My top 10 Bucket List Destinations Part 8 out of 10

Trujillo

Located on the banks of the Moche River, near the Pacific Ocean, in the Moche Valley. Trujillo was a site of the great prehistoric Moche and Chimu cultures before the Inca conquest.  Trujillo is close to two archaeologist sites  Chan Chan,  the largest adobe city in the ancient world, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986; and the temples of the Sun and Moon (the largest adobe pyramid in Peru).  In November 2010, Trujillo was the first city in Latin America and the Caribbean to be chosen by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to develop the pilot project Trujillo: Sustainable City in the platform "Emerging and Sustainable Cities of the Inter-American Development Bank”.  

Chan Chan

The city of eternal spring has blossomed in the past few years. Receiving weekly mining moguls, harvesting loads of agricultural products on its outskirts, hosting factories and shopping malls. This city has expanded into a cacophony of movement that is laid on top of what was once a tightly woven upwardly mobile community. 

The blend is concentrated between the well maintained historical center and the yuppie residential neighborhoods that sprawl out to its east and south. These neighborhoods of original ‘Trujillanos’, along with an influx of immigrants from the mountains and students from all over, has made Trujillo one of the most diverse cities for taking in the multi colored weave of Peruvian heritage.

Trujillo offers plenty to do, but I will recommend that your first stop should be Chan Chan, the oldest mud brick city in South America. The adobe walls spread over a large area.  I also suggest to hire a guide, he or she  can take you on the trek through the passageways that have been well excavated and protected to show you the symbolic designs of the Chimu civilization. 

Cazona Deza Cafe

Once your tour is finished, you are likely to be  hungry, so head back to town for lunch, where Casona Deza Café aka House of the Lions, serves a fine choice of sandwiches, salads, excellent espresso, home made desserts and organic tasty pizzas.  
The owner of the restaurant, who is always there can share more about the restoration process that he carried out on this 400 year Colonial Home. 

Huakas del Sol y La Luna 

Next stop head to the Huakas del Sol y la Luna, enormous adobe temples that loom over Trujillo.  Enormous walls of painted and carved patterns from the culture leave the impression of a more advanced imperial organization than the Chimus.

In the evening, take a stroll down Calle Pizarro, a quiet colonial street that is open only to pedestrians. Along your walk you will find Trama, a quality artisan store with some of the best souvenirs. The owner or any of his assistants can tell you the material, origin and the legend behind any piece you pick up, giving you not just a work of traditional art, but a story about Peru to bring home with you.

While continuing your stroll, you will see Chelsea, this is a gorgeous Restaurant,  with a long history in Trujillo.  The service and food are impeccable, and some nights the restaurant hosts traditional Marinera dance for patrons to enjoy. Trujillo is known for hosting the annual National Marinera Competition as the dance originated in Trujillo and has spread out through the north of Peru.

If you still have energy after such a day, not far from Chelsea is the club Million. Located at the corner of the Plaza de Armas, you can view the Plaza and Cathedral on your way there. Club Million takes advantage of its setup in a dismembered colonial house to offer a quaint VIP room, but a roaring electric dance floor. The club is currently hot with Trujillo’s university students and young professionals, so try to get there around 10:30PM, otherwise you may not be able to get in.  Doors will close as soon as they reach full capacity.  It’s obvious Trujllo has a twisted family tree of cultures that have contributed to its growth and modern personality.

 I trust that I was able to show why this city is on my Top 10 bucket list destinations.  I invite you to visit my Facebook page for additional postings

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Did you know? Peru’s capital Lima was once the most powerful city in South America, but fell into decline when the Spanish created a viceroyalty in Rio de la Plata.

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My Ten Bucket List Destinations Part 7 out of 10

Lake Titicaca

Puno

The city of Puno is located in Southeastern Peru. This region is dominated by Lake Titicaca, a sacred place of the Incas, home to natural and artificial islands. Most travelers come to Puno as a means of getting to Lake Titicaca and seeing nearby Inca ruins. Puno today, is the capital of the Altiplano region, a dusty, commercial border town across Lake Titicaca from Bolivia.

Puno is officially the Folkloric Center of Peru. Throughout the year, monthly festivals with music and dance fill the streets attracting many photographers. The most popular of these festivals are its in the months of February and November.  

In February, locals celebrate the Virgen de la Candelaria with the famous Devil Dancers. The costumes are vivid and spectacular and no expense is spared for the “Ten days” celebration in honor of the patron of Puno.  November’s festival is called Puno Days. Locals, celebrate with a lavish procession and masked dancers celebrating the beginning of the Inca Empire when Manco Capac and Mamá Ocho rose from Lake Titicaca.

Due to its location Puno’s climate is dry and cold. The nights are usually very cold. If you are sensitive to the altitude, allow yourself time to get acclimatize before climbing. Coca tea is available and seems to help the acclimatization process. 

Chulpas

The town is hospitable, with plenty of restaurants and lodging options, from the very basic to the luxurious. When you register at a smaller hotel, ask about the overnight heating. You might may need your own sleeping bag for extra warmth.  If you plan on attending the February and November celebrations, you are encouraged to make reservations.

Chucuito 

Places to visit : 

Silustani, is a Pre-Incan burial site called the city of the dead. It is located approximately 19 miles (30 km) from Puno and the site of the circular towers known as Chulpas for the shrouds used to wrap the mummies entombed in the towers, which are properly named Ayawasi. 

Pomata, is 12 miles (20 km) from Puno. Be sure to visit the church of Santiago Apostle with baroque carvings, pink granite, and altars covered with gold leaf.

Chuquito is an agricultural lakeside community of terraces where tortora rafts making, is their main industry. In colonial times, it was an administrative center for the area.

Getting to Puno:

By air, several domestic Airlines departing from Lima, Cuzco and Arequipa arrive daily at Aeropuerto Manco Capac in Juliana, 31 miles (50 km) north of Puno. If you are with a tour, the agency will arrange transfers to Puno. Other choices are taxi, or the cheaper shuttle bus.

By train, you have a choice of the 10 hour ride between Arequipa and Puno. If you enjoy taking pictures or reading a great book this definitely will be an awesome ride. 

 Did you Know? Peru is extremely rich in natural mineral reserves. It is the third largest producer of all-important copper, fifth largest producer of gold, and leads the world in silver production. It is also the third largest producer of tin and zinc, and ranks fourth among lead producing countries. 

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My Top 10 Bucket List Destinations Part 6 out of 10

Piura

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Piura is also known as the land of eternal summer. One of the best known tourist attractions in Piura is La Esmeralda beach, aka Colan located near the town of Colan 15km north of Paita, (Piura’s main port). Paita itself is a dusty, crumbling colonial port town that looks like it sprouted organically from the desert and has a roguish, wild west feel to it.  However, as soon as Colán comes into view after you’ve turned off the main highway, you feel that sense of discovery so often lost in a world of Google Earth and iReports. Not only is Colán home to the oldest colonial church in Peru (it looks like something out of a Cormac McCarthy novel), this white-sand beach is a trendy summer destination for the Peruvian jet set, but practically deserted the rest of the year. The curving bay has a shallow beach that’s excellent for swimming. Piura is also home to the largest dry region in Peru, the Sechura desert.

Things to do: In this region you can find colonial temples, an artisan town, like Chulucanas- which is located about 55 km east of Piura, and the point where the Sechura Desert starts rising into the Andean slopes, Chulucanas is known for its distinctive ceramics – rounded, glazed, earth-colored pots that depict humans. Chulucanas’ ceramics have officially been declared a part of Peru’s cultural heritage and are becoming famous outside Peru. 

Catacaos, is a  bustling small town 12km southwest of Piura. Catacaos is the self-proclaimed capital of artesanía (handicrafts) in the region. Catacaos sprawls for several blocks near the Plaza de Armas, here you will find excellent weavings, gold and silver filigree jewelry, wood carvings, ceramics (including lots of pieces from Chulucanas), leather goods and more. The weekends are the best and busiest times to visit.

In addition, to its museums, great shopping, and art exhibitions, Piura's is well known for its myriad of old Spanish architectural style buildings to photograph and visit. 

Transportation:

By Plane: 

Piura has an international airport known as the Guillermo Concha Iberico International Airport. It is the second most busiest airport in Peru and is currently served by AeroCondor, LAN Peru, TANS Peru, and Wayra Peru. It is located 2 km from Piura's main square and 130 km from the famous Máncora Resort.

 By Bus:National buses run along the Panamerican Highway from Lima to Tumbes & some to the frontier with Ecuador. Ormeño (Lima to Guayaquil daily & Quito weekly), & Transportes Loja (Piura to Loja 3 times daily), have international buses to Ecuador. 

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My Top 10 Bucket List Destinations Part 5 out of 10

Huascaran- Ancash 

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If you enjoy snow then Ancash is the place for you! 

Huascarán National Park, Parque Nacional Huascarán (Spanish) is a Peruvian national park that comprises most of the mountain range known as Cordillera Blanca, the world's highest tropical mountain range, which is part of the central Andes, in the region of Ancash.

Among its wide variety of attractions you can find snow capped mountains, lakes, valleys, beaches and unique flora and fauna.

There are approximately 660 glaciers and 300 lagoons formed by glaciers within the park. It also boasts exceptional hydrological potentials, thanks to snowy peaks that feed the Santa, Marañon and Pativilca River basin. The park is home to the highest mountain in Peru. 

The Huascarán Mountain sits at 6,768 meters (22,205 ft.) above sea level, referred to as “ The Roof of Peru” located in the western cordillera of the Andes in the Ancash Department. This mountain has three summits. The South, with the highest peak of Peru at 6768 meters above sea level; the northern peak with 6555 m.a.s.l.; and the eastern summit, with 6354 m.a.s.l. 

Those who ascend to the highest points enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Cordillera Blanca and Negra, lagoon glaciers, whitecap mountains, and the perfect setting with a blue sky. The unspoiled natural landscape is dramatic and the ecosystems in the park are thriving.  Ancash offers visitors the opportunity to experience powerful landscapes. Some of the most visited and easy accessible attractions within the park are the LLanganuco Lagoons, Chinanchocha and Orconcocha, located at the foot of Huascaran. 

Things to do: Boat rides, rock climbing, mountaineering, trekking, paragliding, mountain biking, camping, visiting archaeological sites, as well as bird, flora and fauna watching. The park boasts close to 25 trekking circuits and 102 climbing routes. 

Climate: The temperature vary between -2 °C and 15 °C (28 and 59 °F), with the coldest temperatures occurring in the highest parts of the mountain range. It's sunny during the day and the rainy season occurs from December to March. The best season for visiting the park is between May and October.

Access From Lima to Huaraz. Daily Flights take 55 minutes to arrive from Lima to the capital of Ancash. Huaraz is 20 km from the airport. 

Access by Land: From Lima to Huaraz. There are several bus lines that cover the 8 hour journey. The park offers different access roads from Huaraz, depending on which area visitors wish to reach.

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Did you know?  Peru grows more than 55 varieties of corn, and you can just about find it in any color  including yellow, purple, white and black.

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