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Tour Arequipa: The fascinating stone city of Choqolaqa

by Giardino Tours

In Choqolaqa the capriciousness of nature and wind made shaped the gigantic rocks, that resemble figures of every conceivable form, which made this place an interesting destination for those who like to explore nature, and why not… a little bit of an adventure.

The journey starts from the city of Arequipa or Colca canyon and it is highly recommended that you travel to this destination with a serious Tour Operator.

Route from Arequipa to Choqolaqa

If you start from Arequipa the journey will go toward Tisco town, which is the closest village to the “Choqolaqa Geopark” and the drive takes approximately 5 hours. Tisco village has about 1850 inhabitants and is located at 4188 meters above sea level.

The Tisco village is a fascinating “journey into the past” where you can interact with the local vicuña breeders, walk through its traditional streets with their thatched-roof houses, or visit its beautiful colonial church dating back to the year 1650.

The hike to the stone city “Choqolaqa” from Tisco takes about 2 hrs, however if you are with a transport  it is possible that you drive closer to a view point from which the walk to the stones will be about  1 hr.

According to ancestral stories told by the locals, Choqolaqa was a city of large palaces, streets, avenues and zoos. But the locals also say that this city and its inhabitants disobeyed the “Apus” (The Gods) who therefore turned this whole city into pure stone.

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 #OneTripManyExperiencies1

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Peru Great Destinations

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

by Giardino Tours
The Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve is one of the most important natural attractions of the city of Arequipa. This attraction, next to the Colca Valley, are the two most impressive ecosystems in the region.
Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve

The Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve was established in 1979 as a place for the protection of vicuñas, but today it also represents the main water reserve of the city of Arequipa and surroundings.

The reserve is distinguished by the presence of the majestic volcanoes Ubinas, Pichupichu, Misti and Chachani on the southwest part, and by the snow-capped Chuccura and Huarancante on the north side and  has an area of 366,936 hectares. And an altitude  between 3500 and 6000 meters.

The high Andean plains, dotted with beautiful lagoons and wetlands, complete the icy landscape of most of the territory inhabited mainly by South American camelids and by a large number of terrestrial and aquatic birds.

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

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Culture & TraditionsFeaturedLake TiticacaPeru Great Destinations

The interdimensional gate Aramu Muru. Fascination & mystery.

by Giardino Tours
“A portal, that according to a legend allowed the Inca’s priests to be transported to different places of the Inca Empire and even to any place of  the world” The interdimensional gate Aramu Muru also known as: Hayu Marca means: “City of spirits or” Willka Uta: “Place of the sun or gate of the gods.”
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 #ITravelwithGiardinoOther links:

Protecting Our Planet Starts with You – 9 Things You Can Do

Quechua Travel Words: Useful words for a great Peru experience

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

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Pacaya samiria national reservePeru Great DestinationsTravel Tips

Pacaya Samiria Reserve: A world destination not to be missed

by Giardino Tours

Pacaya Samiria Reserve: A world destination not to be missed

¡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.”

[vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”2969,2970″ img_size=”large”]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

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Peru Great Destinations

Tambopata National Reserve: How to visit this amazing destination

by Giardino Tours

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 0 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![vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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”]

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Peru Great Destinations

Taquile Island: Details and great Tips for your Tour

by Giardino Tours

Taquile Island, another jewel of Titicaca Lake

Set within Lake Titicaca, Taquile Island has a colorful history and a distinct culture.

Taquileans are so well-known for intricate and well-made handwoven textiles that in 2005 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared them to be a “Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage.” These textiles are a character-defining element of their culture .

Taquile: Nature, culture and knitters

Taquile island is home of a Quechua population of about 2,000 people who are mainly farmers, fishermen and above all renowned weavers.

By the age of seven, boys are proficient knitters. In fact, the entire family is involved in knitting or weaving. Children knit “chullos” (hats), gloves and finger puppets of condors and llamas, common animals of the Andes. Women hand-spin the soft fleece of the sheep and alpaca into fine yarn for sweaters and blankets.

The island offers beautiful landscapes of hills, stone archways and, of course, the blue water of lake Titicaca around it.

The locals grow crops like corn, beans and quinoa on the pre-Incan terraces that cover its hilly terrain. Thanks to a largely vegetarian diet, the locals are said to live an average of 90-100 years.

The island is largely untouched by modernity with not even a bicycle to be seen in the island.

In July, villagers observe the Feast of Santiago Apostol with music and dancing. Whether celebrating weddings or religious holidays, there is always a reason to enjoy the folk music and dance that is an important part of island life.

Taquileños run their society based on community collectivism and on the Inca moral code „ama sua, ama llulla, ama qhilla“ (Quechua for “do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy”).

The island has a radio station and is equipped with generators. Islanders have elected to use solar panels to generate energy.

Location:

Taquile Island is located 36 Km (22 miles) away from the city of Puno. It takes a 2 and half-hour boat ride to arrive in the island’s main dock.

The island highest elevation is 4100 m (13451 feet); it has a length of 5 Km (3.10 miles) and a width of 1.5 Km (0.93 miles). To walk across the island takes about two hours.

Tours to Taquile island

You can enjoy Taquile in 2 forms:

A full day Excursion:

These tours has a departure in Puno and begin with a visit to the floating island Uros before continuing to Taquile.

During the visit to Taquile visitors follow enjoyable paths that gradually take them to the main village or to other more remote sectors of Taquile. These other paths of access to the main village allow you to catch spectacular views of Lake Titicaca.

Many tours try to avoid climbing up the 535 stairs that take the visitors to the main village, but it is unavoidable to walk the stairs down to go back to the main dock.  So it is very important you have a good physical condition and good boots to walk.

Also a demonstration of traditional Andean weaving is the highlight of this visit.

A 2 days Excursion with a Overnight in Taquile:

If you decide for an overnight experience in Taquile Island,  (Normally with a previous visit to Uros floating islands) you can take your time and visit interesting sights with a host family, such as monuments to Pachamama (Mother Earth) , which are especially fascinating during Taquile’s wild festivals.

Enjoy the sunset and sunrise. 😉

Staying with a family gives you the chance that a local family will open its doors to you and you’ll get a glimpse into the Taquile lifestyle and the family’s dynamics, all topped off with a delicious homemade meal.

Additionally, you must know that the island’s tourism is operated exclusively by its inhabitants, so you’ll get first-hand knowledge from locals who know the area.

We highly recommend that you book your tours with a serious and formal travel agency. Please get informed about the company where you are going to take your tour in order to ensure that the tours are realized in a sustainable way and if handling is in accordance with the respect of the local rules and activities of the island.

@GiardinoTours

#ITravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiences

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FeaturedPeru Great Destinations

Discover Uros, the floating islands on lake Titicaca and how to book a Tour

by Giardino Tours
The floating islands of UROS are located inside the bay of Lake Titicaca only 14 Km. (about 9 miles) away from the city of Puno (20 to 30 minutes of navigation time). These human-made islands constructed from reeds are without doubt one of the fascinating half-day Tours from Puno on Lake Titicaca. – Perú.
How the islands are made?

The floating islands are constructed from many layers of the totora reeds, which are constantly replenished from the top as they rot from the bottom, so the ground is always soft and dry as much as possible. (When you visit the islands please be careful not to put your foot through any rotten sections!)

Nowadays, the reeds are still very important material for the Uros. They eat the reeds, build boats and houses with them, feed their few animals with reeds, and they use the reeds to make fire and cook.

We can say that the Totora are the backbone of Uros’ life.

Each islet is home to between one and ten Uros families. Also in some islets children are able to attend kindergarten and elementary school . However, older children must continuing their education in Puno city.

That make the future of Uros, their traditions and way of life uncertain.

Origen of the name

“URU” was the name of a very particular ethnic group that co-existed in lake Titicaca with the Inkas, Aymaras and possibly with older civilizations.

Today some theories claim that in the name “Uru” derives from the Pukina language; (also spelled Puquina) and it is already mentioned that this may have been the native and secret language of the Incas, and has remained hidden for hundreds of years.

The first clue to this language is given by the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega in his Royal Comments. In this work, the author tells us the following:

“The Incas had another particular language that spoke between them, that the other Indians did not understand it nor was it lawful for them to learn it, as divine language,”

He also adds that according to information from their sources, this language “had been totally lost, because, The particular republic of the Incas perisched and their language perished too.“

According to documents it is known that the Spanish Empire decreed in 1575 as the official languages of the kingdom of Peru, three languages: Quechua, ayumara and puquina. Languages that were to be learned primarily by Spanish priests for evangelizing purposes.

Rodolfo Cerrón Palomino, Peruvian linguist, explains that the Spanish people had a quite pragmatic approach. So, seeing that the mayority of people already spoke Quechua or Aymara, they did not see the use in creating documents in Pukina language. “We lost a great opportunity to have materials for this language,” laments Palomino.

The Uros People

In fact, it is believed that the Uros people were one of the first ethnic groups populating the Andean region. Contrary to the claim by many authors that the Uros’ ethnic group is extinguished; a recent study of the genetic structure of the Quechua and Aymara groups of lake Titicaca has found that today’s UROS people preserve part of the original gene of ancient Uros.

These people were simple fishermen, bird hunters and recoletc eggs from the reeds and preferred to remain isolated from the other civilizations. Their search for isolation may be one reason why they decided to live in mobile boats on the lake.

When the Spanish chroniclers encountered the UROS by the end of the XVI century, the UROS people were still living on the lake in small reed-boats that they used as floating houses. Only in the early 60s, the Uros started to build small artificial islands with reeds for bigger homes.Today the Uros Islands are floating on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, a few miles from Puno city. On the past the islands used to be closer to the middle of the lake Titicaca, but they moved or rebuilt the islands closer to the shore after a devastating storm in 1986.

Uros is a gem on Titicaca lake; thanks to existing Uros people, we can still imagine and appreciate the way of life of an ancient ethnic group on the Andean area of Lake Titicaca.

How to book the Tour to Uros Islands
  • The best way to visit the Uros Islands is a guided tour from Puno city. All guided tours depart to Uros every day specially during dry season.
  • Most boats depart in the morning between 7 and 8 AM. The ride take about 20 minutes to the islands.
  • The city of Puno is easily accessible from Cusco, Arequipa, and La Paz, Bolivia.
  • Cusco and Puno are well connected with transportation options. From Arequipa, Colca Canyon tours can continue onto Puno by van. Buses run daily to and from La Paz.
  • Each tour of Uros begins with a demonstration on how the islands are made. After that, the islanders invite their guests to visit a home built from the same Totora reeds.

The islanders always present their handicrafts to tourists towards the end of each tour. While some visitors find this annoying, it is important to keep in mind that a large percentage of their income comes from selling souvenirs to tourists.

Travel Tips

  • The best time to visit the Uros Islands is during the dry season from April to November.
  • Bring your passport for a souvenir stamp on one of the main islands (additional cost of 1 sol per stamp).
  • Each tour to Uros Islands visits two islands. IN the tour you will have the option to take a handmade reed boat from first island to the second island (15-20 minute ride). This boat ride costs an additional 10 soles per person. This payment goes directly to the family that owns the boat.
  • Important: Remember that Uros Islands and Lake Titicaca sit at 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) above sea level. It is best to acclimatize by first visiting cities in lower altitudes such as Arequipa or Cusco before heading to Lake Titicaca.
  • Fort he Tour to Uros and specially for tours in the andean area; bring sun protection, warm layers, comfy shoes.
  • The best time to depart on Tours to Lake Titicaca is in the morning. Therefore, we recommend staying in a Puno hotel one night before visiting the lake.

Giardino Tours

Fuentes:

Wikipedia / www.pucp.edu.pe / Lonely Planet@GiardinoToursPeru

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Peru Great Destinations

Tour to Nazca lines: 6 real facts about the mysterious lines

by Giardino Tours
The Nazca lines are found in a region of Peru just over 200 miles southeast of Lima, near the modern town of Nazca.
In total, there are over 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures and 70 animal and plant designs, also called biomorphs.
Some of the straight lines run up to 30 miles, while the biomorphs range from 50 to 1200 feet in length (as large as the Empire State Building).

Interesting 6  facts that you should know about the Nazca Lines

  1. More than 1,500 geoglyphs are known in Nazca so far. The lines and geometrical figures extend over 500 square kilometers in southern of Peru. The figures are up to 1.9 kilometers, the lines up to 10 kilometers.
  2. They were made in the period of 800 BC. to 650 AC and probably go back to the Paracas and Nazca people, lost cultures of Peru before Inca period.
  3. Actually, new drawings continues appearing. A cat drawing was only discovered on a slope in October 2020.
  4. A more recent hypothesis about the meaning of the lines assumes that the figures illustrate the request for rain. Argument: They show many animals that would not survive in the desert, but need jungle and water.
  5. The Nazca Lines are a major tourist attraction in Peru. The airport in Nazca was named in honor to Maria Reiche; a  German mathematician (Dresdren) who saved and studied the lines . Her small mud hut now houses the Maria Reiche museum.
  6. Joe Nickell, an American investigator, reproduced the figures in the early 21st century by using the same tools and technology that would have been available to the Nasca people. In so doing, he refuted the 1969 hypothesis of Erich von Däniken, who suggested that “ancient astronauts” had constructed the Lines.

[vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”2103,2101,2105,2108,2107,1944,2106,2102,2104″ img_size=”large” css_animation=”fadeIn”]

How were Nazca’s lines made?

The lines are known as geoglyphs – drawings on the ground made by removing rocks and earth to create a “negative” image. The rocks which cover the desert have oxidized and weathered to a deep rust color, and when the top 12-15 inches of rock is removed, a light-colored, high contrasting sand is exposed.

Because there’s so little rain, wind and erosion, the exposed designs have stayed largely intact for 500 to 2000 years.

Scientists believe that the majority of lines were made by the Nazca people, who flourished from around A.D. 1 to 700.

Brief discovery details of Nazca Lines:

Toribio Mejia Xesspe, a Peruvian archaeologist, began a systematic study of the lines in 1926, but the geoglyphs only gained widespread attention when pilots flew over them in the 1930s. Experts have debated the purpose of the Nazca Lines since then.

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, American historian Paul Kosok studied the geoglyphs from the ground and air. On June 22, 1941, the American professor Paul Kosok was investigating one of the lines – just one day after the winter solstice – when at the end of the day he found himself at the foot of one of the lines.  Kosok looked up and realized that the sunset was in direct alignment with the line.

Kosok called the 310 square mile stretch of high desert “the largest astronomy book in the world”.

Kosok was followed by the German Maria Reiche, who became known as the “Lady of the Lines”. Reiche studied the lines for 40 years and fought unyieldingly for her theories on the lines’ astronomical and calendrical purpose (she received a National Geographic grant in 1974 for her work).

Reiche battled single-handedly to protect the site; she even lived in a small house near the desert so she could personally protect the lines.

New huge cat geoglyph was discovered on 2020

This particular geoglyph is a gigantic cat.  It measures at 37 metres long, and the lines are 10 inches wide! The enormous feline was found when workers were improving an access point for visitors to look out onto the hills.

The figure is actually older than some of the other geoglyphs in the area. It was discovered by a drone exploration covering the land.

How to visit Nazca?

To Nazca city you must arrive by bus. Buses depart from Lima every hour or so, take around seven hours (Depending oft he company) and the cost is about  US$35 to US$ 40 per person.[vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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”]Taking to the skies to see the lines:

Once in Nazca, there are only two options for viewing the amazing lines:

1.-  To climb the nearby observation tower.

2.- To take a fly over the lines. Flying is undoubtedly preferable as it offers a bird’s eye view of the most important etchings. (Attention: 30-minute flight consists of numerous sharp turns which leave most travelers feeling seriously nauseous). Take an anti-nausea tablet from a local pharmacy and try not to eat any big meals within a few hours of take off.

Early morning departures are best as there tends to be less turbulence and better visibility. The price is between 80 and 100 US $ for 30‘ minutes overflight, to which must be added a Airport tax fee S/. 25 soles (about US$8).

Visit the Museum

This is a great tip! We recommned to visit the two excellent local museums, the Casa-Museo Maria Reiche and the Museo Antonini, both provide detailed information about these ancient pre-Inca people and some of their possible motivations for drawing the lines.Sources:

Radio Nacional . (8 de junio de 2020). maria-reiche-la-mujer-que-barria-el-desierto Peru Travel: promperu Nasca Lines History: https://www.history.com/topics/south-america/nazca-lines BR Wisen: https://www.br.de/wissen/nazca-linien-peru-maria-reiche-frau-geschichte-frauengeschichte-102.html BBC: https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-41474754 RTVE . (16 de Octubre de 2020). https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20201017/descubren-nuevo-geoglifo-forma-gato-lineas-nazca/2045941.shtml

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Peru Great Destinations

Machu Picchu: Check these amazing secrets before the Tour

by Giardino Tours

 

Machu Picchu:

A stone city built on the top of an isthmus, between two mountains and between two geological faults, in a region subject to constant earthquakes and, above all, heavy rains all year round. No doubt that this city was a challenge for any master of engineering.

1.- Machu Picchu  It’s no stranger to earthquakes.

 

The stones in the most handsome buildings throughout the Inca Empire used no mortar. These stones were cut so precisely, and wedged so closely together, that a credit card cannot be inserted between them.

Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefits of this building style, there are engineering advantages.

Peru is a seismically unstable country—both Lima and Cusco have been leveled by earthquakes—and Machu Picchu itself was constructed atop two fault lines. When an earthquake occurs, the stones in an Inca building are said to “dance;” that is, they bounce through the tremors and then fall back into place.

Without this building method, many of the best known buildings at Machu Picchu would have collapsed long ago.

 

2.- Much of the most impressive stuff is invisible.

 

While the Inca are best remembered for their beautiful walls, their civil engineering projects were incredibly advanced as well. (Especially, as is often noted, for a culture that used no draft animals, iron tools, or wheels.)

The site we see today had to be sculpted out of a notch between two small peaks by moving stone and earth to create a relatively flat space. The engineer Kenneth Wright has estimated that 60 percent of the construction done at Machu Picchu was underground.

Much of that consists of deep building foundations and crushed rock used as drainage. (As anyone who’s visited in the wet season can tell you, Machu Picchu receives a lot of rain.)

 

3.- The location of Machu Picchu is not a coincidence

 

On Monday, 23 Sept. 2019, at the Geological Society of America Annual meeting in Phoenix, Rualdo Menegat, a geologist at Brazil’s Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, will present the results of a detailed geoarchaeological analysis that suggests the Incas intentionally built Machu Picchu — as well as some of their cities — in locations where tectonic faults meet.

“Machu Pichu’s location is not a coincidence,” says Menegat. “It would be impossible to build such a site in the high mountains if the substrate was not fractured.”

Menegat found that these faults and fractures occur in several sets, some of which correspond to the major fault zones responsible for uplifting the Central Andes Mountains during the past eight million years.

Because some of these faults are oriented northeast-southwest and others trend northwest-southeast, they collectively create an “X” shape where they intersect beneath Machu Picchu.

 

4.- There’s more than one peak to climb

 

When you visit Machu Picchu for sure you want to visit also the Huayna Picchu peak (the small green peak, shaped like a rhino horn, that appears in the background of many photos of Machu Picchu.) but only  400 people are permitted to climb Huayna Picchu daily.

Almost no one bothers to ascend the pinnacle that anchors the opposite end of the site, which is usually called Machu Picchu Mountain. At 1,640 feet it is twice as tall, and the views it offers of the area surrounding the ruins—especially the Urubamba River winding around Machu Picchu like a coiled snake—are spectacular.

 

5.- There’s a secret temple.

 

Should you be one of the lucky early birds who snags a spot on the guest list to Huayna Picchu, don’t just climb the mountain, snap a few photos, and leave.

Take the time to follow the hair-raising trail to the Temple of the Moon, located on the far side of Huayna Picchu. Here, a ceremonial shrine of sorts has been built into a cave lined with exquisite stonework and niches that were once probably used to hold mummies.

 

6.- It has a great sense of orientation

 

There is solid evidence that the builders took into account astronomical and ritual criteria for the construction of Machu Picchu, according to studies by Dearborn, White, Thomson and Reinhard, among others.

Indeed, the alignment of some important buildings coincides with the solar azimuth during the solstices, in a constant and therefore not accidental way, with the rising and setting points of the sun at certain times of the year and with the peaks of the surrounding mountains.

 

Recent research has shown that the site’s location of many constructions of the Incas and the orientation of them, was strongly influenced by the location of nearby holy mountains, or Apus.

 

 

For example, an arrow-shaped stone atop the peak of Huayna Picchu appears to point due south, directly through the famous Intihuatana Stone, to Mount Salcantay, one of the most revered apus in Inca cosmology.

 

Giardino Tours /  Travel Blog

 

@Giardinotoursperu

#ItravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiences

 

 

Sources:

National Geographic: Machu Picchu 10 secrets

Wikipedia: Machu Picchu

BBC News (Mitos y verdades de Machu Picchu)

La vanguardia: Machu Picchu en un lugar tan complicado

Science daily: Ancient Incan sanctuary intentionally built on faults

 

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Travel Tips

Colca canyon Travel Guide: 7 Questions about Colca Tours

by Giardino Tours
Colca canyon Travel Guide:  Find here the answers to frequently asked questions when you organize your trip to the Colca Canyon in Arequipa; Perú.  Colca canyon information that You Really Need To Know.

1.- Will I see Condors?

The Colca canyon is the “best place” in South America to see the Andean Condor. In our Colca canyon tours we will visit different viewing points to increase the chances to experience them closely.  If you get lucky they will fly just above your head! Remember that there is no guarantee that the condors will be seen, but in most cases it is possible to observe them at close range. 🙂

2.- Can I continue by land from Colca valley to Puno on Lake Titicaca?

Yes, this is possible!  And it is the most recommended itinerary to save time, because you do not have to return to Arequipa city.

If you are traveling alone: The Buses depart from Chivay plaza every day between 12 to 13:30 PM (approximately). It is recommended that you buy your bus ticket one day in advance. You must be at the bus station at least 40 minutes before Bus departure.In our organized Colca canyon excursions: In our Colca Tours the last day (Second day or Third day depending on your type of tour) you will return to Chivay town about 12:00 PM where you will have time for your lunch before taking our Giardino Transport and keep driving to Puno city (With stops on the route for pictures).

This transfer to Puno could be organized also with a Tourist Bus Company that offers this service. The coordination and logistic will be in our hands, so you don’t need to be worry and only relax and enjoy the tour!

You will be arriving in Puno about 7:00 PM (19:00hrs) and the drop off will be in your hotel (If it is located in city center), if your hotel is located out side of city center an extra charge can be added for transfer to your hotel.

3.- Can I start the Colca canyon 2 days tour from Puno?

YES! This service is possible in our Colca Canyon exclusive private tours!

But in case you want to join  a Group tour to Colca canyon and you are in Puno city; we can manage this provinding you with a transfer or Bus ticket from Puno to Chivay town; where you can join the Group Tour and keep the tour program until Arequipa city.

The transport or Bus will pick you up from your hotel between 6:00 to 6:15 am arriving at Chivay town approximately at noon, where you will join our Colca canyon Classic Tours  and keep the program according to the itinerary.

The excursions will end in Arequipa city in your hotel.

4.- I do not want to take all of my luggage to the tour. Where can I leave my luggage?

For excursion to Colca canyon with return to Arequipa city, hotels and hostels will normally store luggage in their safety deposit for free until you check-in again in your return.

In case your trip keep forward to Puno city, please inform us at the time of the Tour reservation so we can organized you with a group with similar schedule and provide with a transport with enough luggage space.

5.- I am afraid about altitude sickness: Is it a problem?

Altitude sickness can catch many travelers and normally we recommend that clients stay at least one night in Arequipa city in order to help to get to altitude.

To drink Coca Tea the frist day that you arrive to Arequipa will be very helpful! Also it is important to avoid alcoholic drinks and try to drink a lot of water.

In our tours to the Colca canyon our transportation provides “oxygen” in case of need.

6.- I want to do a Trek into the Colca canyon  but I am not traveling with any camping equipment.

If you travel solo: If you want to get down to the canyon it is only important that you have a very good physical condition and good orientation. In some villages as well as in the area near the Colca river are basic lodges where you can overnight. The lodges also offer dinner and lunch.

It is important that you get information about the route, take some maps or a GPS. Please keep on the marked routes and close to the villages. Don’t look for an adventure on unmarked routes. We strongly recommend taking a local guide.

If you take our Trekking Tours: For our organized tour only a good physical condition and a light personal backpack are required. Walking shoes and personal items.
The overnights during tour take place in basic rustic lodges at the bottom of the Canyon (provide bed, blankets and bathroom).

But it can get cold at nights and there is not heating, so it is important that you take with you warms clothes for the night and also light clothes for the day because can get very hot. – Very good Trekking shoes or boots is important.

7.- Family trips to Colca Canyon: Is right to travel with kids?

YES! It is great!  The Colca Valley is ideal for families especially if you are traveling with children.

Most travelers focus on hiking or to observe the condors on the canyon walls. However, children can enjoy a lot exploring the traditional villas during the short walks, bathing in  the hot springs pools, feeding animals, helping on the farms or sharing activities with locals.This is an extraordinary way to learn and share what the speed of the city has taken away from us; the harmony of nature and the ability to amaze us!
Activities such as feeding baby alpacas, horseback riding, hiking, artisanal textiles, games etc. are offered in family programs to the colca valley.

Ready to travel to one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in Peru?

Colca Canyon Travel Guide_ Giardino Tours

 

@GiardinoToursPeru

#ITravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiences

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