The beautiful Mirador Tres Cruces Paucartambo is located 2 hours and 30 minutes from the province of Paucartambo and 4 hours from the city of Cusco. This incredible viewpoint is located very close to the entrance to the Manu National Park, at an altitude of 4000 m. / 13123 ft.
Tres Cruces Paucartambo is one of only two places in the world where you can witness the sunrise in such splendor . The main attraction here is the stunning sunrise, which displays a stunning array of colors. This unique phenomenon allows you to see the shades of the sky, the light, and the shape of the sunrise in a truly extraordinary way.
The Festival of the Virgin of Carmen in Paucartambo is one of the most exciting and popular religious festivals in Peru. Held every year in mid-July, this unique Andean festival lasts four days and features beautiful dances, local food, and impressive parades. INKA TRAIL offers adventurous culture enthusiasts the unique opportunity to witness the festival of the Virgin of Paucartambo firsthand.
We start our journey from Cusco and have enough time to enjoy all the planned activities. We head to Paucartambo through a stunning Andean landscape. We enjoy a beautiful afternoon and evening in Paucartambo, a charming town known for its traditional Andean culture and vibrant festivals, arriving just when the festival is at its peak (it will be an unforgettable day).
We will continue our journey to Tres Cruces, known as one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world . Located on the edge of the Manu National Park. We will arrive at Tres Cruces at the end of the night. We will contemplate the beautiful surroundings while preparing for the early start of the next day. Ready to witness the extraordinary sunrise the next morning.
Day 2 | Festival
So during this phenomenon, you can witness two sunrises, also known as double sunrise. The first is a false sunrise, in which you can see the glow of the sun rising over the horizon full of lush vegetation for about 20 minutes. The second sunrise reveals the sun in all its splendor, illuminating the dense jungle of Manu for approximately 10 minutes. The light illuminates with a mix of yellow and orange hues that are a visual delight for visitors. Also there, every winter solstice (at the end of June) a natural phenomenon known as 'the white ray' occurs , which only occurs in Japan and Cusco . During this natural phenomenon you can see an optical illusion with three suns on the horizon caused by the effervescent light and the proximity of the sun to the planet.
In addition to the mesmerizing sunrise, you will also be able to enjoy stunning views of the Ausangate mountain range, a snow-capped peak that adorns the Paucartambo River. The landscape is further enhanced by the majestic Apuqañaqway, known by locals as the “protector of Antisuyo.”
Back to Paucartambo around 7am after sunrise.
In Paucartambo we will visit the Temple of the Virgin of Carmen and the famous bridge built in the style of King Charles III. Here we will witness more than 15 traditional dances, all of them part of the festival of the Virgin of Carmen. At 3:00 pm we will join the procession of the Virgin of Carmen, marveling at the skills of the dancers.
At 5:30 pm, collect your belongings and board the bus for the return trip to Cusco. You will arrive in Cusco around 9:00 pm, concluding this memorable tour.
Note: Accommodation, transport, meals and additional excursions can be arranged.
Single departures 15th and 16th of each year.
| Tres Cruces, The Virgen del Carmen (Paucartambo) - 2024 | $ 75.00 USD |
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Anastasia E
December 12, 2024
We did the 4D, 3 nights Inca Trail with Jorge the first week of December 2024. The tour was incredible with beautiful views along the way and of course a worthwhile final destination. The Inca Trail team was great and our guide was very knowledgeable the only thing to note was that we wish that the guide matched our walking pace more. We were happy with the equipment borrowed/rented that were in fair condition. Food was overall very tasty and varied but the portions were a bit small for some. Very value for money, would recommend.
Thomas M
December 10, 2024
Tout était très sympa ! grâce à Javier, le voyage a été différent avec lui. Je recommande extrêmement cette entreprise et vous avez également la chance de choisir Javier comme guide !
GoPlaces708610
December 9, 2024
Io e la mia compagna abbiamo fatto un trekking di 2 giorni per visitare Machu Picchu. Lo abbiamo fatto durante la stagione delle piogge, quindi ci siamo dovuti equipaggiare di conseguenza, perché abbiamo avuto pioggia per quasi tutte le 6 ore di camminata. Il percorso è stato eccezionale, una bellezza mozzafiato. La nostra guida, Henrry, ci ha accompagnato durante la camminata, raccontandoci la storia dell'impero Tahuantinsuyo e spiegandocela perfettamente e con passione. Ne siamo rimasti davvero colpiti. A causa del cattivo tempo, il primo giorno non siamo riusciti a vedere tutto il sito, ma grazie al suo impegno è riuscito a farci recuperare il giorno successivo! Esperienza davvero raccomandata: la camminata è intensa e la pioggia rende tutto più complicato, ma ne vale davvero la pena.
Ruben S
December 7, 2024
I recently completed the 4-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, and it was an absolutely flawless experience from start to finish. The communication with the company ITEP beforehand was outstanding—every question was answered promptly and clearly, which gave me a lot of confidence heading into the adventure. My guide Jorge Calderón was exceptional. He was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also extremely attentive to needs and individual pace. He tailored the experience to match my abilities, ensuring I felt comfortable and supported throughout. His explanations about the landscapes, history, and culture were fascinating, and he always had answers to my questions, no matter how detailed or specific. The entire trek felt incredibly safe, and I always knew what to expect thanks to the Jorge’s clear instructions and thorough preparation. The route itself was breathtaking, and every day brought new highlights—whether it was the stunning views of the Salkantay Pass, the lush cloud forest, or the incredible final approach to Machu Picchu. Even the occurring rain couldn't diminish that. These four days were incredible, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. If you’re considering this trek, I highly recommend it—you won’t be disappointed!
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