Plan exploreInca Trail to Machu Picchu
Peruvian Dances
five peruvian dances that will enchant and delight youWe all know variety is the spice of life, and here in Peru, we take that saying to heart! Peru offers enormous gastronomic, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity. But it’s our wide range of typical Peruvian dances that will literally have you on your toes! Read on to discover five of the typical dances that will surely enchant and may even inspire you to visit their places of origin. Just when you think you couldn’t love this country any more passionately, let us show you that you can!
5 traditional peruvian dances
Peru's rich diversity extends beyond its cuisine and landscapes to its vibrant cultural traditions. Among these, five traditional Peruvian dances stand out for their unique rhythms and historical significance. From the graceful movements of the Marinera to the lively beats of the Festejo, each dance tells a story of Peru’s ethnic heritage. The Scissors Dance, Diablada Puneña, and Buri Buriti further showcase the country’s artistic depth, with each performance reflecting the spirit of its people. These dances will captivate you and offer a deeper connection to Peru’s cultural heart.
Marinera
The Marinera is one of the most coquettish and romantic Peruvian dances. As the national dance of Peru, it is performed throughout the country, but especially in the northern region of Trujillo. Every January, a Marinera contest draws huge crowds to Trujillo. The dancers, an elegantly dressed man and woman, use handkerchiefs as props as they depict their romantic courtship in various stages: attraction, flirtation, seeming indifference, and finally, mutual acceptance and love. This beautiful dance has a mesmerizing effect on the audience, as the man attempts to win the love of the woman with his elegantly choreographed moves; and she gracefully avoids him (at least for a while.) Looking for something truly thrilling and exciting on your next trip to Peru? You can view these amazing Peruvian dances live and in person! Contact us at Explorandes to discover how!
Festejo
One of the most celebratory and joyful Peruvian dances is the Festejo. This coastal Afro-Peruvian dance blends West African (criolla) and Spanish musical rhythms.Typical instruments are the flamenco guitar, the cajón, the cajita, and the quijada (the latter three are percussive.) The intricate rhythms are contagious and will have you dancing along in no time! Dancers wear colorful costumes and gyrate to the upbeat rhythms using their whole bodies in a blissful celebration of music and life.
The Scissors Dance
An impressive spectacle, and one of the most physically and mentally challenging Peruvian dances, is known as The Scissors Dance. Performed by dancers known as Danzaq, this dance is native to the south-central region of Ayacucho. Legend has it that the dance started as a confrontation between two Danzaq to prove who had the greatest prowess and physical stamina. The competing performers created a vigorous dance full of athletic jumps and twirls, performed while snipping the air percussively with a large pair of scissors. In the time of the Inca empire, scissors dancing was a way to give thanks to Mother Earth, Pachamama, for all the gifts she generously offered.
Diablada Puneña
Among the Peruvian Dances with religious significance, the Diablada Puneña originates from the Puno/Lake Titicaca region. The dance is performed by dancers wearing elaborate horned masks (the devils) and a dancer with wings, depicting the archangel Michael. It is meant to portray the never-ending struggle between good and evil. The dance moves are athletic and graceful; the costumes vibrant and colorful.
Buri Buriti
This is one of the typical Peruvian dances of the jungle, originating in Ucayali, an inland region of the Amazon Rainforest. Characterized as a war dance, the Buri Buriti is performed by native people preparing to defend their land from other tribes. The dancers dress in typical jungle attire, circling with bows and arrows, displaying the alertness and fierceness required for the Amazon way of life.
Plan exploreDestino Cusco
this season featured experiences
HIKING & TREKKING
inca trail to machu picchuThis 5-day journey begins at Km 82, the marker that signifies the start of the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Our highly trained guides, who are deeply familiar with these ancient Inca footpaths, will expertly lead us through the magnificent Andean terrain. Along the way, we’ll traverse breathtaking high alpine passes, lush valleys, dense cloud forests, and rushing rivers. We’ll pass through ancient Inca remains of Andean settlements, ultimately arriving at Machu Picchu via Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). Each night, our team of porters and skilled cooks will have a delicious hot meal and a comfortable camp already set up for your convenience. Since we highly value sustainable tourism, we’ll have very little impact on the land, communities, and environment we encounter along the trail, and we will also take steps to enjoy a tranquil hike, avoiding crowds of fellow trekkers. On the final day, a guided tour of the citadel will bring Machu Picchu to life, as we explore and immerse ourselves in the magic and beauty of this ancient, mystical site. Our version of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu trek is truly an unforgettable experience you’ll reminisce about for years to come.
March - December
5 days / 4 nights
From
$ 1290
/ Per PersonHIKING & TREKKING
huayhuash trekThe Huayhuash Trek is an amazing journey to the very heart of the Cordillera Huayhuash, the second highest tropical mountain range in the world. A trekker's paradise, this terrain is remote, wild, and stunningly beautiful. The film Touching the Void, the tale of climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, was made about their harrowing experience as the first mountaineers to scale Siula Grande, which is part of this mountain range. This version of the Huayhuash trek crosses six high passes over 4500 m (14,763 ft) and two that are higher than 5000 m (16,404 ft)! Throughout the 12 days of the trek, we camp next to stunningly beautiful alpine lakes and in broad, grassy valleys replete with wildflowers and rushing alpine creeks, while basking in the imposing presence of the White Mountains looming over us, with peaks at elevations above 5000 m (16,404 ft) and 6000 m (19,685 ft). At least three days of acclimatization hikes in the area are strongly recommended to be able to enjoy the trek.
April - October
12 days / 11 nights
From
$ 1750
/ Per PersonHIKING & TREKKING
the hidden valleys of salkantayStarting from a little-known valley near Limatambo, we ascend gradually over two days past ancient forests and varied Andean landscapes toward the Cruzjasa Pass at 4,550 meters / 14,927 feet above sea level. Here we will experience the best views of the south and east faces Mount Salkantay, away from the crowds. We descend along a gradual decline toward Mirador Pampaccahuana, accompanied by views of Mount Salkantay and its moraine until we reach Cusichaca Valley, which marks the eastern boundary of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. As we approach the Sacred Valley, we will begin to see trekkers embarking on the first stretch of famous Inca Trail as we continue our hike downhill toward our private campsite at Chamana. Before finally reaching the Valley floor, we will take a detour to explore Wayna Q’ente and Machu Q’ente, two majestic Inca sites recently restored by the Ministry of Culture which showcase some of the finest Inca terracing and landscaping in the region. Our hike ends at the valley floor where we will be picked up and transported to Ollantaytambo in time to catch the afternoon train to Machu Picchu.
April - December
5 days / 4 nights
From
$ 1290
/ Per PersonHIKING & TREKKING
llama trekking on the north great inca trail
Embark on a journey through time as you explore one of the best-preserved portions of the Great Inca trail that connected Cusco, the ancient ceremonial capital of the Inca Empire, with Tomebamba, her northern sister city that is modern-day Cuenca, Ecuador. Explore over 70 km. of the main artery of the greatest road network in Pre-Columbian Latin America, speckled with archaeological sites in the remote landscapes of Northern Peru’s Central Andes. We’ll begin with a visit to Chavín de Huantar, a mysterious temple where ancient religious ceremonies took place over 3,000 years ago. We will immerse in diverse natural landscapes, crossing the Continental Divide and trek across two departments: Ancash and Huánuco, experiencing amazing vistas along the journey. On our last day we’ll arrive at Huánuco Pampa, the largest Inca administrative center outside the department of Cusco where we’ll marvel at feats of engineering achieved by a civilization whose abilities with stonecutting and placement remain unmatched to this day. This amazing trek will challenge, delight, and inspire you.
April - October
6 days / 5 nights
From
$ 1700
/ Per Person