Iquitos
In December 2000, UNESCO declared the historical center of Arequipa a [World Heritage Site, stating the following:
“The historical center of Arequipa is an example of ornamented architecture, represents a masterpiece of the creative coalition of European and native characteristics. A colonial town challenged by the conditions of nature, the indigenous influences, the conquest process and evangelism as well as for a spectacular natural scenario”.
Arequipa Region is one of various terrains. It begins in the coastal desert and then climbs the Andes, reaching great altitude at the snow covered peaks and at its volcanoes.
Arequipa, known as the White City for its beautiful white walls of sillar, a volcanic stone, lies at the feet of the mighty volcanoes of Mount Chachani, Mount Misti, and the snow covered peak of Mount Pichu Pichu.
Just 3 hours and 45 minutes from the capital is the Colca River valley and canyon, one of the most extraordinary destinations in the country. Throughout the region, you can see colorful pre-Incan agricultural terraces still used today for growing quinoa, corn, barley, and wheat. During the pre-Hispanic era, the department was inhabited by the Collaguas and the Cabanas; today, the inhabitants have learned to conserve their Colonial churches in Yanque, Lari, and Madrigal, and they continue to wear their traditional clothing.
Altitude
Arequipa (2335 masl / 7333 fasl)
Lowest point: 9 masl / 30 fasl (Punta de Bombón)
Highest point: 4910 masl / 16.109 fasl (Mirador de los Volcanes, Volcano Lookout, – Caylloma)
Weather
The city of Arequipa has a semi-arid and temperate climate with a maximum temperature of 21.7ºC (71ºF) and a minimum of 6.9ºC (44.4ºF). The rainy season starts in January and ends in March
Access Routes
By land: Lima – Arequipa: 1003 km / 623 miles on the Pan-American Highway South (14 hours by car)
By air: Daily flights to Arequipa from: Lima (1 hour), Cusco (30 minutes), Juliaca (30 minutes) and Tacna (30 minutes)
Atractions
Amazon RiverThe Amazon River springs up more than 5000 masl / 16.404 fasl in the snowy mountain peak of Mismi in Arequipa and crosses extensive amounts of tropical jungle in an approximate 4500 km / 2796 mile-route. It has more than 500 navigable tributaries, an average depth of 50 meters / 164 feet, and a width that varies from 4 to 6 km / 2 to 4 miles. A large part of its meandering has no definite course; it has formed a complex of smaller rivers that constitute a network of canals with numerous islands.
Boras of San AndresFrom the Bellavista Nanay port by chartered boat on the Nanay and Momon Rivers (20 minutes), on the banks of the Momon River.
The inhabitants are originally from the area of the upper Putumayo at the border of Colombia, and attracted by rubber fever, they migrated to the place where they live today. They still maintain their customs and cultural traditions, and their festivals and ceremonies are associated with their myths and legends. They paint their bodies for their dances, the usual pattern among men and women being a stylized snake. The “Fiesta del Pijuayo” and the “Danza de la Viga” are the most important festivals, when people wear masks to represent mythical beings and to dramatize mythological episodes about the origin of the world, humans, and the Bora culture. You can purchase local handicrafts in the area.
Historic BuildingsIquitos harbors, between the jungle’s lushness and the Amazon’s mysterious murmur, a series of architectural gems that surprise the traveler for the beauty of their forms and for the peculiarity of their style; these are the traces left over from the rubber barons, powerful land owners that made the jungle of Peru a true commercial paradise at the end of the nineteenth century.
As part of the inheritance from the epoch, some singularly designed vestiges still remain: palaces richly decorated with Arabic bricks (the Rocha, Morey, and Cohen houses), Art Nouveau buildings (former Palace Hotel), or the celebrated residence designed by Gustave Eiffel, constructed with metal girders transported by hundred of men through the jungle.
Lake Zungarococha12 km / 7 miles from the Iquitos Airport control booth (30 minutes by car).
It is located on the left bank of the Nanay River and is perfect for swimming or taking canoe rides through the beautiful countryside. Close to the lake is a small pond, Corrientillo, where you can eat traditional food.
Main ChurchMain Square, Iquitos.
This Neo-gothic church was built between 1911 and 1924. The building has just one nave and features a carved wood pulpit on the right hand side. The Swiss clock, installed in 1925, is an interesting detail.
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve183 km / 114 miles southwest of Iquitos. The shortest route is Iquitos – Nauta by highway and then a trip on the river from Nauta to the village, Comunidad of 20 de Febrero (15 hours by boat or 4 hours by chartered boat). To be able to enter, you must request permission from INRENA and pay the corresponding fees.
Comprising a large part of the provinces of Loreto, Requena, Ucayali, and Alto Amazonas, it has an area of 2’080.000 hectares making it the largest in the country and in South America. It is also known as the most extensive area of protected floodable forest (vareza) in the Amazon Rainforest. It is bordered by two large rivers: the Marañon in the north and the Ucayali – Puinahua Canal to the south.
Padre Cocha20 minutes from the village of Bellavista by motorboat on the left bank of the Nanay River.
The Cocama Cocamilla people live here, a community of artisans mainly dedicated to making ceramics. From there, you can visit the Boras tribe and go to the Pilpintuwasi butterfly farm.
Pilpintuhuasi Butterfly Farm15 minute walk from Padre Cocha. Visiting hours: Tues. – Sun. 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Last guided visit at 4:00 P.M.
Pilpintuwasi is a Quechan word for “house of the butterflies”. It houses more than forty varieties of exotic butterflies in a beautiful habitat surrounded by waterfalls and tropical flowers. Visiting the center allows you to witness butterfly reproduction, an interesting process, medicinal and ornamental plants, and different birds, monkey species, a tapir, an anteater and a jaguar.
Port and Village of BelenLocated on the left bank of the Itaya River, southeast of Iquitos. Morning visits are recommended.
Its origins date back to the beginning of the twentieth century, and it is composed of homes built on top of balsa wood rafts that float on the waters during the flood season. It is a traditional regional style. With the passage of time and the increase in population, the style has changed and more houses are built on a fixed construction on top of wooden pillars, some of them of two stories. During the dry season, people use both floors, but during the flood season, only the second floor is used; since the entire lower zone of Belen remains under water, the population uses boats and canoes for transport, which is why it is considered the “Venice of Loreto”. Belen has two districts: the upper zone where the Belen market and main warehouse are and the lower zone, an informal port and lively commercial center for jungle goods. Today, there are buildings of high quality materials.
It is possible to take boat rides on the Amazon and Itaya Rivers.
Quistococha Touristic CenterClose to kilometer marker 7 of the Iquitos-Nauta highway, southwest of Iquitos (30 minutes by car). Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
The center is located near Lake Quistococha. The complex covers an area of 369 hectares of natural forest and also an artificial beach where visitors can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the white sand and lovely landscape. You can row a boat on the lake and hike in the nearby areas.
Tarapaca or Boulevard SeawallOne block from the Main Square on the banks of the Itaya River.
It was built during the pinnacle of rubber fever and was named in memory of the fallen heroes in the war against Chile. From there, you can see the attractive landscape of the Itaya River and the floating neighborhood of Belen. There are many important historical monuments, houses, and cafes placed along its length. The wall has been remodeled, and now features wide sidewalks, small plazas with gardens, and one rotunda, a monument to the biodiversity, myths, and legends of the Amazonian region.
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