Song of the Andes

Set in the heartland of the Inca Empire, this extraordinary cultural journey weaves together the glorious architectural legacy of the Incas—the soaring fortresses of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and more—with a rare insider’s look into traditional Andean communities, their music, and their arts with our veteran Trip Leader Holly Wissler. An ethnomusicologist, Holly cultivated many close relationships with Peru’s traditional Andean families and musicians during her years of doctoral study. Through her connections, we will be able to enter their world and enjoy wonderful cultural exchanges and profound glimpses into Andean traditions of all kinds. We will get to know some of Holly’s close comadres and compadres, have opportunities to engage in various village activities, including weaving, cooking, and pottery making, watch a Q’eros leader make a spiritual offering to the apus (mountain gods), and hear a wonderful array of musical presentations in intimate settings with musicians that Holly has known and worked with for years. For a special treat, our trip is timed to witness the annual Mamacha Asunta, a grand presentation of over 20 folklore dances in the Andean village of Qoya. This trip is a hands-on adventure you won’t find on standard tours to Peru! Holly’s invaluable friendships with the local people will ensure us a truly rich and rewarding experienceóand an exciting in-depth journey on a path less taken.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Days 1-3
Cusco / Meet with Musicians

After arriving in Cusco (11,200'), ancient capital of the Incas, we explore the magnificent sites of Saqsayhuaman, Q’enqo (Kenko), Tambo Machay, and the tambo (way station/crossroads) of Puca Pucara. We will also enjoy special musical presentations by some amazing Andean musicians who will perform styles from around the southern Peruvian Andes, as well as Afro-Peruvian musicians from the coast, and meet with people from the indigenous community of Q’eros, renowned for their deep commitment to Andean traditions including musical ritual, weaving, and the making of ceremonial offerings.

Days 4-5
Pisa / Winay Taki Ayllu / Pisac Fortress

In the colonial town of Pisac in the Urubamba Valley, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we’ll watch a performance by Winay Taki Ayllu, a large family of musicians who have researched and revived the indigenous music of many Andean regions in Peru. We will also explore Pisac’s impressive fortress, filled with wonderful examples of Inca stonework and engineering.

Days 6-9
Inca villages / Ollantaytambo / Mamacha Asunta Festival

We visit the beautiful village of Chincheros the Incan ruins of Moray, and the Incan salt mines of Maras, with an optional downhill hike past natural saline springs collected in hundreds of terraced pools. Continuing to Ollantaytambo, an exquisite traditional town that retains the stonework, narrow streets, and family courtyards of its original Inca plan, we explore its major Inca fortress, with its magnificent monolithic stone temple overlooking the town. While based in Ollantaytambo, we meet with Awamaki, a small non-profit organization that runs a fair-trade weaving project in the traditional Andean community of Patacancha, and have the option of trying our hands at ceramic making, basket-weaving, or preparing Peruvian cuisine. A highlight of our stay is attending the Mamacha Asunta, a grand festival of traditional folklore dances in the Andean village of Qoya, near Pisac.

Days 10-11
Cusco / Kike Pinto

Returning to Cusco, we enjoy a demonstration by instrument collector and musician Kike Pinto, who will perform on some of his collection of 500 instruments, from Amazonian water-whistling pots to panpipes made of condor feathers and bones. Depart on Day 11.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 2, Easy to Moderate. It features sightseeing with day walks and we enjoy hotel and lodge accommodations throughout the trip. Much of the trip takes place at considerable altitudes, ranging from around 9,500 feet in the Urubamba Valley to over 11,000 feet at Cusco. Appropriate time for rest and acclimatization is included in the itinerary, but for your own enjoyment of the trip, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition.

Explanation of Trip Levels