OUTSKIRTS

Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon), also known as Lago de Sauce (Sauce Lake), is situated in the district of El Sauce, 16 kilometers inland from the right margin of the Huallaga River.
Apart from being one of most stunning places in the area; Laguna Azul is also ideal for water sports. Canoes, windsurfs, waterbikes, water skies and all the equipment necessary for angling, are available at the lake.

Balneario de Cumbaza (Cumbaza River Resort). The shores of the Cumbaza river, 5 kilometers from Tarapoto, have crystal-clear waters and an excellent weather. Well-known tourist centers are found in the area.

Petroglifos de Polish (The Petroglyphs of Polish) are amazing archeological ruins, just 8.5 kilometers from Tarapoto. The site covers an area of one hectare, and has ancient animal and plant figures engraved in blocks of stone.

Catarata de Ahuashiyacu (Ahuashiyacu Falls): This is a captivating waterfall falling 35 meters down. This cascade, the more famous and reachable in the region, is 14 kms. from Tarapoto. There is a path with carved stone steps and log bridges that gives access to the bottom of the falls for bathing in the small lake.

The waterfall is a refuge for the "gallito de las rocas" ("rock hen"), a bird with red plumage and a flamboyant black crest, considered the national bird of Peru.

Laguna Venecia (Venecia Lagoon): This small lagoon, only 4 kms. from Tarapoto, is surrounded by a plant native to the jungle "aguajales",

NEIGHBOURING CITIES AND TOWNS

Moyobamba: Capital of the department of San Martin; and three hours away from Tarapoto, Mayobamba was founded in 1542, and is the oldest Spanish city in the jungle. It is famous for its orchid nurseries; the waterfalls of Gera with a 60 mt. drop, one of the highest in Peru; the hot springs of San Mateo; the sulfurous hot springs of Ormina; the Calzada cliff, ideal for hang-gliding; and the river Mayo rapids where river-running is practiced.

Lamas: At 25 kilometres from Tarapoto; this ancient town is famous for its people who still maintain their ancestral traditions and habits. The people of Lamas ("Lamistas") are descendants of the Chancas who, when defeated by the Incas while trying to invade Cusco, fled to the jungle for shelter. The Lamistas were finally defeated about 100 years after the Spanish conquest. Today, they maintain their customs, traditions, language (Quechua) and the pureness of their race.

Rioja: Known as the "Ciudad de los Sombreros" ("The City of Hats"), Rioja has amongst its attractions the "Cueva de los Huácaros" (Cave of the Huácaros), with a 8-meter wide entrance; and the "Santuario de las Amazonas" (Sanctuary of the Amazons), which, with its abundant stalactites and stalagmites, is of interest to those dedicated to speleology.

Kuelap: This impressive fortified city built by the Sachapuyos (Chachapoyas) can be reached from Tarapoto by land, via Moyobamba, Rioja, Nueva Cajamarca, Laguna Pomacocha -with a gorgeous navigable lake three kilometers in diameter - and Tingo. From Tingo, in the province of Luya, Amazonas, a two-hour trek takes you to the fortified citadel on the summit of a mountain at 3,000 m.a.s.l. Kuelap covers an area 584 meters long by 110 meters wide, and was built with limestone blocks.