Wake up bright and early — very early, in fact, because at around 03:30 hours we’ll pick you up from your hotel and set off towards the “Gothic City” of Macusani (4,315 m a.s.l.), with a stop at the Oquepuño pass, the highest point on the route.

Pick-up from your accommodation will depend on the type of service you’ve booked and the location of your hotel. If this doesn’t apply, we’ll arrange a safe and convenient meeting point for you.

For more details about the conditions of this tour, please check the Details and Notes tab.

Your adventure begins at a breathtaking 4,872 m a.s.l. — the challenging height of the Oquepuño pass. From here, you’ll enjoy privileged views of the Carabaya mountain range and the overwhelming immensity of Puno’s landscapes.

Recognised as the second-highest road pass in South America, Oquepuño will test both your stamina and your tolerance to altitude sickness. So make sure to wrap up warm before stepping out, and avoid too much physical effort.

A few coca leaves and a sprinkle of agua florida — a fragrant water traditionally used to ease the effects of altitude — will “help” you enjoy the pass even more. And don’t forget to take a moment to entrust yourself to the Señor de Oquepuño, a local deity who watches over travellers.

At around 08:00 in the morning you’ll arrive in Macusani, the capital of the Carabaya province. Here, in this highland town, you’ll enjoy a hearty local breakfast — the perfect way to recharge and gather the energy you’ll need for the rest of your day’s adventure.

Before heading off to the “Gothic City”, you’ll take a journey through the history of Macusani and Carabaya at the Kallawaya Museum. This cultural space preserves the memory of one of the world’s oldest healing and medicinal traditions.

Created by former provincial authority Ronal Gutiérrez Rodrigo, the museum invites you to discover the remarkable healing practices of the Kallawayas. These wise men of an ancestral community are renowned for their therapeutic rituals and deep knowledge of medicinal plants.

Ceremonial instruments, colourful garments, and a variety of traditional utensils form part of the museum’s collections, highlighting the rich legacy of a people whose wisdom has been recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived — the highlight of this early-morning tour. Yes, you’ve finally reached the volcanic formations of the so-called “Gothic City”, the stone forest of Macusani, a breathtaking natural wonder sitting at 4,312 metres above sea level.

Over millions of years, the relentless force of the wind has sculpted this extraordinary landscape, giving it a silhouette that recalls Gotham City, the fictional metropolis of Batman, DC Comics’ legendary Dark Knight.

But your experience here goes far beyond the world of Bruce Wayne and his infamous foes. Hidden within this stone forest lies a much older secret. No, it’s not the Joker or the Penguin… it’s something far more awe-inspiring: rock paintings dating back more than 8,000 years.

After your Gothic-style adventure in the Macusani stone forest, you’ll head back into town for a delicious local lunch.

We recommend warming yourself up and replenishing your energy with a hearty, steaming hot soup — the perfect comfort food in the highlands.

Not far from the “Gothic City”, you’ll have the chance to unwind in a pool naturally “fed” by underground waters rich in minerals. At Acora Qhormeccocha, you can enjoy a restorative soak while gazing out over the peaceful scenery of the Altiplano.

The result: a deep sense of wellbeing and a complete connection with nature. Here you’ll feel so relaxed that you might even forget about the altitude, the cold, and that very early start back in Puno.

Note: the excursion to the hot springs is optional. Your guide will decide whether the conditions (time and weather) are suitable for visiting these soothing waters.

On the way back, the bus will make a brief stop in the small town of San Antón, where your guide will suggest a local restaurant — the perfect place to end the day with a warm dinner full of the unique flavours of southern Peruvian cuisine. Keep in mind that dinner is not included in the tour. Afterwards, sit back and relax, because from here you’ll be taken directly back to Puno.

At around 21:00 hours, the bus will drop you off in a central and safe area, close to Puno’s main square.

If you’ve booked our private tour, transport will take you directly to your hotel.