Virgen de Carmen Festival
Description
The festival of Virgen de Carmen is one of the biggest religious festivals in Peru, held every year on the same date in July. The Virgen Carmen is an important Saint here in Peru related to the Virgen Mary. In the Cusco area, the festivities focus on one particular village called Paucartambo - people flock for hundreds of miles to spend the festival in Paucartambo. Full of vibrant parades, traditional music and dancing and much more, this is a truly unique insight into the culture and traditions of this remarkable country and its people. Itinerary
Day 1
We will leave Cusco to the city of Paucartambo in the morning. After about 4 hours of traveling we will arrive to Paucartambo, entering the city through the famous bridge "Carlos V". During the afternoon, we will witness the best folkloric dances in this region. The county of Paucartambo is considered the richest area in folklore in all of Cusco. During the night, there will be a tour in honour of the Virgin Carmen. Around noon, we will start the journey to the main destination of our trip - Tres Cruzes de Oro (Three Golden Crosses). From here, with good luck we will be able to witness the special sunrise, which only occurs in this area and is an amazing, indescribable phenomenon.
Day 2
In the morning, we will return to Tres Cruzes, where you will be on your own for breakfast and then you will have free time for the rest of the morning. At mid-day we will participate in mass at the main temple. Then we will have the unbelievable experience of observing the parade of the patron saint of Paucartambo "La Mamacha Carmen". At the same time, we will see the different colourful parades through the street, including the traditional dances: Q'apac Negro, Coyacha, Los C'ollas, and Los Chilenos. At about 3 pm we will leave Paucartambo to return to Cusco.
Photos
Practical Information
Duration: 2 Days
Transport: Bus
Others: Please note that all itineraries are subject to change
Bring With You
- Day Pack
- Good Shoes
- Rain Jacket or a Poncho
- Hat or Cap to protect you from the sun or the cold
- Sun Block
- Water and Snacks
- Camera
Included
- Professional bilingual guide (English/Spanish)
- Transport
- Box Lunch
- Overnight bus
Not Included
- Other meals than the mentioned above under "Included"
- Tip for your guide
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