5 Stars - Based on 552 Client
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Juan Carlos is a passionate traveler from Lima with a strong background in the hospitality and travel industry. With a warm and enthusiastic approach, Juan Carlos is committed to showcasing the magic and hidden treasures of Peru, ensuring each journey is both meaningful and memorable.
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Discover Peru with Cusco Native. Where Flexibility Meets Authenticity!
The Paucartambo Festival begins with an electrifying display of faith and tradition as the town gathers for a night of symbolic ritual and celebration. As dusk falls over the cobbled streets, brilliant fireworks light up the skies, signaling the start of the festivities. A towering bonfire is lit in the main square, becoming the dramatic centerpiece for one of the festival’s most powerful scenes: a theatrical representation of purgatory. Local performers, dressed in costume, leap through the flames and perform gravity-defying acrobatics, embodying the spiritual struggle between sin and salvation in a vivid, unforgettable display.
As the flames die down, the tone shifts from spectacle to devotion. Musicians begin a nightlong serenade to the Virgin of Carmen, playing traditional melodies that echo through the village and up into the surrounding hills. Locals and visitors alike gather in candlelit reverence, joining in prayer, song, and celebration. It is a moment of reflection and collective energy, setting the tone for the main day to come. This first night is a powerful expression of spiritual commitment and cultural identity, blending sacred ritual with festive joy.
The small, unassuming town of Paucartambo lies on the eastern slopes of the Andes, nestled between Peru’s southern highlands and the Amazon jungle. This picturesque village, with its white houses and blue-painted doors, serves as a trading hub between these two distinct regions. While Paucartambo remains quiet for most of the year, it transforms into a vibrant cultural hub from July 15th to 18th during the Paucartambo Festival of the Virgin of Carmen. With Cusco just three hours away, this festival provides an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart of Peruvian tradition, filled with colorful costumes, lively dancing, and delicious food and drink.
On the main day of the festival, the celebrations begin with a morning mass before regional dances like the Qollas and Qhapac Negro fill the streets. As the day unfolds, the town becomes alive with music, dancing, and revelry, continuing well into the night. To experience this unique and festive event, you’ll be picked up early from your hotel in Cusco and driven to Paucartambo. After enjoying the joyous celebration of “La Virgen del Carmen,” you’ll return to your hotel in Cusco City in the evening, taking with you lasting memories of this incredible cultural experience.
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Discover Peru with Cusco Native. Where Flexibility Meets Authenticity!
Discover Peru with Cusco Native. Where Flexibility Meets Authenticity!
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Cusco Native Tours was founded in 2008 with a passion for offering unique and authentic tours and treks in Cusco and throughout Peru. Our founder, Renato Auca Fuentes, is a native cusqueño of Quechua origin who started the company with a mission to use his knowledge of his ancestors to help develop the nearby native communities through tourism and create unforgettable experiences for visitors.
At Cusco Native, we specialize in creating sustainable, one-of-a-kind travel experiences in Peru, providing unparalleled support to our partners. Whether you're a local business or an international agency, we’re here to build partnerships that benefit everyone. Learn how we can grow together, promote responsible tourism, and deliver exceptional journeys that inspire travelers and empower our community
Ethical tourism practices
Cusco Native Tours believes in using tourism as a tool for supporting and developing the nearby native communities in a way that preserves their culture and heritage.
Cusco Native Tours is committed to protecting the natural beauty and resources of Peru through sustainable and responsible tourism practices.
Cusco Native Tours is dedicated to providing visitors with unique and genuine experiences that showcase the real Peru, beyond the typical tourist attractions.
Cusco Native Tours values treating its staff, partners, and local communities with respect, fairness, and transparency.
Cusco Native Tours places a high priority on professionalism, expertise, and excellence in all aspects of its operations, including trip planning, logistics, and customer service.
Cusco Native Tours is driven by a deep love and appreciation for Peru, its history, culture, and people, and is dedicated to sharing that passion with visitors from around the world.
Cusco Native Tours strives to create customized itineraries that meet each traveler’s individual interests, budget, and schedule.
Cusco Native Tours values travel as a means of promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding between people from different backgrounds..
Machu Pichu has been #1 on my bucket list for over 30 years, and I am so glad I chose Cusco Native to make this dream come true.
I am extremely satisfied with the experience. The communication was smooth and efficient. Rumi, our MP guide, is very knowledgeable and I highly recommend him. 5 stars!
I would like to thank you and Cusco Native for the wonderful trip you planned out for me. Thank you Claire for your flexibility and for suggesting the waterfall excursion, it was incredible and totally off the beaten path!
Thanks to you and the team - we had an incredible, memory filled, adventure.
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