Puqio in the Colca Canyon of Peru is the latest creation from visionary hotelier Ignacio Masias. When he opened Titilaka on the shores of Lake Titicaca in 2008, it was the start of a vision to bring unique, high-end experience lodges to lesser-known and under-appreciated destinations throughout Peru. (Other properties developed by the Masias family include Hotel B, Cirqa, Fausto, and Atemporal, as well as the Inkaterra group of properties.)
Puqio is the third hospitality project that pieces together a new exploratory route through the Southern Highlands of Peru– connecting Cirqa in Arequipa, Puqio in Colca Canyon, and Titilaka on Lake Titicaca into a miraculous, authentic, off-the-beaten-path overland adventure–far from the crowds and trodden path most visitors choose in Peru of Cusco-Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu.
The Colca Canyon is one of the deepest river canyons in the world and has a rich cultural legacy. The pre-Incan Cabana and Collagua peoples, for thousands of years, have built and farmed the most extensive system of terracing you will find in Peru. Visitors to the Colca Canyon will rejoice in long walks through colorful fields of crops, offering endless opportunities to speak with and learn from the local people. The Colca Canyon is arguably the best place in South America to witness the Andean Condor soar in its natural habitat, and the canyon is full of geothermal activity resulting in hot springs and geysers. The peaceful valley is brimming with cute colonial towns where folklore festivals happen throughout the year, artisans abound, and interesting churches reflect the mix of Incan and Catholic faiths. The valley is also full of pre-Incan archeological sites that can be explored on foot or horseback.
Puqio itself is an oasis of peace and tranquility nestled among ancient terraces in the heart of the valley. This very small property offers just eight guest rooms, four luxury tents, and four adobe cottages. The onsite restaurant focuses on traditional Andean recipes, using clay and open flame to produce family-style feasts using farm-fresh ingredients. Such a small property prides itself on personalized, attentive service, and daily guided excursions are provided in the rates.
Puqio and the Colca Canyon are ideal places for repeat visitors to Peru looking to explore a new area away from the crowds—or first-time visitors who prefer more authentic, off-the-beaten-path destinations. Puqio can be visited alone as a side trip from Arequipa, or included in an overland adventure between Cirqa in Arequipa and Titilaka on Lake Titicaca. Simply check in at one and check out at the other.
PROPERTY FACTS
8
Pirca Rooms (4), Carpa/Tent (2), Carpa Refugio/Refuge Tent (2)
Fully Incluive
Yes, WiFi Throughout and Complimentary
Open Year Round
None
Massages Only
N/A
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RATES
from $660, per person, per night
Fully Inclusive
LOCATION: COLCA Valley, peru
Closet Domestic Airport:
Arequipa (AQP) is the second largest airport in Peru, behind the capital city of Lima. The Arequipa airport receives hourly service via three airlines from Lima (LIM) with a flight duration of 90 minutes. Arequipa also has direct flights with Cuzco (CUZ) a couple of times a day. From the Arequipa airport, it is a 3.5-hour drive to reach Puqio.
The most popular way to experience Puqio is to fly into Arequipa and spend a couple of days based at the sister property, Circa, in order to explore the magical city and it’s surroundings, as well as allowing time to acclimate before driving into the Colca Valley which is 3.5 hours away. You can then return to Arequipa and fly to Cusco or Lima.
Puqio is also part of a magical southern overland route, connecting with its two sister properties of Titilaka on Lake Titicaca and Cirqa in Arequipa. Start in Arequipa, drive 3.5 hours to Puqio, then continue on to Titilaka on Lake Titicaca which is a six hour drive across an incredible landscape full of national reserves including volcanos, high altitude wetlands, remote indigenous hamlets and grazing land for vicuña, alpaca and llama.
You can also access Puqio by taking the Belmond Andean Explorer Train between Puno and Arequipa, disembarking mid journey to enter the Colca Valley by car.
Unique Arrival & Departure Options:
WHEN TO VISIT
Puqio sits at around 12,000 feet (3,657.6 meters) in the Colca Valley; so its weather patterns are Andean and can change at any time. But overall there are two defined seasons:
May through October: DRY SEASON. This is actually the wintertime, so temperatures are much colder at night and during sunrise and sunset. But days tend to be very dry and sunny. Note that this is the busy season so more visitors will be seen in the valley. Also there is less agricultural activity going on, with most fields laying fallow and dried up; often the local people are burning crops as well so there can be smoke/visibility issues. But visitors can expect to be able to do their daily excursions with a very slim chance of weather delays.
November through April: WET SEASON. This is actually the summertime, so temperatures are much warmer here, especially at night. Although a rainy season, the Andean weather patterns are quite fast moving and predictable, so it is rare for it to rain for more than an hour in a day. Usually the days start out bright and sunny, then clouds build up in the afternoon, leading to a usual heavy downpour for about an hour, followed by clearing. The afternoon storms can sometimes be quite dramatic with thunder, lightning, hail and often rainbows on conclusion. The good thing about this time of year in the Colca is that agricultural activity is at its peak, so fields are green and lush with crops, and the local people are all out working together which leads to more cultural interaction. This is also the season of abundance for the local people–the planting, growing and harvesting season–so most festivals take place during this more “off season” for tourism.
FOR FAMILIES
The Colca Canyon, due to it’s remote location, high elevation, and more active excursions is best for families with children eight-years-old and up. It’s an especially great place for parents who want to expose their kids to more cultural interaction.
That being said, there is no age limit to visitors at Puqio. Children five and under are free of charge, kids aged 6-12 are charged a reduced rate, and children 13 and older are considered adults.
The Pirca Rooms can connect to make a two-room suite through a lockout door. The only accommodation where an additional bed can be placed is in the Carpa Refugio category.
RECOMMENDED LENGTH OF STAY
The minimum suggested stay is two nights. However, three to four nights is ideal in order to have enough time to mix activity with relaxation.
It is highly encouraged that visitors coming to Puqio spend at least two nights in Arequipa to acclimate before making the trip to the Colca Valley, as you cross a mountain pass at close to 16,000 feet (4,876.8 meters) during the drive in.
UNIQUE SELLING POINTS
The Colca Canyon is a geological wonder. It is culturally rich and remains a very untouched part of Peru that escapes the mass tourism of Cusco and Machu Picchu. This makes it an ideal place for those that seek more authentic, off-the-beaten-path destinations over the major tourism attractions.
Colca Canyon should be included for those with two plus weeks to travel in Peru, or for those that have been to Peru before in the Cusco/Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu region and want to explore a new area.
Puqio, being a luxury tented camp, is ideal for those travelers who have come to appreciate the disconnect from modernity that a tented camp experience offers; going to sleep and waking up to the natural cycle of sunlight and the associated sounds of nature.
Puqio is the perfect complement to connect with its sister properties of Titilaka on Lake Titicaca and Cirqa in Arequipa: making a perfect one week itinerary.
The Colca Canyon is arguably one of the very best places in South America to see the Andean Condor in Peru.
Active travelers who enjoy hiking and interaction with local people will really love the nature of the excursions from Puqio, which get people out into the landscape to interact with locals.
Those who enjoy local festivals and folklore will find that there are numerous dates throughout the year to attend festivals in the neighboring villages.
BEST COMBINED WITH
Puqio is also part of a magical southern overland route, connecting with its two sister properties of Titilaka on Lake Titicaca and Cirqa in Arequipa. Start in Arequipa, drive 3.5 hours to Puqio, then continue on to Titilaka on Lake Titicaca which is a six hour drive across an incredible landscape full of national reserves including volcanos, high altitude wetlands, remote indigenous hamlets, and grazing land for vicuña, alpaca and llama. Or the journey can be done in reverse, starting on Lake Titicaca, voyaging to Puqio, and ending in Arequipa.