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Andean Homestay Program -
Chinchero
Peru Treks & Adventure
is working to help develop tourism in some of the smaller rural
villages in the Andes. One of these projects is our Quechua
Homestay program aimed at visitors to Peru who would like to
experience Andean culture and hospitality first hand.
We are currently arranging trips to several families in the
village of Chinchero (one hour's drive from Cusco) which is famous
for it's Sunday market, picturesque church and plaza and Inca
ruins.
Click here to
read an article published in the Independent Newspaper (UK)
written by Ann Noon, a journalist who took part in our Homestay
program.
Typical Itinerary:
Saturday: Depart Cusco after lunch for the one hour scenic trip to
Chinchero. Introduction to your host family. Overnight with
family.
Sunday: Visit to the traditional morning market in Chinchero.
Return to Cusco.
Facilities:
Facilities at the family houses are very basic. You will be
provided with a private room with a bed but it is best to take
sleeping bags if you have them. If you don't have sleeping bags
you can rent them from our office for US$3 for the 2 days (just
enough to cover the cost of having the sleeping bag cleaned). All
the houses obviously have bathrooms with flush toilets and running
water but they are communal and shared with the family. Most
families will be happy to prepare a soup for you in the evening
and breakfast in the morning for a small cost. However meals are
optional so you can take sandwiches or snacks from Cusco if you
prefer.
Price:
The cost of staying with a local family is 20 Peruvian
Soles per person. This includes an evening meal (vegetable soup,
bread, herbal tea) and breakfast (bread, jam, herbal tea or
coffee). The price does not include transport to the community.
Transport costs:
US$1 per person each way on public transport or US$10 each way in
taxi (the price is per taxi not per person)
Other Information & how to make a reservation:
Most of the people in the villages speak Quechua as their first
language and Spanish as their second. It helps if you can speak
the basics of Spanish but if you can't you will usually find
waving your arms around and shouting loudly often works !
We can't accept advance bookings.
In order to make a reservation just turn up at our office 2 or 3
days before your want to stay with the family. This gives us a
chance to contact the family and let them know that you are on
your way. It is often easier if we arrange a taxi to take you
there and you come back by public bus since we can find a taxi
driver who knows the family and can take you straight to the door.
You are not restricted
to depart on a Saturday afternoon, in fact you can go any day of
the week and stay for however long you want. The program is very
flexible and informal.
Your comments:
"This was a fascinating experience and one we shall remember for a
very long time. Our family were very warm and friendly and could
not have treated us better. I thoroughly recommend this trip to
anyone else visiting Cusco. The market at Chinchero was very
beautiful and we bought several weavings at good prices. Thank you
to everyone at Peru Treks and Andean Travel Web who helped us to
arrange this trip and make it successful. We wish you continued
success with this project and your many other community schemes"
Linda & Graham Shaw, Quebec, Canada 31st May 2003
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