Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
offer accommodation in basic but comfortable guestrooms, with private bathrooms and
showers. The point of contact is Humberto Rodriguez. Packages include all meals, a
night-time fiesta and a highly recommended day of
guided activities
. These include a
visit to the ruins (admission not included), a heart-pumping hike up to the local
mirador
(lookout) and a ceramics workshop.
On the third Sunday in June, Raqchi is the site of a colorful
fiesta
with much traditional
music and dancing.
Raqchi to Abra La Raya
About 25km past Raqchi is bustling Sicuani, a market town of 12,000 people, halfway
from Cuzco to Puno. There's no real reason to stop here except to break the journey. A
few economical places to stay are located near the bus terminal.
Twenty minutes past Sicuani - just before Abra la Raya, the high pass that marks the
boundary between the Cuzco and Puno departments - are the
Aguas Calientes de
Marangani
(admission S5; daylight hr)
. This complex of five fabulously hot thermal
pools is linked by rustic bridges over unfenced, boiling tributaries. Quite a sight, it isn't
odd to see locals washing themselves, their kids and their clothes in the pools. Consider it
an accessible, off-the-beaten-track experience.
You can count on local transport to hop between Cuzco, Andahuaylillas, Raqchi,
Sicuani and the baths from early morning until at least 3pm. For points of interest south of
here,
Click here
.
