COMMUNITY OF QEROS TREKKING TO THE LAST INCA AYLLU 5 DAYS 4 NIGHTS
Description
The Qeros Nation considered by many historians to be the last Inka ayllu, since 1955, the date in which the historians Oscar Núñez del Prado, Efraín Marote, Mario Escobar, made the first visit to the Qeros Nation. The remote communities of the Qeros are located at 4,400 meters above sea level, in the snow-covered Cordillera Vilcanota, the highest mountain range in southeastern Peru. There are more than 2,000 people living in the nation’s fourteen towns, spread across many river valleys.
The Qeros are known as the guardians of the wisdom of the Andes. Considered the “Last Inca ayllu”, or the last Inca community of Peru, the Qeros strive to preserve and promote their indigenous cultural and ethnic identity.
The Nation of the Qeros has been designated as a “Living Cultural Heritage of the Nation” for the continuity of its ancient Andean traditions by the Ministry of Culture of Peru.
The Qeros live a life of work and are one with nature: offerings are made to Pacha Mama (Mother Earth), and to the Apus, (Mountain Spirits) in exchange for the well-being of their animals, crops and themselves.
The worldview of Ayni’s world concept (reciprocity), the importance of reciprocal exchange, encouraged, the awareness of an animating essence in all things, shaping their interactions with others and with their environment.
Love, joy, perseverance, intrinsic integrity, and the ability to “just be” permeate your daily life with all the things that nature offers.
The Q’eros travel between three different ecosystems that range from 4,400 meters above sea level to 1,800 meters above sea level. or 6,000 feet above sea level: from the snow-capped peaks to the edge of the jungle. They herd llamas and alpacas at the highest altitudes; go down to grow potatoes and raise sheep; descend even further to grow corn, pumpkin and other vegetables, to harvest bamboo and wood for their buildings and also to make their looms and flutes. Despite the harsh conditions to which they are exposed, and a history as objects of discrimination and marginalization, the Q’eros endure.
- Mode: Experiential, trekking, adventure, scenic, and cultural
- Trip Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Departure Days: Every day
- Time: Departure 07:00 am – Return 17:00 pm
- Group Size: Small groups
- Season: From March to January
- Maximum Altitude: 4,400 meters
- Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Itinerary
Departure in the morning from the main square of Cusco, we head by private transport to the province of Paucartambo. Along the way we will make a stop to appreciate the chullpas of Ninamarka to continue towards the city of Paucartambo. Arrival in Paucartambo at approximately noon where we can visit the main square and the Charles V bridge of the province, after our lunch we will continue the trip to Kallakancha for approximately 2 hours, upon arriving at the town the camp will be prepared at 3600m.a.s.l. dinner and overnight in camp.
Early in the morning, breakfast at the camp and then continue the 8-hour walk to the town of Chuwa Chuwa (4000 meters). During the walk you will cross two passes, Apu Huamancaca and the Pampakasa pass, and then descend towards Chuwa Chuwa. Lunch during the route.
Arrival at the end of the afternoon to the town of Chuwa Chuwa where you can see the stone houses with thatched roofs with corrals made of stone.
Where the residents will show the tourist their way of life, such as what fuel they use to light their bonfires. Camp dinner.
Early in the morning you will have a strengthening breakfast to continue with the beautiful walk to the town of Hatun Qero. During the walk we will be able to appreciate the change that exists from the Suni, Puna ecological floor to the Quechua ecological floor, seeing countless waterfalls and the change of vegetation from grasses to forests. The walk lasts approximately 5 hours. Lunch during the journey. Arrival at the town of Hatun Qero 2:30 p.m. Meeting with the authorities of the Qero Nation and coexistence with the residents and children. Activities with the residents of the Qero Nation. After dinner you will be able to experience a ceremony of payment to Mother Earth or also called Pacha Mama among the local people. The paco will perform the ceremony and burn the offerings to our beautiful land. Overnight in camp.
After breakfast, we will begin the walk to the town of Tandaña to meet its women, famous for their textile works such as cloaks, llikllas and chuspas. After lunch, the walk will continue to a magical place for the Qeros that is known as Apacheta and from where you can see the flight of the magnificent Condor. Dinner and camp.
On this day we will begin the return walk to Kallacancha following another route and then continue towards Cusco. Lunch during the journey. Private transportation to Cusco.
Includes
- Informative Briffing
- Pick up from your Hotel
- Private bus Cusco – Kallakancha – Cusco
- 4 nights of camping
- 4 breakfasts / 5 lunches / 4 dinners
- Novo Andina food specialist chef
- Tent, inflatable mattresses, kitchen and dining equipment
- Double tents
- Horse service to carry food and camping equipment (tents, mattresses). 5 kilos per person.
- First aid equipment, oxygen cylinder.
- Professional Tourism Guide (Language: English or Spanish)
- Assistance from the Peru Latin Top Travel agency.
Does not include
- Extra expenses
- First breakfast, last dinner
- Drinks (sodas, beers, etc.)
- Tips
- Does not include sleeping bag
Recommendations
- Sleeping bag
- 01 pair of hiking boots, waterproof jacket and rain poncho
- A flashlight with extra batteries.
- Hat, sunscreen and mosquito repellent. sunglasses and rain poncho
- Personal medications if necessary
- Personal first aid equipment.
- Bottled water for the first day and then use the purifying tablets (Micropur).
- Small backpack to carry cameras, water and personal things
- Photographic cameras or camcorders
- Light and warm clothing, the temperature varies a lot
- Toilet paper, small towel
- Swimwear (If you want to visit the hot springs)
- Original passport, cash in soles and/or US dollars
- Snacks: cookies, energy bars, chocolate, fruits, water, etc.
- Optional: walking sticks
- Sleeping bag.