Arequipa – Page 22 – Pirwa Hostels BLOG

This Month’s Anniversary Celebrations in Arequipa

August 11, 2012 Pirwa

Stopping by Arequipa this month? You’re just in time! Each August the storied White City of Arequipa celebrates its anniversary with contests, dance festivals, outdoor concerts. More than a hundred thousand international and domestic travelers are expected expected to arrive in the White City of Arequipa this month to take part in the city’s 472nd anniversary celebrations.

Musical artists will be arriving from diverse countries of the world to participate in some of the scheduled concerts, and there will be other cultural, artistic, sports, and social activities as well. The highlight, as always will be on the main day of celebrations, August 15th, when the Friendship Parade 2012 will take place.

Make sure to bring a hat and sunblock for the strong Arequipa sunshine, perhaps a lawn chair if you can get one, and stake out your spot along one of the main streets of the city and get ready for a spectacle of marching bands, dancers, floats, stiltwalkers, and more.

This parade lasts more than 12 hours and involves more than 120 artistic delegrations comprising 3,000 vibrantly dressed folkdancers as well as live musicians. They will present more than 50 traditional dances, many of which will be seen for the first time such as the Qantucchallay and Yacujuñuy, of the province of La Unión; The Witches of Huancarqui and Apuccllay of Castilla, among others. The further-flung provinces such as La Unión, condesuyos, Caravelí, and Castilla have confirmed their participation in the parade. The parade’s main objective, aside from general festivities and fun, is to rescue the traditional dances of the region, collecting and diffusing these customs to avoid their disappearance over time.

The parade route will begin in the Plaza España and will continue along the streets San José, Peral, San Camilo, Piérola, Santo Domingo, General Morán, Portal de la Municipalidad, Portal de San Agustín, Santa Catalina, Moral and San Francisco.

After the parade you can indulge in some of the treats the from the street vendors, perhaps some fried-dough buñuelos or grilled anticuchos. The Plaza de Armas will be filled to capacity in the night as musical groups and comedians entertain huge crowds.

In between festivities, sightseeing, treks through the world’s deepest canyons and the volcanos which surround the city, you’ll need a comfortable place to stay. Save some money at Pirwa Park Hostel Arequipa, relaxing in the patio in a hammock or deckchair, taking breakfast on the rooftop terrace with a view of the iconic El Misti Volcano, playing pool or ping-pong with fellow travelers, sampling drinks at the bar, or keeping in touch with friends and family thanks to the free computer use and wi-fi.

Pirwa Park Hostel Arequipa offers comfort, low prices, security, and a central location close to the ornate and memorable colonial buildings of the Main Square (Plaza de Armas).

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FOR AREQUIPA’S 2012 ANNIVERSARY

Thursday, Aug 9th
Arequipa Pisco Festival
When & Where: Palacio Metropolitano de Bellas Artes Mario Vargas Llosa on Aug. 9th, 10th, and 11th from 9am-5pm

Aug 11th
Festival of Adventure Ecotourism
Where & When: Valle Chilina (Santuario Virgen de Chapi) on Aug. 11^th and 12^th from 9am-3pm

Festival of Arequipeña Music “El Tuturutu Arequipeño”
Where & When: Teatro Municipal at 6pm

Monday, Aug 13th
Festival of Laughter and Illusion Parade
Where & When: In front of the Cathedral, 11am-3pm

Arequipeña Music Concert
Where & When: Plazoleta Campo Redondo del Barrio de San Lázaro at 6pm

Tuesday, Aug 14th
Entrance of the Ccapo
When & Where: Main Square (Plaza de Armas) at 3pm

Traditional Entrance of the Ccapo
When & Where: Main Square (Plaza de Armas) at 5pm

Serenade to Arequipa I
Artists: Los Dolton’s, Homero, Elmo Riveros, Maritza Rodríguez, Los Morunos, PBC Panter’s
Where & When: Palacio Metropolitano de Bellas Artes Vargas Llosa at 9pm

Serenade to Arequipa II
Artists: Orquestra de Leonard León, Sabor Fresco, Ruta Sur, José & José, Rosa Vento
Where & When: Av. La Marina at 6pm

Serenade to Arequipa III
Artists: Marisol, Corazón Serrano, Dilbert Aguilar, Dúo Gaitán Castro, Antologia
Where & When: Estadio UNAS at 9pm
MAIN DAY: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15th
Friendship Parade 2012
Route: Av. Lima, Av. M. Castilla, Av. Independencia, Jr. Victor Lira, Av. Dolores, Av. Andrés Avelino Cáceres
When: 9am

Thursday, Aug 16th
Festidanza, the International Folkloric Dance Festival
Where: Coliseo Arequipa on Aug 16^th, 17^th, and 18^th at 7pm

Sunday, Aug 19th
Traditional Bullfighting Championship
When & Where: Campo Azufral de Zamacola at 1pm

Festival of Arequipeña Music
When & Where: Palacio Metropolitano de Bellas Artes “Mario Vargas Llosa” at 6pm

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Preventing & Dealing with Altitude Sickness

May 15, 2012 Pirwa

You’re finally realizing that dream to make it to Peru or Bolivia! But altitude sickness (soroche) can put a damper on all those sightseeing plans and tours that you’ve been planning… Its troublesome symptoms can vary in strength, and include fatigue, nausea, headaches, dizziness and shortness of breath. It can even lead to vomiting and other symptoms, and can become so severe that you’d need to be taken to a clinic and hooked up to an oxygen tank and IV- definitely something to be avoided! Ideally, your trip will allow you sufficient time for acclimatization, allowing your body to adjust to the lower amount of oxygen at higher altitudes, but sometimes this just isn’t possible with limited vacation days and so much to see.

Pre-Trip Tips

Itinerary Planning: Gradually Increase Your Altitude

If you’re planning on visitingvarious cities, you can try to structure your itinerary in order to gradually increase your altitude level. Rather than going from sea level to Cusco (flying in from Lima) or Puno, you can put in an intermediary city like Arequipa in order to acclimatize as you go

Many times visitors to Cusco take advantage of a Sacred Valley Tour to spend some time at a lower altitude than Cusco.
Planning on tackling some of the famous peaks surrounding La Paz? You must spend a few days in the city of La Paz itself (the world’s highest capital), because your chances of altitude sickness are high!

Medicate: Pre-Trip Pill Popping

Acetazolamide, sold under the name Diamox and available as a generic drug, can help prevent altitude sickness. It is taken prophylactically, starting a few days before going to higher altitudes. If you’re going from sea level to over 3,000 meters (9800 feet) or ascending more than 600 meters (2000ft per day). If you have a history of suffering from acute altitude sickness, this may be the choice for you. You take a half tablet starting one day in advance and continuing until the third day of your trip. Once started you need to take Diamox three days, even if you start to feel ok

Preparations: The Day Before

Avoid alcoholic beverages and hard-to-digest foods the day before you travel, and make sure to get a full night’s sleep! You also don’t want to have sleeping pills or tranquilizers in your system when you begin your trip.

During your Trip

Take It Easy

On your first day or two, stay hydrated (avoiding alcohol), and don’t plan too much for Day 01- you want a leisurely pace and time to rest if need be. You can plan a day of rest, or if you don’t want to lose a day stick to a restful morning and then a half-day tour or some independent exploring in the afternoon.

Coca Tea

The local remedy is drinking a tea of steeped coca leaves- you’ll find it available in most hotels and hostels and in the little stores and markets in either loose leaves or tea bags. Limit yourself to no more than five cups per day, as it’s also a stimulant. (A lot of people ask whether they can fly back home with coca leaves- the official answer is no if they’re loose leaves, but yes if they’re packages in tea bags.

Carb Loading & Going Bananas

Bananas are a great choice as an energy snack, as they’ll help replace the potassium that high altitudes can leached from the body. Also, you’ll want to forget any restrictive diet you might be on and treat yourself to carbohydrate-heavy foods!

Local Pharmacy Solutions

Other options are the sorojchi pills which you’ll find easily in the local pharmacies, but be aware that they’re mostly just aspirin and caffeine, so if headaches are your problem, you might be better off with just Ibuprofen or Paracetamol. Many local pharmacies and tourist supply stores (there are lots) also provide mini-oxygen bottles

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Peru: A Surfer’s Dream

March 20, 2012 Pirwa

Learning to Surf in Lima

Lima and its surrounding area has several beaches that are popular among surfers, with the best time of year to go being May through August.

If you’re a beginner and would like to learn something new, your best bests are Waikiki Beach and Makaha Beach, both in Miraflores. (That’s the Miraflores District to the left. Its green seaside cliffs lead down to sandy beaches going into the Pacific Ocean.) If you’re staying in one of our Miraflores locations, the Pirwa Inclan B&B and Pirwa Prada Backpackers, you can stop by the in-house Pirwa Travel desk to ask them to hook you up with some affordable surfing lessons. Classes begin with instructions on using the gear, paddling, standing, dealing with rip tides, etc. Usually they are about 10 percent theory and 90 percent practice and charge by the hour. For a memorable time in Lima, definitely check with Pirwa Travel for surfing in Lima and other excursions!

Chasing the Waves

Surfers with a little more experience can go a little further down to La Herradura Beach in Chorrillos, known for its strong left break, or south of Lima at Cabelleros in Punta Hermosa. More serious surfers can head a little further south to Pico Alto beach in Punta Hermosa, where waves average around 4 meters high. If you’re visiting during the Peruvian summertime, you’ll find that the beach strip south of Lima becomes a party hotspot.

If you’re willing to leave Lima, there are beaches north of the city, such as in Mancora or Cabo Blanco, and really any of the beaches in Chicama, which are considered to have some of the world’s best surfing, as they have some of the longest waves on the planet- the ride you’ve been dreaming of !

An Ancient Sport

The ancient Mochica culture, which predates the Inca by two civilizations, would fashion from reads surf craft used for fishing and leisure, which today are known as Caballitos de Totora– Reed Horses. You can find artifacts depicting wave riding which date as far back as 3,000-4,000BC, which is why there are those who advocate for Peru as the origin of surfing rather than the Polynesians. You can still see fishermen using the Reed Horses today, especially in the town of Huachaco.

A Little More About Pirwa Travel

For years, Pirwa Travel has been providing quality traditional, ecological, and adventure tours throughout Peru, eventually branching out into Bolivia as well along with Pirwa Hostels. It’s more than just day trips such as surfing lessons or paragliding in Lima- Pirwa Travel can help you trek the world’s deepest canyons in Arequipa, take you down into the pristine lushness of the Amazon, and introduce you to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

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Why Choose a Hostel Rather Than a Hotel?

March 13, 2012 Pirwa

If you’re a travel junkie, you’re sure to come across die-hard hostel, or backpacker, fans throughout your trip. As hostels become more savvy and begin to provide a greater range of options for travelers, they’ve become more popular for those who wish to lodge with like-minded travelers (why, the young and the young-at-heart, of course) and save some money in the process. For those of you who’ve never stayed in a hostel before and are looking to take the leap, here are the top reasons for choosing a hostel from those of us who are converted.

Value For Money

Hostels have become more advanced with time, and for those who’d prefer to spend their money on other costs, such as food and drink, excursions, or longer trips, they offer great value for the money by keeping costs to a minimum while also offering other benefits you can’t get from hotels, such as a cooking or barbecue area.

Social & Cultural Interaction

Barbecuing at Pirwa Colonial Backpackers in Cusco

One of the best things about staying in a hostel rather than a hotel is that they facilitate interaction with other like-minded travelers. Many find themselves altering itineraries in order to fit in suggestions from, or excursions with, new-found friends! Hostels like Pirwa focus on young people interested in meeting others, but those craving privacy can always opt for private rooms rather than shared dormitories.

Each Pirwa hostel is different, but all have common areas for socializing, whether it’s hammocks in the patio, a rooftop terrace, bar, fast-food stand, and/or a TV and movie lounge with billiards, ping-pong, darts, or other games. Often, social activities are scheduled such as barbecues, tournaments for poker, twister, and other games, day-trips, movie nights, and dance classes.

Celebrating New Year's at Pirwa Colonial Backpackers in Cusco

Flexibility

Those without fixed itineraries will find that finding availability without a prior booking is much easier at a hostel than a hotel.

Local Flavor
Those of you who’ve stayed in hotel chains know that city to city, country to country, they don’t change. Many who choose staying in a hostel do so because they want to stay in a place with a more authentic local touch, preferably locally-owned like Pirwa.

Knowledge & a Personal Touch

Often people working in hostels are themselves backpackers and because of this they are usually a fountain of knowledge for anything and everything in the local area. Receptionists in a hotel may provide you with a map and a few pointers, but in a hostel these people really know what they are talking about and often go out of their way in order to help.

Trips and Tours

Starting the Day in Pirwa La Paz's Breakfast Room

Hostels generally have a wide range of trip and tours on offer. In all Pirwa hostels, you can conveniently book short day trips or multiple-day tours and treks, as well as lodging in other cities of Peru and Bolivia.

Customized Facilities

Because hostels usually cater to a younger crowd, you’ll find that Wi-Fi is always free, and in the case of Pirwa Hostels, internet access is included as well, should you be without a computer. Since backpackers are often a thrifty lot as well, you’ll also find kitchens in all of Pirwa’s hostels, should you feel the need to fix up a quick snack. We provide the bed linens and towels, but as always in hostels, soap and shampoo are on you.

How We Address Backpacker Concerns

Security

One of the Shared Dormitories in Pirwa Inclan B&B in Lima

A good hostel should be secure, ensuring that no one enters shared dormitories who is not a guest staying in that particular room, but you should also exercise common sense and not leave money, passports, cell phones, cameras, and other electronics or valuables lying around in a shared room. (In fact, whether you’re staying in a private room or shared, in a hotel or hostel, this is not a recommendable practice.)

Pirwa offers in-room lockers for your bags in the shared dormitories, secure luggage storage whilst you are in the middle of a hike or trek that will keep you away for a night or two, and lockers or safes around reception for those who require extra security for their smaller valuables. (The first two are included, the last is often a rentable service, depending on which locale you are staying at.)

Cleanliness

With so many people sharing common spaces, hostels have gotten a bit of a reputation for unhygienic practices, but hostels have improved in this area. Pirwa Hostels has daily cleanings, and for shared bathrooms, cleanings throughout the day, in order to ensure the comfort of our guests.

Most hostels provide individual lockers for your valuables, though you’ll need your own lock. Otherwise, you can leave your valuables under lock and key at the reception.

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Ica’s International Vendimia Festival 2012

February 28, 2012 Pirwa

March 2 to March 12th

The Vendimia, or Harvest, Festival has been realized in the region of Ica during the first weeks of March since 1958 in honor of the region’s claim to fame- the best quality wines in Peru, and the world’s finest piscos, the Peruvian grape brandy which originated in this region.

During the festival, the city and countryside are transformed as musical festivals celebrating the region’s Afro-Peruvian heritage abound, with Marinera dance contests, shows exhibiting the unique side-stepping Peruvian paso horse, open-air parties nightly, folkloric shows, fireworks, and more.

You’ll definitely want to visit one of the food fairs to experience the region’s cuisine, or check out the sandboarding competitions on the dunes outside of Huacachina Oasis. If you plan a daytrip to the oasis, you can even experiment with this unique adrenaline-filled sport as well! Our agency department, Pirwa Travel Service, can arrange an sandboarding excursion for you to Huacachina Oasis if you want to give it at try!

Other attractions include the Main Parade with its floats and local and international beauty queens tossing bunches of grapes and the Election of the Festival Queen, which was scheduled pre-festival for Feb 25^th but has been postponed due to permit issues. The Festival Queen and her court will tread the grapes after the rite of the cutting of the bunches.

The main parade is on Sunday and is traditionally followed by a yunza, whereby a tree is laden with treats and prizes like a piñata and one by one people come to try and cut it down. Once the game is complete attendees scramble for the treats.

One of the best activities that travelers can engage in is known as the Pisco Route– visiting the valley’s wineries to learn about the process of creating these artisanal wines and brandies and enjoying tastings afterwards. During the festival the wineries will often schedule fiestas with traditional wine stomping, dance contests, cockfights, and more.

Who are some of the confirmed artists thus far? Well, it’s been a little difficult tracking down the official programme, which will hopefully hit the web in the coming days. Columbian artist Tego Calderon, one of reggaeton’s first superstars, often referred to as The Street Poet, will be performing at the campground on March 3^rd along with the Argentinean Wachiturros, who’ve had a lot of hits in Peru the last year. Classical guitarist Gianmarco will perform on the 9^th, and Chino and Nacho on the 8^th.

From there on, there are names being thrown around as disparate as Evanescence’s Amy Lee and Mexican rockers Maná, but we’re still waiting on the official roster, so check back here for the programme because we’ll be confirming as soon as it’s available.

While in Ica…

Well, first, you need to get there- Ica is just a 4 hour drive south of Lima, so it’s easy to arrange for a bus trip. If you need any assistance or recommendations, Pirwa Travel Service can help. You can reach them at pirwatravel@gmail.com, or, if you’re staying in one of our hostels in Miraflores, Lima, simply stop by the information desk which you’ll find in each of our hostels.

Of course, the number one item on your sampling list needs to be the aromatic Peruvian pisco, but also try another local drink known as cachina. Together with the liquors, you can sample snacks such as the delicious tejas caramelized fruit filled with a rich caramel sauce and coated with fondant, or in the case of tejas de pecanas, with pecans instead of fruit.

The Verano Negro Festival continues in Chincha, so this is a great time to stop by Ica. If you’re not sure what activities you’re interested in exploring while here, check out our earlier blog post with our top recommendations in Nazca.

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