Peru Xtreme Travel

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EXPLORAMA LODGE

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CALLAO

Location: Central coast- Western Peru
12 km. / 7 miles from downtown Lima
Area:        158 km. / 61 miles
Capital:     Callao (7 masl / 23 fasl)
Altitude:   Lowest point: 0 masl / 0 fasl
Highest point: 534 masl / 1752 fasl
Districts:   Carmen de la legua, la perla, bellavista, la punta, and ventanilla
By land:    There is public transportation from several points of the city of Lima to
The different districts of Callao and viceversa.
By air:       The Jorge Chavez international airport is located in the Callao department.
By sea:       The port of is the main harbour of the country.

BRIEF HISTORY
The first inhabitants of this area were farmers and fishermen. Stone utensils from the period have been found as well as buildings from the late intermediate and Inca periods. Today we can find some old constructions like the el paraiso archeological complex (2000 b.c- 1500 b.c) and the oquendo archeological site (1470 a.d.-1535 a.d.) in different districts of el Callao.

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The department of el Callao is a little coastal strip situated west of the city of lima. Additionally, it includes the territories of San Lorenzo and el fronton islands and the hormigas de afuera, palomino, cavinzas and Roca horada lslets.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Fortaleza del Real Felipe (Real Felipe Fortress)

Built in 1747 following the design of Frenchman Luis godin, it was one of the most important fortresses in South America and played a sig nificant role during the colony, protecting the city from the attacks of pirates and corsairs.

Julio Elias Murguia Naval Museum

Lt possesses an important collection of paintings, photographs, jewellery, navigation instruments, and weapons from Peruvian maritime history. Likewise, ceramic, knitting, and other pieces from the nasca, vicus and chimu cultures can be seen.

Callao Main Church or Cathedral of Callao

This church is one of the oldest in the city. Lt was built in 1833 by don Antonio dañino, a citizen and successful businessman of Callao, and was remodeled in 1876. At first, it was given the name of the saint Simon and Saint Judas church of Callao since it was said that the remains of these saints were kept there. After the earthquake of 1966 another remodelling was done because of the damage sustained.

Francisco Bolognesi Plaza (Francisco Bolognesi Square)

Lt is considered the main square of Callao since the important civic ceremonies take place there. Lt has an ornamental fountain and a statue representing Francisco bolognesi, hero of the battle of Arica.

José Gálvez Plaza (José Gálvez Square)

In the center, there is a monument in honor of Colonel Jose colonel Jose Galvez egusquiza, hero of the naval battle of may 2, 1866 (battle of dos de mayo), who died defending Callao at the tower of la Merced.

Plaza de La Independencia (independen ce Square)

Lt is a large square with well-maintained gardens, located across from the entrante of royal Phillip fortress.

Plaza Torre La Merced (Torre La Merced Square)

Lt is a replica of the original torre La Merced where Colonel Jose Galvez egusquiza sacrificad his life. Here in 1866, the people installed a platform, parapets and five 32 meter / 105 feet canyons and, under the orders then secretary of war, Jose galvez, assumed its defense againsthe Spanish.

Submarine Abtao Navy Museum

This museum allows to visit six compartments of the submarine: the torpedo room, the prow battery, the command center, aft battery kind of life a navy officer had when staying inside for thirty on forty days.

Palomino, Cavinzas, San Lorenzo, and fronton islands

Lt is possible to visit these islands from boats that depart from the piers of la Punta and Callao. Visiting hours: moon. - Sun. 9:00 a.m. – 10 a.m. upon reservation. 4 people minimum. Trip duration: 4 hours.

Palomino Islands: Two islands. The first one has a wide variety of animal life with the most representative being the South American sea lion.

Cavinzas Island: lt is a sanctuary for many guano birds such as pelicans, guanay cormorants, red legged cormorant, Peruvian boobies, and patillos.

San Lorenzo Island: the largest and tallest island off the coast of Peru. Lt is 8 kilometers / 5 miles long and 2, 2 kilometers / 1, 3 miles wide.

El Fronton Island: also called “island of the dead” since it was a political prison during the colonial and early republican times.

Los humedates de Ventanilla (The wetlands of Ventanilla)

With an area of 366 hectares, this place is home to a great variety of birds such as gray, Franklin, striped, and Peruvian gulls, white and blue herons, cinnamon teal and yellow ducks, the storm-petrels, the gallinules, the stork, the groovebilled anis, etc.

El Paraiso Archeological Complex

This site is also known as the chuquitanta palace since it is situated near the lake of the same name. Found there are eight ceremonial places. The oldest monument is the pampa los perros huaca (2000 B.C. - 1500 B.C.), located south of Ventanilla in an area furrowed by deep gorges that were once used for farming.

Oquendo Archeological Complex

Lt is formed by the oquendo palace, the great walls, and corridors of the Chillon River as well as other structures located in the area of the old oquendo ranch. The different vestiges found in the area tell us that it was used during several periods of pre-Hispanic history

CUISINE
Because it is a port city, Callao’s cuisine is influenced by others like Cantonese, Pekinese, Mediterranean, Italian, French, and many others. The following is a list of typical dishes:

Cebiche: raw fish filet cut into pieces and marinated in lemon juice and aji limo (hot pepper). Lt is served with onions, corn and sweet potato.
Leche de tigre: concentrated lemon juice, fish, and blended aji limo (hot pepper)
Parihuela: concentrated fish and seafood soup
Choritos a La Chalaca: mussels with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, corn, and lemon, served in the shell.
Pan con Chimbombo: fish sandwich, mainly silverside fish.

FESTIVITIES CALENDAR