special Peru
for everyone
xperiences
that should not be missed
Machu Picchu
Renzo Giraldo
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Machu Picchu
A Peru full of unique experiences
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Renzo Giraldo
Feast of the Virgen de la Candelaria, Puno
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There is a Peru of
Living Culture where excellent archaeological and art museums and well preserved pre-Inca, Inca, colonial and republican monuments live side by side with expressions of popular art from the past and present. Why not dance to the lively beat of huayno music or celebrate a festival in places once lived in by viceroys or freedom fighters?
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José Cáceres
Cebiche
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of Today
modern and cosmopolitan, with a rich variety of entertainment, art, design, music and one of the richest and most prestigious cuisines of the world. Here you will always find a smile as well as plenty of fun and flavor.
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Canopy tours in Mรกncora
There is a Peru of
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Adventure
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and extreme experiences where you can go climbing in the mountains, sandboarding in the coastal dunes, canoeing on the rivers or trekking along the Inca Trail.
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Old town of Pisac
There is an Ancient Peru
which gave rise to some of the most important historic monuments of South America, including Machu Picchu, a Modern Wonder of the World, and the city of Caral, cradle of the oldest civilization in South
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America.
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Amazon River
Carlos Ibarra
There is a Natural Peru
whose nature is among the most diverse on the planet and where different terrains live side by side –the coastal desert, the Andes mountain range and the exuberant Amazon jungle– providing a home for a flora and fauna of such abundance that it ranks as the foremost place in the world for bird species (1 816) and orchids (4 000).
Hotel Titilaka, Lake Titicaca
Wondrous Peru
which offers dreamy beaches along its lengthy coastline, the unexplored charm of virgin nature reserves and the magic of the world of the Andes, with mythical countryside such as Lake Titicaca, all with a
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modern and exclusive range of designer hotels.
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Come and discover your Peru.
Musician from Cusco
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Tren Andean Explorer
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experiences
that should not be missed One trip is not enough to discover all the marvels that Peru has to offer. Here we only highlight some of those places and magical experiences that should not be missed when traveling around this country. Destinations that promise nature, archaeology, adventure, entertainment or relaxation and that all merge together to create a unique journey, in which each visitor can trace his own individual route. To help you plan your trip we have classified the destinations into six criteria according to the different types of activities and experiences: Peru of Living Culture Peru of Today Peru of Adventure Ancient Peru Natural Peru Wondrous Peru 03
eru of Living Culture Co lo r
a n d
t ra d i t i o n
Many of the modern-day fiestas, rituals and ways of life date back to pre-Columbian times. From the clothes they wear to the expressions of popular art, together with all the belief systems, the ways of working and the cooking techniques, Peru is brimful of evidence that the legacy of its age-old culture is still alive today.
1 The traditional fiestas are celebrated thoughout Peru. During the feast of the Virgin of Carmen in Paucartambo (Cusco) the virgin is carried in a procession, surrounded by magical and religious characters, as shown in the photo. To find out more about all these events check the calendar of festivities and events for each department.
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Native Amazonian communities As well as being a haven of biodiversity, the Peruvian jungle is also home to communities that have their own identity, language and customs. It is possible to visit some of them, such as the town of Lamas in San MartĂn, the Yagua in Loreto (see photo), or the Ese’eja and the Machiguengas in Madre de Dios.
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Rural community tourism Peru is full of hidden corners that are as yet untouched by the present day, maintaining their ancestral traditions. Rural houses in Cusco, Cajamarca, Arequipa and on the islands of AmantanĂ and Taquile on Lake Titicaca (see photo), even allow visitors to experience the way of life of the local inhabitants in a truly authentic way.
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Caballitos de totora The ancient inhabitants of the north coast of Peru took to the seas. The boats made from totora reeds were used by the people of the Moche and Chimú cultures for fishing, as can be seen from various items of po ery that depict this activity. Today, the “caballitos de totora” are still used as a means of transport and employment on the beaches of Huanchaco, La Libertad (see photo), where fishermen and summer visitors alike use them to get out over the waves.
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Shopping destination Lima offers handicrafts and products from all around the country. Fine fabric from vicuñas or alpacas –South American cameloids prized for their wool– gold and silver jewelry, decorative objects such as embroidered cushions and altarpieces from Ayacucho, po ery from Chulucanas (Piura) or blankets and rugs from Cusco are just some of the products available. Big-name brands from Peru and around the world are sold in modern shopping centers, like Larcomar looking out across the ocean.
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City of museums The history of Peru is reflected in the diversity of its museums, such as the Lima Art Museum, which covers a period of over 3,000 years of art in the country, or the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru, with its important collection of artifacts from different cultures and periods. The Larco Museum, with its fine collection of pieces of gold and silver from ancient Peru, is truly astonishing. There is also the Museum of Religious Art of the Cathedral of Lima (see photo).
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Entertainment day and night Stores selling art and handicrafts, varied theatre listings, fashion shows, film festivals, art exhibitions, concerts, photography, book and gastronomic fairs, these are just some of the a ractions on the city’s active cultural agenda. At night, Bohemian and designer bars, street and gourmet restaurants, and discotheques with music from every continent offer non-stop entertainment. To find out more about what’s going on check the calendar of festivities and events for Lima.
Today
Lima, a vibrant city The capital city shows a more cosmopolitan side of Peruvian life, with its world-class cuisine, recognized by The Economist magazine as one of the 12 best on the planet, its intense nightlife and a variety of cultural activities and entertainment.
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The Peruvian Paso Horse, a tradition On the outskirts of Lima, haciendas and farms in the valley of LurĂn keep a rich cultural tradition alive: the breeding of Paso horses, a race of unique a ributes noted for its characteristic gait, which is almost dance-like in its quality. In April, the Concurso Nacional del Caballo Peruano de Paso (National Peruvian Paso Horse Competition) brings together the best breeders and exponents.
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Inca Trails, Cusco Following along the trails made by the Incas to unite the empire is a real experience; especially when your final destination is the impressive city of Machu Picchu. During the 4 to 5 days that it takes to cover this route you can see fauna and flora, enjoy the adventure of the steep cliffs, narrow pathways and rocky areas and camp out in the open.
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Tambopata-Candamo National Reserve, Madre de Dios Accessing this nature reserve by river and staying in one of the lodges of the region is a real adventure. Some of them have created a system of bridges between the tree tops to give a be er view of the area and its natural richness.
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Dune buggies and sandboarding in the desert of Ica, Ica If you are looking for speed and adrenaline, then this is a good place to get your senses fully charged. From Paracas or at Lake Huacachina the dune buggy tours race across the dunes at full tilt, as well as making scheduled stops for a bit of sandboarding fun.
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Canoeing on the Urubamba River, Cusco ranging from short stretches of rapids requiring li le technical expertise and that can even be tackled during the rainy season to other stretches that run faster and more dangerously, with major torrents, which can only be a empted during the dry season.
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Surfing and other water sports It is possible to catch the waves all along the Peruvian coast, from the heat of the north to the cold ocean of the center and south. Expert surfers can test their skills on the longest left-handed wave in the world (2 km / 1.2 miles) at Puerto Chicama, Trujillo, La Libertad. Lovers of the sea can enjoy sports that include fishing, power boating, windsurfing and kite-surfing etc.
Adventure
Extreme experiences
Peru is a multifaceted nation. Its geography bears witness to that fact: a hot desert coast, an imposing mountain range and a lush jungle invite visitors to experience all manner of extreme adventures.
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Mountaineering in the White Mountain Range, ﾃ］cash This imposing mountain range, the second highest after the Himalayas -with more than 30 peaks over 6 000 meters in height- includes the snow-capped peak of Huascarﾃ｡n, the highest mountain in Peru (6 768 m / 22 205 feet). On the right-hand side of the mountain range is the Callejﾃｳn de Conchucos, the eastern mountains of this department, while 50 km (31 miles) to the south, the Huayhuash contains another twenty summits. The Huascarﾃ｡n protects the flora, fauna and beautiful scenery of the region, ideal for expeditions and hikes.
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Ancient cities and holy sites From the oldest civilization in America to the largest and most powerful empire of the south of the continent, Peru retains the architectural and artistic remains of its fascinating cultures. Discovering them is an extraordinary experience.
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Machu Picchu, Cusco and the surrounding area, Cusco The Inca city of Machu Picchu –“old mountain” in Quechua– imitates the silhoue e of the mountain that gives it its name before revealing itself in all its splendor. Rising up next to Wayna Pichhu –“new mountain”–, it is located a li le over 100 km (62 miles) by train from the city of Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire and the modern–day department, where Inca temples and archaeological remains sit alongside Hispanic buildings.
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Pucllana and Huallamarca Huacas, Lima Dating from the Lima culture (100 – 650 A.D.), these pyramids are hidden among residential districts of the capital. The Huaca Pucllana (see photo), in the district of Miraflores, is a pyramid of 25 m (82 feet) in height, built of thousands of adobe bricks (a mixture of mud and straw); the Huaca Huallamarca is located in the district of San Isidro and measures 35 m (115 feet). Both were ceremonial centers.
Nasca Lines, Ica These mysterious figures -lines, geometric forms, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic designs- that measure up to 275 m (902 feet) in length, were marked out using furrows up to 30 cm (12 inches) deep by the people of the Nasca culture, whose legacy is still kept alive almost 1 500 years on.
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Kuélap Fortress, Amazonas The walls of this archaeological group, at 20 m (66 feet) in height, lend it a monumental character. Built by people from the Chachapoya culture around 700 years ago, it rises up to 3 000 m (9 843 feet).
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Tombs, pyramids and palaces; Lambayeque and La Libertad From the city of Trujillo (La Libertad) it is possible to visit Chan Chan (see photo), the largest mud-brick citadel in America and ancient capital of the Chimú culture (900 – 1 200 A.D.). It also has the impressive pyramids called the Huaca of the Sun and Huaca of the Moon from the Moche culture (100 B.C. – 800 A.D.), and the archaeological complex of El Brujo, where the mummy of a Moche noblewoman was found -the Lady of Cao. In Chiclayo (Lambayeque), the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipán displays the trove of gold and silver found in Huaca Rajada, in the tomb of this Moche nobleman. To the north, Batán Grande is the site of the tomb of the Lord of Sicán as well as an impressive group of adobe pyramids belonging to the Lambayeque culture (600 – 1 400 A.D.). Another notable a raction is the Valley of the Pyramids in Túcume, comprising 26 pyramids from this culture.
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Pachacamac Archaeological Sanctuary, Lima This complex dominates the side of the valley of the Lurín River, south of the city of Lima. Among its palaces and plazas is the oracle of the creator god Pachacamac, making this the main religious center of the coast. The other temples and pyramics show the architectural styles of the cultures that populated the region in successive periods: Lima, Wari, Ychsma and Inca.
Natural
Manu National Park and Tambopata National Reserve, Madre de Dios These are two of the country’s most important natural reserves. A huge variety of species of birds (such as the Red-masked parakeet on the photo), mammals, fish, insects, reptiles and plants are concentrated here, many of them endemic. It is also the habitat of some native peoples who maintain their own customs, traditions and languages.
m a g i ca l b i o d i v e r s i t y
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Peru is one of the 10 megadiverse countries in the world, with hundreds of endemic species of fauna and flora; a paradise for birdwatchers and orchid lovers or for those wishing to explore the mythical and remote natural landscapes, some still virgin and always full of life.
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The Pómac Forest Historic Sanctuary in Lambayeque does not just protect a dry forest ecosystem dominated by carob trees but also an important archaeological complex with pyramids built by the Sicán culture.
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Amazon River and Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Loreto From Iquitos you can start the journey through the Amazon River to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, an area of tropical rainforest that is home to a rich flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the pink dolphin, which is only found in its waters.
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Colca Valley, Arequipa This inter-Andean valley is full of contrasts: agricultural people who still maintain their traditional customs, handicrafts and architecture live their lives between the mountains that rise up to 5 000 m (16 404 feet) in height and the pine-clad cliffs of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons on the planet, which is over 4 160 m (13 648 feet) deep at its lowest point.
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Paracas National Reserve and desert of Ica A refuge for seals, Humboldt penguins, dolphins, flamingoes and other bird species, this nature reserve also has marvellous beaches. One hour away by motorboat are the Ballestas Islands, a natural habitat for thousands of seals and seabirds. Further south, the desert opens up in all its splendor, with impressive sand dunes and the oasis of Huacachina.
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Northern beaches: Tumbes and Piura On the north coast of Peru it is summer all year round. Visitors can enjoy its white, sandy beaches and warm, blue sea in a se ing that still has the air of a small town and a style that is one hundred percent natural. It is also an exceptional place for whale watching as the humpback whales migrate north from Antarctica. For those who wish to explore further inland, the National Mangrove Sanctuary of Tumbes protects the biodiversity of the region, populated by birds and other species such as the American crocodile.
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Peru is waiting for you. Please choose where you would like to begin looking.
Peru is waiting for you. Please choose where you would like to begin your journey.
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