Peru Tourist

Pumahuanca, Urubamba and Yucay are communities with a high Andean crop production, which use the Inca terrace system (“andenes”) and an advanced hydraulic technology. Maras has a spectacular group of more than 3000 salt mines, a product that has exchange value in Southandean villages.

Ollantaytambo, Inca village, offers 7 trekking routes to archaeological sites, quarries, terracing and one of the Quechua textile production centers (Wílloc). Local families put visitors up, and they learn ancestral farming techniques and participate in farming activities, irrigation and salt collection, as well as in parties, hiking and Andean rituals.

Cusco Region. Yucay, 67 km / 42 miles northeast. Maras, 53 km / 33 miles northeast, Ollantaytambo, 78 km / 48 miles northeast of Cusco and Raqchi, km 113 of the Cusco – Sicuani highway.
Altitude: from 2850 to 3500 masl / 9350 to 11483 fasl.

Mild and semi-dry.
Average temperature: 14ºC (57ºF).

All year round.

By plane: Daily flights from Lima to Cusco (1 h).
By road: Lima – Cusco (through Arequipa), 1650 km / 1025 miles (24 h).
There is public transportation from Cusco to various village
of the Urubamba Valley and its surroundings.

Founded by Austrian and German settlers in 1857 in a tropical region of Peru, the province of Oxapampa is a unique ethnic and cultural melting pot. After countless adventures and much suffering, the settlers finally adapted to the jungle environment through hard work and disciplined effort.

Their cheerfulness and hospitality are now evident in festivities like Settler’s Day (June 26) when Pozuzo residents recall the dances and music of their Tirol ancestors.

Oxapampa is the point of departure to reach the Yanachaga – Chemillén National Park. In Pozuzo, descendants of the Tirolese and Prussian settlers welcome visitors to share their coffee and other farming chores. Also worth visiting are the beautiful herbariums and orchid nurseries.

In Villa Rica travelers may visit the cigar, cheese and cold meats factories.

Pasco Region. Villa Rica (350 masl / 1148 fasl), Oxapampa (814 masl / 2671 fasl) and Pozuzo (905 masl / 2969 fasl), in Oxapampa.

Tropical, warm and humid.
Average temperature: 24°C (75°F).

May to October.

By road: Along the Lima – La Oroya – La Merced –
Oxapampa – Pozuzo road.
Lima to Oxapampa: 385 km / 239 miles, in 8 h.
Lima to Pozuzo: 475 km / 295 miles, in 12 h.
Lima to Villa Rica: 365 km / 227 miles, in 7:30 h.

A thrilling high altitude trekking adventure (37 km / 23 miles) along a pre-Inca pilgrimage path. The trip starts with a llama pack at the Olleros village, and continues round scenic sites in the National Huascarán Park before arriving at Chavín (3140 masl / 10302 fasl) one of the oldest archeological sites in the Americas.

Nights at Andean communities to pay tribute to the Earth, share with their traditions, music, cottage industries and typical foods. Contact a Huaraz tour operator for indispensable arrangements.

Ancash Region. Provinces of Huaraz and Wari (3091 and 3150 masl / 10141 and 10335 fasl).
Departure: Olleros (3450 masl / 11319 fasl).

Moderately cold and dry.
Average temperature: maximum 24°C (75ºF) and minimum 7°C (45ºF).

May to October.

By road: Lima – Huaraz (400 km / 249 miles, 8 h).
To Olleros: Huaraz – Recuay – Cátac, 30 km / 19 miles south of Huaraz, 30 min by car.

The evangelical community that runs the Atahualpa Jerusalén Cooperative or Porcón Farm – a farm dating back to 1535 – offers visitors a chance to share community work with local farmers.

Over its 12 thousand hectares it has organized a successful environmental, agricultural, forestry and dairy production plan without losing its typical culture. It provides good quality services for travelers, and is close to archeological sites of interest and the Highlands Inca Trail.

Cajamarca Region. Granja Porcón, 30 km / 19 miles (55 min) from Cajamarca along the Bambamarca road, off at km 20.

Dry and mild.
Average temperature: 14°C (57ºF).

May to September.

By plane: Daily flights from Lima to Cajamarca (1:15 h).
By road: 860 km / 534 miles (13 h) from Lima, 295 km / 183 miles (6 h) from Trujillo and 265 km / 165 miles (6 h) from Chiclayo.

Participating in comunal activities implies learning about the communal organizational system and assimilating ancestral techniques and customs, now being recovered. In Huaraz (Ancash), for example, the Llama Trek rescues the use of llamas as pack animals to cross the White Mountain Range and reach the old temple of Chavin.

On the Titicaca Islands (Puno) and Cuzco’s Sacred Valley communities, visitors participate in agricultural works that still use successful Inca irrigation and farming techniques such as terracing, besides participating in textile crafts and religious expressions. In Porcón (Cajamarca) and the Austro-German colonies of Pozuzo, Oxapampa and Villa Rica (Pasco), it is also very interesting to share forestry and farm working experiences.

Cajamarca: Porcón Farm
Ancash: Olleros – Chavín Llama Pack Trek
Pasco: Villa Rica, Oxapampa and Pozuzo Settlements
Cusco: Sacred Valley Communities and Raqchi
Puno: Titicaca Islands (Taquile, Amantaní, Suasi and Anapia) and Llachón

Peru celebrates some 3,000 festivals a year. Most of them are held in homage to a patron saint and are part of the Christian calendar adopted in colonial times, although they have blended with the magical beliefs of ancient forms of worship.

These religious festivals occur alongside pagan celebrations dating back to ancestral myths in native communities in the jungle, as well as dozens of festivals created over the following centuries. Peru’s festivals form a radiant rainbow, whose colors blend with sounds, textures and a vigorous theatrical concept aimed at reinventing history and producing a celebratory synthesis of Man and the Earth goddess, the Pachamama.

Complete and updated information in:   www.deperu.com/calendario/

January

Niño Callaorcarpino and Jacobo / December 31th – January 2nd

Festival of the Negritos / 24th December – 19th January

Epiphany / January 4th – 7th

Founding of Iquitos / 5th January

Anniversary of the founding of Lima / 18th January

Ch’iaraje / 20th January

Festival of the Niño Dulce Nombre de Jesus or the “Lost Child”  / January (variable)

Marinera Festival / January

 

February

Feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria (Virgin of the Candles) 2nd February – Carnival of Abancay and Apurimac  / February – March

Carnival Festival of Camaná  / February or March (fluctuates)

Ayacucho Carnival / February – March

Cajamarca Carnival / February – March (variable)

Negro Summer Festival / February

Huanchaco Carnival / February

Chachapoyan Carnival / February – March

Madre de Dios Carnival / February (variable date)

Ucayali Carnival / February – March

 

March

Crosses of Porcón / March

Easter / March – April (variable date)

Saint Joseph Festival / March

Wine Grape Harvest Festival / March

Holy Week (Huancavelica) / March – April

Easter in Ica / March or April

Holy Week (Tarma) / March – April (variable date)

Surfing Championship / March

Wine Grape Festival / March

 

April

National Peruvian Paso Horse Contest / April

Anniversary of the Constitutional Province of Callao / April 22nd

Anniversary of the Founding of the city of Huamanga / April 25th

 

May

Virgin of Chapi / May 1st

Festival of the Lord of Muruhuay / Entire month of May

Festival of the Crosses / Entire month of May

Festival of the Crosses and Avocado Festival / May 3

Feast of Alacitas and Las Cruces / 3rd and 4th May

Anniversary of Cotahuasi / 4th May

Qoyllority / variable

Lord of Torrechayoc / variable

Corpus Christi / variable

Homage to the Defenders of Alianza Field / May 26th

Feast of the Holy Spirit / May – June (variable)

 

June

Inti Raymi / 24th June

Feast of Saint John / June

Corpus Christi / June

Qoyllur Rit’i / June

Chachapoyas’ Tourist Week / June 1st – 7th

Sondor Raymi “The Chanka Epic” / 19th June

Chaccu in Pampa Galeras / June 24th

Saint John the Baptist’s Day / June 24th

Night of San Juan (Saint John) and the OldValley Caravan / June 23rd and 24th

Feast of Saint John the Baptist / June 24th

Saints Peter and Paul Day / June 29th

NDO EDN DARI Festival – Festival of my Land / Variable date

Feast of Saint John the Baptist / June

Feast of San John / June

Indigenous Dance Festival / June

 

July

Virgin of Carmen, Paucartambo / July

Anniversary of Puerto Maldonado / July 10th

Carmen de la Legua Virgin / July 16th

Eco-tourist Festival and Anniversary of the Arrival of the Austrian-German Settlers / 24th – 30th July

Cajamarca FONGAL Fair / July 24th – 31st

Festival of Santiago / 24th July to 2nd August

Anniversary of Huaraz / 25th July

Quillabamba Fests / 25th – 29th July

Eco tourist Festival of the Indigenous Communities – Coffee Festival 25th / 30th July

Festival of the Sun / 27th July

Independence Day / 28th and 29th July

Apurimac Tourist Week / 31st July to 3rd August

Feast of Señor de las Ánimas (Lord of the Souls) / 31st July to 3rd August

 

August

Chalpon Cross / August 5th

Santa Rosa of Lima / 30th August

Pachamama Raymi or Earth Mother Day / 1st August

Virgen de las Nieves (Virgin of the snows) / August 5th

Feast of Saint Mary of the Assumption / August 7th – 15th

“Mama Ashu” Virgin of the Assumption  / 13th – 22nd August

Fiesta de la Virgen de la Asunción (Feast of Assumption Mary) / August 15th

Anniversary of the Spanish Founding of Huanuco / 15th August

Anniversary of Callao / August 20th

Yaku Raymi (Water Festival) / August 20th – 26th

Regional Festival for the World Folklore Day / August 20-22

EXPOSUR / August 24th – 31st

Tourist Week and Feast of the Oxapampa Patron Saint / 25th – 31th August

Reincorporation of Tacna into Peru / August 28th

Anniversary of the city of Arequipa / August

Chalpon Cross / August 5th

Santa Rosa of Lima / 30th August

Pachamama Raymi or Earth Mother Day / 1st August

Virgen de las Nieves (Virgin of the snows) / August 5th

Feast of Saint Mary of the Assumption / August 7th – 15th

“Mama Ashu” Virgin of the Assumption / 13th – 22nd August

Fiesta de la Virgen de la Asunción (Feast of Assumption Mary) / August 15th

Anniversary of the Spanish Founding of Huanuco / 15th August

Anniversary of Callao / August 20th

Yaku Raymi (Water Festival) / August 20th – 26th

Regional Festival for the World Folklore Day / August 20-22

EXPOSUR / August 24th – 31st

Tourist Week and Feast of the Oxapampa Patron Saint / 25th – 31th August

Reincorporation of Tacna into Peru / August 28th

Anniversary of the city of Arequipa / August

 

September

International Spring Festival / September – October

Festival of the Reyna del Cañaveral (Sugar Cane Queen) Tarapoto / September (variable)

Festival of the Reyna del Cañaveral (Sugar Cane Queen) Pasco / September (variable)

RURALTUR Eco-tourist Festival of Rural and Tourist Communities / first weekend of September

Virgen de la Natividad (Virgin of the Nativity) / September 8th

Festival of Saint Nicolas de Tolentino and the Virgin of the Nativity / September 7th – 12th

Virgin of Cocharcas / 8th September

Festival of the Lord of Gualamita / September 10th – 16th

The Lord of Locumba Festival / September 14th

Señor Cautivo de Monsefú (Captive Christ of Monsefu) / September 14th

Lord of Huanca / 14th September

Lord of Huamantanga / September 23rd – 25th

Ucayali Department Tourism Week / September 23 – 30

San Miguel Arcangel (Saint Michael the Archangel) / September 24th

Peruvian Pace Horse National Contest / September 29th.

Yauca Virgin of the Rosary / September – October

Tourist Week of Ica / September

 

October

Month of the Lord of Miracles / 18th, 19th and 28th October

Señor Cautivo de Ayabaca / October

The Lord of Luren Festival / 3rd Monday of October

Piura Jubilee Week / October

“Promised Land of Pozuzo” Eco-tourist Cattle Festival / h – 8th October

Anniversaries of Pucallpa, Districts ofYarinacocha and Masisea, and San Francisco Indigenous Community / October 20

Feast of Santa Fortunata / October 14th

San Francisco / October 4th

Anniversary of Tingo Maria / 15th October

Festival of Santa Úrsula / 21st October

Lord of the Sea / October 28th and 29th

Peruvian Music Day / 31st October

 

November

All Saints Day / November 1st – 2nd

Anniversary of the Founding of the City of Puno / 1st to 7th November

Moquegua Tourism Week / November 20 – 25

San Clemente Fair / November 23

 

December

Immaculate Conception / December  7 to 10

Virgin of the Gate / December  12 to 15

Homenaje a la Libertad Americana (South American Freedom Week) / December 2nd – 9th

Pastoral Christmas / December 23 – 30

Santuranticuy / 24th December

Galas, Laicas o Tusuq / December 24th – 28th

Anniversary of Madre de Dios / December 26th

Complete and updated information in:   www.deperu.com/calendario/

Thanks to the recent archaeological discoveries of musical instruments, experts now know that in Peru, music has been played at least as far back as 10,000 years ago.

This ancient tradition created quenas, zampoñas, pututos (trumpets made from sea conch) and a wide variety of other wind instruments crafted from a range of materials such as cane, mud, bone, horns and precious metals, as well as various percussion instruments.

Contact with the Occident has brought over a large number of instruments, which have been creatively adapted to the rhythmic and tonal needs of each region of the country. The clearest evidence is the many transformations that the harp, violin and guitar have undergone in the Peruvian highlands.

The encounter between the Andes and the Western World have given rise in Peru to 1,300 musical genres. But two of them have crossed the country’s borders and have become symbols of Peru’s identity: the huayno and marinera.

Today, Peru continues to assimilate new instruments such as synthesizers, electric guitars, drums and harmonicas. Local musicians are also creating new genres like chicha or Peruvian cumbia, which is enabling Peru’s music to open up to new influences to expand both at home and abroad, beyond native folk music.

This capacity for musical fusion and innovation is a lively expression of the integrating force and dynamic character of Peru’s culture.

In Peru’s rural areas, the way people dress makes an important distinction, as a result of the blend of pre-Hispanic influences with the European clothing that the natives were forced to wear during the colonial era.

The traditional Inca anacu was transformed by the local women into the brightly-colored and multi-layered petticoats known as polleras. Depending on the region, a black skirt is decorated with a belt which can come in a variety of colors and is decorated with flowers in the northern Piura highlands or a brightly-hued woolen lliclla in Chiclayo, further south.

In the highlands above Lima, the skirt is decorated with red and black embroidered edging, while in Junín, as in Cajamarca and Cuzco, women no longer use black skirts. Underneath their skirts, the women use layers of petticoats made from cotton which can be embroidered with gold and silver threads, featuring superbly-crafted drawings along the edge.

The Peruvian poncho dates back to the seventeenth century and apparently is a variation on the unku used by men at the time. The heavy ponchos used in Cajamarca keep out the rain and are as long as those used in Puno, where they are died scarlet during festivals. In Cuzco, ponchos are short and feature elaborate geometric figures against a red background.

On the coast, ponchos were used by the plantation workers, and they were spun from cotton or vicuña fiber. In the jungle, both men and women from some tribes wear the cushma, a loose tunic stitched up on both sides and embellished with dyes and geometric figures typical of the region.

Traditional dress tends to be capped off by woolen or straw hats, sometimes in various colors. But in the coldest reaches of the Andes, the highlanders tend to wear the chullo, a woolen cap fitted with earflap decorated with geometric motifs.

Regional dances require different forms of dress, depending on the area.  Along the coast, exponents of the marinera dance replaces cotton with silk for their embroidered skirts. In the Andes, meanwhile, the danzantes de tijeras or scissors dancers decorate their fine outfits with small mirrors and embroider an image of their guardian deity on their backs.

More than four hundred years have gone by, four centuries bringing together the pre-Hispanic legends with the Western raison d’être. That era has left superb art and architecture in monuments which are a synthesis of the spirituality, imagination and creativity of Peruvians.

When one thinks of Peru, the first thing that springs to mind is the wealth of its age-old cultures and the legendary Inca empire.

The tour, however, continues past the Spanish Conquest and into colonial times, into the Peru where two visions of the world, time and of all things sacred came together, the Peru of the wars of independence and a republic built amidst bullets and bloodshed.

More than four hundred years have gone by, four centuries bringing together the pre-Hispanic legends with the Western raison d’être. That era has left superb art and architecture in monuments which are a synthesis of the spirituality, imagination and creativity of Peruvians.