A Xola Consulting team spent two months in North and Central Peru developing sustainable, adventure tourism plans for the region.
Click here to learn more about our project with Prom Peru.
The July edition of OTR highlights our three Peruvian adventure “Hotspots” -less-visited areas we identified for their great potential for adventure travelers. In this issue, we offer up just one example of an itinerary linking together the highlights of these three regions and some Peruvian operators who can help you customize your trips.
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From Lima, fly into the charming colonial town of
Trujillo; this is a great place to base yourself as you explore the nearby coastal towns – renown for pre-Incan archeological sites and world-class surfing spots.
Porto Morin, about 45 km south of Trujillo, is a relatively unknown spot, but at high tide, fishermen will be pleased to take you to the nearby islands in their colorful fishing boats to explore the birdlife and sea lions. Mountain-boarding at nearby Pur Pur is another great option if you have your own gear.
Next, stop at Huanchaco, located 20 minutes north of Trujillo - where they truly invented the art of riding the wave - the place is famous for the Caballito de Tortora, reed canoes that have been used by local fishermen for over 3,000 years. Legend has it that if you ring the bell at the colonial church, you will remain in Huanchaco forever. Stop by Otra Cosa, the best vegetarian restaurant in town to ask about volunteering opportunities or to buy some FairMail postcards.
The ancient Moche people, who invented the Caballito, also constructed massive temples with impressive friezes which continue to be excavated throughout the area today. Two archeological complexes, the Huaca de la Luna and the El Brujo - with its immaculately preserved Senora de Cao mummy – should not be missed. Other archeological remains can be viewed at the Chimu complex at Chan Chan and the Sican site of Tucume, which also offers some expansive vistas.
There are a plethora of museums in the area. Our favorite was the Museo de las Tumbes Reales de Sipan in nearby Lambayeque.
The highlight for most surfers will be Chicama, a town known for being the best place to surf the longest left-break in the world. Check out the wave action here.
Inland from Chiclayo you’ll find the Chaparri Reserve, an inspiring community project which has put the first private nature reserve in the hands of the local people. Stay in the Reserve’s adobe lodge and enjoy the varied birdlife in this dry forest.
Next, head inland. From Chiclayo, drive a dusty eight hours through dramatic landscapes of soaring green mountains to
Chachapoyas, where the fierce People of the Clouds once lived. Visit their massive fortress at
Kuelap, which is already gaining recognition as “the Machu Picchu of Northern Peru.” Archeological ruins in the area are easily accessed by hiking or horseback-riding, and home-stays and delicious “menu” lunches are available in communities en route.
The area offers many intriguing sites - sarcophagi at Karajia, mausoleums at Revash, the Museum Leymebamba, Lagunda de los Condores; natural resources - 3rd highest waterfall in South America at Gocta, kayaking down the Utcumbamba river; and local communities - colonial town of Levanto, Sunday market at Tingo. Let El Chillo, a sustainably managed family farm with its own hydro-electricity plant organize a hiking trip to help you navigate the area.
From Chachapoyas, head to the Ancash region. Visit the mountain town of
Huaraz where you can see the capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca and Negra located in
Huascaran National Park. Try trekking and camping in the Park to enjoy the snowy peaks and turquoise lakes up close. We discovered four communities supported by the
Mountain Institute around the park organizing home-stays and lunches, including
Humachucco.
Explore the ruins from one of the oldest civilizations in the world in the nearby Conchucos Valley where the acclaimed Chavin de Huantar temple celebrates duality between men and women, white and black and heaven and earth. Intricate underground galleries have complex systems of ventilation and pathways.
Take notice of the serious impact that climate change is having in this area. Our guide spun around a postcard rack, casually pointing to snowy peaks and caves with dangling icicles, as he noted, “We don’t have that one anymore, or that one.”
The InkaFilm Fest is held here annually – watch the reel.
