Peru For Less
Peru is an excellent destination for travellers on a budget. When is it safe and smart to save money? How to make the most of your Peruvian holidays? How to travel through Peru for less?
Learn about useful tips regarding planning, packing, accommodation, food, health, transport, and souvenirs to avoid tourist traps and unnecessary expenses.
Peruvian Holidays 2
Peru has too many holidays to fit into one article. Cusco is an important Peruvian cultural hub, but it is not the only one. Each of the Peruvian regions has its unique folkloric and religious expressions – some of them world famous and rightfully so. What celebrations are popular throughout the Peruvian coast? Which festival is as big as the Rio Carnival? Don’t miss them on your Peruvian holidays!
Peruvian Holidays
After the colorful glittery fireworks of the New Year’s Eve and the recent joyful throwing of water bombs, an inseparable element of the summer Carnival Celebrations throughout Peru, what other Peruvian holidays are we looking forward to this year? Experience them during your visit!
Amazon Peru
‘The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical ecosystem on the planet, covering an area of South America close to the size of the continental United States. It houses the greatest abundance of life on Earth and thousands of indigenous people rely on this forest for their livelihoods. The Amazon’s forests are so vast they help moderate our planet’s weather patterns and provide natural protection against climate change.’[1] Generations to come will long cotinue to be fascinated by this astonishing forest and its importantce in preserving life on Earth.
The Amazon rainforest has the power to move individuals to do beyond-imaginable things. Ed Stafford, Guinness World Record holder, walked along the Amazon River from its spring in Peru to where it flows to the Atlantic ocean in Brazil. This challenge took him two years. ‘The Amazon River is over 4,000 miles long forming the largest river basin in the world,’ which is why ‘20% of the world’s freshwater flows through the Amazon.’[2]
Things to Do in Cusco
First Adjust to the Alitude. Here in Cusco we are 3,300m above sea-level, so it is best to spend the first day resting. Re-hydrate, limit alcohol intake, and eat slowly, in order to best acclimatize. Chewing coca leaves or one morning cup of coca tea are known remedies for the lower oxygen levels in the altitude. Relaxing camomile tea is recommended for the rest of the day. Had a rest? Now you are ready for Cusco!
Pumpkin or Zapallo? Halloween à la Cusco
Did you know? 31st October is traditionally Día de la Canción Criolla – Creole Song Day in Peru. This event was established President Manuel Prado Ugarteche in 1944, in order to celebrate Peru’s iconic creole music and the musicians of especially Afro-Peruvian, but also Andean origins. Over the past 20 years, especially in Cusco with the growing number of expats, the original music celebrating tradition has been mixing with the foreign jack-o’-lanterns and scary costumes. At the end of October shops and supermarkets dress into spider webs and black and orange balloons. Tiny plastic baskets in forms of skulls and pumpkins – so that the children have somewhere to put their caramelos – appear among the groceries.
31st October is here, the sun sets and another busy work day is over. One steps outside. ‘Boo!’ Witches and fairies… black pointed hats, pumpkins and glittering lilac or pink wings everywhere.