Central Andes 4 Day Tour

Discover the essence of the Central Andes during this immersive four-day tour, where you will explore significant colonial settlements and archaeological sites pivotal to the powerful pre-Inca civilizations of the Altiplano.

Central Andes 4 Day Tour

Day 1

Your journey begins early at 4 am, with a pick-up from your hotel as we embark towards the elevated Andean landscape of Huanuco. Enjoy stunning vistas of the stunning snow-capped Huayhuash mountain range during our three-hour drive. Our first destination will be the colonial town of Jesús, established in 1572, where we will pause for breakfast. From here, we will continue to the beautiful Lauricocha lake, situated at an altitude of 4000 meters, crossing an Inca bridge as we head towards Qhapaq Ñan, a historic road system integral to the renowned Inca Trail.

Next, we will visit Wagratacanán, home to the cave of the Lauricocha Man, the oldest fossil finds in Peru. After enjoying a picnic lunch amidst the natural surroundings, we will head back to Jesús for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2

Our second day begins with breakfast before we venture into the town of Jesús to explore its main square and notable church. We will then proceed to the archaeological site of Chiquia, associated with the Yarowillca culture, followed by a visit to Gongui, another significant complex featuring chulpas, or funerary monuments, along with the Inca Baths.

After lunch at the baths, we will traverse through the village of Rondós to reach the ancient Inca citadel of Huánuco Pampa, once the capital of the region of Chinchaysuyo, boasting palaces, temples, and an impressive artificial lake. Discover the ushno, a sacred stone platform used for the festivities of Inti Raymi. To conclude the day, we will head to the picturesque colonial village of La Union, nestled in the Aguamiro valley, where dinner and overnight accommodations await.

Day 3

Following breakfast, we will set off for the town of Tantamayo, passing through Pachas and Chavín de Pariarca. Once we arrive at our destination, located beside the scenic Marañon River, we will embark on a guided tour of the historical center followed by lunch.

Post-lunch, prepare for a 1 hour 30 minutes trek through the archaeological center of Tantamayo, where you can admire the yarowillca constructions reaching heights of up to 12 meters, often referred to as the skyscrapers of the Central Andes. We will then return to the village for dinner and overnight rest.

Day 4

With a hearty breakfast to fuel our final day, we will visit the archaeological site of Garu, positioned on the Condor Waganan hill. This expansive 20-hectare site comprises notable stone walls and various buildings, alongside chulpas or funerary monuments. A brief 30-minute walk will allow us to explore the area before we begin our return journey to Huanuco, passing by the Corona del Inca hill and the quaint village of Ayapiteg, where we will pause for lunch en route. We aim to arrive back in Huanuco around 7 pm, concluding our adventure with a drop-off at your hotels.

Accommodation

This tour includes three nights of accommodation in double rooms with full board. The planned lodging options are 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)