The trip begins with a vehicle ride from Cusco to Huilloc, a hospitable community known for sharing its cultural heritage. After lunch, you will participate in Kusi Runa, an Inca practice of working on the land. The next morning, you will take part in Chaskiq, where a chosen chasqui carries a sacred message with the tarpuntay through the cave of Sutuq Mach'ay and the cultivated fields. The khipu is then delivered to the hamawta at Aya Urqu archaeological center, followed by a ritual dance of the condor. Lunch will be served, followed by afternoon volunteer work, such as repainting the school or planting trees. The day ends with dinner and rest.
Highlights
Explore Andean landscapes on a trip to the Community of Huilloc
Experience the traditional Inca practice of Kusi Runa and work on the land
Participate in the spiritual and mystical activity of Chaskiq
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
A vehicle takes you from Cusco to the community of Huilloc on a journey full of impressive Andean landscapes. This community is known for being hospitable and sharing its impressive cultural legacy with visitors. After visiting the community, you enjoy lunch and then participate in a traditional Inca practice called Kusi Runa, where you are part of the group of villagers in charge of working on the land or chakra. In the end, there is free time until dinner. Settle into your room in Huilloc Homestay and rest up for your next day's tour.
In the morning, participate in the activity known as Chaskiq. The tarpuntay (ancestral Inca authority) is in charge of preparing the khipu (sacred message) in an environment surrounded by spirituality and mysticism. The chasqui is chosen among the visitors and will be in charge of carrying the sacred message in his chuspa or bag. Together with the tarpuntay, the chasqui will walk the path to deliver the sacred message, passing through the cave of Sutuq Mach'ay and the cultivated fields, surrounded by native plants with healing properties. The sound of the pututu announces their arrival at the archaeological center of Aya Urqu to deliver the khipu to the hamawta or interpreter. The other attendees wait at the top for the beginning of the ritual when the high priest performs the dance of the condor. At the end of the ritual, enjoy lunch and in the afternoon, do volunteer work. After completing the tasks - which may be repainting the facades of the school or the medical center, fixing furniture, or planting trees - there is a time to rest and refresh. End the day with dinner.
Day 3: Huilloc | Ollantaytambo station
1 Breakfast
A vehicle will pick you up from the community to transfer you to the Ollantaytambo station.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 25% ($400 minimum), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.9 | 246 reviews
TrustScore 4.9 of 5
Based on 246 reviews on
3 weeks ago
We've used Adventure Life for several trips in the past and have always been very pleased with them. The staff is personable and professional at the same time. Erin put this trip together for us in just a few days, and it has everything we were looking for! I recommend them without hesitation.
benn
1 month ago
I served as the person responsible for planning a trip to Galapagos and Machu Picchu for a group of 14 people. Jane with Adventure Life was very helpful throughout the process. Making suggestions, offering insight, and in the end helped me overhaul an initial plan into something even better. Also, Jane makes all the plans including the flights within and between Peru and Ecuador. Thanks to her this is going to be a stress-free adventure. After making the final decision about the trip, Jane gathered the contact information for all the travelers and sent out the details to each traveler individually with links to pay deposits, upload passport info, and personal preferences. She also ensured a group email was sent out to the entire group welcoming us to the trip preparation process. Our trip is a year from now and we are excited to make this once in a life time trek. I am happy to have organized things through Adventure Life. However, two small issues came up that were a little off putting. First, Adventure Life adds $50 per person to the cost for each traveler as a donation to a Galapagos conservation fund. I think this should he offered as something that can be added at each traveler’s discretion. Instead, it is automatically added, and each person must ask to have it removed if they do not want it included. Second, although the trip deposit may be paid with a credit card without incurring an additional fee, the balance must be paid in another way to avoid a 3% credit card fee. Maybe this is standard with all travel agencies. In the end I would definitely go through Adventure Life for the next big trip.
Brenda Nielsen
1 month ago
I think it was very helpful that Franny and I spoke on the phone. I think she had a better idea of what we were looking for, and she planned a great itinerary for us!
Elizabeth
2 months ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
3 months ago
Easy.
Great work on the follow up and details by Waru.