The Time of the Chullpas

Attractions

Archaeological and Historical Complexes: Chullpas de Sillustani.

Living culture: Andean living culture, traditional music and dance.

Community: Atunqolla.

Natural Complexes: Humayoc Lagoon, Andean Flora and Fauna.

Places

Puno Department

Tour Type: Archaeology, Ethnotourism

Tour Description.

Since ancient times, the Peruvian territory has been affected by strong climatic changes, mainly under the influence of the El Niño phenomenon. To each variation of the environment, the Andean men had to adapt or disappear, operating cultural transformations and differentiated technological developments: thus they became high-Andean farmers, warriors or shepherds. As a testimony of the history of the interaction between the human being and his environment, the Hour of the Chulpas invites you to discover the Chulpas – funerary tombs – of the Pukara (200 BC.), Tiwanaku, Qolla and Inca (1450 AD) cultures, as a reflection of the societies that emerged in each environment raised by our planet. A journey through infinite landscapes that will give us very interesting readings in times of global warming.

Day by Day

Pick up at the agreed point or breakfast in Atunqolla.
Arrival at Atunqolla, reception and/or meeting for the start of the trek.
Early departure from Atunqolla.
Recognition in the field of pictograms, landscapes and native plants.
Country lunch on the edge of the lagoon, next to the Chullpas de Cacsi.
Hike to Ullagachi, an ancient pre-Hispanic citadel.
Astronomical observation and practical and symbolic discovery of the Andean star system.
Overnight in the field.

Breakfast.
Walk to the banks of the Umayoq lagoon.
Departure by boat to Chingarani.
Sighting of vicuña reserves on the island of Umayoq.
Ascent to Chingarani.
Descent to the edge of the lagoon.
Lunch on the shores of the lagoon.
Departure by boat to Sillustani.
Visit of Sillustani.

Before being placed in the chulpa, the corpse was mummified in a fetal position. Together with the mummy, their belongings were placed, in some cases gold and silver objects, ceramic utensils and food. The beliefs said that after death they would resurrect in another place where they would eat and drink at will, as before they died.

Different types of burials are observed, from the most rustic, Pre-Inca, to the most sophisticated mausoleums, with stones of many angles perfectly fitted on the outside.

Among the main characteristics of these funerary constructions, the following stand out:

* An entrance, always directed towards the East, which served for the communication of the spirit of the deceased with the sun god.

* The vaulted burial chamber formed with stones, not carved and of small dimensions.

* Exterior cladding with large carved stone blocks, perfectly fitted one into another, sealing the exterior without the need for mortar.

* The upper part of the Chulpas, from the Inca period, has an outstanding row, forming the cornice that adorns the chulpa.

* Some stones have bas-reliefs representing mainly lizards and snakes.

* Other exterior stones present, similar to those that are also observed in Ollantaytambo, protuberances, perhaps used to help their handling.

* In the esoteric sense, it would represent masculine energy, since the chulpas are shaped like a phallus. Which would indicate that in order for the chulpa to remain upright, the dead person or mummy is needed; that is, with the dead desire the erect phallus is preserved.