Peru: Love among the ruins. Geographically speaking, Peru is well connected, being surrounded by Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil and Chile, with the Pacific Ocean to the west. The people and customs are a multifaceted fusion of indigenous, Spanish and other European lineages.
Once the heart of the ancient Incan Empire, Peru still pulsates with the legendary glory and sophisticated architecture of an earlier time. The impressive remnants of massive stone walls, temples and fortresses are woven throughout most of the country, from the pinnacles of the Andes Mountains to the arid plains of the coast. Most famous is Machu Picchu, the enigmatic Incan citadel perched above the lush Sacred Valley at 13,000 feet. Its stunningly photogenic stone structures, cascading in terraces down the steep green hillsides, can be accessed by train from Ollantaytambo or by trekking breathlessly up the mountain with a local guide
Fall in love with the charming city of Cusco! The capital and main ceremonial center for the Incan Empire, it was once the site of the annual Inti Raymi or “Sun Festival.” Today, its grand, stone-cobbled main square is surrounded by intimate cafes, fresh market stands and local boutiques offering the most refined art, silver jewelry and alpaca wool textiles. The massive Pre-Colombian textured walls and buildings blend gracefully with European cathedrals and stucco colonial houses amidst a sea of terra cotta rooftops. Narrow pedestrian side streets with flights of stone stairs lead to the artisan quarter of San Blas, crammed with galleries and craft stores. Cusco boasts excellent restaurants serving both local and fusion cuisine, from mouth-watering ceviche to creative quinoa dishes and tasty stews. High above the city looms the vast archeological complex of Sacsayhuaman surrounded by panoramic views of the Andes.
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is a coastal urban complex that blends the best of modern living with its heritage of archeological wonders. Echoes of the past come alive through its wealth of museums, historical sites, catacombs and cathedrals. Treat yourself to gorgeous traditional handicrafts at the Mercado Indio, an upscale spa experience and the most elegant contemporary cuisine you can imagine at Virgilio Martinez’s Central. Step out of time altogether when you visit shimmering Lake Titicaca and the floating reed islands of the Uros people, who still live traditionally building their homes, boats, baskets and even the ground under their feet, from the native reeds.
On the coastal plains, fly above the mysterious Nazca Lines to view the carved out shapes of animals and shamans not visible on the ground and take the challenge of world class surfing on one of the world’s longest waves. Visit Arequipa, the “White City”, named for the pearly volcanic stone used to build most of its attractive colonial buildings. Driving past extinct volcanoes from Arequipa, the road leads to awe-inspiring Colca Canyon. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, it is home to the Andean condor, giant hummingbird and the vicuna, early ancestor of the domestic alpaca. Reward yourself after trekking up a volcano, horse-back riding or rafting on the Colca River with a long soak in a hot spring! For contrast, fly east and into tropical Iquitos, deep in the Amazon rainforest. From here, one can enjoy a river cruise to a traditional village of the indigenous peoples who live, hunt and fish where their ancestors have lived in harmony with nature for untold centuries.
Your love affair with Peru will require you to drop into a slower, relaxed pace. Peruvian people are used to living in tune with nature’s rhythms and find the hustle and bustle of modern culture humorous. You may just agree with them when your journey here is over!