About Chakana Tours

What do we offer?

Tours
Our tours are focused on trekking in the Peruvian Andes. We selected some of the most rewarding treks in Peru because of the combination of awe inspiring scenery, the diversity of flora and fauna, splendid archeological sites and the chance to walk through areas where its colorfully dressed inhabitants still live like their ancestors in Inca times.
We also organize an affordable adventure tour into one of the highlights of the tropical rainforests, the Manu National Park and run additional tours to Nasca, Colca Canyon and Lake Titicaca.

Reservations of hotels and transportation
We can book hotel rooms for you, buy national airplane tickets Lima - Cusco- Lima and buy bus tickets on comfortable public buses, all at very reasonable prices.

Advice
Since we travel extensively, we have up-to date travel information and can help you plan and organize your stay in Peru.

Chakana Tours is for the curious, motivated traveler who is flexible, loves trekking, adventure, discovery and culture.

About the tours

We offer three types of Tours:

Mountain treks: Huayhuash, Ausangate, Choquequirao to Machu Picchu, Salkantay- Machu Picchu, Choquequirao, Colca Canyon,
Rainforest tours: Manu National Park .
Additional tours: Nasca, Lake Titicaca.

Who can join the Tours?
This is dependent on the type of tour but in general anyone with a flexible attitude. Age is not important.

Mountain treks: are strenuous and one should be in a good physical condition.
Please keep in mind that most of the treks are at high altitudes, up to 5000 meters and in case of doubt it is recommended that you check with your doctor. No specific skills are needed on the trails.
These treks are in extremely remote regions and that in case of accidents or illness, medical help is far away.
Manu Rainforest tour: anyone can join. One has to consider the hot humid climate, the change of heavy rainfall and the presence of the (sometimes abundant) biting flies.
Nasca and Lake Titicaca tours: anyone can join.

Departure days and group size

You can leave any day between June and October. On request we can organize a group with a maximum of 12 participants.The final price of the tour depends on the number of participants

Itinerary
Due to circumstances beyond our control, such as bad weather or natural events we might have to change the itinerary, or route.

Transportation
Depending on the location we will combine private with public transport.

Accommodation during the tours
During the mountain treks and the Manu N.P. tour we camp in two-person tents. Sometimes, in the beginning and/or at the end of the trek we stay in a small village at a basic hotel.
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Accommodations before/ after the tour
We can book a room for you. The hotels are tourist class, have private facilities and are located in the center of the town. They are in the price range of $18-$35,- per night for a double room.
If you want cheaper accommodation we can recommend some hotels.

The guides
All tours are guided by a knowledgeable bilingual guide.

During the trek
We take our time to appreciate the landscapes and to make it a pleasant experience. We keep the group together and don't leave anyone behind. Safety is number one. We do have horses in case of emergency, a first-aid kit and an oxygen bottle.

Culture
During the tours we will have time to get to know more about the people and their culture. If available we visit museums, ruins, Indian markets, villages and schools and attend a Shaman ceremony. If we are lucky we can enjoy one of the spectacular colorful fiestas.

Gifts for locals
If you have clothes, school material or medicines to donate, the local people we will encounter during the tours are always very happy to receive them! The only consideration is that you will have to carry the extra kilos of luggage yourself!.

How to contact us?
info@chakanatours.com

The "Chakana", translated from Quechua (the language spoken by the Incas) means staircase.
For the Andean people, Chakana is synonym for the Andean Cross (see illustration below), which is inspired by the star constellation of the Southern Cross. For the people, the Andean Cross gave the feeling of safety, blessing, assistance and fertility. Even today people put crosses together with crops and place them on the roofs of their houses, pointed toward the top of the mountains (where their gods reside) to increase their magic power.

The three steps (of the staircase) of the Chakana indicate the three worlds according to the Andean Cosmos vision:
Ukupacha (Underworld), where their ancestors live, as well as the seeds and reptiles (important in their mythology). This world is represented by the snake.
Caypacha (Earth), which exists in two parts, water and earth. This is is the world where humans reside and have to share with fauna and flora. The puma represents this world.
Hananpacha (Sky) where the Andean gods live. This world is represented by the condor, the communicator between Hananpacha and Caypacha.

The center indicates a void and stands for God.