4 hours east from Cusco on the road to Manu National Park. It most famous for one massive festival: Virgen del Carmen, which takes place over four days, with the principal days from July 15th to 17th. The Virgen is known locally as Mamacha Carmen and is a patron saint of the mestizo population. The festival itself consists of lots of traditional and significant dances by people in awesome costumes. Many of these dances have ingenious choreographies that portray events in Peruvian history. On the central day, (July 16th) the Virgin Carmen is carried around the town in a spectacular procession to bless those present and scare away demons The dancers become more and more animated as the festival progresses performing daring gymnastics, showing off their colorful Inca and colonial garb. At the end of the procession, war is waged on the demons, from which the faithful emerge in triumph. Finally, the gathering ends up in the cemetery to pay homage to the souls of the dead.

About 40km north of Paucartambo is a site called Tres Cruces (3 crosses), which is situated on the very edge of the Andes mountains at an altitude of 3900m. From Tres Cruces, there is a steep drop into the Amazon basin, which means the view is incredible. Tres Cruces is most famous for the sunrise in the months of June and July because special climatic conditions mean that there are optical illusions.

This trip is ideally combined with our Mountains to Manu trip.

ITINERARY- please note, this trip leaves only once a year!

Day One: 15th July
9am Collection from your hotel and departure from Cusco
· Visit to the Chullpas of Ninamarca
· Light snack
1.30pm Arrival at Paucartambo
Lodging in a shared accommodation, and a rest if you wish
3.00pm Visit to the different streets of the town
Visit to the main church, and an appreciation of the traditional entrance, and of the special dances "Cora Apacuy" and "Konoy".
8.00pm The serenade in honour of the Virgin del Carmen begins
We will be able to enjoy (visitors and locals alike) the happiness of this event. It's is possible for members of our group to rest, or others will wish to continue with the festivity until later hours.

Day Two: 16th July
1.30am We will assemble in our lodging to depart for our trip to Tres Cruces to see the see the sunrise, the only place you can see this spectacle in our continent. (3739 m)
Accommodation will be in an available place.
Light snack (with hot drink and a sandwich)
7am Return to Paucartambo.
Transfer to the lodging, rest, wash and breakfast (depending on each passenger). Visit to the Temple of the Virgin of Carmen, to the Bridge Carlos III where we can enjoy more than 15 typical dances.
3pm Procession of the Virgin of Carmen
We will accompany the procession and can appreciate the dances and the ability of the dancers.
5.30pm We will gather in our lodging to collect our things and board our bus to return to Cusco.
9.00pm Return to Plaza San Francisco, in Cusco and return to your hotel.

· the exact program is subject to change, due to weather and other unexpected circumstances.

INCLUDES
· Round trip private transport Cusco- Paucartambo - Tres Cruces - Paucartambo - Cusco
· Shared accommodation
· English/Spanish/Quechua speaking guide

NOT INCLUDED:
· Meals
· Sleeping bag
· Extra snacks or water
· Entry fees to Tres Cruces or Ninamarca (if requested)

WHAT TO BRING
· Cash for personal spending (eg. Drinks)
· Photo camera
· Warm jacket, beanie, scarf, gloves
· Sleeping bag

For an interesting perspective on the way locals celebrate New Year, check out the following story...
New Year in Peru

PRICES

Festival of Virgen of Carmen

PRICE: $85 per person (min. 2 passengers)

We offer affordably priced tours for 2 people so that you can depart on most days. If you are travelling alone, you can still depart on this tour, any day. (Price: $210)

If there is a group of five or more there will be a lower rate. If you have a group, please contact us for discounted rates.

For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our page Payment & booking

Yawar Fiesta(3 days/2 nights)

28 & 29 July - please note, this trip leaves only once a year!

This ritual bullfight is during the "Fiestas Patrias" or National Holiday of Peru in the town of Cotabambas, in the Apurimac department. This traditional ritual represents the fight between the Incas against the Spanish conquistadors, and the figure of the condor (representing the Incas) occupies a central place. The bird is tied to the back of the bull (which represents the Spanish) who is urged on by the pecks of the bird. The young men then participate in a bullfight.
This is a cultural tradition that was celebrated since colonial times in many places in the central mountains of Peru. Although in the course of the 20th century it has declined, disappearing in many places, it still has an important role. It is also known as the "Fiesta de Sangre" (Festival of Blood), and is largely a ritual of the traditional Indian communities or ayllus.

ITINERARY
Day One 27th July
11pm Departure from Cusco in bus. The trip will be 8 hours approximately.

Day Two 28th July 2006
7am Approximate arrival in Cotabambas
8am Breakfast in a restaurant
9am We begin to watch the fiesta
We stay the night in a basic hostel.

Day Three 29th July 2006
Breakfast
We spend the day in the village.
3pm Return to Cusco by bus
10pm Approximate arrival in Cusco.

(the exact program is subject to change, due to weather and other unexpected circumstances.)

INCLUDES

Round trip transport
English/Quechua/Spanish speaking guide
1 night accommodation in basic hostel
Two breakfasts

NOT INCLUDED:
Meals as listed in the itinerary
Extra snacks or water

WHAT TO BRING
Day pack with sufficient clothes for overnight
Warm jacket , beanie, and gloves
Hat & sunblock
Photo camera
Film for camera
Poncho or rain jacket
Cash

Yawar Fiesta PRICE: $135 per person (min. 2 passengers)

We offer affordably priced tours for 2 people so that you can depart on most days. If you are travelling alone, you can still depart on this tour, any day. (Price: $170)

If you have a group of five or more people, please contact us for a special rate.

For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our page Payment & booking