Paucartambo - Virgen del Carmen

Description :

Driving four hours by a dusty narrow road is the small village of Paucartambo, lying on the eastern slopes of the Andes, about 109 km away from Cusco city at 13,200 feet above sea level. For three days each year, from the 15th to the 17th of July, the town fills to overflowing with the thousands of devotes and visitors who come to participate to one of South America’s most vibrant and fascinating fiestas in honor of the “Virgen del Carmen”, known locally as Mamacha Carmen, patron saint of the mestizo population

The annual Festival of the Virgen del Carmen or festival of Paucartambo is a colorful mix of Andean pre-Columbian ceremonies and Catholic religion in which masked costumed dancers relive ancient gods and rites. This Andean religious celebration reflects the centuries-old struggle between Christianity and pre-Columbian Andean pantheism, the Virgin is no longer just the Mother of God, she is also Mother Earth, or Pacha mama. The festivity shows the never ending battle between the forces of good and evil also.

This is a marvelous festivity where sixteen groups of beautifully costumed dancers (Saqras, Qhapaq Ch’unchu, Qhapaq Qolla), interpret a tangle of historical events, folktales and legends taking the streets with their troupes of musicians singing in quechua, meanwhile

"La Mamacha del Carmen" is carried through the most important places of the town like the main square, the church, the Bridge Carlos III, the Hail and the village streets accompany by the comparsas and the entire population gathers quietly bearing candles, flowers and other offerings asking for blessings and protection.

This celebration, both magical and real at once, has a deep religious significance, because social relations and rituals can be seen as built, defined and maintaining the identity and customs of the Andean and mestizos peoples, clearly observed in the "guerrilla" between Qollas from the Altiplano (flat lands) and Ch'unchus from the jungle: symbolic culmination of this sumptuous feast where two nations are disputing the love of the Mamacha del Carmen.

In addition we have the great opportunity to witness a natural spectacle at the Tres Cruces de Oro to 12,100 feet, gateway to the Manu National Park.

Following dances are observed:

Maqt’a
Awqachileno
Contradanza
Danzaq
Chunchachas
Chukchu
K’achampa
Majeño
Panaderos
Qhapaq Negro
Qhapaq Chuncho
Qhapaq Colla
Mestiza Qoyacha
Saqra
Siclla, Huayra o Doctorcito
Waca Waca
Negrillos

Itinerary :

Day 01: Cusco - Paucartambo.

Transfer early morning by private transportation Cusco - Paucartambo (folkloric capital of Cusco) making a short stop in the town of Huancarani (village picturesque way to Paucartambo ), after will visit the Ch'ullpas of Ninanmarka (for its use this archaeological site was a city-necropolis pre-Inca).

Arrival in the town of Paucartambo (3020m.sm.nm). This day begins with the ringing of bells and explosion of rockets, then interpretation of Dianas by the music bands then "cera apakuy" or transfer of candles to the church. Lunch, typical and international food. At night they staged the "Fogata", a representation of purgatory and continue with the great feast and serenade to the Virgen del Carmen, after enjoying the serenade, we went to the camp area in Tres Cruces.

Overnight camping (L/D)

Day 02: Paucartambo - Cusco.

At 5:30 a.m. hope the fabulous sunrise, natural phenomenon unique to the area, place of entry the Manu National Park(B)

Return to Paucartambo. Today we attend with our guide to the Mass of blessing.

In the afternoon takes place the second procession; on bridge Carlos III, In this place the Virgin gives its blessing to the four Suyos. After the procession continues to the spectacular guerrilla between the groups of "Qollas" of the Andes and the "Antis" of the forest, after participating in a "Qhaswa" or general fest. we Return to Cusco.(B/L)

End of service

Our Program Includes: