PARIWANA BLOG

The hike was moderate to advance but you can go at your own pace. We had 6 people in our group, 3 of who are experienced hikers and went at a brisk pace while the other 2 kept a more casual pace and took time to snap lots of photos.

Everyone has heard about Machu Picchu, in the South of Peru, but most travellers neglect the North. That is very unfortunate, because it is home to a whole different culture, the Chachapoyas, with its own crown jewel – the fortress of Kuelap.

Travelling from Pariwana Hostel in Cusco and looking to enjoy Lake Titicaca? The two most popular destinations to enjoy the lake are Puno in Peru and Copacabana in Bolivia.

The Lonely Planet describes Tarapoto as “a sweltering jungle metropolis”. While it is a bit far from being a metropolis, this is definitely a hot vestige of the vast Peruvian jungle. Whether you have been traveling in the cool Northern highlands, or along the coast which is cold during our summer months, or perhaps just finished trekking in Huaraz, Tarapoto is a welcome change in climate where you can finally put on some shorts and get an ice-cream of an exotic flavour (granadilla? guanávana? chirimoya? -- it's your pick!).