Titicaca, Rainbow Mountains, and Qeswachaka – A Folklore Trio

Rainbow Mountains Palcoyo

This day we will start very early in the morning. At 5:30 am private transport will collect you from your hostel/hotel. We have a 3.5 hr drive to our destination. On the way we will stop for a local breakfast, which will give us a true Peruvian experience.  Afterwards we will visit the Rainbow Mountains. On the way there we will see llamas and alpacas. At the end of our trip we will reach 5,000 m. above sea level from where we will see colorful peaks. It is worth the trek for 1 or 2 hours to see the mountains from a different perspective. The views are worth the effort, which can be a little taxing due to the elevation.

Maximum elevation: 5000 m. above sea level

Incan bridge Queswachaca

On the way back from the Rainbow Mountains we will go towards another attraction, the Incan bridge Queswachaca. 1.5 hours later by car we will walk a section of the Inca trail (part of famous Qhapaqnan roads system) which will take us to the bridge. Not only will we marvel at it, but we will also get to cross it.

It is big effort nowadays to keep traditions alive. But this is not a problem for the local communities from the Cusco region, and from the Quehue district. Four of these local communities meet each year for a few days to rebuild this Inca bridge. The secret of the construction has been passed down from generation to generation. It is important that the bridge has the same style and materials, which were used by Inca to construct bridges 500 years ago.

Thanks to this beautiful tradition and thousands of people’s strong will, who take part in the reconstruction, we can marvel at these Incan technologies.  You can cross it over Apurimac river for next 12 months. You can read more about this bridge on our blog here.

After the day full of attractions, at 4 pm we will drive towards our accommodation located in beautiful mountain scenery. Driving time 1.5 hours. We will spend the night in a hostel along the way.

Trekking time: 2.5 – 3.5 hours
Maximum elevation: 5000 m. above sea level
Accommodation : on the route Cusco – Puno

For this day of attractions we will be in the Puno region. After the breakfast, around 5:30, we will drive in a private car to Titicaca Lake.

We will have 2 – 2.5 hours of trekking to the highest point on Amantani Island. Then we will transfer on the boat through Titicaca Lake, to another section of the lake to meet with the local community, and in the evening share a hot beverage drink in the only bar on the island.

The accommodations will be very basic, in local houses (shared bathroom with the hosting family).

Trekking time: 2 – 2.5 hours
Maximum elevation: 4150 m. above sea level
Accommodation: on Amantani Island

For this portion of attractions, we will experience nature and its beauty. After breakfast with a local family on Amantani  Island (around 7 am) we will go by boat to Uros Islands and Ticonata Island. If we have enough time, we will do a short trek on Capachica Penisula.

We will finish in Juliaca at 4:00 pm from where you can continue your trip to different parts of Peru.

We can arrange plane or bus ticket for you to other places in the country (additional surcharge).

Trekking time: 1 hour (depending on preferences)
Maximum elevation: 3890 m. above sea level