PeruNorth's musings on events & destinations in Northern Peru, Amazonia ... and beyond. Detailed tour reviews.
Melissa & George Kaiser of Bend, Oregon made a five-week trip to Peru in February / March, 2024
Melissa had been to school in Lima in the late ‘60s, and was keen to reconnect with the country of her youth!
PeruNorth organised the middle three weeks:
first an epic two-week overland trip from Lima to Mancora, taking in many of the coastal archaeological highlights along the way
then a week spent in Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
Here are their thoughts on the experience:
In November, 2023, PeruNorth received the following enquiry from Thomas, in Portland, Maine: “I have been interested in the Moche/Chimu ever since reading an article in The New Scientist about their engineers who were priests because they knew how to bring the water to the desert (as I remember). My wife and I are interested in finding out more about your coastal civilization itineraries and how they work.”
Roberto and Paola from Turin, Italy got in touch with PeruNorth in February 2023 looking for a 24-day itinerary to take in the archaeological and natural highlights of Northern Peru, along with some time in or around an Amazonian reserve, such as Pacaya-Samiria.
Here are their comments about the trip, along with a selection of photos they took:
Dance is a fundamental part of Peruvian cultural expression and identity, taking pre-Columbian traditions and combining them with later Hispanic and African influences.
If you are lucky enough to witness one of Peru’s many festivals, you are sure to see locals expressing themselves and their region through dance, just as they have for centuries.
The story behind uncovering the world-famous Chicama wave in mid-1960s.
Initially spotted from the air; then found by a two-car expedition.
A combined US-Peruvian effort of Lima-based surfers.
Feedback from Trujillo to Chiclayo itinerary, which included:
Highlights of Moche culture eg. Chan Chan & Sipan.
Hotel in shadow of Huaca de la Luna.
Beachside restaurants
“Just wanted to let you know that Emily and I very much enjoyed our Moche Tour.
To date, 94 people have died, and an estimated 700,000 have been left homeless, as a direct result of the landslides and flooding, brought on by unusually heavy rains on the Western side of the Andes.
What, then, is causing all this destruction? To understand this, we need to look at Peru's coastal climate which, in a similar way to southern California, blends strong desert and offshore influences.
Descended from North African and Spanish stock, caballos de Paso are mid-sized horses bred for sure-footedness and comfort, not for speed. Unlike trotting breeds, Paso horses pace smoothly with little up-and- down movement, resulting in an exceptionally comfortable ride. As a result, they are tough and well-suited to demanding trips into the rough, dry, and expansive western Andes. Today, they are considered the smoothest saddle horses in the world.
Most of Trujillo’s wonderful Colonial and Republican buildings are to be found within a few blocks of the central square, the Plaza de Armas, and so it makes an ideal location to explore on foot.
