As I promised in the last article about what to visit in Cusco city, I´ll give you some advice about, what to visit near Cusco? To visit Cusco’s surroundings, it is advisable to take at least a week because it is worth to spend at least one day in each place.
There is a tourist ticket system in Cusco that includes the entrance to several archaeological sites and museums. There are two types of tickets: a full rate tourist ticket that includes all the archaeological sites and museums and a partial tourist ticket that allows the entrance to only four sites (BTC).
Here are the most important sites to visit near Cusco city:
The Sacred Valley is 60 minutes from Cusco city, it is a wide area with several archaeological sites to visit:
These ruins are at the upper part of the town of Pisac. It is one of the best-preserved Inca archaeological remains in Cusco. It is believed to have been a small city were the Inca royalty dwelled. It was a fortress that also had an impressive agricultural terrace system.
If you visit this archaeological site, I recommend walking through the streets of Pisac and visit its crafts market.
You can get there by public transport from Cusco city. The entrance fee is included in the tourist ticket.
This fortress is in the town of Ollantaytambo at the end of the Sacred Valley route. It’s an essential stop before taking the train to Machu Picchu.
Ollantaytambo was a military fortress from where the Sacred Valley was guarded and protected from any attack or invasion.
We can see vigilance posts that were never left unattended in front of the fortress.
There is public transport to get to Ollantaytambo. The entrance fee is included in the tourist ticket.
Moray Archaeological Complex:Moray is about 50 minutes by car from Cusco city. It is an Inca farming research complex that consists of platforms displayed in circles that create microclimates and different altitude levels where they grew different types of produce according to climate and altitude they needed. To get there you can take the public transport to the town of Chincheros and then hire a taxi to get to Moray. The entrance fee is included in the tourist ticket.
The Maras saltmines are on the way to the Moray archaeological complex, near the town of Maras. It is advisable to visit both sites in the same tour. These saltmines of pink salt have been exploited since the time of the Incas and they consist of more than 3,000 pools that belong to different families. The salt is extracted in a certain season of the year and it is sold right there or in supermarkets. To get to Maras you can take the public transport to Chincheros and then take a taxi to the saltmines. The entrance fee is S/ 7 (US$ 2.5) and it can be paid at the site.
Chincheros is about 40 minutes from Cusco city. It is a town that preserves its culture and traditions. Visit some of its wool dyeing, threading and weaving centres and walk through its streets and visit its church.
We recommend taking at least two days for these tours: a day to visit Chincheros, Maras and Moray and another day to visit Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Pisac and Ollantaytambo can be visisted before or after visiting Machu Picchu since the train station is in Ollantaytambo.
Besides of the mentioned places, several adventure sports excursions are carried out in the Sacred Valley: rafting, via ferrata, zip line, paddle, four-wheelers, bicycle riding, etc. I’ll write an article about these activities further on.
The famous Machu Picchu citadel is about four hours (by car and train) from Cusco city. It is believed that Machu Picchu was built by the Inca Pachacuteq as a place to rest. Only noble people, priests and aqllas (virgins of the sun) lived there.
From the moment you enter the citadel, you will be amazed, listening to its history and walking through its alleys. It’s an experience you won’t forget.
To get to Machu Picchu you will need to take a train. There are two train stations: in Poroy, 20 minutes by car from Cusco city or in Ollantaytambo, which is an hour and a half from Cusco city. We recommend taking the train in Ollantaytambo because you can carry out other activities before or after your visit to the Sacred Valley.
Once in the town of Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes, you will need to take a bus to the entrance to the citadel. This ride takes about 20 minutes approximately. You can also get to the citadel by walking. The trek can take 2 hours depending on your physical condition. The entrance fee to Machu Picchu costs US$ 50 for foreigners.
The whole excursion can be made in a day, however, to fully enjoy this place, we recommend staying at least one night in the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes).
There are other activities you can carry out near the citadel such as trekking to the Mandor waterfalls or visiting the Santa Teresa town to relax in its thermal waters.
Best known as the Rainbow mountain, it is located four hours by car from Cusco city and almost two hours if you go
on foot. We recommend hiring a tour since the access is difficult. The tour starts very early leaving the city at 4 a.m. approximately. There is a stop on the road to have breakfast. After about 4 hours, you will arrive at the trek’s starting point. The road is not very long, but the altitude and the cold weather make the trek a little bit difficult. Once you arrive at the top, you will be amazed by the 360° view of the landscape. It’s totally worth it.
After taking some pictures, your guide will tell you it’s time to begin the descent to your transport. On the way back, you will stop to have lunch and recover energy. You will arrive at Cusco at 6 p.m approximately.
The tours generally include transport, guide, breakfast, lunch and the entrance fee to the mountain.
The Huamantay lake and snow-capped mountain are northeast of Cusco city, four hours by car and a bit more than two hours if you go on foot.
Just as in the Winicunca mountain, it is preferable to hire a one-day tour that includes transport, guide, breakfast, lunch and entrance fee.
This trek is a little bit more difficult than the trek to the Rainbow mountain because the ground is full of stones and the soil is looser. We suggest taking a walking stick to help you and to have more stability
This is a very nice experience, even though the trek can be a bit exhausting, arriving at the lake´s shore at the foothill of the mountain will show you how beautiful our planet is.
In the next article, I’ll tell you more about other places to visit near Cusco that aren’t very known but are totally worth visiting.
Check out our tours near Cusco.
Until the next article!
What to visit in Cusco? Cusco is the most visited city of Peru by foreign tourists. You are surely asking yourself what you can visit in Cusco.
Cusco was the centre of the Inca culture, so it has a lot of places to know. Besides, as it is located in the Peruvian Andes, it has incredibly beautiful landscapes and the type of geography that allows its visitors to do adventure sports. Cusco still preserves its living culture, the locals are willing to show you more of their way of living, art, work, and more.
In this article I’ll tell you about the most relevant places you should visit in Cusco, later, I’ll write about the places you should visit around the city, experience-based tourism and adventure tourism.
Sit on a bench in the main square to rest and watch people passing by. Then, you can visit the cathedral and the 
Compañía churches that are at the square, see the wonderful architecture and art that these churches preserve.
If you are already acclimatized to the altitude, walk towards the Triunfo street on the right side of the cathedral until you get to the twelve-angled stone. This stone is a sample of the perfection with which the Incas fit the stones when they built their walls. Know more about the Inca walls HERE.
Some blocks ahead, you’ll arrive at the San Blas square. San Blas is a bohemian and very colourful neighbourhood. Since it is at a high point of the city, the view is unique. I recommend you choose a cafe or restaurant with a balcony to have refreshing drink and relax with a postcard-like landscape view.
All these places can be visited in half a day, always taking it easy to avoid altitude sickness.
Visiting the Korikancha or temple of the Sun is also a must. When the Spaniards arrived to conquer Peru, they built churches over the adoration temples of the Incas during the evangelization process. On the Korikancha temple’s façade we can clearly see the different types of construction. On the lower part, the Inca walls, and on top the Santo Domingo church with colonial architecture.
About 20 minutes from Cusco by car, there are four ceremonial temples with hydraulic engineering systems that are worth visiting.
Sacsayhuaman is an Inca fortress where the Incas carried out worship ceremonies. You’ll be amazed by its architecture and its walls built with five-meter-tall stones.
The Qenqo archaeological complex is a few minutes walking from Sacsayhuaman. This complex was severely destroyed by the Spaniards. It can be deduced by its remains that it was a very important place for the Incas where the sun, moon, mountains and land were worshipped.
Tambomachay was a temple to worship water and where the potentate from the Inca empire could rest. There, you will be able to see the engineering the Incas used to transport water with such precision that it still works.
Lastly, on this route you will find Puca Pucara, a military Inca complex that comprises big walls, terraces and staircases that were part of a fortress to defend the Inca territory.
Needless to say, Cusco city is a place to walk and wander through its streets and alleys. You will find on every corner traces of pre-Hispanic remains, museums that you might find interesting, convents, churches, mansions, etc.
Try and savour its gastronomy prepared with local ingredients such as quinoa, kiwicha, alpaca, guinea pig, several types of potato and different aromatic herbs that give the food a unique and delicious taste.
I’ll be back soon to tell you more about this magical city. On the following LINK you can see some suggested travel packages that you can take to visit the Imperial City of Cusco.
Are you planning to visit Lima, but you don’t know which places you can visit there? In this article I’ll tell you what to see in Lima.
Lima is on the Peruvian coast and it is the only capital in South America that has a bay.
The most important international flights that arrive in Peru land in Lima, so here is a list of activities you can carry out in the capital of Peru.
The historic center tells us about the life during the colonial times through its impressive palaces in the main square and through the city’s most important houses around it.
We recommend visiting the San Francisco church and its catacombs, the cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace at the main square. Walk through the Alameda Chabuca Granda (at the back of Palacio de Gobierno) and the Torre Tagle Palace. Know more about our history visiting the Inquisition Museum or enjoy the art at the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI).
We recommend taking a whole day for this tour. Getting to the city centre is very easy, you can take the public transportation (Metropolitano) or you can get there by taxi. You can also book a tour that lasts half a day.
The admission to some of the temples and palaces has a cost:
*The prices in US dollars are an approximate, they depend on the daily exchange rate.
Near de historic centre there are some places you might find interesting:
Miraflores DistrictMiraflores is Lima’s most touristic district. Every tourist stopping by walks through its boardwalk and beholds the bay. Miraflores has a lot of bars and restaurants for those who want to enjoy the city’s night life. The municipality of Miraflores constantly displays art exhibitions and fairs that are free of charge in most cases. Find out about these activities on this link: Agenda Cultural.
Barranco DistrictBarranco is a bohemian neighbourhood that was inicially a seaside spot for summer visitors. It is currently one of the city’s most touristic districts. It has mansions that have been turned into luxurious hotels, art museums, restaurants and bars for all tastes. Don’t forget to cross the Puente de los Suspiros bridge and make a wish.
Lima is currently considered the Culinary Capital of America due to the fast evolution of the development of its
Foto: PromPeru – Gihan Tubbeh
typical food, the knowledge about its ingredients and their preparation, and to the creation of new dishes that combine the cultural diversity of our country.
It is possible to visit the local markets and know more closely about the different types of native fruits and vegetables. Try the wide range of flavours and dishes that the local restaurants offer. Check if you need a reservation, some of these restaurants require reservations 3 months in advance.
On the other hand, some private spaces offer other kinds of experiences, for example, ‘Peruvian Experience’ offers a space not only to know the Peruvian gastronomy but also to participate in it.
Lima has a lot to offer to its visitors, so we recommend you to stay at least three days to know the city better.
HERE you can see some travel packages that include tours to this city.
In this article I’m going to tell you about a little known and visited destination in Peru: The San Fernando National Reserve.
This place is a paradise for those who love marine life and birds and it is also a passage to the coast for high Andean species.
This reserve is located in the Changuillo district in Nazca and the San Juan de Marcona district in Ica, about 7 hours by car from Lima. It has a 154,716.3-hectare area.
Its climate varies according to the season. In summer (from December to March) the maximum temperature varies 
between 26oC and 34oC, while in winter (from April to November) the maximum temperature varies from 16°C and 26°C.
The San Fernando National Reserve was created to protect the areas ‘ecosystem where different bird species such as guanay cormorants (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii), Peruvian Boobies (Sula variegata) and Peruvian pelicans (Pelecanus thagus) live. We can also find endangered species such as Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti), red-legged cormorants (Phalacrocorax gaimardi), Peruvian diving petrels (Pelecanoides garnotii) and Andean condors (Vultur gryphus).
We can also find marine mammal species such as marine otters (Lontra felina), South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis), South American sea lions (Otaria byronia) and thirteen cetacean species. Among the cetaceans we can highlight the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), bottle-nose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and orcas (Orcinus orca). The sightings of these animals depend on the season since some of them can only be seen during their migration time.
Land mammals such as Andean foxes (Pseudalopex culpaeus), pampas cat (Lynchailurus pajeros), cougars (Puma concolor) and guanacos (Lama guanicoe) can also be found.
The reserve can be visited throughout the year, however, the access is complicated and a 4×4 truck is needed.
Colourful Peru offers fixed departures throughout the year that include transportation, meals and accommodation. Ask for our tour packages HERE!
Hi everyone!! Since we are in the anniversary month of Arequipa, I am going to tell you a bit about what knowing this beautiful city during this month means.
Arequipa was founded on August 15th, 1540 at the foot of the Misti volcano in the Andes mountain range. Its people are known for having a strong temper and for being tenaciously proud of their land, this is why we can find the phrase “No en vano se nace al pie de un volcán” (“Not in vain one is born at the foot of a volcano”) in one of the arches of the Yanahuara square.
There are different activities that are carried out throughout August to pay homage to the city: gastronomic and dance festivals, handicrafts fairs, parades, excursions, international artists’ concerts and more.
Regarding gastronomy, the adobo arequipeño festival stands out. The adobo arequipeño is a traditional dish made of marinated pork. This festival is carried out in the Cayma district square: the typical place to taste this delicious dish. Besides, you can taste other typical dishes in the “Chacu de Vicuñas” festival and in the Feria Internacional Arequipa (FIA) (Arequipa’s international fair)
You can also go to different dance festivals, such as Festidanzas that has international guests and Taller Internacional de Danzas Folklóricas (International Dances Folk Workshop).
The best-known handicraft fair is in the Fundo El Fierro, next to the San Francisco square in the historic center of the city.
The parades, excursions and concerts take place in different dates throughout August, so you don’t miss any of them.
On August 14th, the previous day to the anniversary’s main date, all the squares in every district and the FIA carry out the typical serenade to celebrate one more year of the city’s foundation. People sing proudly the city’s anthem on August 15th at midnight.
Visit Arequipa and share the pride of living one of the best festivities in Peru with its people. Check out our tours clicking HERE!
Hi everyone! Today I´m going to tell you about the Ballestas islands.
The Ballestas islands are located in Ica department, 250 kilometers south of Lima in the Guano Islands, Isles and Capes National Reserve System that was recently created to preserve the biological diversity from the ecosystems of the Humboldt Current’s cold sea.
This place is home to 18 bird species and 3 mammal species.
Because of its diversity this is a visit point that bird watchers from all over the world shouldn’t miss. Different fauna species stop in the islands to rest and eat during migration. It is also a key spot for marine fauna.
The Peruvian or Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is among the different species we can find in the Ballestas islands. Its population is decreasing every year due to the shortage of nesting places and food, human predation and at a larger scale due to the climate changes occurring worldwide.
The islands are also home to the Peruvian pelican, also known as alcatraz (Pelecanus thagus). This bird’s population has been affected because of the food shortage caused by the El Niño phenomenon.
We can find other bird species that live in the Peruvian coast all year round: Peruvian boobies (Sula variegata), belcher’s gulls (Larus belcheri), red-legged cormorants or chuitas (Phalacrocorax gaimardi), guanay cormorants (Phalacrocorax bougainvillii), inca terns (Larosterna inca), kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus). Among the migratory species we can find the ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres) that nests in Canada between May and August and migrates to the west coast of South America between October and April. The surfbird (Aphriza virgata) that visits us between October and April. The Franklin’s gull (Leucophaeus pipixcan), that can also be seen between October and April. The grey gull (Leucophaeus 
modestus) that comes from Chile between spring and summer and the surf cinclodes (Cinclodes taczanowskii), that are from Peru, but can only be seen on the Ballestas islands occasionally.
Among the mammal species we can find a few marine otters or marine cats (Lontra felina). These are a kind of otter that can be found in larger amounts from Chimbote, in Ancash department to Tierra del Fuego in Chile and Argentina. We can find bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and a larger amount of South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) as well.
We can also find crabs, starfish and sea spiders.
The excursion takes half a day and then you can visit the Paracas National Reserve. I’m telling you more about it on my next article.
Until next time!
To know about our tours clic HERE!
In South America we can find a series of Inca trail networks that are over 30,000 km and were used by the Incas to transport animals, food as well as to make the communication between the coast and highlands easier. All these trails are connected to Cusco city, the capital of the Tahuantinsuyo.
We can find these trail networks in places so distant such as Quito (Ecuador), Cajamarca (northeast of Peru) and even Bolivia and Chile. However, the best-known route connects
Cusco city to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Currently, there are daily departures to go hiking on this route.
The Inca Trail trek consists of 4 days walking, camping on esplanades and cooking on the route. It is an intense trek, especially because of the area’s high altitude: the highest point is over 3,700 meters above sea level. Despite this, it is a unique experience because of the landscapes, the flora and fauna that nature offers us and as a grand finale the entry to the Machu Picchu citadel on the last day’s dawn.
Besides, the equipment includes a first-aid kit and satellite telephones to be in communication with the office at any time.
The reservations for 2023 are already available. Don’t miss the chance to know one of the Wonders of the World through one of the Incas’ most used trails. For more information please click here.
On this article we leave you some tips to visit Peru.
The climate in Peru can be divided by zones: the western Andes that has a dry and cold climate in winter and its very rainy during the summer. The rainforest that has a hot, wet and rainy climate and the desert coast with a warm climate without regular rainfall.
The climate in Paracas varies according to the season. During summer, it is very hot and in winter the temperature decreases and there are strong winds so it is advisable to have a windbreaker at hand.
The climate in Arequipa city and the Colca Valley is dry and cold. The temperatures are between 17ºC y 24ºC in the morning and between 2°C and 6°C at night. Arequipa has sunny days and cold nights throughout the year. The rainy season is from December to March.
Cusco has a mild climate with temperatures that go from 02ºC to 23ºC with warm days and cold nights. The rainy season is from December to March.
Machu Picchu has a semi-tropical climate with warm days and cold nights. The rainy season is from November to April.
The climate is very cold and dry in Puno. The temperature fluctuates between 5ºC and 8ºC throughout the year. It is sunny during the day and very cold during the night (-10ºC).
The rainy season is from December to March.
Chiclayo city has a mild climate almost throughout the year, with higher temperatures during summer (December to March). The rainy season is from November to March and some years it causes some landslides.
Trujillo has a privileged climate, warm throughout the year with temperatures between18°C and 25°C. It is warmer during the summer (from December to March)
The rainy season is from November to March and some years it causes some landslides.
The average temperature in the Amazonia is 28 ºC. It has a tropical climate, hot, wet and rainy throughout the year. The heavy rainy season is from November to April, so we recommend being prepared.
The climate in Manu National Park is divided in two seasons: the drought season from June to September and the rainy season from October to May. You must be prepared because there could be an unexpected “friaje” (cold wave) any time of the year. The weather in Manu constantly changes, there can be rain during the drought season, so we suggest taking precautions. The average temperature in the lowest parts is 35ºC during the day and 25ºC during the night.
Tambopata has a warm and rainy climate throughout the year. The temperature can decrease in June and July because of the “friaje” (cold wave) due to the southern winds.
The weather doesn’t hold the trip back in general, except when the “El Niño” phenomenon is very aggressive.
Peru Time Zone according to Greenwich Mean Time is -5 (GMT -5), same as Bogotá and Mexico throughout the year and same as New York during summer. When it is midday in Peru the hour in the most important cities is:
| São Paulo | 14:00 |
| Frankfurt | 19:00 |
| Nueva York | 13:00 |
| Londres | 18:00 |
| Hong Kong | 01:00 + 1day |
| Singapur | 01:00 + 1day |
In Lima: 0 meters above sea level
In Paracas: 0 meters above sea level
In Nazca: 54 meters above sea level
In Arequipa: 2,350 meters above sea level
In the Colca Valley: 3,500 meters above sea level
In Cusco city: 3,360 meters above sea level
In Machu Picchu: 2,400 meters above sea level
In the Sacred Valley: 2,850 meters above sea level
In Puno: 3,860 meters above sea level
In Manu National Park: 365 meters above sea level
In Tambopata: 300 meters above sea level
In Iquitos: 106 meters above sea level
In Piura y Tumbes: 0 meters above sea level
In Huaraz: 3,038 meters above sea level
In Cajamarca: 2,720 meters above sea level
In Ayacucho: 5,746 meters above sea level
In Chiclayo: 60 meters above sea level
In Trujillo: 52 meters above sea level
The Peruvian Andes are at high altitudes, so it is necessary to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness or “soroche”. It is important to rest a few hours, to walk slowly and to eat light before beginning any tour. We also recommend drinking coca tea that helps with acclimatization. Even though water is potable in most cities, it is advisable to drink bottled water to avoid any problems.
To know if you need a visa to enter Peru, please go to the closest consulate (search here) since the requirement may vary at any moment. For more information, please go to: Visa types to enter Peru
Peru’s official language is Spanish, which is spoken by 80% of the population. However, there is a large portion of the population that speaks Quechua and Aymara (especially in the Peruvian Andes). Moreover, we can find 55 dialects in the Amazonian rainforest.
Electricity in Peru is 220 Volts and 60 Hertz. In some hotels, you may find dual voltage outlets, however, we suggest checking your appliances’ voltage and take precautions by having a power adapter or converter.
During the last years, the Peruvian gastronomy has become famous because of its variety and exquisiteness. Among the most known dishes you can find the ceviche, a dish made of fish and seafood marinated in lemon juice.
The famous “picanterías” stand out in Arequipa. These are typical restaurants from the past. There, we can find dishes made of cheese, milk and shrimp from the Majes Valley. The best-known dish in Arequipa is the rocoto relleno. The rocoto is a spicy fruit that is stuffed with meat and it is served with potato and cheese.
Other dishes you should try are the ocopa arequipeña, solterito de queso, chupe de camarones and adobo arequipeño (dish made of pork’s meat and chicha de jora). The city’s signature dessert is the queso helado prepared with milk, coconut and cinnamon.
You can try alpaca and trout prepared in several dishes in the Colca Valley
You can drink chicha de jora, a beverage made of fermented corn, and a shot of anisado as a digestive.
There is a new gastronomy trend in Cusco called “novoandina”. The novoandina cuisine is based on the creation of new dishes using local ingredients such as quinoa, quiwicha, potato, alpaca and trout. This way, we have dishes such as alpaca tenderloin with “quinotto” (risotto made of quinoa instead of rice) or grilled trout with sautéed vegetables and native potatoes.
In Puno, we can also find restaurants offering alpaca tenderloin and trout dishes with local vegetables and native potatoes. The zone’s pizzas also have a great acceptance due to the Andean cheese used in their preparation and the clay oven used to cook them.
The most important dishes in Iquitos are made of river fish, jerky, chonta or heart of the palm and typical fruits from the area such as cocona and camu camu.
The gastronomy in the north of Peru is one of the most important in the country. We can find arroz con pato (rice with duck), a dish made with cilantro, an aromatic herb that gives an amazing flavor to it. Among the typical dishes we can also find espesado, a corn soup with a side dish of yellow rice, tortilla de raya, which is an omelet made of skate fish with green onions and yellow chili. The white chicha is the zone’s typical beverage. In Trujillo, we can find cabrito con frejoles (goat meat served with beans), shambar (wheat soup made with pork’s skin and smoked ham), the sopa teóloga, turkey and hen broth with soaked bread, potato, milk and cheese.
Paracas and Nazca: international food restaurants, fish and sea food restaurants.
Arequipa: international and local food restaurants.
Cusco: international, local and vegetarian food restaurants.
Aguas Calientes: international and local food restaurants.
Puno: local food restaurants. Taquile only has the basic services.
Chiclayo: international, local and vegetarian food restaurants and fast food chains.
Trujillo: international, local and vegetarian food restaurants and fast food chains.
Iquitos: all meals will be provided by the lodge.
Yellow Fever Vaccine:
We recommend receiving the yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before your arrival to the rainforest. It is a must to have the vaccination certificate during your trip.
The Inti Raymi or Sun Festival is one of the greatest festivities celebrated in Cusco. It takes place every year on June 24. This celebration displays a representation of how the Incas carried out a ceremony to worship the sun god.
According to Inca Garcilazo de la Vega, this celebration took place every year in the winter solstice and lasted about 15 days in which there were dances and sacrifices. The last Inti Raymi with the attendance of an Inca emperor was carried out in 1535.
Due to the Spanish conquest, this festivity was forbidden in 1572 since it was considered a pagan celebration and an offence to the catholic religion.
Thanks to the festivity’s historic reconstruction by Faustino Espinoza Navarro in 1944, the Inti Raymi is once again a public celebration that receives thousands of tourists from all over the world.
The Virgen del Carmen or Our Lady of Mount Carmel festival is celebrated from July 15th to July 18th every year in a small and picturesque town called Paucartambo, 110 km from Cusco city. Thousands of local, national and international devotees get together for this celebration.
The celebration starts on July 15th in the afternoon with fireworks, dances and ringing of bells. The dances represent the combat between the highlands’ Q’olqas and the Chunchus from the west that compete for the love of the Mamacha del Carmen. These dances are performed by twelve local groups with colorful costumes that portray the celebration with a bonfire, races and stunts. From 10:00 p. m. the music band and the steward get ready to serenade Our Lady. The celebration ends with fireworks.
The main day of this festivity is July 16th and it starts at 05:00 a. m. with a dawn mass. At 10:00 a. m. the main mass is celebrated with beautiful chants from the Qollas and Qhapac negros. Once the mass is over, the celebration continues with music bands and dance groups that go out to the streets and squares joyfully throwing dolls and miniature pieces of furniture from the balconies. At 3:00 p. m., the procession that goes around the town starts with Our Lady on the processional platform being followed by devotees and dancers.
The “bendición y guerrilla” (blessing and guerrilla) is celebrated on July 17th. After the blessing of the mass, the troupes head towards the cemetery chanting to remember the deceased dancers. There is another procession in the 
afternoon that crosses the famous Carlos III bridge. Once the procession is over, people head once again to the square where the celebration continues with music and dances.
On the last day, Our Lady of Mount Carmel is placed in the baptistry to carry out the traditional “ocarikuy” where kids and teenagers get a blessing.
On July 19th the image of Our Lady returns to its altar and is dressed in her everyday clothes. The ceremony takes place with the presence of devotees, dance groups and musicians.
Sunrise at Tres CrucesContinuing the route out of Paucartambo for 59.4 km, we will arrive at the Tres Cruces viewpoint (3,800 ma. s. l.) where we can see one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world. Taking one night for this activity is worthwhile.
Paucartambo is a very small town so it has very few accomodations for tourists. It is advisable to book well in advance. There are some local families that offer beds for rent. It is also advisable to hire a travel agency for the celebration and for the visit to Tres Cruces to watch the sunrise.
The temperatures tend to be very low in this area during this season, so it is necessary to bring warm clothing such as jackets, gloves and bonnets.
Add to your trip Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Our team will be contacting you as soon as possible.
