Souvenirs and Gifts
All the people who visit our country always need to bring back many memories back home.
Discovering the Inca Trail recommends a series of options so you can have the best choice.
1.- Alpaca clothes
T-shirts, caps, scarves and blankets are lasting memories that in markets and stores. Alpaca products are just as insulating as cashmere, they are also lightweight, hypoallergenic, and best of all, they do not sting. Baby alpaca clothing is made from the first wool cut, which is extremely soft. Many products are promoted as 100% alpaca baby, but most likely they are mixtures of alpaca wool or even acrylic or synthetic fibers. If you want the real product, leave the markets aside and visit the boutiques where prices are quality. Arequipa is where many of the products are made and if they are passing by, it is the best place to buy.
2.- Textiles
The traditional Peruvian clothing and products from slippers to handbags are made of the most radiant and colorful textiles. There are a lot of beautiful fabrics for sale in local markets that you can buy such as tablecloths, pillow cases and pillow cases. At the moment of leaving Peru you may already be imagining yourself in the perfect picture that goes according to the fabrics you will buy for your home.
3.- Chullos
A chullo is an Andean style hat with earflaps that you can tie under the chin. These hats are made of vicuna wool, alpaca, llama or sheep and are a practical accessory when you are going through the heights of the Colca Canyon or the Andes. The miniature chullos can be used as a cute keychain or bottle cap for Pisco.
4.- Backpacks
If you need space to store all the small assets of your trip to Peru, a new backpack is the answer. You can find many backpacks made of traditional textiles or invest a little more in hiking or travel bags that are for sale in trekking shops. The canvas bags also come in traditional designs and we saw a couple of people at the airport making good use of the bags.
5.- Paintings
Perhaps the best way to remember your trip to Peru is by taking a painting to your home so that you can admire it every day. Women in their native dresses remain as a good image as the unique landscape of Machu Picchu. Visit one of the many galleries or visit one of the many street vendors selling impressions around the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.
6.- Musical Instruments
Peruvian music is beautiful to listen to and has Andean, Spanish and African influence. If you lean towards music, you may want to take a new instrument home. Choose from a wooden flute, zampoña composed of 11 wooden pipes, a drum or play the 10-string charango.
7.- Retablos
The altarpieces are bright wooden boxes that represent religious, historical or daily events that are important for Peruvians. The delicate figures inside the boxes sometimes appear on two levels: the upper level symbolizes the sky and sacred Andean animals, while at the lower level it symbolizes life on earth. The sizes and prices are varied as are the scenes they contain.
8.- Piscos
This alcohol of 38% -48% is the base ingredient of the national drink of Peru, Pisco Sour. Many ‘walking tours’ end with a demonstration of how to prepare Pisco Sour and you will not want to leave the country without having tasted this drink. Review the compensation for special functions in your country before filling up with Pisco bottles.
9.- Coca candies
Coca is a popular natural remedy for vertigo. Around Peru, you can find coca tea, leaves and candy. Before buying, please check the laws of your country. For example, it is illegal to bring coca tea or coca leaves to the United States, but candies are allowed.
10.- Friendship braces
Friendship bracelets are affordable, do not take up any space, and can be used with everything. You may notice some backpackers around the city with a doll full of bracelets as a reminder of their previous trips. As much as you are not a long-time traveler, you will like a visual reminder of your trip to Peru when you are back home.
11.- Cruz Inca
These necklaces may only look like geometric figures but after your trip to Peru you will know that it is the Inca Cross and that it has a deep and important meaning for the Quechua people. You will see the carving in several archaeological sites. In summary, the gap in the center represents the city of Cusco, capital of the Inca empire, and the constellation Cruz del Sur. The cross there is divided into four quadrants with 3 corners each. The first quadrant represents the levels of the world: the lower world of death, the intermediate world of human life, and the higher world of gods and celestial beings. The second represents the revered animals of each world: the snake, puma and condor. The third symbolizes the 3 commandments of the Incas: do not steal, do not lie and do not be lazy and the fourth represents human principles: love and doing good, wisdom, and work. Now, are you tempted to buy this sacred and meaningful symbol?
12.- Toritos de Pucará
The Pucara bulls are given as wedding gifts to Peruvian couples. If you look closely at the ceilings in Peru you may see a couple of these bulls that are believed to bring fertility, prosperity, joy and protection of the home. If you would like to wish the same luck to someone you know, then you will want to take home a colorful bull of your own.
13.- Ekeko, the God of prosperity
Ekeko is the god of abundance, prosperity and good fortune. Instead of buying one for yourself, you should give it to someone to whom you wish success. The small offerings to the god are what the person expects to receive or achieve.
14.- Andean Dolls
One of the most beautiful things in Peru are people. These dolls are a great gift for girls to learn about the lifestyle, clothing and culture of traditional Peruvian women.
15.- Alpaca dolls
First take a selfie with a real alpaca, then buy an alpaca to take home. I could not resist the key rings but you can buy larger dolls for children or one to put in front of your furniture to make it a conversation piece. You will have difficulty leaving these little friends.
