PeruNorth's musings on events & destinations in Northern Peru, Amazonia ... and beyond. Detailed tour reviews.
Read in her own words Elizabeth Harrold’s odyssey to Northern Peru, sampling various types of Amazon rainforest:
4 days at an eco-lodge in cloud forest (Gocta).
2 days at a lodge in high rainforest (Pumarinri).
Finally, a 4-day cruise on the Amazon River itself (M/V Zafiro).
This is a review of a nine-day itinerary, starting at Jaen Airport, spending five nights in the Chachapoyas region, visiting various ruins and Gocta Waterfall, before driving to Tarapoto for three nights at Pumarinri Amazon Lodge in the montane rainforest:
“Overall, we had a great trip and saw some incredible things …
We as a family had a wonderful time. The department of Amazonas (where Chachapoyas and Kuelap are located) is a very beautiful area of Peru, something that we were not aware of. The plantations fields and "greenery" of the mountains are worth the trip. Add Kuelap and friendliness of the people is a plus.
Read the thoughts of an Anglo-US-Dutch couple who travelled to Peru in 2018.
PeruNorth arranged two sections of their trip:
an off-the-beaten-path Chachapoyas trek.
a classic Southern Peruvian Amazon jungle lodge.
Here is what they say:
PeruNorth arranged a 10-day itinerary for Canadian mother & daughter, Irene & Marie-Ann in Jan 2018.
Staying at Gocta Lodge, they explored Chachapoya ruins of Kuelap & Revash.
Also hiked to Gocta Falls, visited Yerbebuena market & mummies at Leymebamba Museum.
Ended the trip with 5 nights staying in a Bedouin-style tent beside the beach at Vichayito.
Here is what they say:
‘We had a great time and really appreciate all the help you provided in booking our vacation …
In this age of social media, we were able to keep a close track on the progress of Anglo-Malaysian clients, Andy & Julia Little, as they travelled from Lima to The Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu to Cusco to Lake Titicaca (both Peruvian and Bolivian sides) and back to Lima. Here is a photographic journal of their 'exciting and action-packed' two-week journey.
Except for a tuft between their ears and on the end of their tail, these medium-sized, dark Peruvian dogs are completely hairless. In spite of their unorthodox looks - or perhaps because of them - viringo dogs were prized by the Moche, Chimu and Virus cultures, who included them as sacrifices in many important burials, and depicted them on painted pottery.
The Kuelap cable car is one of the most important tourism projects in the country, which will offer an additional mode of access for visitors to the archaeological site. When completed, the four kilometre (2.5 mile) route, that goes from 2,000 m (6,562 ft) to 3,000 m (9,843 ft) above sea level, will be covered in 20 minutes.
The attractive Amazonas town of Leymebamba is gradually becoming a trekking destination - perhaps to rival Cusco or Huaraz, one day - as the region's remarkable archaeology reveals more fascinating ruins, set in stunning mountainous and jungle-covered locations, replete with flora and fauna.
The wonderful trek to Condor Lake is already well-known, although far from busy; and below are a selection of six further hikes that can be done, beginning in Leymebamba.
There is undoubtedly more than just a masochistic pleasure in hiking to a Peruvian archaeological site. Their awe-inspiring, natural settings can be savoured fully at walking pace; and the emotions unleashed by physical exertion seem to heighten an appreciation for the pre-Colombian, pre-wheeled-vehicle way of life.
In the case of Kuelap, to reach the ruins on foot, you will have had to ascend 1,200 m (3,940 ft) on a beautiful, but largely unshaded trail.
