PeruNorth's musings on events & destinations in Northern Peru, Amazonia ... and beyond. Detailed tour reviews.
An adventurous couple from River Falls, Wisconsin spent a month travelling around South America in late 2023.
They organised the first two weeks in Argentina and (briefly) Chile themselves, then asked PeruNorth to arrange six days in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, followed by five nights on board the Rio Amazonas historical riverboat, joining in biological rainforest research.
Here are their thoughts on their time in Peru.
Roberto and Paola from Turin, Italy got in touch with PeruNorth in February 2023 looking for a 24-day itinerary to take in the archaeological and natural highlights of Northern Peru, along with some time in or around an Amazonian reserve, such as Pacaya-Samiria.
Here are their comments about the trip, along with a selection of photos they took:
Rochester, NY native, Margaret Riley, took here niece, Jessica, on holiday to Peru as a graduation present in June 2022. Their 10-day itinerary took in:
The Sacred Valley
2-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Cusco
Palccoyo (an alternative Rainbow Mountain)
Here is what they had to say about the experience:
“Our trip to Peru was remarkable.
Dance is a fundamental part of Peruvian cultural expression and identity, taking pre-Columbian traditions and combining them with later Hispanic and African influences.
If you are lucky enough to witness one of Peru’s many festivals, you are sure to see locals expressing themselves and their region through dance, just as they have for centuries.
Read the testimony of Sam Watkins, a UK national living in Malaga, Spain, who travelled solo to Northern Peru in July 2022.
He stayed in the little-visited village of Cuispes, from where he visited Yumbilla, Cristal, Medio Cerro and Gocta waterfall.
He did a day trip to El Tigre Sarcophagi; and finished by visiting the Chachapoya citadel of Yalape (in lieu of Kuelap that was closed owing to restoration work).
The last night was spent in Chachapoyas city; and much of the transport was by mototaxi, in order to keep costs down.
PeruNorth arranged a 10-day itinerary for Canadian mother & daughter, Irene & Marie-Ann in Jan 2018.
Staying at Gocta Lodge, they explored Chachapoya ruins of Kuelap & Revash.
Also hiked to Gocta Falls, visited Yerbebuena market & mummies at Leymebamba Museum.
Ended the trip with 5 nights staying in a Bedouin-style tent beside the beach at Vichayito.
Here is what they say:
‘We had a great time and really appreciate all the help you provided in booking our vacation …
By the giddying standards of Huascaran National Park, which contains 27 peaks over 6,000 m (19,685 ft), Mount Vallunaraju, standing at 5,686 m (18,654 ft) is a relative midget.
It can be seen directly from Huaraz, as well from the Cordillera Negra, and is easily identifiable for its double - headed summit, of which the northern summit is the highest one. It is one of the few peaks in the Cordillera Blanca that can be climbed from Huaraz in two days.
A good maxim when packing to go on holiday is 'half the luggage; twice the money'! Peru has plenty of shops, selling everything from Alpaca sweaters to camera batteries, and by spending in them, visitors are doing their bit to support the local economy.
Moreover, we once had a client arrive for a two-week holiday in Belize with just hand luggage ... and this was by choice, not at the whim of the airline. He had two shirts and would wash one, while he wore the other.
Nonetheless, Peru North understands that this is not the norm, and so please see our advice on what to bring. Northern Peru is a very diverse place, geographically, climatically and culturally, so there will be variations according to your exact destination. We will start with the essentials, and then suggest additions, according to the region or activity.
