SOUVENIRS TO BRING HOME FROM PERU - PUCARA BULLS

See also our post What to bring home from Peru 
Peru has a huge variety of souvenir articles you can bring home for your family, friends or for yourself. These articles are crafted by local artisans; they come from different parts of the country and are inspired in traditions, animals, colonial art, typical textiles, etc.

Toritos de Pucara or Pucara Bulls are souvenir examples that represent part of our cultural heritage. You can find these nice bulls in different sizes and prices in the markets and handicraft shops during your trip to Peru.

As it´s known, they are still made using the original manufacturing techniques, original colors and molded in the traditional clay ovens, although you may find Pucara bulls painted in brighter colors with typically Andean designs. 

Toritos de Pucara or Pucara Bulls

But what are these bulls? What do they represent? 

While you travel in Peru, especially in the countryside of Cusco and Puno, it´s very common to see in the roof of almost all houses two small bulls made of clay placed side by side accompanied by a ladder and a cross.

They are the Puccara Bulls, pottery bulls with brown, green and ochre decorations. 

These bulls were originally made as a ritual element and appeared in the early years of the Spanish colony. The bull figure was also a jar and was used to hold a beverage made of fermented corn (chicha) which was mixed with the blood of cattle and drunk by the high priest conducting the cattle-branding ceremony with the purpose of protect their cattle.

Nowadays, the bulls are still used but with a different purpose. It’s believed by the locals that they keep the house safe with a blessing to the “Apus” (the Inca mountain gods) and ensure health, wealth, and unity for the occupants of the house.

The bulls are combined with a ladder and a cross to allow easy passage to heaven when the final call comes.

They can be an excellent souvenir to take home from Peru!   

Marita Nuñez
PERU TRIP ADVISORS
E-mail: Marita@peru-tripadvisors.com
Website: www.peru-tripadvisors.com
Address: La Paz Av. 676 Office 4, Miraflores, Lima – PERU
Phone number: 51-1 241-7429

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Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel

Last March we visited Cusco I believed for the 8^th time.

This was kind of a business trip with some meetings and site inspection to new hotels.

I had the great opportunity to stay overnight at the Aranwa Cusco Boutique hotel.

I had previously stay at the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness and it became my favorite one in that location so I had high expectations for the one in Cusco…they were exceeded!

A cozy room near the lobby

I absolutely love the hotel’s decoration with a strong religious-colonial influence that makes you feel in a luxury colonial mansion in Cusco but with all the modern facilities that are perfectly blended with the style. Paintings, sculptures and carvings are everywhere. The colors used on the walls, doors, some of the furniture can be all different but really well combined.

The table we took breakfast!

Rooms are all enhanced with oxygen. The moment you check in, they turn on the oxygen from the Front Desk so when you enter to the room you feel like if you were at sea level again! I helps you a lot to sleep without troubles and the risk of having the altitude sickness’ symptoms is small.

Our Deluxe Superior room

The location is good, a short walking distance from the main square, a little uphill if you are going to the hotel but many streets in Cusco are uphill so it can’t be avoided.

I didn’t have any chance to try the restaurant’s food other than the breakfast but I’ve heard really good comments about it.

This hotel can be included in any of the tours we offer, take a look of our suggested programs, click here!

Enjoy!

Marita Nuñez
marita@peru-tripadvisors.com

Peru Trip Advisors

www.peru-tripadvisors.com

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THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS - FUN IN THE SUN

Last summer, as part of our constant capacitation in the destinations we offer to our customers, we travelled to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.

We took different ways so we could experience as much as possible and share experiences later. 

While Maria Isabel and Susana took a 4 days land based program at the Finch Bay hotel, me (Marita) and our former coworker and good friend Tatiana took a 5 days cruise on board of the Isabela Yacht.

Finch Bay Hotel:

Garden View room at Finch Bay Hotel at Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

 

Maria Isabel and Susana explore Santa Cruz Island plus other nearby islands taking daily full day excursions on board of the Sea Lion Yacht. Every day, early in the morning they started a new adventure that took them to paradisiac beaches to the top of dormant volcanoes.

Maria Isabel absolutely loved to snorkel on the ocean, swimming close to sea lions and looking at star fishes sea turtles!

Susana enjoyed a lot the delicious meals served on board and at the hotel and hiking at the islands.

They both agreed that a land based experience is suitable for people that suffer sea sickness because it’s always reassuring to return to firm land every afternoon to overnight in a hotel instead of continue shaking on board of the yacht while sleeping.

Susana and Maria Isabel at Galapagos Islands

Isabela Yacht:

The Isabela Yacht

I chose the 5 days cruise on this wonderful and exclusive yacht. I’ve been in other cruises before so I know that the sea sickness wouldn’t be a trouble for me.

At first, I felt 5 days was too much but I didn’t expected I will fall in love with those islands that seems to be lifeless but that are full of life everywhere (land and ocean). At the end of the 5^th day it was hard to say good bye and return to the mainland.

Every morning the landing was in a different island, a new place to be discovered by my eyes and my camera! I must confess that neither Tatiana nor me are nature lovers and we don’t enjoy hiking too much but we felt really conformable with every excursion, even with the ones that involve hiking.

I realized a visit to Galapagos is suitable for all ages. There were kinds on board that had the trip of their life as well as older people that manage really well to walk around the islands.

Marita and Tatiana posing with other passengers at Genovesa Island

Besides, for the lazy ones (like us sometimes), there was the option to take boat tours on board of the glass bottom boat which was fun! We were able to see sharks, all kind of fishes, start fishes, turtles, etc. from the comfort of our boat instead of snorkel (we don’t know how to swim!!!!)

Life on board is not like on those huge cruises at the Caribbean, however, having a quiet time after the tiring excursions is just perfect.

The yacht counts with an open Jacuzzi at the sun deck where is possible to relax and with only 48 passengers on board, you are most likely to find it available only for you by the time you want to spend some time there.

The food was fantastic with different buffet’s themes every day and the lectures every evening were good and informative.

We all conclude that Galapagos is a wonderful destination, not only for nature lovers! And we are very much looking forward to go back again for a longer stay!

If you are looking to visit Peru and Ecuador, see our suggested Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands program here:

http://www.peru-tripadvisors.com/suggestedtours.html 

Contact us, fill the form with your request or chat with us if we are available!

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Marita and Tatiana at Bartolome

Marita Nuñez

Peru Trip Advisors

www.peru-tripadvisors.com

marita@peru-tripadvisors.com

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