PeruNorth's musings on events & destinations in Northern Peru, Amazonia ... and beyond. Detailed tour reviews.
Carnival - the exuberant celebration that precedes the Christian observance of Lent - is most closely associated with Brazil, and especially Rio de Janeiro with its famous Sambodromo floats and dancers. Nonetheless, there are carnival festivities throughout Latin America, with Peru being no exception.
Arguably the best-known in Peru is the Carnaval de Cajamarca, a vibrant and colorful festival celebrated in the city of Cajamarca.
Rochester, NY native, Margaret Riley, took here niece, Jessica, on holiday to Peru as a graduation present in June 2022. Their 10-day itinerary took in:
The Sacred Valley
2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Cusco
Palccoyo (an alternative Rainbow Mountain)
Here is what they had to say about the experience:
“Our trip to Peru was remarkable.
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.
It is said that ‘he who goes to Iquitos alone, returns a father’. The veracity of this saying has yet to be confirmed, but PeruNorth can verify that five days in the largest city in the world not connected to ‘civilization’ by road was nowhere near enough.
In 1861, the Peruvian government commissioned two ships - the Yavari and the Yapura - to be built in Britain for use on Lake Titicaca.
They were constructed in London, in 2,766 pieces weighing 210 tons in total, shipped to Arica (which is now part of Chile), hauled over the Andes by mule, and put together in Puno.
Read a review of a 5-day Amazon River cruise on the luxurious Delfin III.
US couple Michelle Leighton & Rodger Dillon, now based in Switzerland.
Travelled in January, 2020 during high-water season in Amazonia.
“We very much enjoyed the Delfin cruise, the sites, the excursions, and the people we met.
Read thoughts of Dutch-Peruvian couple who visited Northern Peru over New Year.
Their itinerary was expanded version of Tarapoto & Gocta trip, with additional nights at Pumarinri Amazon Lodge.
Included a short visit to Gotas de Agua, a private dry forest reserve, near Jaen.
“Our trip to Peru was great we enjoyed both of the stays and both of the places, Tarapoto and Cocachimba.
Regular PeruNorth clients, Elana Dallas & Alastair Hatchett, give their thoughts on a trip to Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Cultural visit to Cartagena, followed by few days at nearby beach resort, Baru.
Particular interest in work of Colombian author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
“Thank you for another brilliantly organised trip that once again exceeded all our expectations.
