Central Andes 4 Day Tour

This 4-Day Tour through the Central Andes offers an exploration of significant colonial towns and ancient archaeological sites linked to the influential pre-Inca civilizations of the Altiplano.

Central Andes 4-Day Tour

Day 1



Your adventure begins with a 4 am pick-up from your accommodation, followed by a drive to the elevated Andean area of Huanuco, where you can admire the breathtaking views of the Huayhuash mountain range. After approximately three hours on the road, we will reach the colonial settlement of Jesús, established in 1572. Here, a breakfast stop awaits before we proceed to the striking Lauricocha lake, lying at an altitude of 4000 meters. During this leg of the journey, we will cross an Incan bridge en route to Qhapaq Ñan, a critical portion of the famed Inca Trail.



We will then venture to Wagratacanán, home to the cave of the Lauricocha Man, which contains the oldest fossil findings in Peru. Enjoy a picnic lunch before we return to Jesús for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2



The second day kicks off with a hearty breakfast, followed by a visit to the central square and church of Jesús. Afterward, we will head to the archaeological site of Chiquia, associated with the Yarowillca culture, then on to Gongui, an additional site characterized by its funerary structures known as chulpas, as well as the Inca Baths.



A lunch break will be taken at the baths before we continue through the village of Rondós towards the significant Inca citadel of Huánuco Pampa, once the heart of the Chinchaysuyo region. Explore its grand palaces, temples, and an artificial lake emblematic of an imperial city. We will visit the ushno, a sacred stone structure where Inti Raymi celebrations took place. The day concludes in the colonial village of La Union situated in the Aguamiro valley, where we will enjoy dinner and spend the night.

Day 3



After breakfast, we'll journey to Tantamayo, passing through Pachas and Chavín de Pariarca. On arrival, located alongside the Marañon River, we will tour the historical center and sit down for lunch.



Post-lunch, an approximately 1 hour 30 minutes hike through the archaeological area of Tantamayo awaits, where you can appreciate its yarowillca constructions, notable for reaching heights of up to 12 meters, often referred to as the skyscrapers of the central Andes. Afterward, we will return to the village for dinner and rest overnight.

Day 4



After an energizing breakfast, we will set off for the archaeological site of Garu, perched on the Condor Waganan hill. This expansive 20-hectare area features stone constructions and chulpas, or funerary monuments. A brief 30-minute walk will allow us to explore this remarkable site before we initiate our journey back to Huanuco, making our way past Corona del Inca hill and the village of Ayapiteg, with a lunch stop along the way. We expect to arrive back in Huanuco around 7 pm, where we will drop you off at your respective accommodations.

Accommodation



This tour includes 3 nights of accommodation in double rooms with full board. The planned lodging is as follows:

Jesús: Casa Alcides Villarreal, Huayhuash, or Aliaga (private bathroom)La Unión: Hostal Avilia, Hotel Imperial, Hostal El Viajero, Picaflor, Hospedaje Qhapaq Ñan, or similar (private bathroom)Tantamayo: Albergue Rural Tantamayo (shared bathroom)