North of Lima - Outta Here Travel

Study Guide Chapter Four: Travelling North of
Lima
Let’s turn our attention to discovering Northern Peru. Starting in Lima, your travel clients can take a quick flight
to the north and begin to explore an array of exciting regional treasures.
The Cities of North Peru
The northern reaches of Peru offer some of the most unique and vast change in landscape found anywhere in the
world – from sharp seaside cliffs to wide open desert, high mountains to lush green valleys, and beyond, to the
jungle of the Amazon. We’ll start with Tumbes and follow with Piura, Lambayeque, Cajamarca, La Libertad and
Ancash. Then, we will work east through the highlands to Amazonas and on to Loreto. Make sure to watch for
the informative “Insider Notes” from members of the PromPeru tourism team along the way. Let’s go!
Study Guide Chapter One: Travelling North of Lima
1
Tumbes & Piura (Tomb-base and Pea-your-ah)
Tumbes and Piura are the northern-most departments (similar to U.S.
states or Canadian provinces) of the Peruvian coastline. Their proximity
to the equator brings warm, sunny days year-round, making it an ideal
destination for surfing, diving, fishing and simply enjoying the Pacific
tropics.
TUMBES
The Mangrove Sanctuary of Tumbes comprises extensive aquatic
forests that create a one-of-a-kind environment between the river and
the sea. It is home to black hawks, egrets, and other birds. Punta Sal in
Tumbes is thought to be one of the beast beaches in Peru because of its
white sand and rich marine life.
PIURA
Piura and its surrounds are coastal treasures as well. Máncora, located
close to the Piura-Tumbes border, is a small cove with beautiful beaches
much prized by surfers, fun loving youths, and families.
Toward the south lies Cabo Blanco, famous for the people cut from the same cloth as Ernest Hemmingway,
attracted by ocean fishing for marlin, swordfish, and grouper. The city of Piura was the first city founded in Peru
in 1532, and presently is an important center of economic development in northern Peru.
o
o
The climate here is warm, dry and sunny. Temperatures range from 59 F to 94 F year-round. This area is
recommended for handicraft collectors, nature enthusiasts, bird watchers, water sport lovers and people in
search of sun and sand. This area is known for artisans who work in straw, cotton, pottery and gold and silver
filigree.
We recommend a 3 day/2 night stay.
Four-star hotels operate in Piura, Mancora, Tumbes
and Punta Sal, besides basic and comfortable
lodging at the beach resorts and area close to the
ocean.
“Fresh catch of the day” is a common theme in this
region! Key lime juice and spicy chili peppers are the
seasonings of choice. Bananas in all forms, fried,
dried, and mashed are featured in many dishes
from entrees to dessert. Chicherías - taverns where
Chicha, a local corn beer, is served - are a culinary
highlight not to be missed.
Getting There & Getting Around
There are several ways to get around these tropical beaches. Ideally, from Lima, travellers will fly. Public
transportation is available upon arrival. Water sports equipment can be rented from certain hotels and
Study Guide Chapter One: Travelling North of Lima
2
COLOM BIA
E CU ADOR
Tumbes
Iquitos
TU M BE S
LORE TO
PIU RA
Chachapoyas
Piura
AM AZ ON AS
LAM BAYE QU E
Chiclayo
Cajamarca
M oyobamba
CAJAM ARCA
BRASIL
SAN M ARTIN
LA LIBE RTAD
Trujillo
AN CASH
H uaraz
H U AN U CO
U CAYALI
H uánuco
Pucallpa
PASCO to Tumbes
specialized companies. A flight from
Lima
is 1hour / 30 minutes. A flight from Lima to Piura is 1 hour
Cerro de Pasco
/ 15 minutes (daily).
JU N IN
PACIF IC
OC E A N
LIM A
Puerto M aldonado
H uancayo
PromPeru
Insider Notes …
CU SCO
Mancora andH UPunta
Sal
are
favorite
spots for honeymooners.
AN CAVE LICA
Sunsets are glorious there. - Cecilia
M ADRE DE DIOS
Lima
H uancavelica
Cusco
Abancay
Ica
AYACU CH O
APU RIM AC
ICA
Lambayeque (Lomb-bye-yeah-kay)
PU N O
Ayacucho
Puno
BOLIVIA
ARE QU IPA
Chiclayo, bordered by fertile valleys and very closeArequipa
to the ocean, is the capital of the department of Lambayeque
and the commercial nexus among the three PeruvianM OQU
regions:
Coast, Highland and Jungle. This area boasts
E GU A
M oquegua
some of the most interesting archaeological finds in all Peru:
The
Royal Tombs of Sipan and the Pyramids of
Tacna
TACN A
CH ILE
Study Guide Chapter One: Travelling North of Lima
3
151 fasl
46 masl
1
hr.
(from Lima)
12 hr.
(from Lima)
Tucume. For nature lovers, the wildlife of the area is carefully
preserved at the Chaparri Ecological Reserve, while devotees
of mysticism will find what they are looking for in the
sessions performed by shamans in the nearby villages of
Salas and Tucume.
The climate here is warm and dry. Temperatures range from
o
o
59 F to 86 F. People interested in archaeology, handicraft
collectors, bird watchers, nature lovers and devotees of
mysticism will be enthralled by this area. The area is known
for its straw weaving of hats, baskets, purses and saddlebags,
works of cotton with gold and silver threads and pottery.
Two days is the recommended length of stay.
Chicl
Ch
ayo,capit
a
CHICLAYO
de tment of L
depar
is a stone’
s th
gorgeousbeache
go
archeologicalcom
peacef
pe
ulwildli
e
Departmentof
There are hotels and hostels up to four stars in Chiclayo and
Lambayeque
up to three stars in the neighbouring city of Lambayeque
(same name as the department). The entire department of
Lambayeque is famous for its exquisite cuisine, and the chefs are guardians of secret family recipes that will
impress. Traditional dishes are rice with duck, goat, cebiche and causa (a type of potato cake). All go wonderfully
with a glass of the northern coast’s popular Chicha (corn beer).
On top ofthe desertsands and in the mi dstofvaancien
lleys,
sacred
pyramids
.Butitwas notuntil
1987,theyearo
PromPeru Insider Notes … constructed
theLordofSipán(the
mostgrandiose
tomb intheAmericas)
thatt
I had a wonderful experience being taught how cotton is made and
even weaving
atemple
small
piece of fromgrace
oftheimportance
ofthese
mounds,fallen
on th
cloth! – Karina
1 ,Túcume 2 andChotuna3 toname
splendor
intheinside
:
Sicán
result
oftherecove
ry,worldclass
museums,thebestinPeru
,like
the
Roy
4 , have been built
Sipán Museum
.
When visiting Tucume, I was impressed by the silence I found in the monument, as there were only a
10
few visitors. It allowed me to feel a connection with the
people who lived there
over a thousand years ago. –Elisabeth
Getting There & Getting Around
Hop on a flight from Lima (daily flights available) which is just 1 hour away.
When your clients arrive, they will most likely be picked up by their ground tour
operator. If not, there are plenty of reliable airport taxis available to take them
to their designated hotels. There are guided tours from Chiclayo to the museums
and archaeological sites.
Cajamarca (Kaw-hah-mark-ah)
Discover the department of Cajamarca, characterized by slight slopes and
highlands, relatively low compared to the rest of the Peruvian Andes. It is an
idyllic Andean setting. The city of Cajamarca brings together three ingredients
Study Guide Chapter One: Travelling North of Lima
4
that make it an unforgettable destination: a magnificent Colonial architecture, beautiful countryside, and a rich
history.
An agricultural gem, this area is the largest dairy producer in Peru, boasting the best cattle and cheeses in
the country. Many excursions are possible from Cajamarca: the Inca
Baths - thermo-medicinal hot springs where the Inca used to go after
long trips; the Ventanillas de Otuzco (Otuzco Windows) - a cemetery
carved into a wall of volcanic rock; Cumbemayo Archeological
Complex - a example of pre-Incan hydraulic engineering still
functioning today; and the old hacienda La Colpa - where, believe it
or not, the cattle go to be milked at the sound of their name.
o
The climate here features mild temperatures ranging from 37 F to
o
71 F. March, April and October are the wetter months of the year.
Ideal clients include history and archaeology buffs, agri-tourism
and community based tourism enthusiasts, trekkers, nature lovers
and health fanatics, who can experience the uniqueness of the Inca
Baths. When it comes to handicrafts in Cajamarca, local artisans
excel in their use of a traditional back strap weaving, called callua,
which is used to make blankets, ponchos, shawls, bags, etc. Three
days is the recommended length of stay.
CAJAMARCA
You can find hotels up to four stars in the city, with simpler
accommodations in the smaller surrounding villages. There’s a
tourist and ecological lodge at the Porcón Farm.
The best cattle in the country graze on the emerald fields of Cajamarca, which is why the best cheeses are also
found here. Restaurants in the city offer a fine choice of grilled meats and sausages and, to a lesser degree,
international cuisine and seafood (trout is abundant).
PromPeru Insider Notes …
I am an urbanite so I wasn’t looking
forward to spending a weekend visiting
a farm in Cajamarca. However, to my
surprise, I enjoyed milking the cows,
feeding the animals, trekking along
with the sheep and star-gazing at night.
I definitely recommend a visit to the
Cajamarca’s country side. - Karina.
Getting There & Getting Around
Most travellers will take the 1 hour /15 minute flight
from Lima to Cajamarca. Daily flights are available.
Most of the major sites in the city can be visited on
Study Guide Chapter One: Travelling North of Lima
5
foot. However, if your travelers want to go outside the city, we
recommend arranging guided tours.
La Libertad
The department of La Libertad features a varied relief, starting
from the coast line, passing though the highlands (Andes) and
ending in the upper jungle (the Amazon Rain Forest). The coast
enjoys beaches and fertile valleys that are very important
to national agriculture production. Trujillo, the capital of the
department, is known as the city of eternal spring because of its
blessed climate and festive atmosphere. It is known for its exciting
Marinera dance contest every January, and its downtown
has lovely mansions and splendid examples of Colonial and
Republican (19th century) architecture. Surrounding cities
offer discreet modern touches, as well as
a scattering of regal archaeological sites
such as Chan Chan, the pre-Hispanic mud
village that was placed on the UNESCO
World Cultural Heritage List in1986. A short
distance from Trujillo are the two sacred
Incan temple mounds of Huaca del Sol and
Huaca de la Luna (Temples of the Sun and of
the Moon), and just north of the city lies the
El Brujo (The Wizard), with artifacts dating
back 5,000 years. The Huanchaco Beach
Resort, just fifteen minutes from Trujillo,
offers up sun and sand and a glimpse at the
past through its famous caballitos de totora
- boats made of totora reeds that have been
crafted to cut through the ocean since the
time of the Mochicas and Chimús.
ASCOPE
TRUJILLO
Departmentf o
La Li
berta
d
o
o
The climate here is mild and dry. Temperatures range from 57 F to 78 F. Archaeology buffs, nature lovers, bird
watchers and surfers are drawn to this region. Artisans in Trujillo offer excellent works in leather emboss. Two
days is the recommended length of stay.
Trujillo has a wide range of fine hotels and hostels, up to 5 stars. Also, there are 3 star hotels and hostels in the
beach resorts of Huanchaco and Puerto Chicama. The ocean provides the cuisine of Trujillo its main ingredients;
the best fish and shellfish are combined with produce of the valleys to prepare delicious dishes.
PromPeru Insider Notes …
My husband and I had the opportunity to take an introductory course on Marinera while in Trujillo.
This is a dance that represents the courting between a man and a woman. I found it very romantic! Laura
Study Guide Chapter One: Travelling North of Lima
6
Getting There & Getting Around
Flights from Lima to Trujillo (50 minutes) are conveniently scheduled morning, afternoon and evening. Guided
tours from Trujillo to the archaeological monuments are available.
HUARAZ
HUARA
Ancash (On-cawsh)
The department of Ancash starts on a slightly hilly coastal strip and climbs up to the highest snow-capped
mountains in the10,141
country.
Its capital city is the lively Huaraz - the adventure sports capital of Peru for trekking,
fasl
mountain biking, white water rafting,
50 min.hang gliding
8 hr. and mountain
5 days climbing adventures.
3,091 masl
(from Lima)
(from Lima)
Chavin de Huantar, an inspiring group of pre-Incan temples, now part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, is
located 68 miles south of Huaraz and can be reached in a three and half hour ride. Its buildings, plazas and
“Climb to the top of
underground galleries bear witness to its sacred beginnings. Among Ancash’s natural attractions is Mount
the Peruvian
Andes in
Alpamayo, regarded by many as the most beautiful in the world.
Áncash
a and encounter the
o
o
greatness
ofwith
its people.”
e
Mild
temperatures ranging from 39 F to 76 F. Wetter months
Huaylas
Caraz
Yungay
Carhuaz
HUARAZ
Recuay
Department
of
Áncash
NATIONAL
PARK
are January through March and November, December. Those
interested in ancient civilizations, sports adventurists, mountain
lovers, handicraft collectors, trekkers, and nature enthusiasts find
department
ideal
Áncashthis
Á
is the
adventure an
spor
ts choice. In this area your travelers will
find
elaborate
traditional
embroidered outfits and skirts called
re
egionof Peru. You can find any
numberof
agencies
renting
sell
n
polleras,
and
theorart
of handmade candles. Sheep’s wool blankets,
alltypes
a
of equipment
wellas
wrought
iron as
pieces,
embossed leather articles are also popular.
others
o
mounta
Three trekking
days is or
the
recommended length of stay.
biking
b
routes
and whitewaterraft
or
o hang gliding adventures
Hotels and hostels up to 3 stars are available in Huaraz and the
surrounding area. The regional cuisine boasts dishes with pit
HUAYHUASH RANGE
roasted meats
and vegetables, like potatoes, corn and faba beans
RESERVED ZONE
a. MountPastoruri
b.Tenoned
head in
the humitas
temple
avinofdeCh
along
with
–Huaa type of corn roll.
c.White ater
c
w
rafting and adventure on t
d. Fly-over of the Valley
Huayla
Getting There & Getting Around
Huaraz can be reached by road from Lima (approx. 8 hours) or by regular flights (1 hour / 5 minutes) to Anta
department
capital
can
city
spectacular
viewasHuaraz
Airport,No30other
minutes
from Huaraz.
Allboast
typessuch
of aground
transport
are available. Agencies offer all gear necessary
can
.
To
the
north
,
rising
above
the
entire
scene
,
is
an
immense
glacier
:
Mount
for rafting, mountain assaults and other excursions, including mountain
and tourist guides, mule riders, mules
1 and its
Huascarán
towering22,204
feet
.Yet,accompanyingthis
majestic
summ
and cooks.
within
theWhiteMountains
are30others
thatrise
above19,600
feet
.Attheir
fee
theHuaylas
Valle
y,picturesque
andinte
r-Andean
,whosecharming
little
vill
agesw
seemingly
constructed
atdistances
perfect
for
human tr
avel;
you canNotes
trekthe…
p
PromPeru
Insider
that connects them
, and
alltherein lies part ation
of .
its fascin
Trekking
around
the Llanganuco
Lake,
I ran into the “wishes cave,” where women can leave
But,what really
grabsthetr
aveler
’s attention
arethesnow coveredmounta
a lock of hair to see their wish come true. By the way, my wish came true. - Cecilia
24
Study Guide Chapter One: Travelling North of Lima
7
CHACHAPOYAS
7,656 fasl
2,334 masl
21 hr.
(from Lima)
4 days
Amazonas (Ah-mah-zone-ahs)
The department of Amazonas is famous for its cloud forests, areas
with stunning microclimates and whose intense humidity favors
the exuberant growth of plants like orchids and bromeliads and
animals like the spectacled bear and the Andean Cock of the Rock,
Peru’s national bird.
Chachapoyas
, capital
cityof
capital,ofChachapoyas,
full of narrow streets and containing
the The
department
Amazonas,
a large
Main
Square,
maintains beautiful mansions and lovely
is the
arriving
point
to these
lands
,whose extraordina
ry findsof its Colonial past. This is the launching
balconies
as evidence
continually
amaze
theworldto
–for
site for
excursions
the fabulous citadel of Kuélap, a fortress
instance
,therecently
discovere
with 65-foot walls and fascinating stone friezes, a symbol of the
Gocta Falls
, the world
’s third
Chachapoyas
culture – a site definitely on par with the grandeur
highest
aterfall.
w
Departme ntof
Amazonas
CHACHAPOYAS
of Machu Picchu. And this is just a scratch on the surface when it
comes to tourist destinations within Amazonas. There are literally
hundreds of archaeological vestiges strewn along the Utcubamba
River Valley, history that rivals that of Cusco.
o
o
Moderate temperatures ranging from 48 F to 70 F. await visitors.
June, July and August are dry months. Nature lovers, bird watchers
and people interested in exceptional, but little-known archaeological sites. Three days is the recommended
Once inthecity
ofChachapoyas,you will
be bewitched
,ina blin
length of stay.
an eye,by its
ma gic.
Itisa city
wrapped still
ina veil
ofmystery,reason
bein
Chachapoyas
has
up to 3 stars
and basic
lodging
is
found
other towns.
because
itis
nothotels
a wellfrequented
destin
ation;
a pit
y,reall
y,since
its
narr
ow in
str
areabsolutely
lovel
y,its
desserts
andsweetsareextremely
tast
y,andthepatios
o
houses
are
decked
with
orchids
.
Even
if
Chach
apoyas
looks
like
any
highland
ci
Shopping Excursions Crafts in Chachapoyas are varied and splendid,
heavy carries the scent of the jungle.
naturally
dyed sheep’s wool clothing.
On parwiththegrandeur
ofMachuPicchu
is2,000
year
old
Kuélap
from wood carvings to handmade and
Restaurants in the city are rather simple, foregoing sophistication but not good taste. Among Chachapoyas’
emblematic
products are licor de leche (a sweetened and spiked milk drink) and pan semita (a type of bread).
16
PromPeru Insider Notes …
I felt like the world was mine when I was at the top of the mountain where Kuélap
is located. That is the way the Chachapoyas warriors must have felt when they
defended their territory against the Incas. - Laura
San Martin
The department of San Martín is a zone full of fertile valleys and rough terrain spread out between the Andean
mesa and a small area of lower jungle. The first Spanish city in the jungle, named Santiago de los Ocho Valles
de Moyobamba, was founded here in 1549 and served as a base for later colonization, religious establishment
and departmental growth. Small lakes like the Blue Lagoon and the Lindo Lake, hot springs, with restorative
properties, and lovely waterfalls dot the entire department. In contrast to other cities found in the steamy
Amazon, Tarapoto is relatively easy to get to and boasts an excellent network of roads that connects it with the
outlying communities and several other cities.
Study Guide Chapter One: Travelling North of Lima
8
TARAPOTO
1,093 fasl
333 masl
Here you’ll find a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from
o
o
66 F to 92 F. Archaeology lovers, trekkers, rafters & kayakers,
bird animal and plant enthusiasts. High quality straw hats and
baskets, fine pottery and unique wood carvings are found in the
area. Three days is the recommended length of stay.
Tarapoto has hotels and hostels up to 3 stars as well as excellent
lodges in the outskirts. In San Martin, food is all about the typical
jungle cuisine of Peru. Dishes like tacacho con cecina (baked
mashed bananas and dried beef) and ninajuane (baked mashed
bananas with chicken, eggs and spices) are wonderful examples
of the cuisine in the area.
PromPeru Insider Notes …
I visited the town of Lamas (a 30 minute ride from
Tarapoto) for the festivity of Saint Rose at the end of
August. The sight of the community parading in their
traditional costumes made me realize the richness of our
living culture. - Elisabeth
1 10
hr.
min.
(from Lima)
The only way to reach it is by air or by river making
it, more or less, an island in the midst of a vast ocean
of green forests, cut off by meandering rivers. It is
this exact isolation that contributes to its charm. One
can sail to the confluence of the Amazon’s two great
tributaries: the Marañón and the Ucayali, and there
find the gateway to the Pacaya – Samiria National
Reserve, land of lakes and pink dolphins, a paradise
for nature lovers. To experience virgin wilderness near
Iquitos, there’s nothing better than jumping into a car
Study Guide Chapter One: Travelling North of Lima
(from Lim
MOYOBAMBA
Tarapoto
In contrast
t
found
o
in our
arapoto isrel
Tar
at
toand boasts
an
ofroadsthatcon
u
outlying
commun
t
other
cities
Departme ntof
San Ma
rtín
Getting There & Getting Around
Although Tarapoto can be reached by road, we recommend your travellers take one of the daily flights scheduled
from Lima (1 hour). Guided tours are available to the main waterfalls and lakes in the area.
Loreto (Low-ray-toe)
Loreto is the largest, least populated, department in
Peru. It is covered by dense vegetation and by primary
and secondary jungle with low hills and slightly
rolling landscape, crisscrossed by the many rivers of
the Amazon River basin. Iquitos, the capital of Loreto,
is the main port city on the Amazon River - the longest
and mightiest river by volume on the planet - and the
largest city in the Peruvian jungle.
25 hr.
14
Department
of
Lore
to
9
and driving down the finite asphalt road from Iquitos to Nauta. In less than thirty minutes, you will reach the
Allpahuayo – Mishana National Reserve, an enchanted forest sitting on top of white sands that has been the
setting for myriad scientific discoveries over the years.
o
o
Expect a tropical climate. Wet and humid with temperatures ranging from 70 F to 90 F. Nature lovers will be
enchanted by this region. A great variety of handicrafts can be found in this area, such as pottery featuring
geometric designs, hand painted fabrics and many other objects, both decorative and utilitarian, made from
materials found in the region. Three days is the recommended length of stay, five if you wish to take a river
cruise.
Iquitos offers a surprising range of accommodation possibilities, from 5-star and home-style 3-star hotels in
the city, to tourist lodges with all the comforts sprinkled throughout the city’s outskirts. Iquitos has a host
of restaurants to satisfy the most refined of palates, where chefs take advantage of regional resources, yet
also prepare international foods. The paiche, an extraordinary Amazon fish, is a main ingredient for dishes
in which its delicious meat is marinated in tropical fruit juices before being accompanied by different sauces.
Worth mentioning are stimulating traditional drinks, like huitochado and chuchuhuasi, which are reported
aphrodisiacs.
PromPeru Insider Notes …
I’ve had the opportunity to
participate in volun-tourism
in a small island in the
Amazon. Seeing how the
children enjoy the contact
with nature made me and
my fellow American friends
realize that you don’t need
many things to be happy.
Cruising the Amazon River
was a truly enjoyable
experience. - Elisabeth
Getting There & Getting Around
There are two ways to reach Iquitos in north-eastern Peru, either by river or by air. We recommend your travellers
fly out of Lima (1 hour / 30 minutes). There are daily flights available. There is ground and river transportation,
guided tours, full service expeditions to the jungle, cruises down the Amazon and its tributaries and visits to
native communities. Also in the area are travel agencies, basic services, camp grounds and tourist information
and assistance offices.
Study Guide Chapter One: Travelling North of Lima
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