we support responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism...

Bienvenidos ...

"to the second edition of Apus Peru's news sheet, 'View from the Andes'. This edition has an overview of all cultural events in the Cusco region for 2008 so you can best plan your trip to Peru, a focus on our Lares Valley community weaving project, and the ongoing offer of early bird specials.

In Cusco, its raining heavily, as it does over this season, with the traditional Inca trail closed in February for its annual cleanup. By March the skies begin to clear and the Cusco region is ready for another round of fiestas and treks.

A big thank you to everyone who trekked or travelled with us during 2007, you have contributed not only to the local economy, but also to the "Weaving traditions" and "Bilingual education projects" - thus directly helping communities on the ground.

We are pleased to commence this year another initiative with RUFADA - a volunteer program directly designed to help communities in the high Andes.

We wish you all the best for the upcoming year… and especially for your travel planning! Please, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
from the apus peru management team - felix, fely and ariana"

• February 2008
• in this issue
• † testimonials
• † its best to book early!
• † when to go to peru: trip planning
• † apus peru: family owned & operated
• † Lares & Machu Picchu trek
• † Q'olluritty pilgrimage!
• † trekkers wanted!
• † Early bird specials

ariana with some members of a chincheros homestay family!

Big Willie was the man. Very funny, very professional, very informative. Could not imagine a better guide. The Lares- Machu Picchu trek was Perfect. Not many tourists. Difficult, amazing views, interaction with locals was amazing. The whole experience was a highlight. I especially liked watching the locals fish with handline set in views I will never forget. I think it is important to preserve the land we covered and not let tourism become too big.

Tommy, USA, November 2007, Lares to Machu Picchu 4 day trek

For more testimonials please see:
http://www.apus-peru.com/testimonials.htm

Best to book early!

Inca trail permits from May through to September can book out three to four months in advance. There are no permits required for any of our treks but you need to get in EARLY to reserve the departure date you require. Our guides get booked up on a "first come, first served basis" so the best guides are booked first. Also, if you want others to join your trek, you have to be "in it to win it" - that is, you have to confirm and pay a deposit to list your trek and get others to join you.

dates are booking up fast for March!!! get in now to get your preferred dates!

spectacular views on the Ausangate trek

Remote and mysterious Choquequirao ruins can be visited as part of the 9 day epic Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek or the standard 4 day Choquequirao hike

With the festive season over, people start to make plans for the upcoming year. If you are considering a trip to Peru, especially Cusco, you can use this article as a guide for the best months of the year to suit your travel interests.

February (low season)
Traditionally the wettest month of the year in the Cusco, during February the Inca Trail is closed for an annual cleanup. However, you can still visit Machu Picchu via train or one of the alternative treks like the Vilcabamba to Machu Picchu or the Salkantay trek. Expect to get wet on the trail and in the city, because this is the month of carnivales when water bombs are thrown freely. Also, if you are visiting Puno don't miss the spectacular dances at Virgen of the Candelaria.

March (shoulder season)
Easter falls in March this year, so be in Cusco for the spectacular parades which pay homage to the Lord of the Earthquakes in the week before Easter. If you are very keen to have a unique Easter experience, travel to Ayacucho where the parades are particularly special. As rain lessens, this is a good season to get out into the countryside and do some hiking. You will almost have the trail to yourself.

April (shoulder season)
April 2008 won't have any major fiestas in Cusco, but that's not to say that there won't be cultural activity in and around this cosmopolitan, vibrant city. Clear skies, fresh green fields, April is an excellent month to hike with mild temperatures and increasing sunshine.

May (shoulder season)
As the rainclouds clear, so too do the numbers of visitors begin to increase. However, May is a month blessed with generally clear blue skies, and cool temperatures. This year the bright and colourful Corpus Christi falls in May, as well as the unique Lord of Qollur'ritty celebrations located high up on a glacier in the Andes. Adventurous travellers can participate in the Lord of Qollur'ritty pilgrimage, a challenging but extremely memorable trek in the mountains. Depending on the season, the harvest begins in May and continues through to July.

June (peak season)
If you are not particularly into tourist crowds, then it's probably preferable if you steer away from Cusco in June when accommodation and transport fills up quickly and most hotels charge high season prices. However, this is also the month of Inti Raymi, the famous festival of the sun god and also the shortest day of the year. Expect short, though sunny days and clear blue skies that go on forever. June, with its dry days, is mid harvest and you will see maize drying in the sun.

July (peak season)
The clear blue skies contrast spectacularly with the white of snow on top of the mountain peaks. This is an ideal month for trekking and enjoying the clear fresh airs of the mountains. It is also the month of the unique and brightly coloured Virgen de Carmen festival in Paucartambo - something that you should plan to attend if you are heading to Cusco in this month. On the 28th of July the intense patriotism of Peruvians and the colours of the red and white flag is fully evident during the celebration of Fiestas Patrias, their National Holiday.

August (peak season)
In the Andes, 1st August represents the Andean New Year. During the month of August, many Peruvian families make "pagos" or payments to Pachamama, or Mother Earth. August is also blessed with fine, clear weather and is a very popular month for trekking.

September(shoulder season)
After several dry months, there can be some showers on the trail, but generally they are few and far between. This is a great month for visiting Cusco, with lesser visitors and also the Warachikuy festival, which is very similar to the Inti Raymi but with a more realistic atmosphere. As the first rains come, this is also a period of much activity in the fields when the campesino (rural farming people) plant maiz, choclo, potatoes and wheat.

October (shoulder season)
The purple month in Peru, so named because you will see many people wearing purple clothing in homage to the Lord of the Miracles, celebrated in Lima and high Andean towns like Cusco. While there might be some afternoon showers and wetter weather to deal with, your reward is untouristed paths and you can be certain that the planting period will be in full swing. If you are lucky enough to be around at the right time, planting is accompanied by a fiesta in Cusco where the people eat a special food called "merienda" that includes cuy (guinea pig), tortillas and toasted maiz.

November (low season)
The first of November is the "Day of the Dead" when Peruvians pay homage to those that have left this world. As the rain increases, so too does tourism wind down - this has distinct advantages of less people on treks and also the ability to bargain at hotels and shops!

December (low season)
The Christmas period is an awesome time to visit Cusco and surrounds as the Cusquenos celebrate the birth of Christ in a range of very unique ways. In December of each year Apus Peru offers 'Chocolatada' treks where you can give in a very unique, and very Peruvian way - by being part of a community celebration where children are given hot chocolate, bread and a toy. To participate in a Christmas Chocolatada trek is something that will never be forgotten and a very unique way to end the year.

"Revitalising weaving traditions" project

This project began with an email from a family in the USA...
" First, we wanted to say how much we enjoyed the time in Peru, the arrangements you made for us, and the guidance provided by both Felix and Herbert. Each day was more amazing than the last. We came away with a great admiration for Peru, its cultures past and present, and its artistic and courageous people. So, many thanks for all you did to make it happen! Second, a proposal that is connected to all those impressions. We would like to find a more sustained way to support the work of the weavers, like those we met on the Lares Valley trek and have been talking about ways to do that..."

By working with the NGO RUFADA, Apus Peru has been able to run four workshops with between 11 and 16 women attending, in two remote high Andean communities. The workshops have included talks on marketing, fine finishes, quality control, using natural dyes, and spinning fine wool. In some cases, a picture is worth a thousand words - check out some of the pictures…
http://www.apus-peru.com/weaving_traditions.htm

Apus Peru - family owned and operated
From the time that you make your reservation through to your airport pickup, and actual trip, most of the people you will encounter working for Apus Peru are linked by family ties or that of patronage. We are small, and we like it that way - but this also means that we don't have large groups all the time. As we provide a personalised service - we need a minimum of one week to organise your trek (preferably more time!) Please keep in mind that as part of our commitment to responsible tourism at the beginning of each month we program our guides and cooks so that they have a reliable and stable work program. If you are thinking of making a trek in the upcoming month, please let us know.

Lares & Machu Picchu
This is an excellent alternative to the traditional inca trail, with the added bonus of visiting isolated Andean communities with long weaving traditions. You hike for three days through high altiplano scenery and then on the third evening take the train to Machu Picchu, which you visit on the fourth day. The Lares and Machu Picchu trek is sometimes known as the 'Weaver's Way' or the Weavers Trail. CHECK IT OUT> Lares and Machu picchu trek

Lord of Q'olloritty pilgrimage departs 18 May returns 21 May
Qoyllority is a Quechua word which means Shining Snow which refers to the glow from the high glaciers. This an old religious procession that is practiced by those who live in the high Andes. Every year, days before the celebration of Corpus Christi, every small village or clan sends a delegation with colorful dancers and "pauluchas" to the Chapel of the Señor (or Lord) of Qoylloriti. The location of this festival is breathtaking in so many ways. You have awesome views of Ausangate, the highest mountain in Southern Peru as well as neighbouring peaks - as well as climbing high into the glaciers with pilgrims. Colourful dancers and rituals make this a highly memorable and spectacular event.

CHECK IT OUT> Lord of Q'olloritty pilgrimage

Trekkers Wanted!
Listed on the trekkers wanted page are groups of people who have made a deposit and are departing on the date specified. These people are looking for others to join them - they are guaranteed departures! The maximum group size is 8, in our view the optimum size group for a good quality experience We operate our own tours and will not "on sell" passengers to other companies. That way, we can guarantee the quality of your experience and that our staff are treated in an ethical manner.

CHECK IT OUT> Trekkers Wanted

Early bird specials
If you book 6 months before your trip departure we will offer you a 5% discount on the total trek or tour price.
When booking, please note that we are a small family operated company that provides personalised service – we need a minimum of one week to organise your trek (preferably more time!) Please keep in mind that as part of our commitment to responsible tourism at the beginning of each month we program our guides and cooks so that they have a reliable and stable work program.
We are committed to responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism.

Celebrations of Lord of the Earthquakes, in Cusco, this year will be in March

Join Apus peru for the unique and special pilgrimage to the Lord of Qolloritty, high in the mountains near Ausangate.

Inti Raymi, held on June 24 each year is a spectacular festival

The bright and colourful Virgen de Carmen celebration held in Paucartambo

Photos from the "revitalising weaving traditions project, above the teacher shows different styles, and below, the group washing natural dyes.

Follow little known Inca Trails on the Crossing the Cordillera Vilcabamba hike that goes from Vilcabamba to Machu Picchu.

APUS PERU Adventure Travel Specialists - Email: apusperu@westnet.com.au

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