ITINERARY

Duration: 3 days

Day 1: Cusco – Kinsacocha – Potato Park

Departure from Cusco towards KinsaCocha Lake. Beautiful hidden and little frequented natural spot. Upon arrival, we will take a short hike to have a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Then, we head to the Potato Park. Here we will learn about the history of this world famous tuber that was domesticated in the middle of the Peruvian Andes. We will see different shapes, colors and sizes of this food, thanks to the recovery work of the community we visit.

Afterwards, the people of the community themselves will offer us a lunch prepared with their own production. The potato will be the special guest !!!!

After lunch, we will go to the home of one of the communities that will host us for the first night in their houses. We will have the first intercultural exchanges with the Andean population, their traditions and the medicinal plants of the place.

Day 2: Potato Park – Pisac – Umasbamba

In the morning we will visit the archaeological site of Pisac. Construction of unsurpassed aesthetic value. We will see its terraces that are attached to the curved mountains and its different administrative and religious neighborhoods skillfully superimposed on the hills.

Then, we will go to the Umasbama community, where we will have lunch. In the afternoon, after lunch, there will be an agricultural activity with the local people: this is the time to learn about farming techniques (activities vary according to the time of year, from planting to harvesting, aeration, etc.). We will also get to know the “cuy” breeding enterprise of the family that welcomes us.

Day 3: Chinchero – Moray – Maras – Ollantaytambo  

After breakfast with the local population, we return to the Inca village of Chinchero, cradle of great weavers. In this place we observe the masterful prowess of the Inca architects to build their cultivation terraces on the sacred mountains. The beautiful narrow streets are adorned with multicolored weavings produced by the local population.

Then, we head in the direction of Moray. A very unique Inca archaeological site. Here the ancient Peruvians conducted agricultural experiments that allowed them to domesticate thousands of varieties of products known worldwide, in addition to the technical prowess that was obtained in the place the aesthetics of its concentric terraces are unique in the pre-Columbian world.

Later, we will visit the salt mines of Maras, where thousands of white terraces were embedded by the ancient Peruvians on a mountain dyed red, to deposit inside the salt water that springs naturally. After a process of natural evaporation, the salt crystals float on the surface, allowing to obtain salts rich in minerals.

At the end of the excursion we have the possibility to return to the city of Cusco or make a connection with the Machupicchu excursion.

What is included?

• Guide trained in intercultural issues
• Meeting with an Andean family willing to share their knowledge and traditions.
• Transportation adapted to the number of participants (No more than 12 people)

What is not included?

• Entrance fees to the archaeological sites (this in view of the fact that there are two possibilities of entrance fees depending on the number of days you wish to spend in the Cusco region)
• Travel insurance
• Tips

Recommendations for visitors

• Our experiences are respectful of the local population, their customs and traditions, therefore we recommend following the instructions of your guide in order not to break the intercultural harmony that we preserve.
• The best way to avoid the consumption and production of plastics is to avoid using them. Therefore we recommend having a canteen or a bottle that can be reused. We provide water to fill your bottles.