Pirwa – Page 56 – Pirwa Hostels BLOG

Celebrating Día de la Canción Criolla in Lima This October

October 21, 2014 Pirwa

October 31^st in Peru is not just Halloween, but also Día de la Canción Criolla, Creole Music Day, which honors the unique blend of African, Spanish, and Andean music that has characterized the Peruvian coast since the colonial period. The genre includes the graceful national dance of Peru, the marinera, as well as the upbeat festejo, the bluesy landó, the vals criolla waltz, and the zamacueca, among others. Its superstars include the internationally renowned Susana Baca, Eva Ayllon, and Chabuca Granda.

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The Via Ferrata: Rock Climbing, Rapelling & Ziplines in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

October 20, 2014 Pirwa

For an active adventure in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, consider the Vía Ferrata, the Iron Way. You’ll find it in Urubamba, near the town of Ollantaytambo.

Along the Vía Ferrata, with the help of a system of steel-enforced horizontal cables and vertical iron ladders, even beginners with zero climbing experience can tackle a 300m sheer rock face! The return trip can either be by a series of six ziplines or by rappel. All in all, it’s a jam-packed day trip that boasts both excitement and scenic views.

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The Imposing Adobe City of Chan Chan Near Trujillo Peru

October 16, 2014 Pirwa

Just 3 miles west of modern Trujillo, one finds the sprawling, crumbling, and extraordinary ruins of Chan Chan, the former capital of the Chimú Kingdom. The site has been under excavation since the mid 60’s. During its time, Chan Chan was the largest city in the Americas, and it was and remains the largest adobe city on earth. It covered 600 miles along the northern Peruvian coast and housed around 60,000 inhabitants. Even the ruins show how massive the site was: an estimated 10,000 structures remain.

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The World’s Deepest Canyon: Cotahuasi Canyon in Arequipa

October 14, 2014 Pirwa

If for many years neighboring Colca Canyon was famed as the world’s deepest canyon, it is only because Cotahuasi Canyon wasn’t measured until 1995. At 3,535m, this geological wonder is the rightful owner of that title. The canyon was home to the Wari before the Inca conquered this region and annexed it to their empire in order to shorten the salt route connecting Cusco and the coast.

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Pros & Cons: The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu vs the Salkantay Trek

October 9, 2014 Pirwa

The Inca Trail is iconic thanks to its history as part of the Royal Road system that connected the Inca Empire. This history is shown through various remains (especially Inca paving) along parts of the trail. Thanks to this, combined with the natural setting and the stunning finish at Machu Picchu, it is considered the number one trek in South America. For those who don’t have 4 days free to complete the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, there’s also a truncated 2-day version which skips the grueling Dead Women’s Pass but includes the highlights of Wiñay Wayna and the Inti Punku Sun Gate.