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Qoylluritty Pilgrimage
4 days/ 3 nights

Occurs in the week before Corpus Christi ONCE A YEAR and also in September

Departs 18th May 2008 and 12th September 2008* (date to be confirmed)

Email us to make a booking now - places limited to 8 only!

Testimonials - what people who have done the trip say!

This trip can precede or follow the magnificent Ausangate trek - if you combine the two trips, you will receive a significant discount as you do not have to pay transport twice!

Qoyllority is a Quechua word which means Shining Snow, and in Quechua "The Lord of Qoyllority" translates as Taytacha Qoylloriti. (also known and spelt Colloritty) 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. This Chapel is situated spectacularly at the base of the Sinakara mountain, some hours walk above the village of Mawayany, at 4600 meters above sea level. It has spectacular views of the much venerated Apu, Ausangate.

The "pauluchas" are costumed dancers who carry alpacas and are intermediaries between the Lord Qoylloriti and his men. They begin their climb of the Sinakara glacier at 4am, a ritual where they ask for their animals to grow well. They go back with an iceblock or a block of snow which they use to purify humanity. They are charged with taking care of the small stream in the mountains. The origin of the small holy stream is explained by a legend. According to the most well-known version, a mestizo boy with blond hair and rough looks, helped a alpaca shepherd take care of his animals. The father of the shepherd heard of this, and in order to thank the boy for helping him with the animals, he decided to make new clothes for him of best quality. The Bishop of Cusco was interested by this story and wanted to get to know the young boy, and asked the people of the church of Ocongate to investigate the situation. The people of the church didn't discover the boy, who disappeared and the shepherd died of sadness. At the place where this occurred an image appeared of the crucified Christ, reflected in a rock. It is here you can find the Templo del Señor de Qoylloriti, which is constructed over the rock.
The Ten Nations or ten brotherhoods that belong to Paucartambo, Qusipicanchis and Tahuantinsuyo provinces attend the event. Masses, ascents to Mount Sinakara and simulated battles lead to the cohesion of all the brotherhoods and make this a very special and colorful festivity, surrounded by the cold of the awesome scenery.
During the celebration, the people that have participated in the procession praise Our Lady of Fatima and ask for good luck in business, life and the future.
The end of the procession takes place at the ancient Inca capital of Cusco with the celebrations of Corpus Christi, when the streets filled with people and the squares with music and color.

Detailed itinerary

Sunday May 18th, 2008 Cusco - Maywayny - Sanctuary of Qoylloritti
Leaving at Cusco at 4am, we travel from Cusco to Maywayny (via Tinqui, the trailhead for the Ausangate Trek) along what will soon become the Transoceanic highway. We pass through spectacular landscapes and stop for photos along the way at Urcos, Cattca and Ocongate. The drive takes about 7 hours. We will have lunch with other pilgrims at Maywayny (4600m), which will bursting at the seams with visitors, before starting our hike up to the Sanctuary of Qoylloritti, located in a breathtaking spot, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. We slowly hike through an uphill trail along which we will encounter 14 crosses that are venerated on the way, the last one is located at the Sanctuary. The hike up to the Sanctuary takes between 4 and 6 hours, depending on fitness. In the evening, we can attend the mass at the Sanctuary, being two ceremonies, one at 06.00pm and the other at 08.00 pm. Dinner and camp at the Sanctuary.

Monday May 19th, 2008: Sanctuary of Qoylloritti
This day is spent at the Sanctuary, watching and learning about the activities of the pilgrims. We attend the "Alacitas" market in the morning. Here you can buy miniature goods such as trucks, houses, cattle, university titles and anything that your heart desires. The legend says that whatever you purchase and then sacrifice to the Lord will come true thanks to the power of the Lord of Qoylloritti. The Mass at the Sanctuary (10.00 am) is the next event followed by the "Pablitos" mass at 12.00 pm. The afternoon is reserved for other activities: the procession of the Lord of Tayancani and the Virgin, several dancing performances, mass at the Sanctuary at 06.00 pm. At night, after dinner, we enjoy a spectacular Andean fireworks show where wooden constructions with fireworks are burnt, Afterwards, the pilgrims ascend to the snow-capped mountain and glacier to bring down the crosses to the Sanctuary. We retire to our tents.

Tuesday May 20th, 2008: Sanctuary of Qoylloritti - Yanacocha - Night Pilgrimage to Tayancani
After an early wake up, we pack our bags and get ready for the pilgrimage. We wait and attend the Blessing Mass and we leave in the so-called "24 hour procession", together with the rest of pilgrims. The procession leaves from the Sanctuary and runs through Calvario Machucruz, the lagoons in Kumukasa and Alqamarina sectors, until reaching Yanacocha, where we arrive at around 06.00 pm. We then sleep for 3-4 hours until 10.00 pm, when we start walking during the night towards Tayancani. Night hike.

Wednesday May 21th, 2008: Tayancani - Cusco
After a spectacular night pilgrimage, we wait for sunrise, the impressive "Sun Greeting" ceremony (07.00 am) to descend to Tayancani and attend the Blessing to Sanctuary and village of the same name (08.00 am). We attend the mass (10.00 am) and then follow our hike up a mountain pass (2h) and then down to Ocongate (1h), where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we board our private car back to Cusco (5h), where we expect to arrive around 06.00 pm.

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.
• This is an adventurous trip. You should be sure to bring an open mind, flexibility and a sense of humor. Most of all you should be prepared to go with the flow. Most of all, you are joining an Andean fiesta - and you should be willing to accept their means and methods of celebration.
• This region is not frequently visited by tourists, therefore tourist infrastructure is limited. This tour incorporates public transport, and use of local facilities. Visitors should be aware that things change, or may not go to plan. This is all part of the adventure!

What's included?

For complete facts about many aspects of Apus Peru tours, check out our FAQs page!

• Pre Trek Briefing
• Collection from your hotel in the morning of trek departure.
• Collection from your hotel in the morning and transfer in private transport to Maywayny, Private transport from Ocongate to Cusco, including transfer to your hotel in Cusco
• English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people).
• Tents - 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks. All tents were purchased in 07/08.
• Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can hire you an inflatable mattress (eg. Thermarest) for $5 per day.
• Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
  Toilet tent
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the western diet and also traditional Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes). Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
• Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 5 kg per person). If you wish to take more, you can hire an extra mule at a cost of $9 per day.
• 1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower
• Dining tent with camp tables and chairs & Kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals
• Tents for our staff to sleep in
• First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle

What is not included?
Breakfast on the first morning.

• Sleeping bags (can be hired from us for US$5 per day) If you haven't got a sleeping bag or you don't want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
• Tips for the guide, cook and porters
• Additional horses for passengers luggage. If there are any substantial items or backpacks, passengers will need to hire an additional mule at a cost of $9US per day.

prices 2008

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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.