This trip is a charming itinerary that takes you to the heart of the Andes, where not many people choose to see and discover the real nature and be aware of what is offered. This journey will help you understand the people, the living energy of the Andes, the reverence for the mountains, the living nature, the cosmology, or the art of believing now in what they felt and still feel, the way the world is viewed from another perspective, a place where history is happening.
In Andean tradition, there were three main levels known as HANAN PACHA, the stars and the universe; then KAY PACHA, the world where we live; and finally UCKU PACHA, the underworld or lower world, the way nature is naturally distributed and how it is conceived by the people.
Upon arrival at Lima airport, a private driver will greet you and take you to your hotel.
Free afternoon in the vibrant neighborhoods of the Peruvian capital.
Overnight in Lima.
In the morning, a transfer will take us to the airport for a domestic flight to Arequipa.
Upon arrival, our staff will be there to greet you and take you to your hotel located in the heart of the city. Free time to adjust to the altitude.
Free afternoon. Overnight in Arequipa.
Arequipa (2335 m // 7660 ft.)
In the morning, we will walk through the so-called "White City" and its colonial center: the Plaza de Armas, the Andean Sanctuaries Museum, and the Santa Catalina Convent. A beautiful city with its alleys filled with colorful houses.
Next, we will head to the Yanahuara and Cayma viewpoints, which offer panoramic views of the fabulous surrounding volcanoes.
We will stop for lunch at a traditional Peruvian restaurant and then return to the hotel.
Free afternoon and overnight in Arequipa.
Arequipa (2335 m // 7660 ft.)
Early in the morning, we will depart for the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world.
On the way, we will pass by the slopes of Chachani and cross part of the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, home to wild vicuñas. The road gradually ascends until it reaches its highest point: the Volcanoes Viewpoint at 4900 m or 16,076 feet. From there, the view of Ampato (6400 m // 20,997 feet), Sabancaya (5976 m // 19,606 feet), and HuallcaHuallca (6025 m // 19,767 feet) is stunning.
At this location, we will perform a ceremony called Saywas, stacking a group of stones and praying with Kintu (coca leaves) to the highest mountains to receive energy and connect with nature.
We will then descend to Chivay, where we will stop for lunch, and it will be our place to spend the night.
End of the free day and overnight in Chivay.
Extra activities for the afternoon: (not included in the package)
After breakfast, we will head to the Cruz del Cóndor, a viewpoint that offers a magnificent view of the Colca Canyon from the first rays of sunlight. This is where you can admire the flight of the condor, the largest bird in the world.
We will perform a Despacho (a ceremonial offering to Mother Earth) to attract the energy of Hanan Pacha (The Upper World) through Kintus.
Return to Chivay for lunch. In the afternoon, we will depart for Coporaque and begin a walk to Yanque (approx. 2 hours). Both villages are very close to Chivay, and we will see how the way of life of the inhabitants has changed little since Inca times. Along the way, we will perform a small Huchuy Despacho in honor of the volcanoes and their energy, and we will also connect with Uku Pacha (The Lower World).
Return and overnight in Chivay.
Early in the morning, we will depart for the active Sabancaya volcano (5975 m // 19,603 ft.), located 5 hours from Chivay.
We will stop at the Patapampa viewpoint, where we will witness the volcanic activity prior to an eruption. We will begin our mystical session with a Saywa ceremony to connect with the living energy of Pachamama (Mother Earth), in this case represented by Sabancaya.
Our experience will continue as we arrive at the geysers, a special type of hot spring that periodically releases a column of hot water and steam into the air. There, we will perform a cleansing and purification ceremony.
After a picnic lunch in this fabulous location, we will return to Chivay to spend the night.
After breakfast, we will head back to the city of Arequipa and be transferred to the airport to board a domestic flight to Lima.
Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Lima.
*Optional: Continue the trip to Cusco or Puno (Not included in the package and prior coordination with our team).
Transfer to the airport to take your international flight.
