AREQUIPA DAILY TOURS

TOUR	LENGTH	DEPART.
City tour and Santa Catalina Convent	3 hours	Daily
Visit the surroundings, Sabandia mill and Mansión del Fundador	3 hours	Daily
Colonial Arequipa	3 hours	Daily
The Juanita mummy	1 to 2 hours	Daily
Toro Muerto petroglyphs	8 hours	Daily
Salinas Natural Reserve	10 hours	Daily
Colca Canyon and Cruz del Cóndor	2d/1n	Daily

CITY TOUR AND SANTA CATALINA CONVENT
The visit to Arequipa starts in the districts of San Lázaro, Yanahuara, Cayma and Mirador de Carmen Alto or Quebrada de Chilina from where you have a lovely panoramic view of the city, countryside and surrounding volcanoes. From this viewpoint you can climb down to the Chili River and after crossing an old bridge reach the historical center of the city, visiting the residential district of Selva Alegre. In the city, a visit to the Cathedral founded in 1656, the Plaza de Armas and the church of La Compañia de Jesús.

Finally, situated in the heart of the city we find the Santa Catalina Convent founded in 1580. It occupies an area of 20000 square meters. This colonial jewel is made up of churches, cloisters, squares and other areas. The colonial aspect has been preserved intact since the 16th century.

VISIT THE SURROUNDINGS, SABANDIA MILL AND MANSIÓN DEL FUNDADOR
We will visit the surrounding area of Arequipa, which is crowned by the Misti, Chachani and Picchu Picchu volcanoes. It offers attractive scenery such as the Chilina countryside, the Paucarpata, which means "Extension of the Andes" because its slopes have been terraced for agriculture, the Sabandia Mill, a fully preserved building. In the district of Huasacache one may admire La Mansion del Fundador, a palace founded in the 16th century by Don Garcia de Carbajal, who also founded the city. Finally there is the Mirador (Viewpoint) of Sachaca.

COLONIAL AREQUIPA
This excursion includes a visit to the San Lázaro district, Puente Grau, Carmen Alto, church of Cayma, Virgen de la Candelaria district, Recoleta Convent, Vallecito, Puente Bolívar, Casa del Moral and Casa Tristán del Pozo.

THE JUANITA MUMMY
This mummy was discovered on September 1995, in the Ampato volcano, by the anthropologist Dr. Johan Reinhard. This volcano is about 6,300 meters high, lodged for 500 years or more this Inca child who was 13 or 14 years old before her death. It is said that this little girl was offered to the Apu (Gods) by an Inca priest.
The exhibition shows Juanita and two other mummies who accompanied her in that offering, as well their ornaments.

TORO MUERTO PETROGLYPHS
About 170 km north of Arequipa, in the province of Castilla, beyond the valleys of Uchumayo, V¡tor and Siguas, in the deep fertile Valley of Majes, we find the greatest and most important concentration of petroglyphs: Toro Muerto (529 masl). In a sandy gorge of approximately 2 sq km, next to the village of Corire there is an outcrop of volcanic stones on which the ancient inhabitants of the place engraved more than 3000 zoomorphic anthropomorphic and geometric figures with representations of llamas, pumas, condors and scenes of ritual dances and warriors. There are many doubts about their antiquity since the place has not yet been fully investigated. Before returning to Arequipa, you will be able to enjoy lunch at a rustic restaurant in Punta Colorada.
SALINAS NATURAL RESERVE
This is an ideal excursion for ornithologists and lovers of wild and rugged nature. After 10 hours on the road from Arequipa to Puno, along dirt roads you arrive at the Indian villages of Chiguata and the pre Inca terraces. We will see flocks of Alpacas, Llamas and Vicuñas along the way. Finally we will arrive to the back of the Pichu Picchu volcano where the Salinas Lake is located. There is an abundant wildlife in the place, particularly Flamingos and Parihuanas.


COLCA CANYON AND CRUZ DEL CONDOR
An excursion of 12 hours is offered for someone who does not have two or three days, the ideal amount time to visit the Colca Canyon. However it is necessary to leave Arequipa at 4:00am to reach the observatory of the Condors by 8:00. The trip is conducted along a dirt road, which takes you to the Viewpoint of Cruz del Condor (246 km from Arequipa at 3225 masl). In Quechua it is called "chacla" because there they “chacllaba” the Earth: they made offerings to request its help and protection. In this place the valley has a depth of 1050 meters. Before sunrise, you can see dozens of condors who take advantage of the "thermals" of the place to soar from the depths and glide for many minutes without flapping their wings. You return to Arequipa after lunch.

As mentioned early it is ideal to make this visit in two days. In a journey of 205 km between Arequipa and the town of Chivay you can see many places of singular beauty such as: Pampa de Cañahua (95 km from Arequipa and at 3800 masl) where the Vicuñas, Alpacas and Llamas abound; the Ventana of the Colca (143 km from Arequipa and 4100 masl); the petroglyphs and cave of Mollepunko (161 km from Arequipa and at 4100 masl), the typical villages of Sibayo (174 km from Arequipa and at 4110 masl) and Tuti (184 km from Arequipa and at 3960 masl) with colonial churches of incalculable value; the archaeological ruins of the Collahuas, inhabitants of the place before the Inca conquest; the village of Coporaque (3628 masl) and the andenerias built between the sixth and seventh centuries. Along the way, on the banks of the Colca River, a cold lunch will be served. Arrival at Chivay will be at sunset, to spend the night at a comfortable lodge.

The second day after visiting the mirador Cruz del Condor (41 km from Chivay) the towns of Yaque and Maca will be visited. From here the Sabancaya volcano in intermittent eruption can be seen. Return to Arequipa will be along a dirt road, which will cross a pass at 4850 masl from where an extraordinary view of the Chili mountain range and all the volcanoes of the region can be experienced. Arrival in Arequipa is in the afternoon.

 

 A&R ARE 1 : COLCA CANYON ( 3 days / 2 nights )

By private transport

DAY 01       ARRIVAL AT LIMA

Transfer airport/hotel – Overnight

DAY 02       LIMA / AREQUIPA / COLCA

American breakfast – Transfer hotel/airport – Flight to Arequipa – Arrival at Arequipa and departure to Colca Canyon by private transport (km 296, 4 hours) – Arrival at Colca Canyon and lodging in the hotel – Lunch in the hotel – Afternoon is at leisure to visit surroundings or to enjoy a thermal bath in La Calera – Dinner in the hotel – Overnight

DAY 03       COLCA / AREQUIPA

American breakfast – Transfer to La Cruz del Condor – Dinner in the hotel – In the afternoon, return to Arequipa by private transport – Lodging in the hotel – Meeting with rest of the group - Overnight


By public transport – SIC services

DAY 01       ARRIVAL AT LIMA

Transfer airport/hotel – Overnight

DAY 02       LIMA / AREQUIPA / COLCA

American breakfast - Transfer hotel/airport – Flight to Arequipa – Arrival At Arequipa and departure to Colca Canyon by public bus (seat in bus) – Arrival at Colca and lodging in the hotel – Dinner in the hotel – Overnight

DAY 03       COLCA / AREQUIPA

American breakfast – Transfer to Cruz del Condor (SIB) – After the visit, departure to Arequipa by public bus (SIB) – Arrival at Arequipa and lodging in the hotel – Meeting with the rest of the group - Overnight

AYACUCHO DAILY TOURS

TOUR (meals not included in the programs)	LENGTH	DEPART.
City tour	6 hours	Daily
Wari ruins and Pampa de Quinua	10 hours	Daily
Huanta, Wari ruins and Pampa de Quinua	10 hours	Daily
Ecological Huanta	10 hours	Daily
Forest of puyas Raimondi, Intihuatana and Vilcashuaman	10 hours	Daily
Cangallo waterfalls	8 hours	Daily
Cangallo, waterfalls, forest of puyas Raimondi, Intihuatana and Vilcashuaman	2d/1n	Daily

CITY TOUR
Ayacucho is one the few cities in Peru which still preserves intact mansions and colonial churches. Upon visiting it one has the feeling that time has come to a standstill since colonial times. It has 33 churches each with a different architectural style and with priceless treasures in their interior. The visit includes the Cathedral in the Armas Square, the mansions of Olano, Jaurequi and Vivanco, the churches of Santo Domingo, San Cristobal, Santa Teresa, the Archaeological Museum, the Mirador, the botanic garden Cactus Club and the neighbourhood of artisan at Santa Ana

WARI RUINS AND PAMPA DE QUINUA
Departure to Chacco, Lagunilla, Pacaycasa, to arrive at the Wari archaeological complex, located 22Km. from Ayacucho on a volcanic plateau of 120 hectares to visit the most important sectors such as: the Ushpa Qoto, a complex of buildings around a great square; Capillayoc, a 200 metre building with a ceremonial aspect in whose centre there is a platform 10 metres high; Cheqo Wasi, a set of buildings with a distance of 50 metres each one; Infiernillo, a place where clay was extracted to make ceramics.
Then, Pampa de Quinua (historical place of the battle of Ayacucho in 1824) and the town of Quinua, specialized in the ceramic crafts, will be visited.

HUANTA, WARI RUINS AND PAMPA DE QUINUA
Departure to Chacco, Lagunilla and Pikimachay to visit the cave, where South American’s oldest evidences of human presence (15.000 BC), were found.
Then, a visit to Huanta (specialized in beekeeping and fruitgrowing), Lauricocha (centre specialized in fruitgrowing) and the Huatuscalla viewpoint (panoramic views of the Huanta valley and to the jungle gate).
Then we will visit the Wari ruins and Pampa de Quinua described above.

ECOLOGICAL HUANTA
Departure to Chacco, Lagunilla and Pikimachay to visit the cave, where South American’s oldest evidences of human presence (15.000 BC), were found.
Then, a visit to Huanta (specialized in beekeeping and fruitgrowing), Lauricocha (centre specialized in fruitgrowing) and the Huatuscalla viewpoint (panoramic views of the Huanta valley and to the jungle gate).
Descend to the Allccomachay Bridge, crossing the Cactus Regional Park of Lauricocha to have a relaxing time at the beaches of the Warpa and Mantaro rivers.
A visit to the IDESI Centre, specialized in fruitgrowing, scion production (more than 100.000 scions) and guinea pigs.
Picnic.
In Huanta, visit to a beekeeping production facility with local natural products and a liquor production centre, which can be tasted.
Finally, a visit to a nice waterfall at Huancayocc.

FOREST OF PUYAS RAIMONDI, INTIHUATANA AND VILCASHUAMAN
Early morning departure to Toccto, Condorccocha and Manallasaq, to appreciate a forest of Puyas Raimondi, the flowering time is from September to November.
After 45 minutes, arrival to Intihuatana, archaeological place located on the shores of an Artificial Lake built by the Incas There is a Palace, Control Towers, the Temple of the Sun, Sacrificial Stones, Inca Baths and The stone of the 17 angles.
Then we continue to Vilcashuaman. It is an extraordinary archaeological complex, which indicates the high level of development of the Soras and Lucanas who inhabited the valley east of the Pampas River. Later it became the seat of the Incas in the Contisuyo. Its main buildings were Ushno or Ceremonial Pyramid, the Temple of the Sun and the Moon, irrigating canals and the Sacrificial Stone.

CANGALLO WATERFALLS
Early morning departure to Toccto, Condorccocha and stopping at Chanquil for a 30 minutes walk (round trip) to the Pumapaqcha double waterfall (15 metres)
On our way to Cangallo we arrive for a 15 minute walk to the first Batan waterfall (20 metres). Then walk by a stream which crosses 3 tunnels we arrive at the Qorimaqma waterfall (30 metres in two levels).
After our picnic at the well, we will go to the Pacopata gulch and after 1 hour we arrive to the hot-spring waters of Wawapuquio.
In Cangallo, an optional lunch and visit to the suspension bridge over the Pampas River. A city tour.

CANGALLO WATERFALL, FOREST OF PUYAS RAIMONDI, INTIHUATANA AND VILCASHUAMAN
It is a mix between the two last excursions described above.
Overnight will be spent at Cangallo, in the Town Hall’s hotel.
On the second day, we will depart to Intihuatana, then to Vilcashuaman and finally the forest of puyas Raimondi.

CAJAMARCA DAILY TOURS

TOUR	LENGTH	DEPART.
City tour and Santa Apolonia hill	3 hours	Daily
Otuzco necropolis	2 hours	Daily
Combayo necropolis	4 hours	Daily
Cumbemayo	2 hours	Daily
Kunturwasi ruins	12 hours	Daily

CITY TOUR AND SANTA APOLONIA HILL
In the Plaza de Armas or Main Square you may visit The Cathedral, inaugurated in 1776. Its facade is finely carved in volcanic lava and the main altar is covered in gold leaf. Opposite to the Cathedral, stands the Church of San Francisco, one of the oldest Catholic churches in Peru. It is built in the Baroque and Plateresque styles and houses remarkable paintings of the Cajamarca School. In the Puga Street, 50 meters from the main square is the Ransom Room, the sole Inca building standing in the area. It is also worth visiting the Belen Complex, a temple built wholly of carved stone, presently occupied by the National Institute of Culture.
The visit concludes on the Hill of Santa Apolonia or Silla del Inca (Inca’s chair). There you may enjoy an excellent view of the valley and the city.

OTUZCO NECROPOLIS
The towns and pre-Inca villages in Cajamarca were not built at the bottom of the valley, natural places of transit, but on the summits of the rocky mountains in defensive positions, very often in the highest and most hidden areas of the puna. Studies done by archaeologists in this area, lead us to believe that architecture was little developed. There were a considerable variety of tombs, which can be classified into two groups: those built on the ground or “ventanillas” (small windows) and those built underground. 0.5 km. from the city are the Ventanillas de Otuzco, (from “oto” = to be mouth eaten and “usca” or “lurgo” = that which has been mouth-eaten), niches with circular or rectangular openings, carved on the same rocky walls in superimposed horizontal lines. Most of the tombs are simple and could only shelter one corpse. Others are multiple niches. The individual ones in some cases have an 8 meters depth.


COMBAYO NECROPOLIS
The Combayo Necropolis is located 25 km from Cajamarca, after travelling a dirt road in bad conditions. It is similar to that of Otuzco, also of pre-Inca origins, but with a greater number of niches. All the tombs have been dug into the rock, some 10 meters deep and protected by special canals. This excursion also offers the opportunity to enjoy wonderful scenery and small Andean villages.

CUMBEMAYO
The archaeological complex of Cumbe Mayo is situated 23 km southeast of Cajamarca, at an altitude of 3700 masl at the foot of the Majona Range. The dirt road is in bad condition and in the rainy season it is difficult to travel. In 1937 Julio C. Tello during his “fourth archaeological expedition to the Marañon”, discovered the Cumbe Mayo Aqueduct, which dates back to the Chavin period. There are 4 sectors or monumental groups: an aqueduct, a Sanctuary, various Petroglyphs and the Ventanillas Cemetery.
The Aqueduct is an outstanding masterpiece of hydraulic engineering, open in rock over a kilometer long. The Sanctuary is a great monolith carved in the style of Qenqo in Cusco. The rock has been cut at right angles, leaving spaces for steps, seats and altars. The whole complex is awesome. The Petroglyphs are very well preserved, and figures representing birds, sacred animals and other symbols of an apparently writing can still be seen. As for the Ventanillas, it is a cemetery formed by tombs perforated in the rock slightly above the aqueduct.
The Caxamarca Culture appeared in the northern Andes in the 2nd century bc disappearing around 800 ad.

KUNTURWASI RUINS
At 4 hours from Cajamarca, traveling part of the highway to Trujillo or Chiclayo in the village of Chilete there will be a road detour to reach the village of San Pablo (2365 masl). The ruins of Kunturwasi are spread over in “La Collpa” mountain, 2 km southeast of this village. They were first visited and studied by Julio C. Tello. The name of Kunturwasi, judging by the statues found there, relates to the condor, and leads us to believe that the place was dedicated to the cult of this god. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that nearby there is a rocky abyss whose sides are full of condor nests. On the summit of the mountain, there is a 12-meter high temple consisting of 3 superimposed platforms. The top platform shelters the sacred shrine, now very much deteriorated. These are notable examples of lithic art and classic Chavín pottery. Elongated statues are buried in the ground up to their waist, and slabs have been engraved in low relief representing heads of important gods, the condor amongst them.
Tourists need to know that this is an excursion of considerable difficulty because of its length and the ascent to the mountain.

CHACHAPOYAS DAILY TOURS

TOUR	LENGTH	DEPART.
Kuelap ruins	Full day	Daily
Karajía ruins	Full day	Daily
Revash and museum of Leymebamba	Full day	Daily
Discovering the Chachapoyas Kingdom	5d/4n 6d/5n 7d/6n 8d/7n	Daily Daily Daily Daily

KUELAP RUINS
It was built by the Sachapuyos culture around 800 AD. The building has rhomboid friezes, vaulted niches in the walls and the so-called enigmatic ink well because of its inverted cone shape. Narrow walled funnel-like passageways lead into the building, strategically built to prevent invaders from entering.
Given the prominent features of the buildings, it is assumed that many chieftains had the language, religion and architecture in common.

KARAJÍA RUINS
These baked mud caskets are 2 meters long, with flat, broad faces and decorated with geometric figures. They are strategically located at the top of a limey rock crest.

REVASH AND MUSEUM OF LEYMEBAMBA
Revash is a place with mausoleums and little houses with red pictographies built on the top of a cliff, dominating the valley.
The museum of Leymebamba exhibits the mummies and objects found in Los Condores Lake, also known as the Lake of the mummies, situated in the Leymebamba district, where about 280 mummies and approximately 3000 pre-Inca and Inca objects were discovered.

A&R:DISCOVERING THE CHACHAPOYAS KINGDOM

( 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS )

DAY 01       CHICLAYO / CHACHAPOYAS (L – D)

Transfer from Chiclayo to Chachapoyas by private transport (9 hours ride), crossing one of the most barren desert in the world. Then, we will cross the Marañón River and the Uctubamba Canyon to arrive at Chachapoyas. Overnight at Hotel Gran Vilaya.

DAY 02       CHACHAPOYAS / EL CHILLO (B – L – D)

Departure towards the east, throught the other site of the Uctubamba Valley. In Lamud, there are the mousoleums called “Dead Town”, tombs that seem to hang on a lofty cliff. There also are sarcophagus and an impressive view of the River Utcubamba. Then we will go back to the highway towards the south to arrive at El Chillo at dusk. Overnight.

DAY 03       EL CHILLO (B – L – D)

After a 1 hour ride we will arrive at the town of Yerbabuena from where we will do a trekking (2 hours) to visit the spectaculars tombs of Revash. This place has an amazing beauty and the tombs, built 1200 years ago, were painted in red. Following the journey, we will arrive at Leymebamba, to visit its local museum that lodges 219 mummies discovered in 1997 near to a lagoon. Back to El Chillo at dusk, Overnight.

DAY 04       EL CHILLO (B – L – D)

Trasnfer to the ruins of Kuelap (1.30 hours). Hundreds of circular houses in the middle of a cloud fosrest at 3000 meters, which are protected by a wall of 15 metres high that surrounds the top of the mountain. We will visit the place and its aqueducts. In the afternoon, back to El Chillo. Overnight.

DAY 05       EL CHILLO / CHICLAYO (D – A)

Early morning, back to Chiclayo by private transport.

A&R:DISCOVERING THE CHACHAPOYAS KINGDOM

( 6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS )

DAYS 1 – 2
Same as 5 days-program

DAY 03 EL CHILLO (B – L – D)
Full day excursion to visit the town of La Jalca Grande, the sixth town founded by the Spaniards, and that preserves intact its colonial traditions. Some of its inhabitants use typical dresses and the main meeting point is the church of stone that preserves a mixture of religious symbols from the Chachapoyas and the Catholic Church. In the afternoon, back to El Chillo. Overnight.

DAYS 4 – 5 - 6
Same as 5 days-program

A&R:DISCOVERING THE CHACHAPOYAS KINGDOM

( 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS )

DAY 1
Same as 6 days-program

DAY 02 CHACHAPOYAS (B – L – D)
The town of Levanto was founded by the Spaniards in 1538. During the journey we will visit the ruins of Yalape, to observe an old channel of irrigation in good conservation. For those that have a good physical condition, we propose to return to Chachapoyas through an Inca Trail (3 hours of walking). Finally, we will visit the town of Huancas, famous by its particular ceramics, made by the local women. Returning to Chachapoyas, we will visit Sonches, at 1000 metres, to enjoy a beautiful view of the Uctbamba Canyon. Overnight.

DAYS 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 - 7
Same as 6 days-program

A&R:DISCOVERING THE CHACHAPOYAS KINGDOM

(8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS )

DAY 01 LIMA / CHACHAPOYAS
Arrival at the Chachapoyas’s airport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight.

DAY 02 CHACHAPOYAS
Purumllacta is located to the east of Chachapoyas, to one and half hours by car and 1 hour on foot or by horseback riding. These are interesting ruins that do not have the Chachapoyas style. There are circular houses linked by steps and terraces in stone. The ruins still preserve several secrets. In the afternoon back to Chachapoyas. Overnight.

DAYS 3 – 4 -5 – 6 – 7
Same as 7 days-program

DAY 08 CHACHAPOYAS / LIMA
Transfer to the airport to take you flight to Lima.

CHICLAYO DAILY TOURS

TOUR	LENGTH	DEPART.
City tour and herbolarium market	2 hours	Daily
Sipán Royal Tomb Museum	3 hours	Daily
Lambayeque City and Sipán Royal Tomb Museum	4 hours	Daily
Tomb of the Lord of Sipán and site museum	2.30 hours	Daily
Túcume pyramids and site museum	4 hours	Daily
Sicán Nacional Museum	3 hours	Daily
Tomb of the Lord of Sipán and Pampagrande	5 hours	Daily
Esoteric tour at Túcume	All night	Daily
Sicán Nacional Museum, Batangrande and Túcume pyramids	9 hours	Daily
Chiclayo – Pakatnamú ruins – Trujillo	---	Daily
Chiclayo – Huaca El Brujo ruins – Trujillo	See Trujillo
Chiclayo – Chan Chan and Huaca del Dragón – Trujillo	See Trujillo
Chiclayo – Huacas of the Sun and of the Moon – Trujillo	See Trujillo

CITY TOUR AND HERBOLARIUM MARKET
Chiclayo is the Lambayeque department’s capital. This beautiful colonial city was founded in 1553 and is known for its casonas (mansions), chapels and churches.
One of its main zones is the herbalist market, where different medicinal plants and objects for shamanism rites are sold.

SIPÁN ROYAL TOMBS MUSEUM
This museum shows the Mochica customs. There are original pieces discovered at the Sipán Royal Cemetery. The main are: The Tomb of the Lord of Sipán, discovered in 1987, which shows a replica of its burial; The Priest Tomb, discovered in 1988 and Tombs of the old Lord of Sipán, which present the best goldsmith works.

LAMBAYEQUE CITY AND SIPÁN ROYAL TOMBS MUSEUM
A city where the first shouts of freedom during the Peruvian Independence occurred. It has the world’s greatest balcony, whose length is one block.
There are two important museums: Enrique Brüning and the new Royal Tombs of Sipán (described above)

TOMB OF THE LORD OF SIPÁN AND SITE MUSEUM
The archaeological complex of Huaca Rajada is 35 km from Chiclayo, in the valley of Lambayeque and occupies more than 200 hectares. It consists of many pyramids built with adobe bricks. In 1987 the Peruvian archaeologist Walter Alva discovered a tomb with a rich trousseau belonging to an elite character of the Moche culture (550 ad). Part of this complex is the Tomb of the Lord of Sipán, probably the most valuable ever to have been discovered in Peru. It contains the remains of a high dignitary surrounded by 9 courtiers, concubines and a dog. The archaeological findings include over 1200 ceramic pieces; fine objects of gold, silver, copper and precious stones, a great necklace, pectoral, and other objects. A small museum has been built on the site where the tomb is reproduced and where some pieces found during the excavations are exhibited.

TÚCUME PYRAMIDS AND SITE MUSEUM
Along the old Panamericana highway, 33 km from Chiclayo, one arrives at the archaeological complex of Túcume (Its old name was Tucmi, deriving from “tukum” or owl. Therefore the meaning is “place where owls gather”). It consists of 26 adobe pyramids, in an area of 220 hectares and belongs to the Lambayeque Culture (800 to 1,300 ad). It was the center of the religious and political power of the region. Its origins date back to the arrival of the legendary Ñaylamp, who arrived from the sea with his fleet of rafts bringing art and technology to this region. The legendary Thor Heyerdahl lived in this area for many years and dedicated a lifetime to studying this pyramidal complex. There is a small museum, which exhibits pieces from the excavations.

SICÁN NATIONAL MUSEUM
Located in the city of Ferreñafe, at 25 Km from Chiclayo.
Its main goal is to be the research center of the Sicán culture.
The permanent exhibition shows all aspects regarding the Sicán people and its culture. The exhibit objects show how they were used and manufactured.

TOMB OF THE LORD OF SIPÁN AND PAMPAGRANDE
After passing the “National Archaeological Reserve of Poma” in Batangrande and across a thick algarrobo wood you arrive at Huaca Rajada on the banks of the La Leche River. Here there is an adobe pyramid, now under study by a Japanese mission, which contains the tomb of the Lord of Sipán (described above)
From Sicán we continue to Pampa Grande, an urban center of great importance for its size and complexity. This city with great enclosures, reflect the rectangular and trapezoidal development of the Moche culture. Between enclosures surrounded by a defensive wall, emerge two pyramids where religious and administrative functions took place. It is believed that the place was densely populated with a vast number of its inhabitants dedicated to the production of textiles, ceramics and metallurgy.

ESOTERISM IN TÚCUME
At 21.00pm, near the Túcume archaeological complex, begins a ceremony where participants meet around the table of the Shaman, which contains: tobacco, San Pedro, Spondilus shells, perfumes, swords of wood and steel, stones, ceramics, human cranium and beverages of natural herbs. All objects are used to clean bad spirits, making a blossoming bath. The ceremony finishes at 05.00am with prayers and delivery of amulets.

SICÁN NATIONAL MUSEUM, BATANGRANDE AND TÚCUME PYRAMIDS
After visiting Sicán national Museum (described above) we reach the historic sanctuary of Batangrande, located 40 km southwest of the city of Chiclayo, which covers 46 sq km and comprises 20 pre-Inca structures including, among others, Las Ventanas (where the Gold Tumi was extracted), La Mayanga, Lucía, La Merced, Cholope and Rodillona. This was the site of the Sicán culture. Finally, we will visit the Túcume pyramids (described above)

CHICLAYO - PAKATNAMÚ RUINS - TRUJILLO
Pakatnamú, sitting on a high plateau straddling the valley and the sea, ranks among the most beautiful and largest of all Mochica, Lambayeque or Chimú sites.
Protected by two large walls and deep precipices, Pakatnamú spreads over 1.5 sq km. It reached its present configuration during the Lambayeque period, and although the purpose served by its architectural layout is not perfectly clear to modern eyes, plentiful evidence of complex rites, including human sacrifices, suggests to researchers that this was a large ceremonial center, in some way similar to the Pachacamac oracle in Peru’s central Coast.

CUSCO DAILY TOURS

TOUR	LENGTH	DEPART.
City tour	3 hours	Daily
City tour and 4 nearby ruins	3.30 hours	Daily
7 nearby ruins	3.30 hours	Daily
Chinchero market	3.30 hours	Sunday
Pisaq Indian market	3.30 hours	Tuesday, Thursday. Sunday
Market and ruins of Pisaq	4.30 hours	Tuesday, Thursday. Sunday
Tipón and Piquillacta ruins and Andahuaylillas town	Full day	Daily
Machu Picchu	Full day	Daily
Pisaq Indian market and fortress of Ollantaytambo	7 hours	Tuesday, Thursday. Sunday
Market or ruins of Chinchero, Maras town, Moray ruins and Salineras	8 hours	Daily
Willoq community	Full day	Daily
Tarawasi ruins and Saywite stone	8 hours	Daily
From Cusco to Puno	7 hours	Daily

CITY TOUR
We start our visit to the marvelous capital of the Inca Empire from the Hanan Qosqo (high Cusco). Here we can admire the wall and niches of the Colcampata ("Colca" = chamber; "Pata" = height). This palace was supposedly occupied by the mythological founder of the Empire, Manco Capac.

From here we have a magnificent view of the whole city and our guide will show the location of the thirteen quarters of old Cusco: Colcampata, Cantupata, Pumacurco, Toqocachi, Munaysenca, Rimacpampa, Collasuyo, Pumacchupan, Chaquilchaqui, Picchu, Quillipata, Carhuenca and Huacapuncu.

We begin our descent to Urin Qosqo (Low Cusco) along the typical Inca alley of Pumapurco ("Puma" = American feline; "Curco" = back).

According to history it bears its name because there you could find enormous logs to which the felines were tied after being hunted so that the Inca could admire them. Continuing along our trip we arrive to the small Plazoleta de las Nazarenas, erected over part of the Yachayhuasi ruins (house of knowledge) where the children of the nobility were taught. One can also observe here El Callejón de las Siete Culebras, on whose walls seven serpents are carved, which form part of the Yachayhuasi. Descending along the San Agustín road one arrives at the Inca Roca Palace on whose central wall one can admire the stone of 12 angles. Finally, once in the center of Urin Qosqo, we reach the Plazoleta of Santo Domingo whose tower is the greatest colonial landmark of the area. Here we will visit Coricancha, the most important religious center of the Empire. To arrive at the Plaza de Armas, (Main Square) we will go along the Callejón Loreto, whose Inca name was Amaru Cancha, facing on one side the Acllahuasi or Virgins House and on the other the Palace of Huayna Cápac. Finally we will visit the Cathedral and the Archaeological Museum.

CITY TOUR AND 4 NEARBY RUINS
For three and a half hours the most important places of the Imperial city are visited, for example the Coricancha ("Qori" = Gold; "Cancha" = enclosure) which was the most important religious center of the Empire over which the Spanish erected the church of Santo Domingo. There they worshipped the sun: "inti", the moon: "quilla", the stars: "collor", thunder: "illapa", the rainbow: "c’uichi" and the mummies of the Incas.
The Cathedral, whose construction began in 1559, contains the greatest collection of colonial art; the Plaza de Armas, where they celebrated the major religious festivals, the Hatunrumiyoc, famous stone of 12 angles and other monuments.
One of the most formidable Inca buildings is the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The natives believe that when seen from far, it has a similarity with the head of a hawk (huamán). The term "saijsai" means to "satiate" which associated to "huaman" would translate into “satiate you hawk”. This fortress is located to the north of the city, next to the Colcapata district, at 3570 masl. It is divided into the "religious sector", the "army sector" and the three bulwarks, the three main doors, the sewers, the Inca baths, the slide, the amphitheatre and the Chincanas.
The word Qenqo means in Quechua "labyrinth", “convoluted” and this is how two buildings close to one another are named. They have been built over outcrops of limestone. This complex is situated on a hill, east of Cusco city, on the road, which led to the Antisuyo, one of the four regions. This place must have been a very important sanctuary during the Inca Period. The story is that even in our times the Indians will come down from the highlands to carry out secret ritual ceremonies during the night, following local religious traditions. The Amphitheatre is built over the eastern side and has an elliptical shape. It is possible that the curve has been drawn according to astronomical concepts. It has a circular wall stone 55 m. long with 19 niches. In the center is a monolith with undefined features, possibly beaten by iconoclasts. In the inner part of the complex exists an underground chamber, which apparently was used for sacrifices. T ceiling, walls, table larders and windows have been carved out of a single gigantic rock.
Puca Pucara means "red fortress", fortress because of its situation and the existence of a semi-circular room and red for the color of the local earth. This archaeological group is found at 3580 masl and 7 km from Cusco, over the right hand side of the road to Pisaq. It is situated in a strategic place, which dominates the whole territory. It has enclosures, interior squares, baths, and aqueducts, watch towers and an easily recognized ancient path.
"Tampu" means collective accommodation with everything needed to lodge many people for a short time, "Cach’ay" means resting place. Tradition knows Tambomachay as the "Ñusta" (Virgin) Baths. This is due to the special circumstance of having two aqueducts, which provide clean water all year round. It comes from a remote place only known to the builders. It has a constant volume and the liquid gathers to pour through a beak, which seems to have been a liturgical fountain. The building is erected against the hill and contains three corridors or terraces, which are equivalent to three floors.

VISIT TO 7 NEARBY RUINS
In the rainy season, the road to these ruins is practically impassable. In this case, this visit will be replaced for another to equally interesting places.
As well as a visit to the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, which we have already mentioned we will visit the ceremonial center of Laqo. It means "river weed" in Quechua, although the peasants will call the monument "selnniyuk" which means "contains a hall" referring to the rooms carved in stone. Laqo is a stone hill of gray limestone, which extends over a plain. It was a well-known Inca shrine, whose name is now unknown and it must be one of the 350 huacas mentioned by Polo de Ondegardo in his Cusco chronicles. It has suffered severe devastation and now only the enormous rock with its engraving remains. There are also two rooms carved in rock. The first corresponds to a gallery which is at the same level as the exterior esplanade and which has a narrow entrance with carved steps. On the left hand there is a cubicle carved in stone in a hexahedral shape, which can shelter many people. On the top part of this cubicle there is a very small cubic shaped exit, which leads to the exterior. Due to its ritualistic and esoteric features, people have renamed it Meditation Temple.
The second room is on the right of an ample irregular staircase. One of the steps has a footprint carved on it but the meaning is unknown. In the entrance at head level and to the right there is a snake carved on the rock, which glides horizontally. On the left on the lower part there is a sculpture of what was supposedly a puma. Both carvings have almost been completely destroyed by iconoclasts. This place is known as the Maternity Temple.


K'usilluchayoc means in Quechua "has monkeys" and is the name of a similar shrine to the one of Lago. It is located on the Inca Road, which led to the valley of the Vulcanite River, between Lago and the district of San Blas. In the southwestern part of the complex there is a stone monument similar to the one in Qenqo, but smaller. It is carved with high relief figures of monkeys and serpents. It is worth mentioning the abundant representation of monkeys, thus the name of K'usilluchayoc. However it is surprising that a native animal of the jungle could have had a shrine in this place. The reasons for these representations and their symbolic content in the Inca religion remains are investigated.
The word "Lanlacu" means mischievous and evil spirit, malefic and "Yuj" denotes belonging. It is interpreted as "the one who has an evil spirit". Lanlacuyo is an enormous outcrop of limestone with remains of art and industry of ancient Peruvians. They were skilled in using the enormous fissures of this hill turning them into phantasmagoric corridors. Lanlacuyo was undoubtedly another religious Inca center with figures of gods, embalmed nobles, many chambers, plazas and service staff.

CHINCHERO MARKET
Chinchero (3672 masl) or "rainbow village" boasts the most genuine Indian agricultural market of the region. It takes place every Sunday in its ample Square, surrounded by an imposing Inca wall of 2 meters and decorated by trapezoid niches. The barter system prevails. It is impressive to see the colored clothing of the peasants that come from different communities. It is also worth visiting the colonial church built upon the foundations of an ancient Inca palace.

PISAQ INDIAN MARKET
Upon leaving Cusco, climbing the Saphi Road and bordering the fortress of Sacsayhuaman one arrives at a pass of almost 4000 meters, which divides the valley of Cusco from the Vulcanite which later takes the name of Urubamba. The descent to Pisaq (2972 masl) which in Quechua means: "partridge of great size", 33 km away from Cusco is very suggestive and from viewpoints along the way the lovely sacred valley of the Incas and the glaciers that surround it can be seen. It is a town famous for its peasant farm and handicraft fair which takes place three times a week on the main square.
The timber oven where bread and delicious pastries are baked is very attractive and interesting. On Sundays the Varayocs or mayors of the communities attend mass in the local church wearing their best attire and the traditional scepters.

MARKET AND RUINS OF PISAQ
Pisaq, as all the villages on the Vulcanite and Urubamba, was reconstructed by the Spaniards on the settlement of an ancient Inca city. These ruins are still visible in the outskirts of the village. Its inhabitants following a millenary tradition dedicate themselves to agriculture and textiles. The village is surrounded by formidable barriers of terraces, which raise the mountains following the undulations of the mountains to reach an area known as Intihuatana, which is 3024 meters above sea level. The Pisaq construction, consist of three groups: The Intihuatana or sanctuary, the fortress and the city itself.
"Inti" = sun and "Huatana" = to tie, therefore should stand for "Where the sun is tied” and as the name suggests it could be related to astronomic observations.
Another place of great importance, for its dwellings in good standing, is the complex known as Maucka Panteon "old pantheon", a "huaca" with many tombs. The district of Pisaq, situated to the southeast of Intihuatana, is formed by 30 chambers that are grouped fundamentally in two rows which follow the pattern of the terrain on which they lie The Ccorihuayrachina - "Ccori": Gold - "Huayrachina": Windy place is an archaeological sector where there is a rock surrounded by a circular wall of polished stones, forming a small terrace, to watch over the east, south and west of the valley. Urin Pisaq, situated in the lower areas of the Intihuatana, is a citadel of 34 rooms and is surrounded by andenes of all shapes and sizes. Kjalla-Kcasa is a complex of 38 rooms on a higher rocky slope.
The archaeological site can be reached from the village by two ways: an ascending path of 5 km or a track of 10 km which reaches the place from behind the town of Pisaq.

TIPÓN AND PIQUILLACTA RUINS AND ANDAHUAYLILLAS TOWN
It is probable that the term Tipón (3416 masl) derives from the Quechua word "'timpuy" which means, "Where it boils" or "to boil", due to the numerous underground springs. This important site is located close to km 17 of the road to Puno. A natural hollow with soft sloping sides, caused by the action of rainfall was transformed by the Incas into a succession of twelve enormous terraces that occupy twelve successive planes, covered laterally by terraces and by a group of buildings, making this area an earthly paradise with an excellent climate.
In the area there are a series of fountains, which served both utilitarian and ritual functions, thus there are a series of water canals where one can appreciate very clearly their great knowledge of hydraulics and the application of siphons.
The ruins of Piquillacta (3310 masl), in native language "city of the fleas", are located 32 km to the Southeast of Cusco. They have a special interest, because it is the only pre-Inca city in the region. High walls, constructed with stones without carving and mud, limit the districts that form this extensive complex. Its origin is attributed to the Huari culture.
The beautiful town of Andahuaylillas (3122 masl), with large houses, tree-lined avenues and great trees, is famous for the main church built in century XVII. The fabulous Gold bread scenery and the murals that adorn the walls, is the reason why this church is called the “Sixtine Chapel de America”.

MACHU PICCHU
None of the Spanish chroniclers or even Inca Garcilaso de la Vega gave even the most remote information of this centennial city. Nothing was mentioned during the wars of conquest when the Incas took shelter in the region of Vilcabamba, next to the citadel. The travelers, such as the scholar Antonio Raimondi, who traveled and wrote about the area, do not mention it. Machu Picchu was totally unknown by the Spaniards and Republicans.
In 1901 Mr. Enrique Palma, with Agustín Lizarraga and Gabino Sanchez reached Machu Picchu by the route of San Miguel, overcoming incredible perils due to the lack of proper paths and the steepness of the ascent.
However, the scientific Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu in 1911 during his second trip to Peru. In one of his frequent exploration trips to the Urubamba Canyon in July he camped in Madorpampa, where he met the humble peasant Melcho Arteaga who told him that there were some ruins near the place and that they were very big. On 24th, Bingham, along with the peasant and lieutenant Carrasco, reached the citadel and marveled at the beauty of the scenery. They discovered that in the ruins there lived 2 Indians, Richate and Alvarez, who had been there for 4 years and that they cultivated in the terraces. They informed him that amid the foliage there were very interesting edifications.
Machu Picchu: "Machu": Old - "Picchu": point or summit, in its literal translation, should be the "top" or "old point". It is located 112,5 km north of Cusco. It is on the left bank of the Urubamba River at 3,000 masl. The train ride from Cusco lasts approximately 3:30 hours. As one crosses the vast Pampa de Anta, the sacred glaciers of Veronica and Salkantay can be seen as you stop over in certain villages such as Chinchero and Ollantaytambo. (In the high season, with a greater influx of tourists, a second trip of the train is offered, which starts at Ollantaytambo)
At this point the vegetation begins to take on the characteristics of the Amazon rainforest, rendering the scenery with constant ecological change. The train penetrates up to the station of Puente Ruins, at the foot of the mountains. Up there, surrounded by powerful granite walls, Machu Picchu, The Lost City of the Incas emerges. The last part of the journey is made by van, which after zigzagging in a recently paved road of 8 km arrives at the main entrance to the ruins.
Walls of up to 5 meters protect the complex, which consists of the Wayna Picchu, the Temple of the Moon, the Intipunku, the Drawbridge, the Farming Sector and the Urban Sector.
Within these sectors it is worth noting the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Temple or Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb or Mausoleum, the Solar Clock or Intihuatana and the prison cells. The Ayacamayoc house or “guardian of the dead” guarded the cemetery situated over the eastern terraces. During the excavations 135 corpses were found, of which 109 are female. Thanks to the fact that the Spaniards had no knowledge of its existence, the complex is well preserved and has suffered no major destruction other than the weathering process.
For those who don’t have much time or would like to visit Machu Picchu in greater comfort, there is a service offered by 25 seat helicopters, which departs from Cusco airport at 8:45 and returns at 15:55.

PISAQ INDIAN MARKET AND OLLANTAYTAMBO FORTRESS
After visiting the Indian Market at Pisaq, you continue along the road which runs parallel to the right bank of the Vulcanite-Urubamba River to arrive after 75 Km (from Cusco) to the village of Ollantaytambo (2846 masl) whose name derives from Ollanta, captain general of the Antisuyo army, who rebelled in the period of Inca Pachacútec.
The Fortress of Ollantaytambo is located north of the village of the same name, perched on the slopes of a hill. It is one of the most important displays of military architecture of Inca times. The complex has temples, palaces, funerary galleries, mausoleums, barracks, religious chambers, trenches and storages for food and arms supplies. Outstanding are its walls, galleries, funerary chambers, the Great Central Shrine, a religious construction formed by an enormous monolith, the access terraces, the farming terraces, the remains of the ancient village and the Ñusta Baths. Because of its location and strategic position, which dominates great part of the region, it has been defined as a fortress or fortified city.
The chronicler Cieza de León says “In Ollantaytambo, the Incas had the greatest stronghold of all their territorial possessions, settled over rocks, and only a few people were needed to defend it from many....”

RUINS OR MARKET OF CHINCHERO, MARAS TOWN, MORAY RUINS AND SALINERAS
During the rainy season this excursion can be modified because the road, which leads to the salt mines of the Inca, is not paved and sometimes it becomes impassable.
After visiting the “Village of the Rainbow “or Chinchero one follows the road to Urubamba to arrive after a brief journey along a dirt road to Maras (3385 masl) founded by the Spaniards. The facades of the houses on the main street are examples of typical colonial architecture and display family crests.

Then, visit the amphitheatre of Moray constituted by agricultural terraces in circular form, used by the Incas to experience and to domesticate the plants that soon seeded in other places of the empire. (This place is difficult during the months of rains - of November to March)
Following a dirt road for 4 Km one arrives at the Inca Salt Mines. From the mountains emerges a spring of lukewarm water with a high density of salt, which the local peasants have canalized and distribute to more than 5000 wells where the liquid evaporates, leaving behind a crust, which is periodically extracted for its processing and commerce. For approximately one hour one descends along a path, which borders the wells to reach the banks of the Urubamba River. Here one can visit the Caves of Pichingoto, inhabited since Inca times and currently occupied by local farmers.

WILLOQ COMMUNITY
Willoq community is located on the Patacancha valley, at the La Verónica and Alankoma mountain skirts. Here, people still cultivate with the same techniques of its ancestors. This fruitful valley is watered through the same channels that were used by the Incas, with defrosting waters from the mountains and lagoons. In this place the farmers speak Quechua and dress according the ancestral customs with ponchos and mantles in contrast with the white pants. This community has a little influence from Occident, so it is just genuine. Its traditional textile works are consequence of their deep knowledge and the patience of the weavers, who with a simple technology, used for 2 centuries, give as result a fine and admirable quality of the weaves.
Depart from Cusco, via Chinchero, passing Urubamba and Ollantaytambo to reach the Willoq community at 09:30am approximately, where we will appreciate the market of the farmers from different places who attend at this fair to sell and buy their products. They are dressed with typical dress, unique in the region.
From 10:30am to 11:30am we will visit the Patacancha community to observe the life style of these farmers who allow visits to their houses and schools. They are considered as models because they maintain the ancestral custom regarding their houses, gastronomy, folk art, dressing, among others.
Return to Ollantaytambo for lunch. In the afternoon, visit to the fortress to appreciate the sixteen terraces worked with stone, after crossing the trapezoidal esplanade surrounded by high walls that conform this fortress and, in addition, a visit to the town on walls with its original paths and aqueducts built by the Incas.
Return to Cusco, via Pisaq, arriving at 18:00pm approximately.

TARAWASI RUINS AND SAYWITE STONE
During this journey we will spend the night in Andahuaylas and visit the ruins of Tarawasi (2554 masl), situated 77 km from Cusco, on the banks of the Colorado or Suntur Mayo River. The name of these ruins means “tara” = a regional tree and “wasi” = house. The central part is enclosed by a great wall, which covers three sides. The river Suntur Mayo and the Chakimayo stream have been canalized on the second platform and lastly the terraces are supported for containment walls of engraved and polished stones.
The walls of the central building, which is shaped like parallelogram, are still in good condition but the forth side is yet to be discovered. The outer sides of the walls of the main platform have been finely engraved in the same style as the outer containment wall with 8 niches on 3 sides and 12 on the northeast side. Its structural and architectural characteristics are evidence that they enjoyed renowned prestige in the region.
The Saywite monolith is situated on a temple west of the Saywite Valley and 45 km. from Abancay. It is found in an area of fountains and streams where there are half-buried architectural remains. It is considered a Symbolic and Ecological Fountain and has been engraved with 203 relief figures adapted to the natural forms of the rock. It is an original creation produced by native minds and an everlasting record of their religious conceptions of water, the fertilization of the soil and the supernatural beings involved in these productive forces. The geographical environment has been represented in the undulations of the rock: mountains, gorges, vertical slopes, high lakes, rivers and their beds, canals and ditches leading to different directions. Acting as guards of these sacred places there are felines, pumas and watchful monkeys ready to spring impelled by their hind legs. However, the most important aspect of this rock are the anthropomorphic gods generally placed in couples, the woman carrying a pitcher in her hands at the sources of streams, rivers or dams. All this leads us to believe that the Valley of Saywite was an important religious center, a privileged place of many fountains around which many temples were built and Indian artistic creations were produced.

FROM CUSCO TO PUNO
The lack of flights and the precarious conditions of the train, which unites Cusco with Puno create great difficulties for travel between these two places. The 386 Km, which separate these two towns is now completely asphalted and is in perfect conditions. This allows us to use comfortable tourism vehicles and to travel on a pleasant journey visiting many places of natural and cultural interest. The main places, which can be visited, are the following:

Cusco – San Pedro (107 Km. - 1.45 hours)
In San Pedro you can visit the Raqchi Temple or the Temple Dedicated to the God Virakocha. This important Inca ruin is built on several hectares of land and was the center or sanctuary dedicated to the Virakocha Inca. The ritual details can be seen in the walls of up to 5 meters high, built in stone and mud with a base of circular columns, and example of one of the many Inca architectural techniques. There are hundreds of rooms and terraces, which complete the ruin.

San Pedro – Sicuani (20 Km. - 25 minutes)
Sicuani is the commercial center of the region and this is where the road leading to the Colca Canyon and Arequipa begins.

Sicuani – La Raya (39 Km. - 55 minutes)
At 4330 meters above sea level, La Raya is the highest pass on the entire journey. There is an important alpaca-breeding center there. These animals can be seen in abundance without needing to get off the bus.

La Raya – Pucara (101 Km. - 1.45 hours)
Pucara is a place well known for its pottery. There we find architectural ruins (200 bC to 200 aC), built in stone, carved with zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures. It has terraces, stairs, corridors and rooms, which were obviously used for funerals.

HUANCAYO DAILY TOURS

TOUR	LENGTH	DEPART.
Sunday fair	2 hours	Sunday
City tour	3.30 hours	Daily
Artisan circuit	4 hours	Daily
Monumental circuit	4.30 hours	Daily
Archaeological circuit	4 hours	Daily
Huaytapallana glacier	5 hours	Daily
Tarma	10 hours	Daily

SUNDAY FAIR
Typical market in which people from Huancayo and its bordering towns sell products as handicrafts, textiles, gold filigree, silversmith and carved gourds, among others.

CITY TOUR
This excursion includes the Cathedral, main squares and Cerrito de la Libertad which offers a panoramic view of the city and the Mantaro Valley. Then, the Huanta identity Park, located in the San Antonio district, will be visited. It is a permanent tribute to the Huanca culture and the artists who have contributed with their work to forge their identity.

ARTISAN CIRCUIT
A visit to the main artisan centers like Hualhuas (textiles with alpaca and ovine wool), San Jerónimo (gold filigree and silversmith) and Cochas Chico (carved gourds); the El Ingenio Pisciculture Center, to appreciate the trout biological cycle and to taste different trout dishes and the Ocopa Convent, built in 1725 to evangelize the native communities of the central jungle.

MONUMENTAL CIRCUIT
A visit to the town of Sicaya, its main square and the church
Then, depart to the town of Jauja to visit its main church, built by the order of Francisco Pizarro; and the Archaeological Museum that shows the archaeological heritage of the zone, sequential and chronological form until the Tahuantinsuyo Age
Finally an excursion to the Paca lagoon by boat

ARCHAEOLOGICAL CIRCUIT
This circuit begins in the town of Sapallanga that have trout piscicultures and the archaeological centres: Aulmalca, Ullacoto y Chaclas.
Then the Warivilca Sanctuary, capital of the Huanta culture, will be visited as well as its local museum
A visit to the towns of Huancan, Huayucahi and Viques that lodges beautiful countryside
In Chupaca, there is a spectacular viewpoint, the main square and the church which is considered the first temple of the Hanan Huanca.
The Arhuaturo archaeological complex, located on a hill, near to a lagoon, was built by the Incas
Finally an excursion to the Ñahuinpuquio lagoon by boat

HUAYTAPALLANA GLACIER
To reach the Huaytapallana glacier it is necessary to take a highway that crosses different climatic zones, to arrive at an altitude of over 5700 meters. During the journey, the former farm of Acopalpa and the Lasuntay lagoon will be visited. Finally we arrive at Virgen de la Nieves to begin a 40 minute walk until we reach the Huaytapallana glacier.

TARMA
Located 108 Km. from Huancayo at 3050 meters above sea level.
This excursion includes a city tour, the Señor de Muruhuay Sanctuary and the Guagapo grotte.
During the city tour, we will visit Santa Ana Cathedral (built on the old church in 1950), the Señor de la Cárcel Chapel (colonial building that lodges the Santa Ana’s relics doned by Pope Pio XI), the Hall Town, the Odría Library Museum, the Affari astronomic observatory, the Odría Square and the Tarmatambo Inca complex.
The Señor de Muruhuay Sanctuary, located 11Km. from Tarma, is famous for its mystical and religious character to which innumerable miracles are attributed.
Finally a visit to the Guagapo grotte, the South America’s deepest (300 meter depth). In its interior there are great quantities of rocky formations as result of the erosion and the water. It is a god place for scientist and speleologists.

HUARAZ DAILY TOURS

TOUR	LENGTH	DEPART.
City tour and Archaeological Museum	3 hours	Daily
Huascarán Nacional Park and Llanganuco Lagoon	6 hours	Daily
Chavín de Huántar ruins	8 hours	Daily
Pastoruri Glaciar	5 hours	Daily
Sechín ruins		Daily

CITY TOUR AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Huaraz is a typical Andean city, almost totally reconstructed after the 1970 earthquake, which left more than 60.000 casualties in the area. Different cultures flourished around such as Chavín and Recuay. The latter (200 bc to 700 ad) was characterized by the technique of carving in granite andesite and granodiorite. Included in the excursion is a visit to the Regional Archaeological Museum, founded in 1935, in whose garden a great number of stone sculptures are exhibited. It is considered “the greatest lithic Museum in Latin America”. A few kilometers away from the city, are the ruins of Huilcahuain, a center of scientific interest in the region. It appears by its etymology (huillca: sacred) that it was an ancient center or shrine of the High Santa valley inhabitants. There is no similarity between these ruins and those of Chavín, since the Huilcahuain wall is built from stones joined together with mud in a primitive manner, different from the sophistication of Chavín of Huántar.
These ruins are erected upon a flat platform of approximately 54 by 35 meters. In the center is the “Temple of the Three Terraces” with of 10 by 15 meters size and 9 meters high. Inside it has galleries on each floor and stepped platforms. The galleries were rooms. The temple has openings or airshafts in all rooms and fresh air circulates in the whole building even today. There is no communication between the floors.

HUASCARÁN NATIONAL PARK AND LLANGANUCO LAGOON
Approximately 56 Km from Huaraz we find the village of Yungay, completely destroyed and covered by an avalanche during the earthquake of 1970. From here we take a dirt road for 26 Km, which can be very difficult during the rainy season, to arrive at the Llanganuco Lake (its name derives from “llanka” o puna - a very arid and cold moor - and “nucu” which means “terror” originated by the puna). The explanation lies in the fact that upon crossing neighboring paths it was, and still is, frequent to hear the echoing thunder caused by the avalanches, which panicked travelers. The Huascarán National Park (340.000 hectares) has been declared World Heritage Trust in 1985 by UNESCO. Lake Llanganuco is a radiant turquoise mirror and lies between the Huascarán and Huandoy peaks. It is possible to trek around to see the beauty of the place.

CHAVÍN DE HUÁNTAR RUINS
This great ceremonial complex is considered The Cradle of Andean Civilization. It is here were the most important cultural manifestations in this part of the country lie. It is located at 116 Km. from Huaraz in the Callejón de Conchucos, in a magnificent ravine, between the Puckha and Wacheksa rivers, at an altitude of 3177 masl. There is a dirt road, not always in good conditions, which has the highest tunnel, of Cahuysh at 4150 masl. The word Chavín may derive from “chaupín” which means central part possibly referring to the shrine or castle in the central part of the complex. The history of this culture according to radio carbon dating may have started around 1800 bC flourishing in 800 aC in the Formative Period. The ruins consist of buildings erected in different periods. The oldest or Templo Temprano (Early Temple) is a pyramidal structure apparently constructed in platforms.
Opposite to this temple is a sunken circular plaza, 21 meters in diameter, reached by 4 equidistant stone step. The walls are covered for engraved polished steles with relief figures, which represent zoomorphic figures. New additions to the early temple give way to the well-known Castillo or (Late Temple). It consists of 4 sections built at different times. Its walls have been erected on the bases of stones cut in a parallelepiped shape and arranged in horizontal rows.
Embedded in these walls were stone heads, which in later centuries would become a very popular architectonic element in pre-Hispanic Peru. Facing the east there is an elaborate portico known as the Pórtico de las Falconidas, which was the entrance to the temple.
In the center of the lower gallery in the Early Temple embedded in the ground there is a great idol, a stone sculpture 4.53 meters high in the shape of a spear, therefore the name “El Lanzon”. Its mythological representation has been named “El Dios Sonriente” (the Smiling God) as the corners of its lips curve upwards. The complexity of the sculpture suggests the presence of an important divinity in the magic and religions realm of Chavín.
Besides this mythological masterpiece there are two other main sculptures: The Estela Raimondi (Raimondi Stele) and the Obelisco Tello (Tello Obelisk)

PASTORURI GLACIER
To reach the glacier, a permanently snow covered summit at 5000 masl, we make a journey of 45 Km. on a paved road and another 25 more on a dirt track passing by the typical Andean villages of Recuay, Ticapampa and Catac. During the journey we will experience an extraordinary panoramic view of the White Mountain range. Before arriving at our destiny we will detour to Pachacoto where we will be able to admire the biggest flowers in the world: La Puya Raimondi. After the pass of Huarapasca, we will start a short walk towards the Pastoruri Glacier (it can also be done on horse), the only ski slope in the country.

SECHÍN RUINS
This archaeological complex, located 5 Km southeast of the city of Casma, consists of a stone and mud temple-palace. Its main attractions include its lithic sculptures, the only ones in the Peruvian coast, representing beheaded and mutilated warriors.