Peru

PERU – CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

Ancient cultures, modern cities, lush rainforests, stunning coastlines and spectacular mountain panoramas combined to make Peru one of the world’s most exciting destinations. With a variety of adventures to be had, look to a specialist to help you make the most of your visit and enjoy the many treasures of Peru.

Many visitors begin their holiday in Lima on the Pacific coast. Before heading to the country’s other corners, we recommend spending a day or two exploring the capital. Among the city’s must visit sights are the Larco Museum’s collection of native artifacts spanning millennia, the historic central Plaza de Armas and the ghoulist Catacombs beneath the Convent of San Francisco, as well as the pre-Inca ruins Huaca Pucllana. The world has also taken notice of Peruvian cuisine, so be sure to sample the myriad of cerviches at celebrity chef Gaston Acurio’s open air restaurant La Mar in Miraflores and the gourmet dishes of up and coming chef Virgilio Martinez Central.

Though many travelers immediately head to the mountains or rainforests, those with a few extra days should head three hours south to one of Peru’s most indelible landscapes, the coast region of Paracas, where the deserts meet cliff fringed beaches and islands teem with millions of birds including Humboldt penguins and sea lion colonies. Visitors can also charter half hour flights inland to fly over the mysterious, ancient Nazca lines.

No trip to Peru is complete without a visit to the thousand year old city of Cusco which floats nearly 12,000 feet above sea level in the Andes and was once the heart of the vast Incan empire. Three days in Cusco should suffice and the flight here from Lima is quick and easy, giving travelers plenty of time to explore the city’s famous sights, including Koricancha, the massive Incan temple of the sun that was once covered in pure gold and the nearby ruins of Machu Picchu. After an exhilarating climb to the café filled San Blas district for sweeping views of the city, stop by the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco to shop for unique Peruvian souvenirs.

If you have the luxury of time, we recommend exploring some of the country’s other highland destinations. Lake Titicaca is cradled in the Andes along the border of Peru and Bolivia, and is the world’s highest navigable lake. Travelers who want a taste of untouched traditional Peruvian culture can take a short flight from Cusco to Juliaca to visit the colorful city of Puno on the lake’s shore, or venture out onto the waters to visit floating mad-made islands, made of totora reeds whose inhabitants live according to the customs of their ancestors.

If you are looking for more high octane thrills, fly to Arequipa, known as the “White City” as many buildings are made from beautiful white volcanic rock. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including favorites such as mountain and volcano climbing and a trip to Colca Canyon, the world’s deepest canyon, (more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon) and where you can witness the remarkable flight of the condors.

One of the most unique aspects of Peru is the country’s vast, unspoiled rainforests. For this journey you will need to allow time to get to these regions and explore their untold natural riches. In the north east, Loreto is Peru’s largest region and is covered in dense, primordial rainforest crisscrossed by the Amazon’s many tributaries. The capital, Iquitos is a bustling Amazon port city where guests embark on multi-day cruises through the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve to see endangered species including river dolphins and giant otters. It takes time to travel through the interior regions, so we recommend spending a few days here to fully enjoy and appreciate the area.

Father afield in the southern region of Madre de Dios, about three hours flight from Lima, is the capital Puerto Maldonado. The city is the entry point to the National Parks and reserves carved out of the lush jungle such as Lake Sandoval, which is full of exotic trees and flowers, or Lake Valencia where indigenous communities still make their living from fishing the waters.

From breathtaking mountain highs to Eden like rainforests and dramatic coastline, traditional communities to cosmopolitan cities, Peru offers plenty of adventure to interest every traveler.

Three wonderful packages are the Sacred Valleys and Inca Mysteries, Empires of the Incas, or the Best of Peru, which has the Hiram Bingham train from Cusco. If you love the outdoors, and have more time, consider hiking the famous 28-mile Inca trail which is a once in a lifetime experience.

You should have Peru on your Bucket List.

Maureen Jones

All Horizons Travel/Frosch

825 Santa Cruz Ave

Menlo Park, CA 94025

650-961-2340 direct