Pirwa Hostels Peru Blog

Archive for November, 2011

SOMEONE has to lead the Pub Crawl 2-Step...Why not you?

Whether it’s mixing drinks at the bar, teaching dance classes during happy hour, speaking different languages with travelers from around the world, assisting travelers with their reservations, or photo-documenting events, our Lima and Cusco hostels are in need of your special talents!

Don’t rush through a few days in Cusco or Lima hopping from site to site, get to know the cities better by staying a couple of weeks, enjoying a free bed and breakfast in exchange for helping us out in reception, in the bar, or other areas depending on your skills. Interested travelers can write to us at info@pirwahostelsperu.com for more info.

La Diablada

Backpackers: Hurry to Puno if you don’t want to miss the La Diablada Festival! It takes place throughout the first week of November… Make it there in time and be rewarded by watching the devil lead his own parade to the beat of traditional Andean highland music as elaborately costumed, painted and masked locals surround him with danglins red crucifixes. It’s definitely all about the spectacle here; traditionally, dancers make their own masks, although certain artisan mask-makers have gained prestige in Puno.

The Diablada Puneña was born of the Aymara-speaking Lupakas’ interpretation of 16^th century Spanish Autos Sacramentales which the Jesuits used for proselytizing, although its roots also lie in the pre-Columbian Anchanchu cult and the Myth of the Supaya. The festival’s origins can thus be traced to the syncretism of pre-Columbian beliefs involving the deities of Lake Titicaca and Spanish Catholicism. It is also rumored to be dedicated to the departure of evil Spanish Conquistadores two hundred years ago…

Tourist Week, Puno’s Anniversay & the Rising of Manco Capac

As the Peruvian “Capital of Folklore”, Puno will show off its hundreds of dances during parades and contests this week, as well as indulge in food and handicraft fairs.

The city will celebrate its anniversay on November 4^th, and among the festivities of street bands and dances the jubilation will culminate on the following day, Nov 5^th, with a reenactment of the rising of the founder of the Inca Empire, Manco Cápac, and his wife, Mama Ocllo, from the waters of Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the point where the Incas traced the mythical origin of their founder. They exit the lake in traditional reed boats with more than a hundred rafters in tow. The reenactment enlists the talents of more than 200 artists. There will also be a staging of the Spanish founding of the city,with a focus on the turmoil and exploitation of the infamous Laikakota gold mine on Puno’s outskirts.

How to Get to Puno & Where to Stay

Most people take the bus, as the nearest airport is actually in Juliaca. If your bus arrives between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00pm, you’re transport from the bus station to Pirwa Puno is free! For those who didn’t plan ahead, we still have availability for this week.

When not exploring the natural and cultural diversity of the world’s highest lake, massive Lake Titicaca with its famous Floating Islands of Uros, relax at Pirwa Puno. Conveniently located only a couple blocks from Puno’s Main Square and offering both private rooms and mixed dormitories, we can accomodate all sorts of travelers! Best of all, Jenny and Carlos are always ready to help you with information about getting around Puno, what to see and how to do it.