Tinkuy Peru Excursions
- After a week of hard work volunteering at our Mountain School volunteers have the weekend to relax and take part in one of our many weekend excursions. Over the years we have developed and perfected a huge range of excursions that will really take you off the beaten track. Best of all, the excursions are all great value for money with any costs just to cover travel, food and guides. Tino, for example, used to be a professional guide for the Huaytapallana glacier and various bike treks around the local artisan villages. Usually travellers would pay a small fortune for such an experienced guide, but for our volunteers it is all part of the volunteer experience.
- Take a look at our excursions below, we guarantee you will want to start planning you weekends already....
HuaytapallanaAt 18,000ft you can't get much higher than this...
There aren't many places that take your breath away, but Huaytapallana is certainly one of them. This is undoubtedly one of the most popular excursions for volunteers, though as one of the highest peaks of the Andes this trek isn't for the faint hearted. Luckily a superb trout restaurant at the base of the mountain will help you refuel for the next week of volunteering.
This hike is approximately 6 hours long, and lunch is served after you complete the trek. The cost of this excursion does not include, lunch, and tips for the guide, or any water and snacks that you may want to take with you. In addition, we recommend that you have warm clothes, as it gets colder and colder the further up you hike. ($30USD, minimum 3 People, including transport there and back)
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Cerrito de la LibertadEnjoy some ice cream and immerse yourself in the local culture
Spend a free afternoon at this little park, just a few blocks from Tino's house. Enjoy benches, snacks, a church, an amphitheater, and even a small zoo. For the sake of a 10 minute walk this is not be missed, plus the ceviche is second to none. There is no cost attached to this excursion, although ice cream's are on you! -
Parque de la Identidad WankaThe most beautiful park in Peru? Quite possibly...
Check out the most picturesque spot in Huancayo. The park is a truly stunning throw back to pre-Inca Huanca culture and its impoverished surroundings really make this is a surreal experience. It comes complete with flowers, statues, fountains, and a gift shop. You can even take pictures in traditional Peruvian dress! Given this is in walking distance from Tino's house, there is again no cost attached to this excursion. -
Torre TorreHuancayo's very own Grand Canyon
Just a few minutes from our Mountain School, these gorgeous sandstone formations are a great location for a hike or picnic. In the past volunteers have taken their class on a trip to Torre Torre, not a bad idea given they probably know the formations better than anyone. Again, there is zero cost associated with this excursion. -
IngenioTrout doesn't come any fresher (or better) than this
Visit a mountain village best known for its trout farm and stunning views across The Mantaro Valley. Enjoy their famous trout dishes with fellow volunteers, and take pictures of the beautiful scenery and small waterfalls. Other than lunch and travel costs this excursion has no cost attached to it. Shouldn't come to more than $15/per person. -
Arwatura and NahuinpuquioTake in the views and sample some ancient Andean culture
Translated from Quechuan, "Arwatura", means the "place of the burning bones" an ancient burial site, and these stone ruins are located at the peak of the nearby mountainous range overlooking the Mantaro Valley. After climbing to the top you can refuel at a great trout restaurant nearby and enjoy a picturesque boat ride on the lake. All in all, with lunch, travel, and the boat ride this cost shouldn't come to more than $20 per person. -
Bike Tour and ConcepcionNot your average bike ride!
Take a a long bike ride with Tino through Huancayo and some of the surrounding towns. He will take you off the beaten track to meet with some of the local artisans in nearby villages, a very different experience. You finish up in the town of Concepcion, best known for its statue of the Virgin Mary at the peak of a nearby mountain. -
Horseback RidingA more peaceful alternative to Huancayo's public transport
Enjoy a relaxing trail ride through tiny Peruvian villages and beatiful fields, ending at a gorgeous rock formation with amazing views. Volunteers always give great feedback about this excursion. Horseback riding and a short hike leading to beautiful views and biological formations. The cost to rent a horse for this excursion is $25USD. This does not include transport and lunch, minimum 2 People. -
Wari Willka or WarivilcaLearn more about the fascinating Huanca culture
Learn about the rich history of the ancient Huancas by touring temple ruins and a museum, and visit the oldest church in Huancayo. Wari Willka translates as sacred springs and there are springs there that flow like mini waterfalls, like the water is just coming from the earth, it is really something to behold.
The tour consists of 6 surrounding artesian villages, about 40 kms, we leave the house at 8:30a.m. The first part is up ride, the advice of our pass volunteers are to do the first part and the last part by taxi, Conception is the last part of this excursion (where is the second highest sculpture in South America). This is a 6 hours bike ride up and down some beautiful countryside. This excursion is the chance to visit the families who work their crafts: Carved Gourds, tapestries, blankets, sweaters, Silverwork, and will watch a demonstration of their works, as well as to buy works from the craftspeople themselves. The highlight of this excursion is a visit the statue of the Virgin La Inmaculada de Concepcion, the Third tallest statue in South America and second in Peru. This excursion is $30.00USD each one, minimum 3 people, and the cost does not include lunch, taxi fare, return bus ride, water (which you need a lot of)