we support responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism...

Imagine doing something this Christmas that will be the highlight of your trip in Peru (without a doubt) and also help the poor and disadvantaged?

Participate in one of our Christmas Chocolatada treks and have an experience you will NEVER forget.

2009 departures*

* If you are interested in doing a trek that includes a Chocolatada but cannot make the specified dates, please contact us directly and we may be able to accomodate your itinerary. Note: chocolatadas are only held from approx. 5 December through to 25 December, though you could validly still offer one for a community up to 30 December.

Chaullacocha Christmas Trek

departs 20th December, returns 25th December 2008

Day One - 20th December 2008

We depart Cuzco early in the morning and travel to the township of Calca (2900 metres/ 9512 feet). We will visit traditional markets where people from all over the Sacred Valley trade crops. From Calca we pass Inca burial tombs, local farms and herds of wild llama en route. Just past the highest point of the day, we will stop for a short walk at the Inca ruins of Ancasmarca with views of the surrounding valley. From here we make our way down into the Lares Valley and the main town, Lares where we can visit the local market before continuing onto the famous hot springs. Have a dip in the hot springs before lunch and then have lunch... in the afternoon you will walk 2-3 hours to the village of Huacahuasi. overnight camping at Huacahuasi, a remote village.

Day Two - 21st December 2008
Huacahuasi to Chaullacocha. 5 hours walking including crossing the Ipsaycocha pass. When we arrive parents, teachers and Apus Peru staff will have been preparing the chocolate for the Chocolatada.Specifically, a 'chocolatada' is a distinct aspect of Christmas in Peru where better off people or organisations offer a bit of Christmas cheer to poor children or pensioners. A chocolatada is often organised by churches, businesses or shops and are characterised by giving a cup of hot chocolate, some bread or biscocho (a sweet bread with dried fruits inside), some sweets or maybe a toy.

You are also encouraged to support this community by purchasing any weavings or handicrafts that they produce by hand.

Apus Peru Adventure Travel Specialists donate 5% of each trek/tour price to community projects, and one such project is supporting the Chaullacocha community to have a second, bilingual teacher. This teacher teaches 1st and 2nd grade in firstly Quechua and then teaches them Spanish.

After the Chocolatada event, which is anticipated to last most of the day, we will camp near the village.

Day 3 - 22nd December 2008

In the morning we will farewell the people of Chaullacocha before walking for two hours over a pass to Palqaq where a car will be waiting to take us to Ollantaytambo via Patacancha.Depending on our train tickets, in the morning we will hopefully have time to visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo. (Boleto Turistico not included). In the afternoon we will take a train to Aguas Calientes where we can have a well deserved soak in the hot springs and enjoy a celebratory meal in a hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel, Aguas Calientes

Day 4 - 23rd December

Your start will be early on this morning… about 5am, but imagine telling your friends that you watched the sunrise over Machu Picchu
You will have a 2q hour guided visit of the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu and then have the rest of the day free to explore the ruins by yourself. For the fit and healthy, we highly recommend climbing Huayna Picchu. We return to Cusco in the afternoon by the backpacker train, arriving around 8pm.

Day 5 - 24th December

this tour is designed so that you will be in Cusco for the 24th December which is the famous "selling of the saints" market Santicuraray which should not be missed, nor the celebrations around Cusco on the night of the 24th which is "noche buena" and when Cusquenos traditionally celebrate Christmas. You will meet your guide in the morning, and they will give you a description of how to create a typical Cusqueno nacimiento and also you will visit the different displays in the churches around Cusco.

Christmas day itself is not generally full of celebrations for locals but many tourist oriented restaurants offer special dinners and celebrations.

prices 2008

If you are travelling alone, you can still depart on this tour.

If you have a group of four or more people, please contact us for a special rate.

For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our page Payment & booking

Please contact us for a specific list of inclusions.

Itinerary Notes

• The times cited in this itinerary are approximate. Walking times depend on the group and the guide can change lunch spots and campsites, depending on the progress of the group. Each guide has their own preferred route and it might not correspond exactly to the route described here.
• If required, riding horses or horses to carry luggage can be arranged at a reasonable daily rate.

children saying thank you during Yanamayoc chocolatada 2005.

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Pictures from the community of Chaullacocha, near Lares, which we support through the part employment of a bilingual (Quechua/English teacher). 5% of your trek price goes to assisting this community and another like it. You can visit this community as part of a chocolatada.

Ancascocha Christmas Chocolatada trek (not running in 2009, unless by special request)

departs Wednesday 19th December 2008, returns Sunday, 23rd December 2008

* you should be in Cusco for the highly recommended Santicuraray on the 24th December.

Day one
We will head out to the "Anta" an area to the north of Cusco We will visit the terraced complex of Zurite, located near the village of Huarocondo. Today we will pass through Parpishu before arriving near to where we will camp. Accommodation: Camping Chilipahua

Day two
We leave our campsite and head north west, slowly ascending past some small houses at Incaraqay - a community of sheep herders on the high puna. From here a one hour hike will bring us over another Pass at Pampaqasa (4,200 m.) down into the gulley of the Silque river to then reach the Pass a little village called Ancascocha (3,900 m.). Here we are in full view of Mt. Huayanay and the Silque Valley. We will camp in the schoolyard.

Day three
In the morning we will visit the school in Ancascocha and give the children their annual Christmas Chocolatada and some gifts.

Specifically, a 'chocolatada' is a distinct aspect of Christmas in Peru where better off people or organisations offer a bit of Christmas cheer to poor children or pensioners. A chocolatada is often organised by churches, businesses or shops and are characterised by giving a cup of hot chocolate, some bread or biscocho (a sweet bread with dried fruits inside), some sweets or maybe a toy.

You are also encouraged to support this community by purchasing any weavings or handicrafts that they produce by hand.

In the afternoon, we will head downhill, on a steep trail descends zig-zags, beside a small,fast flowing river. After crossing many little bridges, we'll reach the community of Camicancha, where we will camp in a nice volcanic rock area, with wonderful views of Mount Veronica.

Day four
Depending on our train tickets, in the morning we will hike from Camicancha to Chilca and then be transported to Ollantaytambo. Hopefully we will have time to visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo. (Boleto Turistico not included). In the afternoon we will take a train to Aguas Calientes where we can have a well deserved soak in the hot springs.
Accommodation: Hotel, Aguas Calientes

Day five
Your start will be early on this morning… about 5am. You will have a 3 hour guided visit of the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu and then have the rest of the day free to explore the ruins by yourself. For the fit and healthy, we highly recommend climbing Huayna Picchu. We return to Cusco in the afternoon by the backpacker train, arriving around 8pm.

this tour is designed so that after the end of your tour you will be in Cusco for the 24th December which is the famous "selling of the saints" market Santicuraray which should not be missed, nor the celebrations around Cusco on the night of the 24th which is "noche buena" and when Cusquenos traditionally celebrate Christmas. Christmas day itself is not generally full of celebrations for locals but many tourist oriented restaurants offer special dinners and celebrations.

prices 2008

If you are travelling alone, you can still depart on this tour

If you have a group of four or more people, please contact us for a special rate.

For our payment conditions and booking please refer to our page Payment & booking

Please contact us for a specific list of inclusions.

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - we support sustainable, responsible and ethical tourism...

366 Cuichipunco, Centro Historico, Cusco, Peru- Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

© A.Svenson 2005-2010. The design, content and photographs (except where noted) are 100% original. The majority of our treks were designed by Apus Peru.