Full Day Circuit Tour of the Colcas
Descripción:
The Peasant Communities of Huaynaqolqa and Raqchi-Machuqolqa are communities engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. These picturesque high Andean communities are considered natural viewpoints of the enigmatic Sacred Valley of the Incas from a different perspective. They are places that connect with the main Sacred Mountains that traverse alongside the fertile Urubamba Valley. The Huaynaqolqa Peasant Community possesses various traditional oral and cultural activities that are shared with visitors through cultural exchanges, including hikes, Andean gastronomy, Andean ceremonies, myths, crafts, and adventure activities. We invite you to discover a new community alternative experience.
Day 1
To begin our journey, we will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 am in our transportation. From the city of Cusco, we will head towards the Machuqolqa viewpoint, our first destination on the circuit, passing through traditional towns like Chinchero. This initial journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Once we arrive at the Machuqolqa viewpoint, we will disembark from our transportation and enjoy our first view of the sacred Apus (mountains) such as La Verónica (Weqey willka), Pumahuanca, Chicon, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will spend an estimated 30 minutes here, and you will have the opportunity to acquire local crafts as souvenirs. Continuing in Machuqolqa, we will ascend for 15 minutes to the archaeological site of the same name, where we will explore the unique and peculiar system of product conservation used during the Inca era. After concluding our visit to Machuqolqa, we will embark on a 1 hour and 15-minute hike to the Paca Huaynaqolqa community, enjoying impressive views and passing through various crops of Andean products such as potatoes, quinoa, tarwi, and corn, as well as wheat and barley, depending on the season. Upon reaching the Huaynaqolqa community, we will be welcomed with music, dance, and traditional attire. Together with the locals, we will go to a family home where we will share lunch. The meal will be a traditional Andean dish called Pachamanca, prepared with local products cultivated by the farmers. Pachamanca consists of beef, chicken, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, huacatay (a Peruvian herb), chili peppers, cumin, bell peppers, and other spices, cooked on preheated stones, which gives it a unique flavor different from typical city food. Another option is Cuy al Palo, a dish featuring roasted guinea pig flavored with Andean herbs, prepared as our ancestors used to make it. Both dishes will be prepared according to the season to ensure the best flavor. If you have any dietary preferences, alternative options can be arranged. We will also have the opportunity to prepare Uchucuta with “el batán,” a sauce that accompanies our lunch and will be made with our own hands. Our traditional lunch will be around 12:30 pm, followed by a rest period. After our lunch break, we will continue to another viewpoint, this time at the archaeological site of Huaynaqolqa. From its privileged location, we will admire another perspective of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and its secrets hidden among the mountains, such as the charms of Pitusiray and Sahuasiray. This is a mythical tale of challenges and romance said to have taken place during the Inca era. It is recommended for couples who wish to reaffirm their vows in an “Andean Marriage” ceremony, with the mountains and Pachamama (Mother Earth) as witnesses, accompanied by Andean music and dance. We will also make an offering of gratitude and connection with nature as a farewell to these places, preserving the positive energy of our journey. To conclude the day, you have the option to continue to Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, or Machu Picchu, or return to the city of Cusco. Our transportation will pick you up and take you to the chosen destination.
included
- Private transportation.
- Circuit Tour of the Colcas: Machucolca – Huaynacolca.
- Official Tour Guide fluent in Spanish, English, and Quechua.
- Meals: Typical lunch included.
- Transfers.
- Assistance.
not included
- Entrance fees to tourist sites included.
- Gratuities not included.
Our Tripadvisor Reviews
ExcellentBased on 12 reviewsVerifiedpilar L2024-06-06Experiencia inolvidable "Tuve la suerte de contar con el increíble guía turístico Herber durante mi viaje a Perú. Su profundo conocimiento histórico y cultural, combinado con su amabilidad y entusiasmo, hizo que cada tour fuera una experiencia inolvidable. Recomiendo a Herber a cualquiera que quiera descubrir los secretos mejor guardados de la ciudad. ¡Gracias, Herber, por hacer de mi viaje una aventura inolvidable!"VerifiedSergio b2024-05-16Great with him An exceptional guide and an excellent person, the trip under his guidance multiplied interest and fun. I would without a doubt recommend working with him. Fantastic treatment and information. Out of 10 everything.Verifiedpatricia g2024-05-15Cusco travel, don't hesitate. Peru is a country that you love in every aspect, salkantay, mountain colors, Cusco, Amazon... But what makes all this really incredible is the human team of Cusco travel, cooks, muleteers, drivers, headed by the guide HERVER, excellent professional and better person, I would choose you a thousand times more.VerifiedJosé Carlos G2024-05-15Learning and adventure You have it all in Peru and with Herber it becomes super enjoyable and interesting. A guide of 10. A true connector with Pachamama. Thank you Shaman.VerifiedAna M2024-05-15Mountain, culture and gastronomy Without a doubt highly recommended. Very good professional... highly qualified in Inca history... and in terms of mountains ⛰️🏔️ culture and gastronomy... The tours were organized in detail and their kitchen equipment was a 10. I have fallen in love with this country thanks to him. I will be back.VerifiedJuan Diego S2024-05-13Great supplier and person We have made a full pack with Cuzco travel for 14 days. Including culture, Trekking, MachuPicchu and jungle in Puerto Maldonado Really, in my case we will continue working together and we will make everything grow in a respectful way and enjoying more travelers.VerifiedBorja G2023-10-02Pedro An unforgettable experience!!! Accompanied by our beloved guide and now friend Herber. A close and endearing person with a lot of knowledge. Where we have been protected and accompanied by him and his team like a big family, Nothing has been missing on this trip. An experience that has marked a before and after for me. I would definitely repeat it with this great team. Thank you Herber for your kindness, attention and good sense of humor.VerifiedLaura B2023-09-13Great tour with wonderful views and awesome guide Had such a good time on this tour, the views are amazing, the food is good and I found the walk up to the top very manageable, even with the altitude. What really made it a great tour though was Marco, our guide, who was so knowledgeable, kind and funny - our driver was also lovely. Would definitely recommend to anyone considering rainbow mountain!VerifiedDjango S2023-09-13Vinikunka tour full day Ee booked the tour with our hostel and for 30€ it was absolutley worth it. Our guide marco antonio was very helpfoul an had such good authentic vibes. Incredible. Recomendation.VerifiedSilvia I2022-09-15Altamente recomendado si buscas un buen guía de turismo Herber tiene todas las cualidades de un guía de excelencia: calidez en el trato, amabilidad e increíble conocimiento de cada lugar visitado.