This program lasts for six day and offers its passengers
an opportunity to enjoy and experience the daily life as
well as the typical foods and drinks of the reclusive
Hachipaeri culture, a South Amazonian native culture.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Cusco – Pilcopata
The trip begins extremely early in the morning as we
will need to cover all of 200 kilometers (about 9 hours
of driving time) just to get to the starting point at
Pilcopata. Along the drive we will see many beautiful
Andean valleys and mountains around the road. We will
pass by a number of typical Andean communities and also
a place known as “las Chullpas de Ninamarca”, which is a
pre Inca burial grounds from the Lupaca culture. We will
stop and have our lunch for the day in the beautiful
colonial capital of Cusco, Paucartambo, an extremely
typical pueblo that is considered to be the last stop
before arriving to the Jungle.
After eating, we will continue on our way, making our
way to Acjanacu, which is literally the entrance to the
Manu Biosphere Reserve (the tourist zone). At that point
we will still be at an altitude of 3,550m, but that is
right when we will begin descending into the cloud
forest and so we will be able to see the micro climate
change considerably before our eyes. That night we will
spend the night in a shelter at Pilcopata.
Day 2: Pilcopata - Native Community of Q’eros
After the breakfast, we will begin the 4 hour trek
towards the Native community of Q’eros, where we will
spend the next couple of days. On the way, our
indigenous guides, who are well in tune with the local
surroundings, will teach us all about the diverse flora
and fauna that we will come across on the walk. We will
see bananas, Passion fruits, coffee, and even the Incan
sacred plant, Coca. On the way we will also have some
time to refresh ourselves in the clear, warm waters of
the Entoro River.
Once we arrive to the community, we will be welcomed by
the residents with an offering of “masato” or
“awirohki”, which is a traditional Amazonian chicha type
drink made of Yuca. We will have our lunch for the day
with a host family. We will learn about and even get to
try out some of their typical foods such as Pacamoto,
Patarashka, Tacacho, or one of their other local
delicacies.
Day 3: Native community of Q’eros
For a predawn activity, we will have 2 options of
activities to do that day: 1) Walk into the nearby
forest to observe and learn about the wild plants and
animals or 2) Find special places in the surrounding
areas to meditate and try to fuse with the spirits of
the plants and animals.
After Breakfast, we will participate in the ancient
ritual of “Jallpa”, which involves chewing on the sacred
coca leaf, but doing it authentically, along with
“llicta”, tobacco and “chamire”. That way you will be
able to really feel the effects of the sacred plant just
as the Incas felt it.
Afterwards, in the afternoon, we will visit the
communities ethno-botanical garden, where we will be
able to learn about the different medicinal plants that
the indiginious cultures grow for the treatment of
sicknesses and diseases. That night, we will be able to
bath in the Q’eros river and also learn about their
ancestral river sailing techniques.
Day 4: Native community of Q’eros
At dawn, before even having breakfast yet, we will visit
all of their crops for such important items as coca,
Yucca, banana and others that are important for the
survival of the Huachiperi people. Our guide will take
the opportunity to explain to us about their vast
agricultural knowledge and the importance of crops to a
self sustaining culture such as this one.
After breakfast, we will go the river to do some
fishing- huachipaeri style. In order to do that, we will
first need to collect some barbasco or “kumo” root,
which has something of a sedative effect on the fish.
After we catch some fish, we will even learn how they
traditionally prepare the fish and everything. It will
be an amazing experience that will show us a good
example of how the Huachipaeris use their natural
resources.
Day 5: Queros – Pilcopata
After Breakfast, we will begin the long walk back
towards the locality of Pilcopata. There is an optional
adventurous way to do it as well if the group wants: we
can board our specialized typical raft to float upstream
until arriving to the “the speaking rock” in Jinkiori,
that is a symbol representative of the Huachipaeri
culture); afterwards, we will need to return to the walk
to make it the rest of the way back to Pilcopata, which
is where we sleep that night.
Day 6: Pilcopata – Cusco
After the breakfast we will initiate the trip in bus
towards the city of Cusco.
Included:
Guided tours with indigenous guides
Bus from Cusco- Pilcopata- Cusco
Lodging and food throughout the tour
Not Included:
Sleeping bags
Equipment of Camping
Recommended Items to Bring:
Camera with extra batteries
Sandals
Raincoat
Binoculars
Sleeping bag
water bottle
Swiss army knife or similar
Personal hygiene
Insect repellant
Light cotton t-shirt
Light pants
Cotton underwear
Cotton socks
Bathing suit
Jacket
Hats and other protection from the sun
Important note:
the program could have slight variations
in order to improve some of the programmed activities.
Can be modified based on the judgment of the guide.
