Living in Peru : your everyday companion

By Gabriela Machuca, El Comercio
Adapted from Spanish by Diana Schwalb

Over eight days this June, nine riders rode Peruvian Paso horses from Lambayeque to La Libertad in the Second Bicentennial Cavalcade. This wasn't the typical horse show of competition. The trip was about rediscovering the Paso horse as a traditional way to travel.

The beauty and elegance of the Peruvian Paso horse is much talked about (see related article), but people forget about another vital aspect of this noble animal: its great strength, which was used by riders getting from one city to another a long time ago. 

The group of riders, led by José Dextre, engineer by profession, traveled more than 369 kilometers from the pyramids of Túcume in Lambayeque to the ruins of Chan Chan. They demonstrate that Peruvian Paso horses can be great for tourism routes.

It was not their first time proving this point. In October of last year, they did a similar circuit from Paracas to Mamacona.

“The experience has been spectacular,” explained Dextre during the last day of the trip. “We have filmed the whole circuit in order to give this material to the vice-minister of tourism, Mara Seminario. The idea is that we all help to promote the use of this horse for pleasure and adventure tourism, because according to the area’s geography and the target audiences, fabulous routes could be designed.”

Tourism on horseback
The experiences that come from this trip give it an important added value. Few things can give you more pleasure than exploring the wonders of Peru on the most comfortable horse in the world.

The members of this expedition visited, to the rhythm of a gentle rocking, the forest of Pomac, Huaca Rajada (where the Lord of Sipan was found), the remnants pf the Cayaltí and Zaña estates, the Pakatnamú ruins, the forest of Cañoncillo, Malabrigo port (where they felt the coldest air they had ever felt), the Cartavio sugar cane plantations and the town of Huanchaco.

“We have been received with great warmth everywhere we have been. The most humble man has come out of his house to say hello. Others have even invited us in for chicarrones and humitas. Incredible,” said Javier Navarro, a member of the expedition.

Visit the Moche ruins museum for free
After the ride was over, the group was invited to visit the ruins of the Sun and the Moon, in Trujillo. The occasion served to promote the recently inaugurated Huacas de Moche Museum.

The museum has received 450 visits per day since it opened to the public on June 25th. Ricardo Morales, co-director of the Archaelogocial Project Huacas del Sol y de la Luna, said that an increase in tourist flow is expected for mid July, when the high season takes off. He indicated that entry is free right now.

Currently, a research center at the museum studies the climate, air quality, the murals, surface erosion, among others, are carried out there. Chemistry and physics laboratories have also been installed there and have been funded with US$ 1 million from the World Monuments Fund.

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1 Comments

# Nina Fogelman says :
22 July, 2010 [ 06:10 ]

While I have visited these areas, it has never been on horseback.  Being an avid equestrian, this sounds like a great idea and the North is in need of colateral touristic support.  On one of my next stops, I will look forward to checking this out.  I will be curious to see how the horses are kept and taken care of.  Thanks for publishing this info.

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