Oxapampa

Oxapampa and Pozuzo

These towns are located in the eastern side of the department of Pasco, in the central part of Peru. Oxapampa (1,800masl) and Pozuzo (800masl) belong to the natural region known as Selva Alta or high jungle. They are connected through a dirt road that goes along the interesting Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park. ^{[citation needed]}

Flag of Oxapampa

But apart from nature, the most interesting thing in both towns is their origin. Pozuzo, the oldest one, was founded in 1859 when a group of colonists came from the European areas of Tirol and Prusia, after a hard and painful journey of 3 years. In 1853, as conditions in Central Europe were not good due to wars and famine, the baron Damian Freinbern Schutz-Holzhousen signed a contract with the Peruvian government to send 10,000 colonists to the virgin area of Alto Huallaga. They travelled to Callao port in Lima, Peru (for about 4 months) in the ship "Norton", which by the way, was the "church" for some couples who couldn't get married in Austria. ^{[citation needed]}

Once in Callao, the problems arised because Peru was entering to a civil war status. A group of them decided to stay in Lima and the others took a ship to the port of Huacho (150km N of Lima). After arriving there, authorities ordered to put them in quarantine. For reaching the "Promised Land" they had to cross the coast, the highlands and then the jungle. Their hard journey took more than 2 years and in the way some left the dream and chose to work in the haciendas. The group get lost and finally reached the area known as Pozuzo where they decided to stay. From a total of 300 colonists that left Huacho, only 170 could finally arrive to Pozuzo.^{[citation needed]}

Their first years were not easy. Father José Egg was one of the most enthusiasts to carry out this project, he managed to establish this town definitely and with the help of a trader from Lima, Pozuzo became an important cattle raising place. When things were better, a group of colonists from Pozuzo founded in 1891 the city of Oxapampa (now the capital of the province of same name) and then the town of Villa Rica (both S of Pozuzo).^{[citation needed]}

Attractions

Oxapampa

In the Plaza de Armas visit the Iglesia de Santa Rosa, an interesting pink church made of wood, which apart from the material, has a different location than other churches in Peru. A corner from this church, in Av. San Martín, near Av. Mariscal Castilla and Av. Bolognesi, there is a typical and restored house. Other houses can be seen in the city but aren't as well preserved as it is. 5 km SW of Oxapampa, there is the town of Chontabamba, famous for its drink made from sugar-cain, the Huarapo. Visit the Hacienda Huarapo and ask for an explanation of how they do it. In the middle of the empty Plaza of Chontabamba there is a Christ sculpture made of fine wood. Near to it, you can go to the Tunqui Cueva, an underground small cave where you must climb up some stairs to enter it. A good option for having a dinner here is in the restaurant Recreo "El Ripio", which by the way has a poor and unattended minizoo with some typical animals of the area (ronsoco and sajino, for example).^{[citation needed]}

If you want to visit the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park, take the Av. San Martín (the main one with separated lanes) and walk until the "Quebrada Alberto". From here start walking always by the right side for about 6.3km up and then you will reach the guardaparques station. They will help you with possibilities of trekking and wildlife watching. Is preferable to have a tent, good boots and sleeping bag. Is possible to visit the park from Pozuzo, check lines below.^{[citation needed]}

Going N of Oxapampa, you can reach the Native Community of Tsachopen by stopping at the place known as Santa Clara, turn left and cross the river Oxapampa by the suspension bridge. Continue up to a dirt road and turn right. Walk for a couple of minutes and you'll reach the community. But, don't expect to find them as they were in their early days. Now, they are "modern" but preserve their customes and labours. They make fine pottery and funny jewellery from plants seeds.^{[citation needed]}

Going on by the road from Oxapampa, you should stop at the Misión de Quillaz in Quillazú, where there is a beautiful church from 1881, when friars established to evangelize the jungle natives. Some kilometers more is located the town of Huancabamba (25km from Oxap.), special because of its interesting and old Hacienda Yanachaga (now Prosoya).^{[citation needed]}

The Tourist Week of Oxapampa is from 25th to 30th August. Villa Rica, a nearby town organises their tourist Week in october. In these festivities they have traditional dances, food, parades and rodeos. Check the Calendar & Events for further information and similar events.^{[citation needed]}

Pozuzo

An old song written in german says: "Pozuzo ist ein schönes Tirol isch lei oans." (Pozuzo is a beautiful valley as Tirol is the only one).^{[citation needed]}

If you want to look how the old colonists have resulted in a mixture with the local culture, this is the right place. Pozuzo is a little town in a beautiful valley with the river Huancabamba which some kilometers down changes its name to Pozuzo. The most attractive thing are the typical houses with the Tirolese style in the Peruvian jungle. Kohel and Budweiser houses are the oldest there. The Museo Schafferer has an interesting but little collection of antiques, goods and photos of the colonists. Near it, you will find the San José church, the first one of Pozuzo. There is an amazing 19th century suspension bridge "Emperor Guillermo I" which takes you to the other side of the valley and have alternate routes for trekking. The river below it, offers the possibility of practising rafting. If you're interested in orchids visit the two gardens which are located at the end of the town.^{[citation needed]}

On the way from Oxapampa, the road crosses the Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park at the Canyon of Huancabamba. The area is full of rivers, waterfalls and tropical forests. There are two known sectors where you can start to explore the park: Sector Tunqui and Sector Yulitunqui, both have a signal in the road. During a trip between Oxapampa and Pozuzo you must cross more than 30 rivers in a distance of 82km!^{[citation needed]}

Their anniversary is celebrated every 25th of July. This year they celebrate their 140th anniversary of foundation. Check the Calendar &Events for their Tourist Week and similar activities.^{[citation needed]}

Lodging

Oxapampa

Hostal Liz. Av. Grau (or Av. Oxapampa) 104. Basic and cheap hotel, but clean. Double S/. 14, triple: S/.20, all with shared bathroom.
Hostal La Cabaña. Plaza de Armas (Av. Bolognesi). Basic and cheap.
Hospedaje Rocío. Av. San Martín, corner with Plaza de Armas. Hot showers.
Hostal Jiménez. Av. Grau 421. Basic, cheap and have hot showers.

Pozuzo

Hostal Tirol. Pasaje Alemania w/n, Prusia. Good, clean and recommendable, but far from the Plaza de Armas.
Hostal Maldonado. Av. Los Colonos w/n. A double for S/.15. Clean, recommendable and have a nice garden.
It is also possible to stay with families. Just ask in any shop or in the city hall.

Food

Oxapampa

Restaurant Oasis. Plaza de Armas (Av. Bolognesi). Recommendable, good prices and food.
Restaurant La Llegada. Av. Bolognesi 154 (next to Oasis rest.).
Parrillada Italo's. Av. San Martín (on the way to Huancabamba). Good meat dishes. Prices are higher than the other restaurants.

Pozuzo

There is no great difference between the restaurants. El Típico Pozuzino is good and recommendable (Av. Los Colonos). We think the best is the one at the end of the town, Restaurant Las Orquídeas, near the orchids garden of Proterra.

Transport

From Lima to Oxapampa there are aproximately 384km of distance. Buses make a trip of 11-12 hours. The road Lima - La Oroya - Tarma - La Merced - Oxapampa is good and paved until La Merced. Some kilometers from here there is a left deflection which takes you to Oxapampa and then to Pozuzo.

"Nuestra Señora de la Merced" (Lima - La Merced - Oxapampa). Av. 28 de Julio, La Victoria, Lima. Office in Oxapampa: corner of Bolognesi and Bolívar, Plaza de Armas. Ticket is approx. S/.30. They have the best buses. ^{[citation needed]}
"Moderno" (Lima - La Merced - Oxapampa). An alternative to the above one. Office in Oxapampa: Av. Bolívar, next to the Municipality and Plaza de Armas.^{[citation needed]}

In Oxapampa the local transport is composed by the combis and mototaxis and like every place in the jungle, the motorbikes (which can be hired). Local transport costs S/.1. From Oxapampa to Pozuzo there are combis which cover the distance of 82km in no more than 3.5 hours by a dirt and narrow road. It costs S/.10. In Pozuzo, there are motorbikes, horses and few combis. ^{[citation needed]}

"Santa Rosa" (Oxapampa-Pozuzo). In Oxapampa: Av. San Martín (next to the corner with Plaza de Armas). In Pozuzo: Av. José Egg (2 blocks from main church). ^{[citation needed]}
"Selva Central" (Oxapampa-Pozuzo). In Oxapampa: Av. Bolognesi (next to Plaza de Armas). Pozuzo: Av. José Egg (3 blocks from main church).^{[citation needed]}

Leisure

Oxapampa

Charly´s Pub. Av. Belgrado 106. The best pub in this town. Popular with young people. In the same place operates a tourist information office (Coprotur).

Pozuzo

There are some restaurant-bars along the main street. There is also a billiards-room in the same street, about three blocks from the Plaza. In Prusia, 4km before Pozuzo, there is the only disco in the area called "Ritmo de la Noche".^{[citation needed]}