When you travel to Peru for the first time,  you will immediately realize that our country has a rich and admirable indigenous heritage. This makes Peru a beautiful and diverse destination.

For travellers who want to learn more and connect with indigenous Andean communities and their culture, it is a great help to know a little bit of the Quechua language. If you greet someone in quechua during your trip, no doubt the answer will be smiles among the people you visit and a more pleasant feeling of “welcome”.

The Quechua language called „Runasimi“ in Quechua means: runa ‘people’ + simi ‘speech,’ is a family of some 45 closely-related languages spoken in the Andean region of South America by close to 8 million people.

“If Latin is said to be the language of the angels, then Quechua is the language for expressing the subtleties of existence on Earth. That is why it is still alive.”

– Demetrio Túpac Yupanqui (New York Times- 2008 – Armed With a Pen, and Ready to Save the Incas’ Mother Tongue)

Beautiful words in Quechua!

Quechua is a official language in Peru, along with Spanish and Aymara. In rural areas, it is used for everyday communication in informal contexts. Since most Native speakers of Quechua are illiterate in their native language, it remains largely an oral language. In formal contexts, such as government, administration, commerce, education, and the media, Spanish is used. The only cultural domain where Quechua is used extensively is traditional Andean music.

„One example of this important momentum is the 2015 adoption of Indigenous Andean principles in Quechua, by the United Nations General Assembly: The principles of Ama Sua (“you shall not steal”), Ama llulla (“you shall not lie”) and Ama Quella (“you shall not be lazy”) were distinguished by the international body.   – Penn Arts & Sciences / United Nations Secretary-General.

“Quechua is such a beautiful language,” said Ms. Ambía, a retired teacher and social worker. “I want to help preserve it. I want for people to feel proud of our heritage, to feel proud about our culture.”  –  Elva Ambía (The Wall Street journal – 2014 – Reviving a Fading Language Called Quechua )

Some useful words in Quechua for those who travel to Peru

If you find yourself in the jungle, or in the central or southern part of the Andes in Peru, you will find that the language varies, but in general with these words you will have a good chabnce of comunication. Remember that Quechua and Spanish have somewhat similar phonetics (ex.: the double /l/ or “ll” sound like an English /y/).

If you meet somebody fort he First time:

Rimaykullayki: It is the most widespread form of greeting, this amounts to: good morning, good afternoon and good night of Spanish. It literally means “I speak to you politely.”

Chaskillaykim: It literally means “I answer the greeting.”

If you meet a friend or you already know the person:

Imaynallam?:  How are you?

Allinllanchu:  Are you ok?

Allinllam:  I’m well, thank you.

Somaq mihuna: That means: „This is amazing food“ If somebody hears you say this at their restaurant or food stand, they will be very happy.

Sulpayki: Thank you  (The most important Word in the world!)

Tinkunanchiskama: I will see you later, farewell)

Paqarin kama: See you tomorrow

Tupananchikama: Goodbye in general.

Allin P’unchay: Good morning

Allin Sukha: Good afternoon

Allin Tuta: Good night

Did You Know?

These words came into English from Quechua via Spanish:

coca:  kuca, the native name of the plant
condor:  kuntur, the native name for the bird
guano:  huanu ‘dung’
jerky:  ch’arki ‘dried flesh’
llama:  llama, the native name of the animal (with Spanish spelling)
puma:  puma, native name of the animal
vicuña:  wikuna, the native name of the animal

Are you starting  planning a journey to Peru? Contact our team of expert travel advisors and lets together organize your perfect trip. 🙂

Giardino Tours – Blog

 

#ITravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiences

The “Geopark” extends over an area of 25 hectares. Once there the landscape takes us to another world! The area invites to the imagination and mysticism as every rocky formation reveals stone figures with forms of women, angels, animals like seals, elephants, or condors; as well as castles, towers, streets and more.

Until now local people use Choqolaca as a religious center for different ancestral rituals, where you can appreciate the local traditions and way of life.

Please don’t forget that this is a natural territory with great ancestral traditions protected by their villagers. For this reason, we ask you to take the tour with a Responsible Tour Operator or, if you go by yourself, please follow all instructions from the locals.

It is important that you are very respectful of the religious and cultural traditions of the communities that live in this wonderful place.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU DISCOVER PERÚ!

@GiardinoToursPeru

#ITravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiencies

Objetive

Protect habitats that offer optimal conditions for the development of populations of vicuña, taruca, common parihuana, Andean parihuana and James parihuana. Protect forests from queñual.

Fauna/Flora

The vertebrates are represented by 207 species, of which 37 are mammals and 158 birds. Also the presence of 5 species of reptiles, 4 amphibians and 3 fish has also been reported. The herbivores characteristic of the fauna are the camelids of South America: Llama, alpaca, vicuña and guanaco.

Also here you will find the Tarucas, viscachas, puma, the andean cat, the andean fox, etc.  Among the resident birds we have  the Andean huallata or goose, the mountain duck and the flamingos or parihuanas.

And talking about the flora of the Reserve, you will find about  358 species of plants.

The Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve has a good network of roads that allow access to much of the protected natural area.

An ideal and easy way to observe part of the Natural Reserve (Pampa cañahuas area) is during the 2 days excursion to the Colca canyon.

There are also other excursions to the Reserve such as a visit to the Salinas lagoon, the Mauca rock formations or visit to Pillones and Puruña in the area of Pampa Cañahuas, the cave paintings of Sumbay and more.

Clima

The Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve  has very low average temperatures ranging from 2° to 8° C. Extensive thermal fluctuations occur, both day and night, as well as between shade and sun exposure. It has annual precipitation averages of 200 to 600 mm, mainly from January to March, a period in which 65 per cent of the rains fall. Frost occurs almost all year round and can reach -20°C.

All these characteristics, together with their capricious rock formations, their archaeological remains, the rich living culture of their present inhabitants and their easy accessibility, make it one of the most valuable protected natural areas of the country.

The megadiversity of the reserve makes it one of the treasures of Arequipa region.

Peru is beautiful and megadiverse!

 

Giardino Tours – Blog.

@GiardinoToursperu

#ItravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiences

 

Links that may be interesting:

Tips for a Responsible Peru Travel Experience!

Arequipa: The stone city Choqolaca

Santa Catalina Monastery: What you need to know for your Tour in Arequipa

Protecting our Planet starts with you!

“Throughout the time, man enjoy and took the necessary space to be able to coexist with the nature, currently things are different and it is necessary to make a “space” for nature in the world of man”

This week we commemorate mother earth. However, there is not much to celebrate. Despite the fact that, as an indirect effect of the pandemic, the cleaning of the beaches, the contamination of fossil residues and the care of wild fauna were a bit better compared to the pre-pandemic time, now we observe that threats to the environment continue and we are generating new ones.

Here you will find 9 easy tips that you can add to your daily routine to Protecting Our Planet.

1.- Do not use face masks unnecessarily

We know that in the current situation our health is important, however the huge use of disposable surgical masks leaves a large amount of waste. We must therefore try as much as possible to use reusable masks.

Surgical masks are made of polypropylene non-woven fabric, produced from ethylene, which is a chemical compound derived from petroleum or natural gas.

That’s why they take around 450 years to decompose.

Among the recommendations published by the main national and international health authorities, in GTF M. Camps we want to highlight the following:

1.  The masks should be left in a safe place for 24 hours before throwing them into a garbage can, for example, inside a waste bag. This serves primarily to prevent anyone, who has to handle garbage, to get infected.
2. It is Important that before placing the surgical masks in a garbage container, that you cut the two rubber bands that hold the mask around the ears. In this way you will be able to avoid that, in an unwanted way, if this mask ends up in our seas and oceans, it does not behave like a net-trap for the animals.

2.- Save on electricity consumption

You can start by unplugging all electrical appliances when you don’t use them or you finish using them, for example, unplugging your cell phone or laptop charger when the battery reaches 100 percent, unplugging the microwave after heating food, and even unplugging the fan, the television etc … Remember that plugged-in appliances continue to consume electricity and it is important Protecting Our Planet.

Another action that will help you take care of the environment is to turn off the lights when you leave a room. Also, you should check that when you leave the house there are no lights on. It is important that you change all the bulbs in your house for ones that are low energy consumption

3.- Recycle and educate about garbage

Take the time to separate the garbage and especially we must create a culture of environmental care at home.

For this reason, we must have a discipline to separate waste into: those that can be reused or reinserted into the production circuit (paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, etc.) and on the other hand those elements that cannot be reused (broken glass, napkins, sanitary waste, etc.).

Also It is also important to educate ourselves about this problem. When you expand your own education, you can help others understand the importance and value of our natural resources and Protecting Our Planet.

4.- Buy food from your area.

The transport of food from one area to another pollutes a lot. Whenever you can, consume products from nearby areas, your city or your region that will help also to Protecting Our Planet.

 5.- Save and Take Care of Water.

Water is a natural resource that cannot be wasted. In this sense, there are small actions that can help you take care of it such as taking a 5-minute shower, recycling rainwater, turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing dishes, can make a huge difference.

Likewise, it is very important not to throw food, oil residues and cleaning products into the house pipes (kitchen, bathroom, etc.), to prevent that the water get contaminated.

It is important to check that in your home all pipes work well.

6.- Plant trees and prepare your urban garden

The best hobby in the world is to be in tune with nature and what better than to start in your own place, planting trees if you have a large garden or planting potted plants if you don’t have much space. The important thing is to enjoy this hobby giving life to the planet and more oxygen to your place.

Another way is to start your own garden and enjoy to obtain your own food, you will feel a joy and mixed feelings when you see how the fruit of your dedication is growing and this hobby not only helps the planet but also your health because your products at home are the best guarantee of not having additives such as hormones or pesticides.

In addition, from your garden you can create your own compost. This brings a series of benefits to your garden, providing more nutrients for your plants to grow strong and reducing the generation of garbage.

7.- DO NOT buy single-use products – Buy reusable ones

Always buy products that you can reuse. We must end with the use and throw away life style.  The world is not disposable.

Buying single-use items such as disposable napkins, plates and cups, as well as plastic bottles and containers, makes the planet sick and generates garbage which is a huge problem.

Use reusable cloth bags or biodegradable bags instead, and if for any reason you have a plastic bag, don’t throw it away, keep it in your car or purse, etc., And try to use it as much as possible. Remember the idea is not to generate more garbage and plastic production.

8.- Be creative and Reuse materials

The best way to Protecting Our Planet is also in the power of our imagination.

With a little creativity you can reuse and give new life to the most varied materials.

Each of us can find the best way to reuse and recycle. How about and using this challenge to use it as a game at home for every weekend?.

Finding and creating a new way of using something that you thought to throw away is also the best way to Protecting Our Planet.

9.- Practice sustainable tourism

If you love to travel the world, do sustainable tourism. This is one of the actions to protect the environment with which you can venture through the 5 continents respecting the environment that surrounds you and learning to be a Responsible ecological traveler.

It is important that you travel with hotels or travel agencies that practice or have sustainability as a mission of the company, that you know their sustainable activities, perhaps being able to volunteer, that they have recognized certifications, etc.

Let’s together Protecting Our Planet . We don’t have a Planet “B”
In this beautiful home called Earth, there are the most indescribable landscapes, that surely, we all want to keep enjoying.  It is up to us to maintain its beauty.

The change begins in our homes. Let us be responsible citizens and remember that we all need our mother earth.

Giardino Tours – Blog

#ITravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperience #Safetravel

Our Activities and Volunteering:

Check these usefull links:

Peru Packing List post Covid-19: 5 Items that You Need to take to your Peru Trip

Tips for a Responsible Peru Travel Experience!

Arequipa Tour

In 1500s, the Hispanic-Peruvian chronicler Garcilaso de la Vega wrote the story of how Inca King Mayta Capac stopped his troops in the valley of the Chili river dazzled by the beauty of the place saying “Ari qepay” – That in Quechua language means something like “yes, You can stay” or “stay here”. With those words, said de la Vega, the city of Arequipa was born.

Well, we do not want to exaggerate being to much romantic, but for sure we have understood the symbolic message of this story.

Arequipa is not a city to pass quickly on the route during your trip to Peru; once here you are going to say “let’s stay here”

1.- Enjoy the gorgeous historical centre of Arequipa

Arequipa’s main attraction is unequivocally the magnificent historical centre, which owes its beauty and significance to more than just its impeccable off-white facades.

The architectural style of most structures, built in volcanic rock, shows an unprecedented and harmonious blend of European and native indigenous elements and techniques, which resulted in a spectacular display of exquisitely-decorated mansions, courtyards, cloisters and churches.

Peruvian architect and writer Hector Velarde couldn’t have described it better: “the architecture of Arequipa is all about the marriage between conqueror and conquered, it’s a true fusion. It is the perfect colonial architecture, maybe the most complete of all Mestizo-American architectures”

• Plaza de Armas (The best photos are during Sunset)
• Casa Tristan del Pozo
• Casa Moran
• Plaza San Lazaro
• Plaza and Church San Francisco.
• Church and cloister of La Compañía de Jesus
• Streets of Arequipa City center that close into the Main Square

2.- Mundo Alpaca

If you think that to visit “Mundo alpaca” is only a shopping store with live alpacas, it is wrong! Mundo Alpaca it’s actually a small and very well-organized “Alpaca Boutique and Museum”.

Live the experience of the “Alpaca and Vicuña” and learn about the tradition, process and history of its fibers and the wonderful textiles of the Andes.

Here you will not only interact with the Alpacas but also you will travel to the past through the textile history that you will appreciate in its ” Museo Textil Pre-Columbian Amano – Michell”, which exhibits valuable textile pieces from pre-Columbian cultures.

To close the experience you will visit the Boutique where you can find excellent and top quality products for you and your family.

3.- San Camilo Market

Take your time to stroll down the different alleys, which are neatly organized by product type. You will be amazed by the quantity of products and colors. Walk through the alleys of herbs, meats, breads, fruits, cheeses etc… Walk through the juice alley and taste a good glass of fresh juice (the best juices we’ve ever tasted) and on the second floor visit the sale of flowers, textiles and also look some restaurants for locals.

Here you will discover the huge variety of potatoes that Peru offers.

Do you know that Peru has more than 3,500 varieties of potato, the largest in the world, and there are more than 700,000 families that live from its cultivation in 19 producing regions?

4.- Walk to the Yanahuara scenic lookout

For a wonderful view of this city and its volcanoes, there is no better place than the Yanahuara Lookout. On a clear day (which in Arequipa is almost 300 days a year) you will have photos of the city and its volcanoes as a postcard, from some elegant arches made arches made from the same volcanic rock used in the historical city center (Sillar).

Note that the arches have some inscriptions, which are quotes from famous Arequipan writers.

Take time to explore the Plaza. Church and some close streets and get in the Plaza a delicious “Queso helado” a kind of Traditional ice cream of this city.

5.- The Recoleta Convent

Only a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas crossing the Río Chili over pleasant Puente Bolognesi on the way to Yanahuara, you will find the Recoleta convent museum.

It was founded in 1648 by Franciscan friars and rebuilt after many earthquakes. The peaceful Franciscan convent contains impressive cloisters with sillar columns, patios and lovely gardens.

Bibliophiles will delight walking around the Convent’s huge library, which contains more than 20,000 dusty books and maps; including rare published texts from the 15th century. The library is open for supervised visits, just ask at the entrance if you visit.

The convent museum includes several collections that are good to visit. One room is a collection of pre-Inca culture artifacts, including funereal masks, textiles, and totems; in another are mummies and a series of paintings of the 12 Inca emperors. Also is interesting to observe that the missionaries were understandably fascinated by prehistoric-looking fish, crocodiles, piranhas, and the clothing of indigenous communities.

6.- Santa Catalina Monastery

This incredible monument is located in the historic center of Arequipa. It served as a cloister for Dominican nuns from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and still houses a small religious community today.

The monastery occupies a territory of 20,426 m2 and was opened on September 10, 1579, just 39 years after the foundation of Arequipa city.

The whole complex is built from volcanic ashlar stone “Sillar” and is organized into cloisters, houses, patios, square, a gallery and a small chapel.

This monastery shouldn’t be missed!

7.-  Santa Teresa Monastery

This gorgeous 17th-century Carmelite convent is open to the public as a “living museum”; so called because several of the objects and rooms continue to be used as it was over 3 centuries ago.

The colonial-era buildings are justifiably famed for their decorative painted walls and restored rooms filled with priceless objects of art, murals, precious metalwork, paintings and other historical artifacts.

The museum is located in the city centre of Arequipa, a few bloks from the main square on calle Melgar 303.

PS: You must visit the Candy Shop: where you can taste cakes and desserts made daily by the nuns with ancient recipes. Also in the shop you will Souvenirs and craft items such as parsley and roses soap made from the roses of the monastery, Apple Vinegar and Bee Honey.

This monastery is also another gem of Arequipa!

8.- The Library  “Mario Vargas Llosa.”

Mario Vargas Llosa was born in Arequipa, Peru in 1936. He is the author of fifteen novels, including La Ciudad de los Perros (The Time of the Hero) (1963), La casa verde (The Green House) (1966), and La guerra del fin del mundo (The War of the End of the World) (1981).  He has also written three short story collections, including Los jefes (The Leaders) (1959), as well as several collections of essays. His books have been translated into more than thirty languages.

In 2010, Vargas Llosa was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

So, there is no doubt that Arequipa city is proud of Its son, who now resides in Spain.

The Mario Vargas LLosa library is located in a Colonial house in the historical center of Arequipa and offers 7,900 titles ranging from fiction, history, social sciences and magazines, but the number keep growing.

“Through books we can see what we don’t have and we would like to have, thanks to books we will fight prejudice and see how absurd and irrational differences are. Literature makes us more human, makes us more reasonable, literature makes us more free, breaks borders,” – Mario Vargas Llosa on the inauguration of the Library.

What do you think?

We invite you to Discover Arequipa and live the experience of the White City of Peru

Giardino Tours – Blog

#ItravelWithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiences

Interesting related links:

Tour Arequipa: The Cathedral & 5 curious facts that you should know

Tour Arequipa: The fascinating stone city of Choqolaca

Tour Arequipa: Stunning Salinas and Aguada Blanca N.R. & the Best way Visit It

In January 2015 the UNESCO recognized Arequipa city as one of the 66 World’s creative cities in gastronomy.

The certificate was delivered by the Unesco representative in Peru, Ernesto Fernández, who highlighted that Arequipa city is one of the 66 cities in the world that were declared creative cities in gastronomy.

According to the Arequipa Picantera Society (Picanteria is the name of traditional restaurants in Arequipa), the number of dishes that this region offers would reach about 194 (40 entrees, 22 types of soups, 70 stews and 62 desserts and drinks). For this reason, this city has earned a deserved culinary fame, both among locals and travelers.
Without a doubt, Arequipa’s cuisine has in the “Picanterías” the sanctuaries of knowledge and flavor, which treasure centuries of tradition, creativity and innovation because they are the authentic guarantors of the future of this emblematic Peruvian regional cuisine.
If you are planning to visit Arequipa and you don’t want to miss dishes that will delight your palate, we show you this list with some of our typical dishes. – Enjoy them!

1.- El Rocoto Relleno (The stuffed Rocoto).

One of the most emblematic dishes of Arequipa is “Rocoto relleno”

This is a type of stuffed pepper. But unlike other recipes that are based on sweet peppers, this dish uses ROCOTO, a red pepper that is ten times hotter than the famous jalapeño.

These rocotos are so spicy that to reduce the itchiness they are cooked in water and vinegar, however this does not take away totally the spicy flavor that also contains a first-class taste and aroma.

The filling is based on a mixture of meat, butter, cream and nuts. It is also often topped with a slice of melted cheese. The most typical thing is that it is accompanied by a piece of potato cake (Pastel de papa).

2.- El “Americano”  (The American)

The “American” is a very traditional dish in Arequipa and although currently it is presented in many forms and combinations in the traditional Picanterías, the original recipe presents a conjunction of 4 hot spices: a portion of rice, meat stew, pumpkin chili pepper, brambles of legs and a torreja, served in a single plate one after another.

The delicious Arequipeño meat stew is one of the most common dishes and can be prepared from various types of meat, but the one served in the “americano dish” is beef, onion, carrot, potatoes and red chili, accompanied with white rice.

The stew can also be replaced by the locro (a spicy made with mash potatoes). Nowadays the American is also served with a stuffed hot pepper or a noodle cake.

3.- Chupe de Camarones  (Shrimp great soup).

This soup prepared with shrimp is a very powerful dish and with a great taste.

It is based on Shrimp accompanied by onion, tomato, beans, garlic. Yellow potatoes, corn, boiled eggs, rice, cheese, and milk are added to the soup.

This dish is typical throughout the coastal area of Peru; However, the Arequipeño Chupe de camarones is simply the king of all of them.

4.- Soltero de Queso (Chees fresh salad)

This entrée is used also as a garnish.

This salad is based in fresh cheese, hot peppers, onion, olives, beans and tomato. The most common is to find this typical dish seasoned with vinegar, parsley, salt and pepper.

This “salad” is a popular main dish for dinners in Arequipa and sometimes it is accompanied by boiled potato slices.

5.- Adobo Arequipeño

Adobo arequipeño, also known as adobo de chancho, is a traditional dish from Arequipa.

Normally it is tha Sunday brunch dish at Arequipa’s local picanterías. Amazing taste and very popular among the locals and visitors.

How maybe you already know, the term “adobo” is derived from the Spanish word adobar, meaning marinade and you will find many adobos around the world. But Arequipa’s adobo is quite different from the other adobos in the world.

The arequipeño dish is a soupy pork stew, slow-simmered with chicha de jora, spicy rocoto pepper, aji panca, garlic, onions, oregano, cumin, and other herbs and spices. It is made in a clay pot to take advantage of all its flavor and It is cooked overnight.

Currently in the Cayma district it is possible to enjoy this dish every day in its famous picanterías (typical food establishments) Don’t forget to ask also for your “pan de tres puntas” (Bread with 3 cornes).

6.- Ocopa Arequipeña – Spicy traditional sauce

Ocopa Arequipena is a simple dish consisting of cooked and sliced potatoes covered in a Ocopa sauce.

Yes! IT IS THE SAUCE that gives it that special touch to this dish, since it is made from yellow hot pepper, onions, garlic, huacatay (a typical local herb), roasted peanuts, walnuts, cheese and breadcrumbs.

Bu, what make the big different to the taste?

– It is the Huacatay (called black mint) is an endemic herb from Peru, it belongs to the mint family, I could say that it has a touch of bitterness like mint, but it has simply a unique flavor and aroma.

🙂 Boiled eggs, whole olives and lettuce leaves can be added to the unique “Ocopa arequipeña”.

7.- El Escribano – “The writer or Notary”

“El Escribano” is considered the ancestor of many dishes in Arequipa and its name comes from the tradition of the type of diners.

It is said that the origin of this dish dates back to colonial times. The judges, lawyers and especially the “Escribano (or writer)”, who exercised the functions of our current Notaries, went to the picanterías to eat something very quickly before the next session or at the end of their daily workday.

Sometimes they arrive to early or to late and did not always find food ready, so the spicy dishes would put on the table with a little of what was in all typical Arequipa cuisine; potatoes, tomatoes and of course the spicy rocoto, making sure that is very spicy so the diners become thirsty and consumed a lot of chicha (Traditional drink), while the main meal arrived.

They say that some of the diners came up with the idea of mixing everything they had on hand and made their version of salad and so, this improvised dish, became part of the menu in the picanterías. As most of the diners were Notaries, they baptized it with that name, although it was also served to other members of the legal service and later to the general public.

8.- La Chicha de Guiñapo (Traditional drink)

As you’re traveling in Peru and visit traditional restaurants you may encounter a interesting drink called “Chicha de Jora”. This beverage is dating back thousands of years. Chicha is a timeless and iconic drink that every visitor to Peru should taste at least once.

La chicha de Jora is made similarly to other types of beer: by germinating corn, extracting malt sugars, boiling the wort, and then fermenting.

BUT…. In Arequipa you will find another version of the Chicha and this is the “Chica de Guiñapo”.

Chicha de guiñapo is the signature variety of Arequipa and uses a special type of maize (Purple) which only grows in that region. It is fermented for a couple of days, which gives it a low alcohol content of around 2-3%.

The taste is light and sweet, and it so perfect to any of of the spicy food of the unique Arequipa gastronomy.

And do you get curious? We got to open your appetite?

 

Arequipa is a destination that will fill you with surprises and beautiful experiences, not only not only for its incredible geographical areas, parks and culture heritage, but will also be a feast for the good palate.

visit Arequipa in peru

We are waiting for you!

Giardino Blog

#ITravelwithGiardino #OneJourneyManyExperiences

 

Other links:

Embroidery in the Colca Valley a Cultural Heritage of the Nation

The interdimensional gate Aramu Muru. Fascination & mystery.

Chan Chan mud city, keeps surprising the world!

Undoubtedly it can be affirmed that the craftsmanship of the Colca valley is extraordinary, due to the high development achieved, but very particularly that development is appreciated in its textile art of embroidery.

Through folklore, the Colca people express their culture through symbolic representations related to ecology, their cultural, social, geographical and historical environment and, therefore, are important elements of cultural identity and / or ethnic heritage.

We will find skirts, shirts, hats, blankets, sweaters, chullos (hats), gloves, stockings, scarves, ponchos and other beautifully embroidered fabrics which all reflect the uses and customs of the men and women of Colca valley and their close relationship with nature.

This art also reflects the spirituality of the local people, where the iconography and polychrome, with colorful works, shows the richness and art of the Andean cosmo-vision.

The technique for embroidery work is called the “maquinasca” (sewing machine), which is a widely known technique in the southern Andean region. The artists take the machine and begin to embroider hearts, chamomile and cantuta flowers, sparrows, etc.

In addition, and according to the client’s requirements, other representative products of the region such as “trout” can be added to the work. Sometimes, to give it a more elegant touch, the artists complement their work with industrial fabrics, gold and silver silks and ornaments of different colors.

But beyond the craft itself, as a result of a work, at the center of all this is the human factor, the craftsman, who with their artistic hands turns every product into unique pieces in which they express their creativity and imagination but supported by the realities of their daily and ancestral life.

And this is the most prominent factor in the inevitable association of tourism with the crafts of the destinations that we visit.

All type of Crafts offers to the travelers the opportunity to take home “the stories”. Each Souvenir is more than a thing, is the “memory” that transform itself to a open book, that talk to us with all the symbols through which the territories visited murmur magical stories to travelers and their environment.

Today’s traveler not only wants to see places but also to experience them, feel that they are part of their life for a moment, living the culture, their artisans and their manifestations.

The magnificent Colca region has many reasons for you to visit it, but without a doubt, it is also the place that allows you to bend time, find calm and awaken in each one of us the passion for life details.

Write down the “Colca canyon” among your great travel destinations, here you will find thousands of reasons to live the legend! And consider to spend more then one night to enjoy experiences full of emotions, respect and learning.

We are waiting for you!

Giardino Blog

#ITravelwithGiardino #OneJourneyManyExperiences

 

Other links:

8 highlights of Arequipa – Tips to enjoy Peru’s prettiest city

Peru Packing List post Covid-19: 5 Items that You Need to take to your Peru Trip

Peru Travel Restrictions Covid-19: Updates to Government of Peru

Location:

“La Puerta” (The door) is located 35 kilometers from the city of Puno (Lake Titicaca area), in south area of the district of Ilave in the province of Collao and 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from Puno city. This enigmatic place It is located also near a fascinating stone forest and the terrain is cold and quite dry.

The portal has the shape of a square with 7 meters on each side and it is carved in a unique rock. So far no in-depth archaeological study has been conducted that can reveal the date when the first settlers began to consider this door “a sacred place”.

Data:

For many, Aramu Muru door is a place where a lot of energy is concentrated, our body and soul are immediately nourished, also you get a feeling of to be in a safe place, where the body feels free and all the pressures of that daily life go away.  A place where you encounter peace. For many people this is a good place to meditate on our daily and spiritual lives. To find the answers to many questions and return home with more hope and energy.

But lets us to talk a bit more about the legends of the area, that will lead us to understand why it is considered a mystical and special place.

According to story-telling and legends, when the Spanish arrived in the Inca empire, there was a priest named Aramu Muro, who belonged to the monastery of the 7 rays and was responsible for the initiation ceremony and worship of the God; The “Inti” (the Sun).

Legends said that Aramu Muru was the one who took the golden solar disk kept in Koricancha tempel (Sun tempel in Cusco) and fled from the Spanish conquers to some place save place in the Juli Province (Lake Titicaca). Then, he reached the sacred door and placed the Sun disk on the door, using it as a door key, and opened the door. After that, he cross the portal and disappeared behind it.

Nowadays; locals carry out rituals of all kinds at the door of Aramu Muru, to ask for peace, to say thank you to the Gods or ask for hope.

Also the door is a very attractive spot for many esoteric groups, that visit the place hoping that maybe the door will be opened, and they have a chance to see a bit to the world of the Gods.

“The legend says that this door opens only for those people who are spiritually ready to connect to the spirit of Lake Titicaca.”

But without doubt, Aramu Muru is a place surrounded by mystery, where people comment that they have had sightings of strange lights and claim to have had visions of stars or columns of fire, or to have heard sounds and have even felt the presence of a tunnel behind the door.

Interesting is also that just on the other side of the mountain, Archeologist have found the remains of what seems to be a tunnel that connected the cities of Tiahuanaco (Bolivia)  and Cusco city. They think that this tunnel was used by the Incas to move around the areas. According to Inca traditions and legends, this tunnel was built before the Inca empire arrive in the area, and only was used by the Incas.

The question is…  if the Incas were not the builders of this tunnel, then who were they?

There are many interesting and fascinating stories and legends that surround the mystical world of ancient Peru, such as the legend of Lake Titicaca, from where Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo (Founders of the Inca empire) emerged and in which “La isla de la Luna” (Moon island) is located, in this island you will find similar doors.  Or the ceremonial center of “Ñaupa Iglesia” in Cusco city, in the province of Urubamba, where you can also find a similar wall or door and many rituals take place.

Certainly many questions that we cannot answer yet.

When to visit Aramu Muru?

The best time to visit Aramu Muru is in August because the earth is said to be more willing to accept offerings. But the truth is that July and August are the months where most people visit it to explore, make same hiking, rituals etc.

So, what do you think?  Do you dare to visit places enclosed with so much mystery?

Whatever the reason is that you visit Aramu Muru, you will certainly be fascinated, for the natural beauty that surrounds Lake Titicaca, the varied geography, the legends or the spiritual energy that undoubtedly recharges us in this beautiful area of ​​Peru.

We are ready to take you on this adventure

And you?

We will wait for you!!!

GIARDINO BLOG

#OneTripManyExperiences #ITravelwithGiardino

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¡We have great news this May 2021! 🙂

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Peru’s second-largest protected natural area located in Loreto region— once again attracted the interest of the international tourism, as it was chosen as a must-visit destination during the 41st edition of the International Tourism Fair – FITUR 2021 in Madrid, Spain.

This was reported by the Spanish newspaper español La Vanguardia, in an article that explores destinations to travel “despite” COVID-19. This article was wroten by the journalist Lidia Bernaus and published in the  Magazine Lifestyle.

In the publication, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is described as “an amazing place that will impress even the most adventurous people.”

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is the only tourist attraction in Peru and the Americas that stands out as a world’s must-visit destination at FITUR 2021.

The Reserve is a tropical humid forest that can be flooded, and is home of lagoons such as El Dorado, and where up to 1,000 species of animals and more than 900 wild plants live, in addition to 50 native communities that are dedicated to hunting, fishing, and agriculture. Also the tourism as one of their main means of subsistence.

The extension of the reserve represents 1.5% of the Peruvian territory and 6% of the Loreto region, likewise, it is somewhat larger than the area of ​​Slovenia and comparable to 50% of the territory of Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands or Costa Rica or the 23% from Portugal, which ensures the ecological and genetic representativeness of the region.

Other destinations mentioned in this article include the volcanic island El Hierro, which is one of the Canary Islands  (Spain), Palma de Mallorca (Spain), the city of Cairo (Egypt), Bohol Island (Philippines), among others.

Clima:

The annual mean temperature ranges between 20 and 33 °C, while the annual mean precipitation ranges between 2000 and 3000 mm.[2] It is advisable to visit the reserve between May and January.[2] The climograph shown here corresponds to the nearby town of Nauta (93 m of elevation).

Tourism:

It is not possible to enter the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve on your own, it is always necessary to acquire the services of an authorized travel agency, a hostel, a cruise (luxury boats) or contact directly with the groups organized within the reserve.

On April 22, 2021, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Claudia Cornejo, delivered the Safe Travels International Seal to the Iquitos-Amazon River-Pacaya Samiria National Reserve tourist destination. This was possible thanks to the coordination with the tourism sector, meeting in the Regional Pro Tourism Committee of Loreto.

We keep organizing and preparing ourselves better than ever, so that our travelers will enjoy our country in the safest, most personalized and sustainable way.

We are waiting for you!

GIARDINO BLOG

#OneTripManyExperiences #ITravelwithGiardino

 

Fuentes:

Mincetur / Turiweb / Wikipedia / Fitur2021

 

Other links:

8 highlights of Arequipa – Tips to enjoy Peru’s prettiest city

Peru Packing List post Covid-19: 5 Items that You Need to take to your Peru Trip

Peru Trip: Altitude mountain sickness and 6 easy tips to avoid it

The Tambopata National Reserve is the dream place for any nature lover, It is one of the most precious biodiverse areas of our Peru.

The Tambopata National Reserve (RNTMB) is located south of the Madre de Dios River in the Tambopata and Inambari districts of the Tambopata province, in Madre de Dios department. It has an extension of 274 690.00 hectares and its most common ecosystems are aguajales, swamps, pacales and river side forests, whose natural characteristics allow local people to take advantage of natural resources.

Tambopata is home of 632 species of birds, 1200 species of butterflies, 169 species of mammals and hundreds of species of trees and plants. On the other hand, it is also home of many local communities such as the Ese Eja native community with thousands of indigenous families residing in that place.

We present here the best-known tourist routes for Tambopata Natural reserve.

Sandoval Lake

This is the most visited tourist destination in the Reserve and with good reason.

If your plan is to spend a relaxing moment full of peace and connection with nature, this lake is the perfect destination. It is considered the most beautiful lake in the Peruvian jungle with 3 km long by 1 km wide and a depth between half a meter and 3 meters.

In its waters you will find a large family of giant otters that can be seen hunting or resting on the logs. There is also an observatory tower for a panoramic view and due to its richness of mangroves and palm trees you can observe a large number and variety of birds that makes the place a truly paradise.

Macaw clay lick

Who has not shared in Instagram photo where the Macaws are stapled to the wall and are a feast of colors? – Well in this Collpa you can live the experience live and make it one of “your photos”.

This visit to the Macaw Clay Lick offers an impressive show of color and sound (Special between 5:30 and 9:00 am). The clay licks are low cliffs caused by the erosion of the rivers which exposes mineral salts and organic components which are used by the great diversity of macaws and parrots as a complement to their diet.

There are several clay licks, but the best known and frequented by travelers are “El chuncho” and “Colorado”, their access is by river (canoe) and along the way you also will enjoy the diversity of the nature observing sachavacas, ronsocos, squirrels, monkeys and others.

Indigenous communities

The best thing about traveling is getting to know new cultures and traditions. The communities that inhabit this reserve are already partly used to the visitors and many of their members are part of the reserve’s protection programs.

With the communities we will be able to share their traditions and culture in a respectful way, thus living a very pleasant experience. Within these communities are the Eje Esa, the Harakbut and the Matsigenka, among others.

Activities:

The reserve offers programs of all kinds and for all types of travelers: Specialized tourism, family tourism, programs for children, adventure tourism, botanical, etc .

The reserve offers everything that a nature and adventure lover loves: walks, river rides, search for the river wolf, piranha fishing, talks for children about Biodiversity, night walks, Observatories, bike rides etc . Check here the activity offers of some of the most sustainable Lodges and choose the one you like the most.

How to visit and what should I consider for a healthy experience in Tambopata Natural Reserve?

The first thing you should do is find out about the lodges, research centers and Lodges that offer complete sustainable programs within the reserve.

Remember that it is important that your trip does not generate a negative impact, but rather helps us to promote responsible tourism.

We as travelers have great power “Your trip with the right company not only gives you a spectacular experience, but also contributes to making the reserve sustainable and protected.

The starting point is the city of Puerto Maldonado (From Lima and Cusco you can arrive by plane) Once there, a representative of the Lodge where you have made your reservation, will be waiting for you to transfer the boat to your respective Accommodation and thus start to your purchased program.

• Tour Programs in the Jungle normally include Full board service, so it is important that you bring with you only what you need for the excursions and personal medication.
• Electric power in most lodges is operated by generators that are turned on in the morning, around lunch, and for dinner. When you arrive at your hostel, the staff will inform you the electricity time schedule. Do not forget that the 110 V voltage will not work in Peru, in Peru we use the 220V.
• The Weather conditions in general is hot and humid. In Tambopata, the average daytime temperature is between 78F and 93F (24C and 31C). The nighttime average is between 66F and 78F (20C and 24C).
• Most travel agencies or Lodges have an office in Puerto Maldonado where you can leave the luggage that you do not want to take with you for the expedition in the jungle.
• Also a great tip is to bring spare batteries (we recommend that you bring 3 spare batteries).
• Make sure you have enough storage on your card, because most people take more photos than what they expect.

Due to the pandemic, all lodges in the Amazon forest now must apply a strict bio-security protocol. Please check direct with your lodge or with your travel consultant  about this information and verify that the regulations are being followed.

It is important to take care not only of your health, but also the health of all people in the communities that you’ll visit.

Check here our Travel List and Tips for a Trip to Peru with all Information that you will need before the trip 😉

Ready to visit Tambopata? – An amazing experience is waiting for you!

Giardino Tours – Blog

 

#ITravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperience

 

Sources:

Monica. (23 de febrero de 2020).  / Sernap: Reserva de Tambopata.

 

Other links that may interesting for you:

Peru Packing List post Covid-19: 5 Items that You Need to take to your Peru Trip

Tips for a Responsible Peru Travel Experience!