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Discover the Pillones Waterfall, Puruña Stone Forest, and Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve on a guided tour from Arequipa. Then, enjoy a chocolate-making workshop.

Highlights

• Marvel at the stunning Pillones Waterfall and its unique rock formations
• Explore the Puruña Stone Forest and its otherworldly rock formations
• Discover the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve and its wildlife
• Learn about the chocolate-making process and create your own chocolate bar
• Support sustainable agriculture and local communities in Peru

Description

Begin your day with a pickup from your hotel in Arequipa. Head out on the road to Yura, passing by the Chachani Volcano. Arrive at the ghost town of Pampa de Arrieros, once a gateway for travelers during the train era. Make a brief stop at the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, known for its stunning rock formations and diverse flora and fauna. Take several stops along the way to admire South American camelids (vicuñas, llamas, and guanacos) and the volcanoes from a unique perspective. Stop for a snack and acclimatize before continuing your journey on the Arequipa-Puno highway. Make a detour to visit the Pillones Waterfall. Next, stop at the entrance to the Puruña Stone Forest, a magical place with rock formations that seem to come from another planet. Arrive at the Pillones Waterfall, where you’ll see rocks shaped by water erosion. Spot vizcachas (Andean rodents) jumping among the rocks. Carefully descend to the waterfall, take photos, enjoy the warm morning weather, and listen to the sound of the water. After enjoying a day in nature, return to Arequipa for lunch. Then, discover the soul of Chuncho cacao in a hands-on sensory workshop that connects flavor, culture, and sustainability. Guided by experts, explore all stages of the journey from tree to tablet, starting with fresh cacao fruit and ending with a fine chocolate bar. Take on the role of a chocolatier and learn to temper and make your own chocolate bar. Personalize it with a wide variety of ingredients, from uchuva and quinoa to roasted sacha inchi, Mara salt, tarwi, cañihua, kiwicha, and other local fruits and seeds. This workshop goes beyond taste. Each bite tells the story of the producing communities of Ivochote, Quillabamba, and Cusco, whose traditions, languages, and farming methods are preserved through cacao. By participating, you support sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and small Peruvian farmers while creating a chocolate bar that is uniquely yours.

Includes

Transportation from Arequipa Live tour guide Visit to Pampa de Arrieros Visit to Reserva Nacional de Salinas y Aguada Blanca Visit to Cascada de Pillones Visit to Bosque de Piedra de Puruña Snacks Informative talk about the legacy of cacao, its types, traditions, varieties, and cultivation methods. Tasting of cacao in different forms: fresh fruit, paste, beans, and chocolate with varying percentages. Hands-on 'tree to bar' experience: learn to temper and make your own chocolate bar. A wide variety of ingredients to personalize your bar, including superfoods, seeds, and Peruvian fruits. All ingredients and materials needed for the workshop, including drinking water.

Important Information

• The tour starts early in the morning at 6 AM. The tour involves walking on uneven terrain. Weather can be cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund