In order to promote tourism in Colca Valley and a living culture, Callalli district residents launched the tourist service "Llama Trek" or "Walk with Llamas" along the tourist routes of their jurisdiction located in Arequipa region's Caylloma Province.
Four families grouped in the Asociación de Turismo Castillos Encantados de Callalli (Enchanted Castles of Callalli Tourism Association), hand-in-hand with the municipality, ventured into this activity in order to recall the ancestral trips that locals used to make to Cusco region for the commercialization of products through the bartering system.
The Mollepunko Caves
The walk with the carrying
llamas begins in Callalli district and includes various tourist attractions such as San Antonio Church, the Maquicentro or Centro Integral Productivo Tecnológico y Social (Comprehensive Productive Technological and Social Center), Choqueshisha; as well as crossing the Qhapaq Ñan, Andean landscapes, and the Enchanted Castles until reaching the Mollepunko Caves.
The Chairman of the Association of Enchanted Castles of Callalli (Aturcec) Percy Coaquila pointed out that families, who are part of this undertaking, also offer experiential tourism, which allows visitors to share gastronomic and agricultural activities, as well as other customs such as payment to the earth.
Two routes
The association has 8 to 10
llamas for tourists and offers two routes: the first within the town of Callalli and the second between Callalli and Mollepunko.
It must be noted that these traveling
llamas are dressed in local clothing.
Tourists, who decide to visit Callalli and do the
Llama Trek, will see the traveling animals dressed in special clothing such as ponchos, which help them carry food for the entire trip (in the past they used to carry between 25 to 40 kg of food).
They will also see women and men —wearing typical clothing— who offer alpaca-fiber-made fabrics and crafts, as well as musicians who will accompany them while playing traditional songs.
Callalli district is known as the alpaca capital of Arequipa region and land of the Enchanted Castles.
Its inhabitants work on the breeding of South American camelids. Those interested in traveling this tourist route can call the Enchanted Castles Association: (+51) 927-342-591 or (+51) 999-707-005.
(END) RMC/JOT/MVB