Tarapoto

To the End of the Road - Chiclayo to Yurimaguas

To the End of the Road - Chiclayo to Yurimaguas

PeruNorth was contacted by German journalist, Richard Kienberger, in August 2022 as he looked for a private vehicle to take him from Chiclayo to Yurimaguas, with a day’s break in Chachapoyas.

This was part of a longer trip to go across South America from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. His particular interest was in the motorised vehicles - especially trucks - that ply their trade in these geographically-challenging areas.

Read an abridged, English-language version of the article Richard wrote for French transport magazine France Routes:

Crozier Family - Tarapoto & Gocta Testimonial

Crozier Family - Tarapoto & Gocta Testimonial

Review from a young US couple living in Lima, who travelled to Northern Peru with their 2-year-old son in July 2021:

“We spent a lovely week traveling from Lima to visit Tarapoto and Cocachimba.

Zip-Lining in Amazonia

Zip-Lining in Amazonia
  • Zip-lining combines adrenaline, nature & views.

  • Peru’s Amazonia offers ideal & varied selection of experience.

  • Speed through jungle canopy, beside rivers & over valleys.

  • We give you the options: : Iquitos, Tambopata, Tarapoto, Chachapoyas & Machu Picchu.

Alexander & Helen - Northern Peru Review

Alexander & Helen - Northern Peru Review

This thirty-something couple from London did an extensive & active tour of Northern Peru taking in:

  • Chiclayo

  • Chachapoyas

  • Leymebamba

  • Laguna de los Condores Trek

  • Treehouse Lodge in Amazon Rainforest

  • Beach time in Vichayito, Piura

Here are their thoughts on what they did and saw

O'Donnell x 2 - Pumarinri Lodge & Chachapoyas Review

O'Donnell x 2 - Pumarinri Lodge & Chachapoyas Review

Here are the comments from California couple, the O’Donnells, on their itinerary to Northern Peru that included:

  • 2 nights at Pumarinri Amazon Lodge with a boat trip on Huallaga River & hike to Pucayaquillo Waterfall.

  • Drive via Moyobamba & Abra Patricia to Cocachimba

  • 4 nights at Gocta Andes Lodge, with visits to archeological sites of Kuelap & Revash, Leymebamba Museum, and hike to Gocta Waterfall.

Elizabeth Harrold - Tour Diary - Gocta-Pumarinri-Iquitos

Elizabeth Harrold - Tour Diary - Gocta-Pumarinri-Iquitos

Read in her own words Elizabeth Harrold’s odyssey to Northern Peru, sampling various types of Amazon rainforest:

  • 4 days at an eco-lodge in cloud forest (Gocta).

  • 2 days at a lodge in high rainforest (Pumarinri).

  • Finally, a 4-day cruise on the Amazon River itself (M/V Zafiro).

Morley & Southam - Chachapoyas & Tarapoto Testimonial

Morley & Southam - Chachapoyas & Tarapoto Testimonial

This is a review of a nine-day itinerary, starting at Jaen Airport, spending five nights in the Chachapoyas region, visiting various ruins and Gocta Waterfall, before driving to Tarapoto for three nights at Pumarinri Amazon Lodge in the montane rainforest:

“Overall, we had a great trip and saw some incredible things

Cacao in Northern Peru ... and where to see it ... and eat it.

Cacao in Northern Peru ... and where to see it ... and eat it.
  • Cacao, the raw ingredient of chocolate, increasingly important cash crop in Peru.

  • Details of cacao plant, its history & use.

  • Description of chocolate-making process.

  • Where to see the plant & the process in Tarapoto.

Mototaxis: The Amazon Jungle Transport

Mototaxis: The Amazon Jungle Transport

When thinking of movement in Amazonia, river transport probably comes to mind. Being home to the longest river in the world, with countless tributaries, it is certainly true that a myriad boats - ranging from dugout canoes to narrow peke-peke speedboats to luxury cruise ships - ply the waterways, carrying people and supplies.

And yet, when you step out of the airport in Iquitos, Tarapoto, Pucallpa, or any city in Peru's Amazon, you will be struck by the sight - and sound - of another form of transport: the mototaxi, which will generally outnumber cars by at least five to one.

Marvellous Spatuletail Hummingbird

Marvellous Spatuletail Hummingbird

You may (or may not) have wondered about the inspiration behind the PeruNorth logo. Well, the animal chosen to represent Northern Peru is the Marvellous Spatuletail Hummingbird (Loddigesia mirabilis).

Top 7 Swimming Pools in High Amazon

Top 7 Swimming Pools in High Amazon

The water in the vast Amazon River system is largely run-off from the Andes Mountains, and some of the most spectacular scenery and interesting wildlife can be found in the region of Northern Peru where these two gigantic geographical features meet - an area known in Spanish as ceja de selva (literally 'jungle's eye-brow') and incorporating a wide range of eco-systems between the altitudes of 500 m (1,640 ft) and 3,000 m (9,840 ft) above sea level. 

Even at a slightly higher elevation, the heat can be stifling, and so a nice swimming pool is extremely welcome for the purpose of cooling down and calmly taking in one's surroundings. We therefore list below some of our favourites in the high Amazon provinces of San Martin and Amazonas. 

What to Bring on a Northern Peru Holiday

What to Bring on a Northern Peru Holiday

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.