Day 01: Cusco – Mahuayani
We leave the city of Cusco by private bus, on the Cusco – Puerto Maldonado highway towards Tinki (3800 masl) and Mahuayani, where we will arrive at approximately 15:00 hours. On the way we will stop in Urcos, where we will visit a beautiful lake with the same name. Then we go to Cattca, agricultural and livestock community where we appreciate the spectacular views of the region, following to Ocongate, capital of the district of the same name, Tinqui, stopping point of most of the treks in the area of Ausangate, and finally Mahuayani ( 4600 masl) after a journey of approximately 7h. In the afternoon, we take the opportunity to visit the local market, before having dinner at our nearby campsite.
Day 02: Mahuayani – Qoylloritti Sanctuary
We wake up at 07.30 am and after our breakfast; we start our hike to the Qoylloritti Sanctuary, located in an impressive place, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. We walk slowly along an uphill trail where we will find 14 crosses that are venerated along the way; the last one is already in the Sanctuary. Upon arrival, we will settle into our camp and enjoy free time in the afternoon. It is impressive the display of activities at the Sanctuary, as well as the amount of pilgrims that year after year attend this festivity. In the afternoon we can attend the mass at the Sanctuary; there are two ceremonies, at 6:00 p.m. or at 8:00 p.m. dinner and camping at the Sanctuary.
Day 03: Qoylloritty Sanctuary
This day is dedicated entirely to the Sanctuary, following the activities of the pilgrims. We attend the “Alacitas” market in the morning. This is a very curious exhibition in which one buys miniature goods such as trucks, houses, cattle, university degrees and others, with money that is only valid during the festivity of Qoyllur Ritti, according to one’s real desires. Legend has it that everything you achieve in this game will come true thanks to the power of the Lord of Qoylloritty. The Mass of Souls in the atrium of the Sanctuary (10:00 a.m.) is the next act followed by the Mass of “Pablitos” at 12:00 noon. The afternoon is reserved for other activities, for all those who want to join: the procession of the Lord of Tayancani and the Virgin, several dances, mass in the Sanctuary at 6:00 p.m. and the singing to the Lord at 7:00 p.m. In the evening, after dinner, we enjoy the spectacular “Burning of Castles”, in which wooden constructions are burned with fireworks, followed by the “Dance of the Child”. Afterwards, the pilgrims ascend to the snowy and glacier to lower the crosses to the Sanctuary.
Day 04: Qoylloritty Sanctuary – Yanacocha – Tayancani
After an early start at 7:00 p.m., we pack our bags and prepare for the pilgrimage. We wait and attend the Blessing Mass at 10.00 a.m. and at noon we leave in the so called “24 hour procession”, together with the rest of the pilgrims. The procession departs from the Sanctuary and goes through Calvario Machucruz, the lagoons in the sectors of Kumukasa and Alqamarina, until arriving to Yanacocha, where we arrive around 18:00 hours, then we sleep 3-4 hours until 22:00 hours, when we start walking during the night. towards Tayancaní. Night walk.
Day 05: Tayancani – Cusco
After a spectacular night pilgrimage, we wait for the sunrise, the impressive ceremony of the “Salute to the Sun” (07.00 am) to descend to Tayancani and attend the blessing of the Sanctuary and town of the same name (08.00 am). We attend mass (10.00 am) and then continue our hike through a mountain pass (2h) and then descend to Ocongate (1h); where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we board our private transportation back to Cusco (5h), where we expect to arrive around 06:00 pm.
