SPECIAL ISSUE
andes archaeology & amazon rainforest
spring 2015
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PeruPeru Travel
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AMAZON RAINFOREST
Peru, a country with over 5000 years of history, one of the most diverse nations on the planet and a destination that holds infinite vacation destinations. PERU: the Country
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10-Day Jungle Safari & Andean Journey
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5-Star Magic of Peru
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7-Day Cusco & Sacred Valley
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Amazon Refuge Eco-Lodge
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Peru Geography
Experience Peru and discover the diversity and uniqueness of its landscapes, sounds, colors and flavors; journey back in time to discover ancient civilizations and experience Peru’s immense cultural heritage. Relish those countless places and experiences that only truly come to life when you are there in person. Caral, the first known civilization in the Americas; pre-Hispanic cultures; the Inca Empire, the fusion between Incas and the Hispanic world; Peru and its Western, Eastern and African influences; deserts, mountains, woods, the Amazon and the ocean; exotic landscapes, flora, fauna and great cultural diversity. This is what Peru is all about.
Peru is an extremely diverse country, with 11 ecological regions and 84 of the world’s 117 different types of “life zone”. The country has 3 main regions according to the traditional method of dividing the country by altitude: coast, mountains and jungle.
10-Day Jungle Safari
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Join us for boating & canoeing the rivers & lakes, hiking rainforest trails. There is a place on our planet where the rainforest is home to more species of mammal than any other place on Earth. The Amazon Refuge Wildlife Center is renowned for birding, photography, wildlife and cultural excursions on the remote Peruvian Yanayacu River. Expert naturalist guides, comfortable private bungalows and great Amazon cuisine await your visit to a natural botanical garden with amazing diversity of flora and fauna. The Yanayacu de Yacapana River, is home to the San Juan de Yanayacu Indians, and the northern buffer zone of their community reserve. Monkeys, jaguars, untold numbers of reptiles, birds, and insects, live amidst jungle flora and fauna just as they have for countless generations. There are over 132 species of mammals, 13 of which are primates. The river and lake waters are home to Gray and Pink Dolphins, Amazonian manatees, Giant River Otters, Black Caimans, Piranha, and giant South American River Turtles. Land species include Jaguars, Capuchin Monkeys and Spider Monkeys. The Black Spider Monkey, the Orange-chested Spider Monkey, the Woolly Monkey, and the Howler Monkey are all considered endangered. More than 500 species of birds live here, including five of the eight species of Macaw found in Peru. Jungle hikes into the rain forest, learning about the medicinal species from the area, view monkeys and wildlife. Visit to the Indian community San Juan de Yanayacu where we will learn about traditions, legends and myth from the amazon.
Andean Journey MACHU PICCHU & SACRED VALLEY
Our Machu Picchu custom journey is a private tour, with flexible departure days and superior accommodations, which has also been designed to ease the effects of altitude. Experience charming colonial Cusco, the beautiful Sacred Valley, and mystical Machu Picchu on this adventure through Peru. Visit all of the most important highlights in the country, the “must-sees” in any visit to Peru. Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu as you explore the country’s history, its stunning geography and scenery, and the impressive Inca and colonial legacy. Explore the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-Pucara, Tambomachay and the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Day tour visiting the Ollantaytambo fortress. Board the VistaDome Train to the town of Aguas Calientes. Full day visiting the ruins of the Machu Picchu citadel with a hike up Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu.
VISIT: Jungle Safari & Andean Journey
5-Star Magic of Machu Picchu Unveil the Sacred Valley and its treasures. Travel in style from Cusco to Machu Picchu aboard the astonishing Hiram Bingham train. Have an afternoon English style tea in the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu. And beat the crowds as you experience a morning stroll through the archaeological park before all the tourists arrive. Or simply enjoy the lush orchid gardens at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. For many, a trip to Machu Picchu is a once in a lifetime experience. The Belmond Hiram Bingham assures a magical journey, never to be forgotten. Cusco: A journey on the Belmond Hiram Bingham starts or finishes in Poroy, 20 minutes from the ancient capital city of Cusco. In Cusco’s main square you’ll find an array of colourful stalls framed by curious, charming stone walkways and streets. Delve a little deeper and discover beautiful little arcades with boutiques selling local crafts. The Sacred Valley: On the journey to the lost city, the train runs through Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The beautiful valley, known as ‘Vilcamayo’ to the Incas, stretches out from the Inca citadels of Pisac to Ollantaytambo along the Urubamba River or ‘Sacred River’. Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas, is one of the most famous examples of Inca architecture. The ruins, located in a lush jungle, are believed to have been built in the mid-15th century. Lost in history, they were not discovered until 1911 by the American explorer, Hiram Bingham.
Honeymoon or Romantic 5-Star Adventure Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, at 8,200 feet (2,400 m) above sea level is located within the very sanctuary boundaries of the Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel located adjacent to the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu offering guests exceptionally easy access from early morning to late afternoon. Monasterio Hotel Cusco: Right beside the lively Cusco central square is Belmond Hotel Monasterio, a former monastery and national monument dating from 1592. This delightful retreat combines centuries-old charm with luxury hotel service, inspired restaurants and boutique rooms and suites—all clustered around a tranquil central courtyard. Miraflores Park Hotel Lima: The sophisticated Belmond Miraflores Park in Lima, Peru, offers luxury and stellar service in a beautiful setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Set in one of Lima’s most fashionable areas, the Belmond Miraflores Park takes you straight to the heart of all that’s best about this great capital city.
VISIT: 5-star-magic-of-machu-picchu
7-Day Cusco archaeology
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On a walk through the streets of Cusco, the great walls and palaces built by the Incas exhibit the colossal architecture of the capital city of Tahuantinsuyo. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived, they used the Inca stone structures as foundations for the churches, convents, and stately homes they built. The Plaza de Armas, Cusco's main square, and Qorikancha Santo Domingo. A huge 16th century cathedral and other ornate churches dominate the square and numerous cafes, restaurants and stores spill out into it. The Plaza is used for most of the city’s special events, festivals and demonstrations. Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Park An imposing display of Inca architecture, located 2 km (1.2 mile) from Cusco City, built between the Pachacútec and Huayna Cápac periods. The park covers an area of 3,093 hectares (7,643 acres). There is still a question over its real purpose during the Inca period. At first, it was thought to have been a fort, but later it was considered to have been a ceremonial center.
Sacred Valley of the Inca Machu Picchu, an incredible masterpiece of Inca architecture, is a spectacular site and spiritual place. The complex of palaces and plazas, temples and homes may have been built as a royal estate of an Inca king, retreat for ruling elites, ceremonial site, or a military stronghold. It is called a sacred city, sanctuary or citadel because supposedly only the Inca (king) and chosen members of his entourage had access to it. Ollantaytambo Fort: A living example of what an Inca town was like. The fort is preserved in time, containing houses, streets and channels from the Tahuantinsuyo period. The name of the town and the archaeological area is owed to Cacique Ollanta, who, according to legend, fell in love with a princess, daughter of Inca PachacĂştec, and was severely punished. Pisac Ruins: Here there are many different buildings, plazas, temples, pools and other structures, all built between the 10th and 11th centuries AD. Inca architecture continues to stun admirers with the technique used to build its enormous walls, palaces and turrets with stone blocks, all done without any type of cement or adhesive. VISIT: Cusco & the Sacred Valley of the Inca
Amazon Refuge Eco-Lodge: Amazon River There is a place on our planet where the rainforest is home to more species of mammal than any other place on Earth. Expert naturalist guides, comfortable private bungalows and great Amazon cuisine await your visit to a natural botanical garden with amazing diversity of flora and fauna. The Amazon Refuge is a complex built on 100 acres of rainforest surrounded by a 1-million-acre Indian community nature reserve. Join us for boating & canoeing the rivers & lakes, hiking rainforest trails. All structures of the Refuge are completely screened and roofed with thatched palm. Buildings are interconnected by covered walkways. The main entrance extends from the dinning building across a covered bridge with open-air observation platform with the walkway continuing to 5-bungalows, each with private bath. The Amazon Wildlife Conservation Refuge is a crucial protected area of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. It is built on 100 acres of primary rainforest between the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Peru's largest preserve, and the Tamshiyacu Community Reserve, a 1 million-acre protection zone owned by local Indians. The Refuge ecosystem is biologically diverse and includes flood plains, rivers, streams, lakes and upland primary forest. With the cooperation and support of the San Juan de Yanayacu Indians 100 acres of their land was granted to the Refuge for the construction of a research and conservation center. The mission of the Refuge is to strengthen the rainforest ecosystem of the Yanayacu area by facilitating sound conservation practices, supporting protection of the community reserve and providing employment for the local people so they may live productive and sustainable lives, in harmony with nature.
A m a z o n Re f u g e W i l d l i f e Monkeys, jaguars, untold numbers of reptiles, birds, and insects, live amidst jungle flora and fauna just as they have for countless generations. Parts of the Reserve consist of flood plains, rivers, streams, lakes and upland primary forest each supporting rich localized ecosystems. There are over 132 species of mammals, 13 of which are primates. More than 500-bird species. The river and lake waters are home to Gray and Pink Dolphins, Amazonian manatees, Giant River Otters, Black Caimans and giant South American River Turtles. Land species include Jaguars, Capuchin Monkeys and Spider Monkeys. The Black Spider Monkey, the Orange-chested Spider Monkey, the Woolly Monkey, & the Howler Monkey. VISIT:. Amazon Refuge Eco-Lodge
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