VIRGIN OF PAUCARTAMBO FESTIVAL 3 Days - 02 Nights

VIRGIN OF PAUCARTAMBO FESTIVAL 3 Days - 02 Nights
For a few days out of each year the quiet, colonial backwater town of Paucartambo comes to life. It is suddenly overfilled with thousands of visitors, spectators who come to see and be a part of one of South America’s most vibrant and fascinating fiestas.
For five days, ( starting on the 15th of July), thousands of devotees hold festivals in honor of the Virgin del Carmen, known locally as Mamacha Carmen, patron saint of the mestizo population. Dance groups, all magnificently masked and costumed in accordance with their respective customs, accompany the Mamacha in a huge parade, gaily dancing down the city streets. Behind them the entire population of the town gathers quietly, forming itself into a pious mass bearing candles, flowers and other offerings. It is a colorful mix of Andean pre-Columbian ceremonies and Catholic religion in which many ancient gods and rites are honored. The Virgin del Carmen (the virgin of Mount Carmel) is a particular apparition of the Mother of Jesus. Images of the Virgin always show her dressed in brown and tan, wearing a flat crown, and holding the Infant Jesus; both of them hold scapulars in their hands. It is said that all those who die while wearing the blessed scapular of the Lady will be saved from the fires of Hell, no matter how great their sins. The Spanish introduced the custom of paying homage to the Virgin. The festival comes from the Old World, where the Virgin was honored in seaports as Stella Maris. The tradition has its origins in the Old Testament, when the prophet Elias retreated to a cave in Mount Carmel in Israel. Many centuries later, hermits following in Elijah's footsteps asked for the protection of the Virgin of Carmen. Mariners and fishermen everywhere soon adopted her as their patron saint. There is a legend that tells of how the festival first came to Paucartambo: long ago, every year during the first days of July, a wealthy woman called Felipa Begolla would always come to Paucartambo to trade goods. She would come with her mule train laden with goods from her homeland, which she exchanged for Paucartambo’s produce.One year on July 16th, while she was unpacking her bundles, Felipa found the head of a beautiful woman radiating rays of light lying among the pots and pans. When she tried to cry out, she found that she could not speak, and when she tried to run she was unable to move. Then the lovely head spoke to her, calming her fears and telling her that her name was Carmen.Felipa put the head on a fine silver dish that she had been carrying with her to trade and, as the head glowed brilliantly, a crowd of muleteers and neighbors gathered around it. A carpenter was commissioned to carve a wooden body for the head and, mounted on an elaborate litter, the Virgin was carried to the local church where her miraculous image was placed on one side of the main altar. On July 16th, now the main day of the fiesta, the Virgin, beautifully adorned, is borne aloft in a fantastic procession through the streets to bless those present and scare away demons. Some of the dancers –the Saqras- in a representation of the never-ending battle between the forces of good and evil, daringly perform gymnastic feats on the housetops, showing off their colorful Inca and colonial garb while they try to seduce the Virgin, crying out as if in pain and trying to avoid her impassive stare. Afterwards, a symbolic battle is staged amongst the devout dancers and the demons, with the traditional victory of the faithful.On the 17th, a feast is held that includes the dead. All the people of the town go to the cemetery to visit their dead relatives and friends. They carry food and drink to celebrate beside the graves.Preparations for the fiesta begin weeks before July 14th, since, on that day and the ones that follow it, everybody is dedicated to celebrating and honoring their patron and do not have time to work.In particular, the 16 groups of dancers, or comparsas, are kept quite busy learning and rehearsing their strict choreography over the few weeks before the celebration. They all represent semi-mythical characters, derived from Peruvian historical folktales and legends, such as malaria victims, Ukukus (half man half bear), condor-men and warlike jungle Indians. On horseback or on foot they reel through the streets throughout the fiesta. A few examples of the different comparsas (participants)
Tres Cruces sits at the edge of the Andes Mountains with a spectacular, never-ending view of the flat Amazon. Sunrise in the months of June and July are characterized by bizarre double-images and the optical illusion of the sun bouncing around during sunrise.
ITINERARY
Day 01: CUSCO - PAUCARTAMBO
Early morning transfer by private transportation from Cusco to Paucartambo village visiting areas such as Urcos and the Ch'ullpas of Ninamarka. About 10.00 am we arrive at Paucartambo(13,200 ft), lodging in a shared accommodations and taking a rest. Then we have a walking tour with our private guide sorrunded by thousands of devotes and visitors. Next we have a buffet lunch with typical cuisine. Later in the afternoon we can observe the sixteen colorful “comparsas”, dancing in honour of the Mamacha del Carmen. After lunch, a riotous firework display is held in the main square, during which the Qhapaq Qolla, the Ch’unchos and the Saqras dance wildly like some medieval vision of hell called “Fogata”. The fogata ('fire') is staged in the night, a representation of Purgatory which continues with a big fiesta and serenade to the Virgen del Carmen. At around midnight, in an emotional gathering, all the comparsas meet again - this time without their elaborate costumes - to solemnly serenade the Virgin in front of the closed doors of the church. (L/D)
Day 02: PAUCARTAMBO - TRES CRUCES DE ORO
After breakfast we attend Central Mass following the great procession of “La Mamacha” to bless those present and scare away demons. We’ll see the different comparsas and specially the “Saqras” who occupy the rooftops and balconies of the town; these are Euro-Andean devils, dressed in vivid rainbow-colored costumes and elaborate animal masks crowned with extravagant wigs. Then we eat lunch. The afternoon is free for enjoying and exploring the site. We have dinner, and then we make our way towards the camp Tres Cruces de Oro, 40 km north away from Paucartambo, which is situated on the very edge of the Andes mountains at a height of 12,100 feet. From Tres Cruces, there is a steep drop into the Amazon basin, which means the view is incredible. It’s most famous for the sunrise in the months of June and July because special climatic conditions mean that there are optical illusions. (B/L/D)
Day 03: PAUCARTAMBO - CUSCO
Wake up before dawn and then we set out to see one of the most beautiful natural phenomena in the world: the sunrise at Tres Cruces de Oro (12,100 ft), where the Sun "dances" in the sky, or the Sun “plays” in the sky. We eat some snacks and we return back to Paucartambo. Breakfast. This day we attend with our guide the Blessing Mass. In the afternoon the image of the Virgin is carried through the narrow streets of the village to the venerable colonial-era bridge named Carlos III, surrounded by all those who have attended the festival, standing or kneeling tightly-packed and respectfully silent, the Qhapaq Qolla and Qhapaq Negro address the Virgin in a moving song of farewell. On this place the Virgin imparts her blessings to the fourth regions (suyos). Ended the procession continues the spectacular “guerrilla” between the group of the Qollas of the Andes and the Antis of the jungle who do mock-battle in a hilarious slapstick encounter recalling the wars between Qollasuyo and Antisuyo in the time of the Inkas. Finally the comparsas venture forth for the last time to dance the traditional Kachapari or farewell, closing for another year this magic feast. Return to Cusco. (B/L)
End of our services
INCLUDED
1.All the roundtrip Cusco - Paucartambo - Tres Cruces - Paucartambo - Cusco by private ground transportation
2.One night in basic accommodations in Paucartambo village with breakfast included
3.Excellent meals as specified in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, T=Tea time)
4.Fully guided sightseeing during the trip
5.English speaking professional guide services included guide assistant
6.Full camping equipment for the 2nd day: large tents for 2 people, Double thickness foam mattress, dining tent with tables and chairs and kitchen tent
7.First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank if needed
NOT INCLUDED
2.Sleeping bags
3.Personal equipment
4.Extra food or beverages
5.Insurance of any kind
6.Personal Expenses
7.Tips
8.Others not specified
RECOMMENDATIONS AND NOTES
•We can provide vegetarian meals or cater for special diets with no extra cost. Just let us know at least 2 days prior to trek departure
SEASON
•15th or 16th17th July
Accommodations, transportation, meals, and optional excursions can be arranged
Ask. - info-cusco@incalandadventures.com
Prices (US $):
Private Service
Paucartambo festival
pax 1 550.00
Pax 2,3 380.00
Pax 4 330.00
Pax 6 + 300.00
Pax
3 D/2n 550.00 380.00 330.00 300.00
More details at: info-cusco@incalandadventures.com