Explore the biggest Catholic celebration in the town of Paruro town and see the syncronization of two cultures (European and Andean). You can go to the mass and watch a procession of the Virgin Mary with several traditional dances, alvasos (strong fireworks), and bullfighting. You will also learn about the process of how the Incas prepared their sacred drink (corn beer). Bake your own bread and cook traditionally.
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Highlight : prepare the sacred drink of the incas (ajha or corn beer), learn to cook guinea pig traditionally, make your own bread, alvasos, syncretism of the catholic celebration, cook traditionally and sleep on alpaca leather.
Location : Paruro Province.
Duration : 6 to 7 days.
Level : Easy
Adventure Rating : A good cultural alternative to see the real life.
Departure Dates : 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. of September. We offer an affordably-priced experience for 2 people so that you can depart on a date that suits you.
Combos&Upgrades : Combine with one of our tours to know more about the culture of Cusco and enrich your experience, and get a discount off your cultural experience price.
Travelers dream : If you wish to join a group tour, please see travelers dream. You can also form your own tour group to be advertised on our page. Maximum group size 5.
Early in the morning we depart from the South American Explorers Club to the Paruro province (2 hours driving). Upon arrival you’ll have breakfast and then explore the town with you Tour Guide. Afterwards you will start to prepare lunch and the sacred traditional drink of the Incas.
After having breakfast we go to search for alvasos (strong fireworks that start early in the morning brightened up by musicians playing the drum and flute accompanied by some individuals who prepare the camaretas or fireworks and the bastonero who will light them). The use of alvasos normally begins around the first of September until the principal day of celebration of the Virgin Mary. Each day a different family is in charge of the alvasos and helps to cook diverse meals. After lunch we go where we have to place the alvasos carrying the prepared food and corn beer to enjoy. Late in the afternoon we come back home dancing and singing San Roque (insulting each other playfully while singing).
This is a day to visit and construct part of the altar (altars that are made in honor of the birth of the Virgin Mary). At night you’ll go to see the fireworks and this is when the real party starts with the different music of each altar surrounding the main square of Paruro.
After having a hardy breakfast you go to mass to be part of the celebration and then you will participate in the procession of the Virgin Mary enjoying the different typical dances of the Region. Late in the afternoon we will have some family time.
In the morning you will go to the farm to bring some wood from the surrounding areas for cooking. After lunch you will go see the traditional bull fighting.
This day is for farming activities. We will be doing some of the traditional planting of corn. The men will go to the farm to work and the women will cook the meals and carry the food to the farm for the workers.
After breakfast you will go to one of the traditional ovens of the town of Paruro where you will see and be actively part of preparing bread from pure wheat that we will bring with us to enjoy at the house. This is the day you will also try guinea pig and learn all the processes involved to prepare it. After lunch we will take transportation back to Cusco with the option to stop in the Llaurisque hot springs.
Rooster fighting and the feria (or market) to observe all of the town’s products
| N° people | 2 Person | 3 People | 4-5 People | 6-7 people | 8+more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price/Person | $ 490 | $ 475 | $ 460 | $ 425 | $ 400 |
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