Preparing your baggage for cold weather
It is difficult to pack your bags without feeling that something is missing. Or that we are taking more
than enough. In a previous post we gave a few tips for trips to destinations with hot weather. Here we
will advise you on making your baggage warm you up: how to pack for a cold weather destination.
-Layers of clothing: A way of keeping your luggage light is to take different layers of clothing. Some
cotton ones and lighter ones too so to avoid excessive warmth, and other thicker layers to cover up
according to the how cold the weather is.
-Play it safe: even if the weather is not as cold as you expected it to be, take a big coat or jacket. In case
it is a rainy destination they should be impermeable.
-Extras: If you know that the weather would be extreme or if you get cold easily, take pieces of clothing
that would keep you warm: a scarf, a wool hat and maybe gloves.
-Use appropriate shoes: in places with snow and frequent rain, tennis shoes or regular shoes are not so
useful. Bring boots or synthetic ankle boots that are waterproof to keep your feet dry and warm.
- Take an extra pair: if you stay for more than 3 or 4 days, don’t forget to bring an extra pair of shoes or
tennis shoes. It is better if they are light to avoid making your bag heavier.
-The sun is not your friend: since in some cities of the Sierras the sun is intense and warms you up but
doesn’t feel like it could cause sunburn, use sunglasses and protect your skin with sun block. This will
help you will avoid spots and skin irritation.
- Wool socks: take wool socks or other kinds of clothing to keep your legs warm. One pair would be
enough.
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If you go to place with dry weather don’t forget to take a hydrating skin lotion.
Keep in mind the activities that you would be doing, to always have an extra outfit in case it gets
wet.
To take or not to take an umbrella: cities with frequent rains have their own methods to avoid
rain, such as impermeable layers that are accessible at a low price.
So umbrellas are not usually necessary, but in case your destination is not very urban, you should take it.
-Take your coat with you: take your coat and the bigger stuff with you to avoid using too much space in
your baggage. Additionally, you would keep warm ;)
If you have any other advice to share, you can put it in the area of comments below.
Pucallpa, going into the jungle.
In the eastern center of Peru, in the region of Ucayali, there is an Amazonia city which is distinguished
from the other ones due to the color of the ground. Pucallpa, in Quechua, means “red land”.
Discover this tropical region with us.
Through Yarinacocha route
Yarinacocha’s lake is a great place to practice water sports and spend the day.
When it stops raining (between May and November), the lake turns sky blue and small beaches are
formed. While visiting make sure you don’t miss the fresh water pink dolphin.
But, Yarina, as locals call it, is also the starting point to get to know the native communities of the area.
At the dock (Callao Port) “Puerto Callao” we could ride a “peke-peke”, which would take us to
communities such as San Francisco or New Destiny. We cannot leave without visiting the community “11
of August”, also known as “cesteros”, whose locals are dedicated to the elaboration of baskets, bags,
fans, hats and many other things made from vegetable fibers.
Aguaytia and Boqueron del Padre Abad
The long way, which takes us to Boqueron del Padre Abad, rewards us with a wonderful landscape.
Located 200 km from the city, a 4 hour car drive brings you to a corridor of stone walls, eroded by the
Yuracyacu River. The waterfalls that are formed, such as : Velo de Novia (Bridal Veil) or Ducha del Diablo
(Devil’s shower), invite visitors to get wet and refreshed.
Before getting to Boqueron, we could go to Aguaytia. A town known for its hanging bridges (the longest
in Peru) and modern observatory where you can have a look at the arrival of the boats. If you are up for
a little adventure, you can get to a variety of communities from here. To arrive to Puerto Azul (Blue Port)
you have to take a 1 hour and 30 minute boat ride in the river Aguaytia. To get to Sinchi Roca, another
Cashibo- Cacataibo community, you would have to take a two hour car ride and then a two hour boat
ride through the Alejandro River.
City and surroundings
Although in previous posts we have already talked about the city, we have to mention the Public Clock
Square. The astonishing tower of 25 meters, nowadays crowned by a clock, used to hold a rotating
lighthouse to guide the boats that reached the city.
Near the city, 15 minutes away by car, is Plazoleta La Lupuna (Lupine square). There we can find a
gigantic Lupine tree (or Ceiba tree) which is more than 200 years old. A metal cross hangs in one of the
branches, because, according to locals, “gnomes and strange beings used to appear in the area”.
Whether this legend is true or not this grand tree makes your visit a must.
Look for our next posts to discover the enchantment and mysteries of the Amazonas.
Until next time!
Traveling as a couple to Tarapoto
Are you looking for a travel destination for you and a special someone? Tarapoto is an excellent option.
Relaxing days and tropical enchantment. In this post we will tell you what to visit, where to stay, and
the best places to eat in the city of palm trees.
In the city
The city of Tarapoto has a long history of being a destination to relax, with establishments that combine
natural landscape with commodities that we are used to having. One of the best known is Puerto
Palmeras, which operates two establishments in the area: Puerto Palmeras- Tarapoto Resort, which has
a pool, horses, mountain bikes and an artificial lake.
The other hotel is Rio Shilcayo, located in the exit road of the city, five minutes away from downtown; its
location keeps us safe from the urban noise. If you are traveling to celebrate your honeymoon, the hotel
can put a special decoration in your room, and also offer champagne and chocolates to the newlyweds.
Outside the city
Lago Lindo Resort is 40 km away from the city, an accommodation located at the south shore of the
Laguna Azul (Blue Lake). The hotel offers services of canoes, kayaks, bikes and everything that you can
imagine to have a fantastic walk through the surroundings. At the shore of the Huallaga River Pumarinri,
Huallaga Lodge is found, located 45 minutes away from the city. It is a 42 acre property of natural
reserve, surrounded by forests, rivers and watercourses, a paradise in the Peruvian jungle. The location
is ideal to observe three different ecosystems: dry tropical forest, the high mountain jungle and the
lower forest at the Amazonian ground level.
Where to eat
Hotels and resorts have restaurants and bars, but if you want to try other flavors you can visit the Ricon
Sureño or el Cafe d’ Mundo, located in the city. The first one is the best for typical food from the jungle
and their best known plates are the fresh chonta and Palm hearts salad, and tacacho. In the Café d’
Mundo, we can find a more innovative offer, like regional lasagna, for example. The Café is visited by
many tourists that visit the city.
Do you want to get to know this Amazonian paradise? Leave suggestions and comments bellow, and
follow us to discover other destinations in the Peruvian jungle.
Los Negritos de Huanuco: Celebration and popular tradition
When Christmas and Easter have finished, the streets of Huanuco are invaded with dances and
celebrations of the Cofraditas de Negritos : one of the most important festivities in the center of the
country, which was declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2005.
During this celebration, “las cofraditas,” or groups of dancers, go into the streets dancing, simulating a
competition. The Negritos make two parallel lines, each of them lead by a “caporal”. They go in
company of a variety of characters such as: “El turco”, (The Turkish), “La dama” (The lady), “el
abanderado” (The standard-bearer) who represents a white person that waves a flag of liberty, and the
“corrochano” who represents an old nobleman.
The beginnings of this celebration date back in the colonial period, when slaves from Africa were
brought to our country to work in the sugar fields, mines, and, in some cases, convents. The slaves had
days off during the Christmas season, during which they would visit the nativity scenes and churches to
dance and drink, celebrating the birth of Jesus.
In 1854 slavery was abolished and little by little African descendants began to disappear from the
region. But since the dances were already a strong part of Huanuquenas’ costumes, locals began to use
black masks preserving the tradition of African descendants.
More festivities and traditions of our amazing Peru coming soon. Stay connected.
Extreme experiences in Peru. Tourism of adventure.
Travelling to remote areas, practicing extreme sports and doing activities in nature are some of the
options offered in adventure tourism. It is not required to have done any previous physical preparation,
although it is possible to find offers for different levels of
difficulty and intensity. Some of the best known programs are those of trekking or mountain walks,
hiking, mountain biking, surfing and rafting, the last activity being one of the most common in our
country.
In Peru
Due to the vast and diverse geography, Peru is an ideal country for this type of tourism. For example, it
is common to find programs for rafting in Urubamba Valley in Cusco, in Lunahuana outside of the city of
Lima, and in some rivers in Huanuco.
In this territory, rock climbing is also practiced, in places like Lurin, in Lima or in the National Sanctuary
of Huayllay in Pasco. Sand boarding in the sand dunes near the Huacahina Lake, in Ica, has become
popular too.
Tips to have in mind
When going on these types of trips, you have to have the equipment required for the activity and it
should be in good condition. If you are not sure of the condition it is better to ask for a change in the
equipment in order to not compromise your safety or comfort.
It is very important to keep hydrated, especially in hot weather. Engaging in activities like trekking and
hiking, dehydration can cause disorientation. It is also important to control fatigue and tiredness, do not
ask your body to do more than possible, and keep in mind that the objective of the activity is always for
you to enjoy it.