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Cusco Tour: 3 differences between Machu Picchu, Mountain & Huayna Picchu

by Giardino Tours

Today there are different concepts about entrances when you want to visit Machu Picchu that oft lead to some confusion to our travelers, here we explain you the differences:[penci_fancy_heading _text_align=”left” p_title=”Citadel or Sanctuary (LLaqta):” turn_on_title=”yes” _title_typo=”font_family:%3A” _title_fsize=”20px” _subtitle_typo=”font_family:%3A” _desc_typo=”font_family:%3A” title_color=”#3cc154″][/penci_fancy_heading]The Citadel or Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, are the Inca ruins itself, this is what we see in all pictures, that have made this Peruvian attraction so famous. There are buses from Machu Picchu Pueblo that take you to the entrance of the Sanctuary, where you will check your entrance ticket according to your booked schedule.
The citadel is located to 2.490 meters high and takes the name of the “Mountain” where it is located; in other words, the name of the “citadel itself“ still unknown.[penci_fancy_heading _text_align=”left” p_title=”Huayna Picchu Peak:” turn_on_title=”yes” _title_typo=”font_family:%3A” _title_fsize=”20px” _subtitle_typo=”font_family:%3A” _desc_typo=”font_family:%3A” title_color=”#3cc154″][/penci_fancy_heading]The famous Huayna Picchu peak is one of the mountains that is located in front of Machu Picchu citadel, and which can be climbed using a path that departs from the Citadel itself.
At the top there are some ruins and you will have an amazing view of the citadel and the area and if you want more, there is also another trail up to the temple of the moon.
This mountain is located to 2,720 mts and is only allows the entry of 400 people per day, in two groups of 200 persons (07:00 AM and 10:00 AM). For this reason the tickets must be bought in advance. The ascent takes approximately two hours, and the trail to the temple of the moon, or the Great Cavern, are about 4 hours.

Some facts:

  • It is known as the ‘Young Mountain’. Walking along its trails is recognized as one of the most incredible short walks on the planet.
  • The trails are steep and narrow. They were built on one side of the mountain. They can be terrifying for people afraid of heights.
  • If you suffer from vertigo or acrophobia, it’s best to avoid to walk to this mountain.

[penci_fancy_heading _text_align=”left” p_title=”Machu Picchu Mountain:” turn_on_title=”yes” _title_typo=”font_family:%3A” _title_fsize=”20px” _subtitle_typo=”font_family:%3A” _desc_typo=”font_family:%3A” title_color=”#3cc154″][/penci_fancy_heading]Now you know that the “Inca city” is located on the mountain of Machu Picchu at 2,490 meters; but the mountain has an altitude of 3.061 meters. So now you have the possibility to walk to the TOP of the Mountain “Machu Picchu”.
From there the view is also spectacular and has the big advantage that allow 600 persons per day in 2 time schedule 09:00AM and 10:00AM, still not so popular as Huayna Picchu peak so the tickets do not run out so fast; but an incredible view is guaranteed.[penci_fancy_heading _text_align=”left” p_title=”¿Aguas Calientes = Machu Picchu Pueblo?” turn_on_title=”yes” _title_typo=”font_family:%3A” _title_fsize=”20px” _subtitle_typo=”font_family:%3A” _desc_typo=”font_family:%3A” title_color=”#3cc154″][/penci_fancy_heading]Aguas Calientes, currently known as Machu Picchu Pueblo; It is the nearest town to the ruins. This town can only be reached by train or by walking. This is the town where the trains arrive from Cusco or Ollantaytambo for the tour to Machu Picchu, there are hotels for visitors, restaurants and you can do some shopping.
Now! From Machu Picchu Pueblo are the departures of the buses that drive up to Citadel, This drive takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Machu Picchu Pueblo is located at 2,040 meters and its name before (Aguas Calientes = Hot water) comes from the hot springs that are close to the town.

Machu Picchu:

The citadel of Machu Picchu is maybe the main reason that thousands of visitor travel to Peru and also appears in the top destinations list by U.S. News.

It is ranked as the eighth best place to visit. Machu Picchu was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 19, the ruins are today part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, and since 2007 is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world.

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Culture & TraditionsFeatured

Quechua Travel Words: Useful words for a great Peru experience

by Giardino Tours

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

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sustainabilityTravel Tips

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

by Giardino Tours

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:

[vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”2926,2931,2895,2925,2932,2894,2898,2900,2924,2930,2933″ img_size=”full”]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!

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Peru Great DestinationsTravel Tips

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

by Giardino Tours

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 #OneTripManyExperiencesInteresting 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[vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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”]

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Colca CanyonCulture & TraditionsFeaturedTravel Tips

Embroidery in the Colca Valley a Cultural Heritage of the Nation

by Giardino Tours
“On August 17th, 2018, was published on the newspaper “El Peruano” the knowledge and practices associated with embroidery in the Colca Valley a Cultural Heritage of the Nation”

“The recognition was granted for its important technical richness, historical, traditional and artistic value of the iconographic and symbolic contents that they communicate, which are strongly rooted in the Collagua and Cabana worldview, as part of a process of empowering identity of the culture of the population of the Colca valley. ” – Andina 2018

If you are going to visit the Colca canyon, you will be surprised not only by the affection, the spectacular views of the valley, the depths of one of the deepest canyons in the world, the flight of the condor, the joy and gastronomy of its people, but in addition, the parade of colors of their crafts, especially that of their traditional costumes, which represent the identity, love, art and pride of the region.

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

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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

Chan Chan mud city, keeps surprising the world!

by Giardino Tours

Chan Chan mud Citadel

We have been totally impressed with the ability of the Incas to create a citadel with exactly carved stones in which no card can enter between 2 stones, but …What do you think of a city before the Incas, made of clay with perfectly detailed friezes on its walls and maintained to this day?

“It came from the sea, it is not known from where, in a fleet of rafts, with all its court and warriors, it reached the north coast of what is now Peru, in the Moche valley and founded a kingdom. His name was Tacaynamo and he was the first ruler of Chan Chan, the most important city in Chimú. He had a son named Guacricaur, and Guacricaur had also a son he named Ñancempinco. There were ten kings of this dynasty. The last, Minchancaman was defeated by the Incas, who destroyed the city and divided the kingdom. “ –  (Anonymous, 1604)

So, tells the legend collected in the document “Anonymous History” written in 1604 by a Spanish chronicler, which narrates the founding of Chan Chan and the kingdom of Chimor.This admirable city is located in the Moche Valley in the department of La Libertad and is currently one of the most important architectural representations of pre-Inca history.

When the Chimú empire was subdued by the Inca Tupac Yupanqui, around 1470, Chan Chan was sacked and destroyed. When the Spanish arrived, the town was a practically abandoned ruin. So Diego de Almagro founded in 1534, a new town that he called Trujillo, in honor of Francisco Pizarro’s small homeland of Extremadura.

Chan Chan Citadel and its details

Chan Chan, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 is the largest mud citadel in America covering an area of ​​approximately 20 square kilometers.  Chan Chan has impressed the whole world with its magnitude and all the history that each one of its walls and narrow passages can tell us!

Most tourists only know Nik An (downtown house, in Spanish), the only one of the ten walled complexes open to the public. However, the largest adobe city in America – and the second in the world – is much more than that.

In the whole area there are numerous huacas (Tempels) and palaces, among them the incredible Utzh An (big house), which hid for 800 years the 20 wooden sculptures that surprised the world in 2017, after their first exhibition.

When archaeologists recently excavated the ceremonial entranceway to an ancient palace in Peru, they were excited to discover a series of 750-year-old wooden “guardians” flanking the passage. But there was an even bigger surprise in store as the statues emerged from the dirt: termites had chewed through the 19 wooden bodies over the centuries, leaving in their place two-foot-high human figures fashioned at least partially—and in some cases perhaps almost completely —from centuries-old insect excrement.
– Article National Geopraphic – Ancient palace guards ‘preserved’ .

[vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2615″ img_size=”large” onclick=””][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2616″ img_size=”large” onclick=””]Twenty wooden sculptures were buried under the sand that covered the entire Utzh An walled complex, from the years 1200 – 1350. It is the third time that figures of this type have been discovered; however, it is older and the representation attributed to it is also different.

In terms of ideology for the Chimú people, it seems that they are guardians. For those who enter to this site receive a visual impact from a wall that exceeds six meters high and the psychological impact, so the visitors realize that to the place they enter belongs to a very powerful being, so they must show humility and respect. –  Said Henry Gayoso – Representative of the project.

[vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2570″ img_size=”large”][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2569″ img_size=”large”]

Chan Chan Architectural details:

Its name, which comes from the muchil Jang-Jang and means “sun-sun” and was home to about 60,000 inhabitants. It is important to know that until today that excavations have brought to light only a small part.

This huge city is made up of 10  citadels and pyramids, 9 of these citadels have similar characteristics, however the form of stratification so strong reflects that it is divided by different social classes,  for example, the main citadels are protected by high walls and they have a single access facilitating the control of those who entered and left.

Chan Chan & the figures on the walls:

The walls are adobe brick covered with a smooth surface into which intricate designs are carved. The two styles of carving design include a realistic representation of subjects such as birds, fish, and small mammals, as well as a more graphic, stylized representation of the same subjects.

The carvings at Chan Chan depict crabs, turtles, and nets for catching sea creatures (such as Spondylus. Chan Chan, unlike most coastal ruins in Peru, is very close to the Pacific Ocean. This suggests that their main economic activity was based on fishing.

The caballitos de totora and Huachanco:

Both in Moche ceramics and in some wall reliefs, figures have been found that look like curious slippers-shaped boats. They are the famous caballitos de totora, which continue to be made and use in the Huanchaco area, a beach area of ​​Trujillo city.

These “Totoras” have hardly changed shape in several thousand years. It is known that they were used for fishing, and are made with bundles of reeds of the same name, a natural material that cannot hold for long time. The famous explorer Thor Heyerdal tried to show that with rafts similar to these, its first settlers would have arrived from Peru to Easter Island, a thesis discarded by the scientific community.

Something that is irrefutable is that both the Chimú and the Incas mentioned their origin in a legend, that said that the founder of their people would have mysteriously arrived on a raft from the mists of the sea.

The Totora boats of Huanchaco are the main attraction of this town. Here on this beach you can also see surfers, fishermen, family vacationers, seafood restaurants, vendors, etc.

How you can visit the Citadel of Chan Chan?

To get to Chan Chan you must go to Trujillo city. From Lima you can take a Bus (9 hrs) or also by plain in direct flights.

Chan Chan is only 5 km from the city of Trujillo, so you can take a bus in the direction of the city of Huanchaco, but indicate that you want to get off at the stop closest to Chan Chan.

If you go by Taxi, we recommend you take a safe one or organize it with your hotel.

The most recommended and practical way is to take a full day Tour to Chan Chan that includes not only the visit to the citadel but also the Site Museum, the Huaca Arco iris, Huanchaco beach  and the temples of the Sun and the Moon. – In addition, an organized tour save a lot of time in your visits taking you to the most interesting places!Visit a program to Trujillo and Chan Chan  in this link.

🙂 We will be waiting for you!!!

Giardino Tours – Blog

#ITravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiencesSource:

Andina. (19 de mayo de 20).  / Anonimo. (1604). Historia Anonima. / Reino Chimu; Peru: National Geopraphic / Vega, L. T. (2009). Arqueologia del Perú. /Arqueología Peru 2018

 

Other links of interest:

Quechua Travel Words: Useful words for a great Peru experience

Machu Picchu: Check these amazing secrets before the Tour

Cusco Tour: 3 differences between Machu Picchu, Mountain & Huayna Picchu1

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FeaturedPeru Great DestinationsTravel Tips

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

by Giardino Tours
Have you ever heard of a city within a city?
In Arequipa we find a clear example of this, an architectural wonder that captivates those who visit it.

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

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

History

Viceroy Francisco Toledo granted the licenses for the foundation of the “Private Monastery of Nuns of the Order of Santa Catalina de Siena”, however the foundation was in charge of a person outside the religious sphere.

This person was María de Guzmán, widow of Don Diego Hernández de Mendoza, who donated all her properties in order to create the beautiful place that we  can enjoy now.

Today16 nuns still living in the Monastery, who offer advice, sell articles made by themselves and above all, they pray constantly for the peace of the world.

In 1944 the monastery was recognized by the National Institute of Culture as the national heritage of Arequipa and Peru, and in year 2000 it was also with Arequipa city recognized as a cultural heritage of humanity (UNESCO).

It should be noted that it was not until 1970 that the monastery was opened to the public. Its multiple restorations have made it one of the city’s greatest cultural attractions today.

The monastery of Santa Catalina is considered a citadel within another city, because in this there are: six streets, three cloisters, a square, the church, the gardens, the cells, the courtyard of silence, the kitchen, a laundry, the church , vaults and even a small exclusive cemetery for the nuns of the monastery.

“This convent should not be missed, even if it has had an overdose of colonial buildings. Occupying an entire block and guarded by imposing high walls, it is one of the most fascinating religious buildings in Peru ”- Lonely Planet.

Architecture

“When you walk through the monastery of Santa Catalina it is very clear to us why it is the main monument of Arequipa architecture”

The monastery clearly presents the three styles of architecture that we can find in Arequipa city, the baroque, neoclassical and neocolonial.  It was built using the volcanic stone of ashlar and joined by lime, sand and pozzolana.

When you are entering to the monastery, the intense colored walls stand out at first glance. According to the Architect Marizol Velasquez Gutierres (specialty in art), the color used in the architecture of the Santa Catalina Monastery is not the natural color of the material (ashlar stone), but the color based on pigments that has the property of changing its appearance (wall painting).

“According to its use, it can be classified as flat wall painting and decorative wall painting. In the Monastery of Santa Catalina  coexist both, inside and outside the spaces, which configure it as an urban complex “

The colors that we can find in the monastery are indigo, blue, predominantly in the cloister of the Naranjos, the red ocher color for most of the streets, the white color for the novitiate cloister and the interior of the cells, the color orange ocher for the entrance and the main cloister, among others.

Velasquez Gutierrez also indicates this image was not always the same over time, because the quality of the color allows changing the appearance of the architecture according to fashions, remodeling, extensions, maintenance and also for health reasons, as evidenced in the polychromies hidden in the walls.

On the other hand, the decorative wall paintings of the interiors contain religious and floral designs and are the result of technical, social, historical and environmental facts.

How to visit Santa Catalina Monastery:

From March 1 you can visit the monument in the following ways:

1.- Virtual Tour: Virtual Tour with 7 chapters about its history. You can book a virtual visit of the place through the official website of the Monastery of Santa Catalina.

It is a way to anticipate the excitement of your next visit in which you can directly appreciate the majesty of the place.

2.- Direct visit to the Monument: From March 1st you can visit the Monastery with a fixed date and hour using the service of booking of the Monastery website.

*If you want to book a specialized guide please call 958 348 214

Open: Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00. – * LAST ENTRY 4:00 p.m.

Closed to the public  Easter Friday, December 25 and January 1

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – COVID -19

The Monastery of Santa Catalina has developed a strict biosafety protocol, to enjoy a safe and pleasant visit. You can read all the protocolo here .

The sale of tickets will be online and with reservation of time. Payments can be made with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Dinners Club, Unionpay and Maestro.

Giardino Tours Blog

@GiardinoToursPeru

#ITravelwithGiardino #OneTripManyExperiences

 

Sources

Gutierrez, M. V. (27 de Enero de 2020). Universidad Catolica San Pablo.
Monasterio de Santa Catalina. (septiembre de 2020). Monasterio de Santa Catalina.
Lonely Planet_ArequipaOther Links:

Colca canyon Travel Guide: 7 Questions about Colca Tours

Peru Private Tours: 7 fantastic reasons to take a Private Service

Arequipa Treasures: Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve

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