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Visiting Puno these next two weeks en route to the famously vibrant Virgen of Candelaria Festival? You can’t visit Puno without exploring the millennial culture of the traditional islands of massive Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. Its surprisingly transparent waters stretch between Peru and Bolivia and provide refuge for more than sixty different bird species such as the Parihuana, which inspired the colors of the Peruvian flag. Together with the surrounding high plateau, it forms the Titicaca National Reserve.

One of its most unique draws is the famous Floating Islands of Uros, 40 manmade islands made of the lake’s prevalent plant: the totora reed. They are the home of about 2,000 people of the Aymara-speaking Uros tribe (also known as the kot-suña, or People of the Lake), one of the continent’s oldest cultures. The same reeds from which the islands are constructed are used for building houses and boats, the root can be eaten or made into a tea. Islanders rely on fishing, weaving, and tourism for their subsistence. Visitors can often arrange to embark on a short reed boat ride while at Uros.

Another fascinating stop is Amantani Island, whose approximately 4,000 traditional Quechua-speaking residents still don a mixture of Spanish peasant dress with Andean accessories, adopted shortly after the Spanish Conquest. Most tours of Lake Titicaca begin with the Floating Islands and then continue on to Amantani, where there are no inns but where local families welcome travelers for meals and offer their homes for the night. You’ll be able to see grazing alpacas along the terr It’s a 2-hour hike to one of the islands two hilltop temples, Pachatata (Father Earth) or Pachamama (Mother Earth). They are not used during much of the year, although on January 20^th half the population congregates at one, half at the other. A representative from each temple races to a midpoint between the two peaks, and the coming year is predicted based on who which temple wins the race. Guests are generally invited to try the native dress and attend a dance in the evenings.

Most travelers visit Taquile Island after spending the night in Amantani. Taquile was known as Intika when it was incorporated into the Inca empire. During Colonial times the Spanish converted it to a prison. It was finally returned to the people of Taquile in 1970, and like Amantani and the Floating Islands of Uros, is managed collectively. Visitors can explore the pre-Inca ruins and stone agricultural terraces still in use. This is also a wonderful place for purchasing textiles, as the traditional weavings and embroideries of Taquile are considered to be some of the highest-quality artisan products in Peru; they’ve even been proclaimed “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO. You’ll notice while on the island that it is the men who knit and the women who weave. They can cost more on the island than in Puno’s artisanal markets, but buyers are supporting the artisans directly.

Pirwa Travel Service, our own tour operator, can arrange 2-Day tours embarking on Lake Titicaca from Puno and visiting the Floating Islands of Uros, Amantani Island, and Taquile Island. You can check out the detailed program here: 2-Day Lake Titicaca Tour: Uros, Amantani & Taquile. For those looking for nearby lodging, Pirwa Puno Backpackers is located just a 15 minute walk from Puno’s Lake Titicaca harbor. You can see Pirwa Puno Backpackers by clicking here, and to the left some of our lovely volunteers!

Travel Tips

• Prepare for the cold and dry Puno weather, with the average temperature hovering around 45 degrees, dipping as low as 30 degrees in the June to August winter months and rising as high as 60 degrees in the December to January summertime.
• Don’t let the cold weather lure you into a false sense of security: use plenty of sunscreen no matter which time of year it is, as the high altitude means the sun scorches.
• Symptoms of altitude sickness include nausea and fatigue, plan to take the first day easy just in case, resting well and hydrating, perhaps with some coca tea, a preferred local remedy.
• Puno has no airport, with the nearest located in the city of Juliaca 28 miles north of Puno. Many travelers opt to arrive by bus, with buses by reputable companies like Cruz del Sur and Ormeño arriving throughout the day from Cusco, Arequipa, and other cities. Pirwa Travel can assist you with your transport needs as well if you’d like some help.

We’re offering special prices for you February and March travelers- in Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu we’re offering rooms at prices

than regular. And since flights and bus transport are cutting prices for a short time as well, this means that February and March are the ideal time for budget-minded travelers!

How low can we go?:

Dorms as low as S/18.27 (soles) in lively and vibrant Pirwa Colonial Backpackers in Cusco, an ideal hostel for hanging out with other travelers, complete with bar, fast food stand, billiards, darts, ping pong and fun activities! At right: up on the bar at Pirwa Colonial.

Private rooms for two as low as S/51.00 in cozy Pirwa San Blas Familiar, located in Cusco’s bohemian San Blas neighborhood! San Blas is known for its many galleries and artists’ studios, as well some of the city’s best bars and restaurants. Cheery Pirwa San Blas Familiar has a real home-like feel; its patio is pictured at left.

Private rooms for two in Pirwa Posada del Corregidor B&B and Pirwa San Blas B&B, the first in the main square of Cusco and the second only a block away, at as low as S/90 S/76.50!

In Machu Picchu, you can get dorms as low as S/34.00 in Pirwa Machu Picchu Backpackers, and Private rooms for two in our Pirwa Machu Picchu B&B as low as S/114 S/96.90. Our prices include comfy beds, 24/7 hot water, friendly staff and fun atmosphere, internet + wifi, luggage storage and travel information, and more! In the case of our Machu Picchu Pueblo (colloquially known as Aguas Calientes) hostels, we’ll even come and pick you up at the airport for free!

Let’s not forget the City of Kings- in our Lima hostels, both located in the relaxed seaside neighborhood of Miraflores near the always lively Kennedy Park, you can find rooms for two with private baths for as low as S/82 S/69.70 in Pirwa Inclan B&B and shared dorms as low as S/20.40 in Pirwa Prada Backpackers!

Want to check availability and prices for your travel dates? Click here!

What’s Febrero Viajero?

We’re not alone! The commission for the Promotion of Peru in Tourism, known around these parts as Promperú has launched a campaign to promote tourism in February known as “Febrero Viajero.” It’s already begun, meaning that not only can you get your lodging cheap with Pirwa Hostels, but it’s also an ideal time for purchasing your flight or bus tickets as well. We know you need to watch your budget while you’re traveling, which is why we specialize in comfortable but economic lodging throughout Peru and Bolivia, so we wanted to make sure you knew about these deals too!

Special Feb Discounts for TACA Airlines…….

Buy from now until March 15th, for flights occurring between now and March 28th, and get some special discounts- the conditions are that you must have a 3 day minimum stay, or a Sunday, and you can only buy up to 3 tickets per flight.

Special Feb Discounts for LAN Airlines…….

Buy from now until February 29^th, for flights occurring between February 1^st and April 30^th, and get these special prices- you have to buy 7 days in advance, for a minimum stay of 3 days or including a Saturday, and it applies for certain flights only.

Special Feb Discounts for Oltursa…….

All February and March Oltursa is knocking down its prices as well. Open dates aren’t applicable, so you need to buy roundtrip. Bed Service is discounted, but not for online purchases, so you need to buy in person.

So if you’ve been dreaming about that South American backpacking trip, maybe that time has finally come. Take advantage of the lower prices and come experience all that Peru has to offer. Pirwa Travel Service, our own travel agency can even help arrange tours and excursions for you at rock-bottom prices- all you need to do is pack your bags and let us take care of the rest!

Tomorrow is Lima‘s turn to welcome the Dakar 2012 riders, who raced from Nazca to Pisco today and tomorrow will receive their prizes on the podium at the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) of Lima! This isn’t the only action that’s taking place this week in Peru’s capital, however, because this week is the 477th anniversary of the founding of Lima. Below is a selection of activities from the official program:

Sunday, Jan 15th: Lima Remix 2012 at the Magical Water Circuit

The Haciendo Pueblo Cultural Association will kick off festivities with a performance covering the Lima’s musical history decade by decade. The show will take place at the Magical Water Circuit at Reserve Park from 7:30-8:30pm. (Admission: S/.4.00)

Sunday Jan 15^th: Cultura Viva
Each Sunday this month in Parque de la Muralla you can experience the street art, street theater, music and dance of Lima, from 1-5pm. (Admission: S/.2.50)

Tuesday Jan 17^th: “Mácula” presented at the Plazuela de las Artes Municipal Theater

Presentation of ‘Mácula’, incorporating contemporary dance, theater, and musical performance. The show’s at 8pm at the Plazuela de la Artes del Teatro Municipal (Jirón Ica cuadra 3 in the City Center). (Admission: Free)

Tuesday Jan 17^th: Serenade in the Plaza de Armas

More than 400 artists will offer an incomparable spectacular created and directed by Miguel Rubio, the director of Yuyachkani, to showcase the history and diversity of Lima.

Provincial bands, flamenco guitars and dancers, and Peruvian Paso horses open the event, which then continues on to a variety of musical performances, some accompanied by Peruvian scissor dancers, Sikuris, Members of Cantagallo’s Shipibo community, and more. The show begins at 8pm in the Plaza de Armas and culminates at midnight. (Admission is Free)

Wednesday Jan 18: Offering to the Last Inca Chief, Taulichusco

Taulichusco was the chief of the Rímac Valley, when Pizarro and the other conquistadores arrived in Lima. At Pasaje Nicolás de Rivera in central Lima an offering will be made in homage to him on this day. (Admission is Free)

Wednesday Jan 18th: Homage to Lima at Magical Water Circuit

The Magical Water Circuit at Reserve Park will present a varied spectacular of music and dance from 11am to 10pm. (Admission is Free.)

Wednesday Jan 18thTourist Circuit for Lima’s 447th Anniversary

In celebration of the 477^th anniversary of Lima’s founding, a touristic circuit will be offered visiting the pre-Inca Taulichusco Monument, Lima’s Cathedral and Pizarro’s Tomb, Aliaga’s House, and the Municipal Palace, ending at the Municipal Library to view the founding document of Lima. Departures are at 10am and 3pm and information & sign-Up is at the Turistic Information Office of the Municipality of Lima (Pasaje Los Escribanos 145 in Lima’s Historic Center). (315-1542)

Friday Jan 20^th, Saturday Jan 21^st, and Sunday Jan 22^nd: Scenes of Old Lima at the Magical Water Circuit
Spectacular presenting characters of creole Lima which persist in collective memory: towncriers, vendors of picarones and anticuchos, the popular vendor of “Revolución Caliente” and other traditions of yesteryear to the music of the marinera and Peruvian sons. The show will take place from 7-8pm at Reserve Park’s Magical Water Circuit. (Admission: S/.4.00)

Between Dakar and the anniversary festivities, expect Lima to fill up. However, at the moment we still have availability in our Lima hostels, Pirwa Prada Backpackers and Pirwa Inclan B&B, both ideally located in the Miraflores district!

This January is the 477^th anniversary of the founding of Lima as the The City of Kings by 70 year old Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, rumored to have traced the outline for the Plaza Mayor in the earth with his sword.

Thousands of people gather in the Plaza Mayor of Lima on the main day, January 18^th, festively decked out with lights and music. Concerts and shows by renowned dancers, singers, and poets continue into the wee hours of the night. The day starts with a street parade and continues with a program of folk dances, ballet, creole music and more! The day ends with the requisite fireworks.

So far it’s been confirmed that celebrated Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flores will head the Serenade to Lima (Limapaq Taki in Quechua) in the Municipal Theater this year. Other persformers thus far announced are the Youth Symphony Orchestra on Jan 17^th and the Municipal Ballet. Cultural and musical activities will take place in the Plaza’s Mall, Chabuca Granda, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Another recently announced event was the Jan 22^nd 12K run “Lima For All” organized by the Municipal Workers Syndicate.

We hope to have the official program detailing all the scheduled events for you soon, so keep checking back!

If you’re looking for the ideal base from which to explore the vibrant culture and cuisine that Lima has developed over the last 477 years, an exciting mix of its indigenous pre-Columbian, African, and Spanish influences, you can’t do any better than Miraflores! The relaxed seaside neighborhood boasts ample parks and gardens, exciting activities such as parasailing and and surfing, some of the best ceviche in Lima, and quality bars and clubs for those seeking to sample the nightlife. Pirwa Hostels has 02 locations in Miraflores, Pirwa Inclan B&B and Pirwa Prada Backpackers, with a warm and friendly staff eager to help you enjoy all that the City of Kings has to offer. (To the left a cheery sampling of the Pirwa Crew!)

All of us at Pirwa Hostels Peru hope your holidays went well! The Pirwa hostels in Cusco united for our traditional Christmas Eve Dinner in Pirwa Colonial Backpackers, and the pics just came  in.

It’s time to start planning ahead for our biggest events of the year, our New Year’s Eve Parties- this year we’ll be celebrating in Lima and Cusco in Peru and La Paz in Bolivia!

If you’re traveling through Peru or Bolivia during the holidays we hope you’ll be joining us for the festivities! Otherwise, happy holidays to everyone no matter where you spend it!