Paucartambo Voyage Tips and guide

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Most tourists will visit Paucartambo during the festival of la Virgen del Carmen. Colorful and delightfully western tourist free, the festival lasts for four days, between the 15th and 19th of July.

• Aspiring Adventures, Magisterio E2, Wanchaq, Cusco, ☏ +6434897474. The festival of la Virgin del Carmen while not a common touristic experience, is an amazing festival to visit - for the intrepid traveler, there are a few operators who run trips to Paucartambo during the festival such as Aspiring Adventures. 

Because this is truly a tourist-free location, most goods will be sold closer to their actual price. Some of the most bizarre products for western tourists are sold, such as dried alpaca fetuses and mountain herbs and "remedies". If you are not yet used to the altitude from your travels in Cusco, you may want to buy some dried coca leaves for tea.

Street food is abundant during the festival. Try some of the locally produced meats, cheeses and fresh produce that line the streets. Peruvian tourists will tell you what is good and where to go.

There are a few locally owned hotels, but these are mostly full by the first day of the festival. Many people choose to camp by renting equipment in Cusco. Try sleeping on the soccer field, which is usually pretty empty and away from any party-goers.