Rural Homestay on the Lake Titicaca

DAY 1:“ON THE WAY TO PUNO”

Breakfast, then transfer to the bus station to the city of Puno. On the way to Puno, we will be visiting Andahuaylillas ans its church, known as the Sixteen Chapel of America; the Temple of the God Wiracocha in Raqchi, and Sicuani, where we will have lunch. We will continue our visit in Pukara where the first clues of civilized human in the Peruvian altiplano were found, dating back to 4000 B.C., to finally reach Puno, in 12664 feet. Night in hotel.

DAY 2: “THE FLOATING ISLANDS OF AMANTANI”

We will have breakfast early in the morning, then we will board on a boat.  While on board, we will be visiting the lake Titicaca, looking like a blue see, it is the highest navigable lake in the world. Then, we will be visiting the floating islands of the Uros people, called island Amantani. This island is inhabited by quechua-speaking fisherman and farmers, this population live and go to school on these artificial platforms made of reed. You will have the opportunity to share the homes and the lives of those people. In the afternoon, we will visit the Pachatata temple. You will be guided through the island to become familiar with it. Lunch and dinner in the hosting family. Night sleeping in the family.

DAY 3: “ON AND AROUND THE LAKE TITICACA”

Breakfast in Amantani island with the host family, and then departure by boat to Taquile Island, where we will visit the archeological ruins and learn about their customs since Taquile is a weaver island community organized as a cooperative. Their textiles are among the finest in the region. Back to the city of Puno. Lunch, then visit of the ruins of Sillustani located close to the lake. It is famous for its “cullpas”, used as tombs for the most famous ancient civilizations. Night in Puno (before coming back to Cusco or transfer to the airport of Puno-Juliaca).

Rural Homestay in Raqchi

RAQCHI (3,480 msnm. or 1,1417 feet) is a small village located in the Province of Canchis, about 120 km. from Cusco (approximately 2h from Cusco by car). Raqchi is found in a plain surrounded by small hills from volcanic origin, formed by an ancient volcanic eruption from the volcano Kinsach’ata. The legend tells that it was after an eruption that the local Incas, threatened,  decided to build a temple to honor their god Wiracocha. This temple is an imposing construction of huge historical interest for foreigners. Raqchi is also very famous for its pottery productions from a long time ago.

The community also takes part in several traditional agricultural and farming activities, growing of products from the Andes, razing cattle and sheep.
The association “Raqchi Raices Incas” opens its doors with a view to share the daily life of the community through rural homestay. You are invited to get to know from the inside several prehispanic cultural expressions which have survived throughout the time. Learn the process of making pottery, learn how to play traditional Peruvian instruments, take part in the agricultural and farming activities, discover ancient mystic rituals from the Andes…

The visitors will enjoy a comfortable stay: each families count with clean accommodations with private bathrooms and hot water, in picturesque and cozy rooms, typical of this area.
The families will provide food for their guest and they offer delicious dished made out of corn, potatoes, ollucos, habas (broad bean), pea, tarwi, quinoa y wheat, all locally produced. During the dinner, several families are used to join together to form small “fiestas” in which they sing dance and play their traditional instruments in a joyful rhythm.
 

The encounter with the craftswomen, heiress of ancient techniques will unable you to appreciate pottery’s process of production in the very workshop. Hands trained by the family paint and draw decorative and utilitarian objects, demonstrating their skills and precision. If you would like, you can take pottery lessons with an expert. We can also organize more intensive pottery workshops. If you are interested, please contact us, or see in Cultural and Academic Activities.

Rural Tourism in Chinchero’s weaver community

CHINCHERO (3,772 m.a.s.l.) is a village that conserves its colonial style. It is located 28 km. North-East of the city of Cusco (45 min. by car). Stands out the church built during the time of the Colony, in which one can appreciate beautiful oil paintings on canvas from the Cusquenian School of Art. On Sundays, there is a fair in which merchants and farmers trade their products, using the traditional exchange (barter). In the area, there also are important archeological remains. Chinchero definitely stands out for its textile works and among them, beautiful carpets and textiles dyed with natural dyes, which are excellent elements of decoration for modern homes.

For those who truly want to experience life of a traditional weaver, with a member of the women’s weavers Association “Loraypo”, we offer the opportunity to learn traditional weaving in Chinchero, where they make very fine textile work with ancestral techniques and iconography.

If you wish to stay in Chincheros for the night, you can stay in the house of “Loraypo association”.  Bathing and toilet facilities are basic, but they fit the requirements of foreign visitors.

If requested, you can take weaving lessons with expert women from the Association. We can also organize more intensive weaving workshops. If you wish, please contact us, or see in Cultural and Academic Activities.

The women from the community will provide your meal in lunch time and in the evening (according your stay).