THE COLONIAL CITY OF AYACUCHO
AND THE PERUVIAN COAST
4 DAYS/ 3 NIGHTS
For those who really want to know the Andes and the areas far from the usual touristic routes this trip offers the opportunity to explore one of the most majesctic part of the Andes that blends history, archeology and culture. We will cross mountains, valleys and the High Andean Plateau, visiting archeological sites connected to ancient civilizations like Wari, Chanka and Inca. We will explore the beautiful colonial city of Ayacucho and will finish our trip with a descent to the coastline with its dry, desert areas. Our final destination will be Paracas (or Ica depending on your choice) an ideal place to continue your journey from here and take a bus to Lima or Nazca.
DAY 1
We will leave Cusco behind and head towards Abancay city. Quickly we will get to the Pampa de Anta, a large green prairie area located at an altitude of 3600 masl. Our first stop will be at the archeological site of Killawasi, which in Inca times was a place dedicated to the worship of the moon (Killa in Quechua).
After this we return to the main road, leaving behind the Pampa de Anta and start our steep descent to the Apurimac river (in Quechua it means God who speaks) which is one of the main rivers to form the Amazon. On the way we pass through the town of Limatambo, our second stop. Here we will visit the beautiful archeological site of Tarawasi. Before we reach the altitude of 4000 masl we will pass through the town of Curahuasi. Now in front of us we can see the impressive glaciers of the Salkantay mountain range (6271 masl) which is a trully unforgettable view. At the end of the first day we will take a steep descent to the city of Abancay and our hotel there.
DAY 2
Early in the morning we leave Abancay and the prairie to descend to a narrow valley formed by the Pachachaca river that flows into the Apurimac river. In a short while we will cross the river and strart climbing again. Our first stop will be in a place close to the town of Andahuaylas, known as the archeological site of Sondor built by the Chanka culture. After this we will continue climbing and reach a pass from where we can have an excellent view over the Chincheros Valley. From this point we will start our long descent to the rio Pampas, at an altitude of 1935 masl, and in a very short period of time we experience different types of climates. The most amazing thing is that just after crossing the river we hardly have enough time to acclimatize to the new environments as the road sharply goes up again and reach the altitude of 4000 masl on the Andean Plateau. The last part of our journey will take us to the city of Ayacucho.
DAY 3
After a well-deserved rest we start our trip at 9.30 am. The goal of this half day tour will be the archeological complex of Wari, the capital city of the empire of the same name preceding the Incas with several centuries. Here we can find the tombs of the kings who ruled over this land. Visiting this site is like going back to ancient times previous of the great Inca territorial expansion. After this we will visit the Pampa de Quinua where the epic battle of Ayacucho took place which ended the Spanish rule in South America and brought about the Independence of Peru. Then we will have a free afternoon to relax and walk around in the historical downtown and admire the countless churches Ayacucho is famous for.
DAY 4
This is the last day dominated by a spectacular environment. We leave Ayacucho behind to reach the incomparable pass of Apacheta at an altitude of 4746 masl. Now the Andean Plateau dominates this area with its moon like landscapes. Our first stop will be in the town of Huaytará famous for its church built on the top of an ancient Inca temple. After this we will start our descent to the coastline. The environment and the climate impressively change, from the dry high Andean climate to the Green Andean valleys and later to pure desert. We will reach Tambo Colorado an ancient resting point built by the Incas that was part of the Inca road network. Now we are getting closer to our final destination of Paracas or Ica according to your preference.
Programme of the trip
Day 1
Length of travel: approximately 6-7 hours – Departure at 9:00am – Lunch in the town of Limatambo or Curahuasi – Places to visit: Killawasi, Tarawasi – Final goal on this day: the city of Abancay (overnight stay)
Day 2
Length of travel: full day - Departure at 8:00am – Lunch box - Places to visit: Pacucha lake and the archeological area of Sondor - Final goal on this day: the city of Ayacucho (overnight stay)
Day 3
Length of travel: half day excursion - Departure at 9:30am - Places to visit: the archeological complex of Wari (in the morning), Pampa de Quinua (in the morning), free afternoon in the historical downtown of Ayacucho – Overnight stay in Ayacucho
Day 4
Length of travel: approximately 6-7 hours – Departure at 8:00am – Lunch box – Places to visit: the village of Huaytara, the Inca ruins in Tambo Colorado – Final goal on this day: Paracas or Ica (overnight stay)
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Transportation
The whole transportation in a SUV car as explained above. Under the definition "transportation" we mean the SUV car, the necessary petrol for the the whole trip and the driver. The road tolls are also included. NOTE: In case of unexpected issues (strikes, road closures etc.) we will find an alternative solution/route to take you to your destination.
Entrance tickets
The entrance tickets to all the archeological and historical sites are included.
Hotels
Accommodation on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day is included. The 4th night is not Included.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Meals and drinks
Lunch, dinner and drinks are not included. On the first day the group will have lunch in a restaurant, the cost needs to be covered by the customers and so as the lunch box on the 2nd and 4th day. The breakfast is included with each hotel stay. NOTE: The Company arranges and prepays the meals for the driver.
Hotels
The hotel stay for the last night (4th night) is not included.
Additional note
Any other extra cost is covered by the client.