Traveler Photo: By courtesy of Mozella Ademiluyi, Maryland
Welcome to Peru - one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Located just south of the Equator on the coast of the South Pacific Ocean, and only five hours from Miami by plane, Peru is widely considered the archaeological, cultural and ecological jewel of Latin America.
Once the center of the Incan Empire, Peru is a veritable, ever-expanding, open-air museum You can browse through handicrafts in open-air artisan markets, discover the Spanish Colonial heritage of Lima, and be wowed with dining, shopping, beaches, and all kinds of land and water activities. You'll be intrigued by the mysteriously preserved Nazca Lines etched in the desert sand. These drawings are so enormous they can only be seen from the air. But Peru's biggest attractions are it spectacular Incan sites; the most famous of which is Machu Picchu.
For thousands of years, Peruvians have believed in the spiritual forces of nature, and today the country has become a world center for healing and personal growth. Wisdom teachers in Peru and around the globe now refer to the Andes as the new spiritual energy center of our planet with one of the most powerful spiritual energy centers being Machu Picchu and the mystical sacred valley.
Dining - Peru has perhaps the most celebrated cuisine in the Americas. A blend of Spanish, African, and oriental flavors combined with local flair, Peruvian food has been written up from Manhattan to Paris.
Shopping - Many of the handmade pima cotton sweaters found upscale U.S. department stores come from Peru. Snap these up in Peru as well as gold, silver and crafts found in the open air artisan markets.
Other Interesting Facts About Peru:
- 84 of the earth's 117 known life zones exist in Peru
- Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world.
- The Amazon basin is home to pink dolphins, jaguars, giant river otters, primates,
- Birds: Peru has about one-third of the world's 8,600 bird species.
- Butterflies: One of every five species of butterflies in the world is found here (approx 4,000 species)
- In the Andes you can see soaring condors, native llamas, alpacas and vicunas and an endless variety (about 3,000 species) of wild orchids and Peruvian lilies
- Along the coast, the icy pacific waters are a perfect home for Southern fur seals, sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and Peruvian boobies.
- Outdoor adventures include river rafting, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross country motorcycling, windsurfing, sand sledding, parasailing, surfing, jungle trekking, ballooning, fishing and more.
- Globally, Peru is the leading producer of silver and gold, and the second largest producer of copper.
- The Pisco Sour cocktail prepared with Pisco (Peruvian brandy), is held in high esteem as Peru's National Drink.
Most Popular Regions
- Lima - the main gateway to Peru . . . more>
- Cusco - gateway to Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley . . . more>
- Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley - impressive, and mystical . . . more>
- Puno and Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world . . . more>
- Ica & the Nazca Lines - mysterious markings in the desert floor . . . more>
- The Amazon - famous for cloud forests . . . more>
Suggested Itineraries
- 7 nights - Lima, Cusco, & Machu Picchu
- 11-nights - Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Trujillo, Chiclayo & Lord of Sipan
- 15-nights - Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Arequipa, Lake Titicaca, & Nasca Lines
A typical package includes:
- Private round-trip transfers between the airport and hotel
- Choice of hotels in twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower
- Daily breakfasts, with lunches and dinners as indicated in the itinerary
- Services of an English-speaking local guide in Peru
- Sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary including admission charges where applicable
- Hotel taxes and service charges on included features
- Portfolio of travel documents.