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PERU DESTINATION GUIDE The most popular Destinations in Peru
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Introduction: Why Peru? ................................................................................... 4 Ancient Archeological Sites ............................................................................. 5 Amazon Jungle ................................................................................................ 5 Relaxation & Fine Cuisine ............................................................................... 6 Peruvian Hospitality ........................................................................................ 6 Lima................................................................................................................... 8 Lima Weather ................................................................................................. 8 Lima Cathedral ............................................................................................. 9 Convent of San Francisco ........................................................................... 10 Larco Museum ........................................................................................... 11 Pachacamac ............................................................................................... 12 Lima Fountains at Night ............................................................................. 13 Caral – The Oldest Civilization in the America’s ......................................... 14 Cusco ............................................................................................................... 16 Cusco Weather ............................................................................................. 16 Cusco Cathedral ......................................................................................... 17 Qorikancha ................................................................................................ 17 Sacsyahuaman ........................................................................................... 17 Qenko ........................................................................................................ 18 Tambomachay ........................................................................................... 18 Puca Pucara ............................................................................................... 18 Sacred Valley of the Inca ............................................................................... 19 Pisac Market .............................................................................................. 20 Pisac Inca Ruins.......................................................................................... 20 Ollantaytambo ........................................................................................... 20 Animal Rescue Center ................................................................................ 21 Moray ........................................................................................................ 22 Maras / Salineras ( Salt mines ) .................................................................. 23 Luxury Peru Travel Calle Garcilaso 265, Cusco, Peru Toll Free: 1800 298 3158 Contact Us: enquiries@luxuryperu.travel
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Machu Picchu .................................................................................................. 24 Machu Picchu - Central Zone ..................................................................... 26 Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu (3 to 4 Hours Round Trip) ......................... 27 Machu Picchu - Inti Punku the Sun Gate (2 Hours round trip) .................... 28 Machu Picchu - Inca Bridge (1 Hour Round Trip) ........................................ 29 Machu Picchu - Apu Machu Picchu (4 to 5 Hours Roundtrip) ..................... 30 Arequipa & the Colca Canyon .......................................................................... 31 Arequipa ....................................................................................................... 32 Colca Canyon ................................................................................................ 34 Puno & Lake Titicaca ........................................................................................ 35 Puno ............................................................................................................. 36 Lake Titicaca ................................................................................................. 37 Amazon Jungle Peru ........................................................................................ 39 Amazon Critters: ........................................................................................... 41 South of Lima .................................................................................................. 42 Nasca Lines ................................................................................................... 43 Ballestas Islands ............................................................................................ 44 Paracas Nature Reserve ................................................................................ 45 Ancient Northern Kingdoms of Peru ................................................................ 46 Lord of Sipan ................................................................................................. 47 Chan Chan..................................................................................................... 49 About Us – The Luxury Peru Travel Company................................................... 50
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Introduction: Why Peru? From exotic jungle to coastal desert via the breathtaking peaks of the Andes, Peru’s staggering variety of places to visit means the potential for adventure is boundless. Whether you want to trek the hallowed Inca Trail, drink Pisco sours in a sleepy colonial town, swim with pink dolphins or paddle your way down the Amazon in a dugout canoe – or all of the above – this is a country that’s ripe for exploring. Wherever you go, Peru’s vibrant Andean culture, one of the most exciting in the Americas, will brighten your travels: tucked-away highland towns explode into color on market day, and local fiestas are celebrated with unbridled enthusiasm.
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Ancient Archeological Sites This immense wealth of sights and experiences has its roots in one of the world’s richest heritages, topped by the Inca Empire and its fabulous archeological gems, not to mention the monumental adobe temples and pre-Inca ruins along the desert coast. Magical Machu Picchu may be the big gun in Peru’s archeological arsenal, but there are plenty of other fascinating sites too – and important new discoveries are constantly being unearthed. Amazon Jungle Boasting access to the highest tropical mountain range in the world as well as one of the best preserved areas of virgin Amazon rainforest, Peru’s wildlife is as diverse as you’d expect, and sights such as jaguars slinking through the jungle, caimans sunning themselves on riverbanks and dazzling macaws gathering at Amazon clay licks are all within the visitor’s grasp.
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Relaxation & Fine Cuisine Equally, a trip to Peru could focus on more restful pursuits. Widely touted as one of the world’s culinary hotspots, the country – and Lima in particular – offers an array of exotic tastes to appeal to curious palates, as well as a laidback, vibrant dining scene, ranging from backstreet cevicherías to gourmet restaurants. And in the big cities, you can expect buzzing nightlife too. Peruvian Hospitality Despite it all, simple, unaffected pleasures remain in place. The country’s prevailing attitude is that there is always enough time for a chat, a ceviche, or another drink. Peru is accepting of its visitors – it’s a place where the resourceful and open-minded traveler can break through barriers of class, race and language far more easily than most of its inhabitants can. Now all you have to do is figure out where to start!!!
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Lima Peru Capital City of Peru & UNESCO World Heritage City
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Lima Capital of Peru, located in the central pacific coast of the country, and is considered one of the major cities in South America. It is known for its historic downtown center declared by UNSECO a “World Heritage Site” in 1991. This center is best recognized for its colonial and republican architecture, its pre-Hispanic heritage, modern districts, beach boardwalks, amazing ocean views, and impressive international cuisine. Lima is also known as the “City of the Kings” and was formally the richest viceroyalty in South America. This important metropolis still has a beautiful colonial architecture that surprises visitors, as well as offering world-class cuisine. Lima Weather Climate: It’s mild, despite being located in the tropics and in a desert.
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Lima Cathedral Lima Cathedral is an immense baroque cathedral originally built in 1564. In addition to its fine baroque art, it is best known for being designed by Francisco Pizarro (who conquered the Incas and founded Lima) and for containing his tomb. The layout for this immense structure was dictated by Francisco Pizarro himself, and his basic vision has survived despite extensive rebuilds after earthquakes in 1746 and 1940. The first church on the site was completed in 1625. Because of changing tastes, the main altar was replaced around 1800 with one in neoclassical style. At about the same time the towers that flank the entrance were added. The interior of Lima cathedral is attractive, with a delicate vaulted ceiling and a checkerboard floor. It is embellished with some impressive baroque furnishings, the most notable of which are the intricately carved choir stalls but perhaps the highlight of a visit to the cathedral is the colorfully mosaiced chapel containing the tomb of Francisco Pizarro (1475-1541), Spanish Conquistador, Conqueror of the Inca Empire and founder of the city of Lima.
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Convent of San Francisco This church and monastery of St. Francis (circa 1674) is known for its catacombs that contain the remains of more than 70,000 people and a magnificent library that houses thousands of antique texts.
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Larco Museum Considered a must see Museum by all travel editors and specialists and undoubtedly one of the top museums in Latin America. Located in an 18th century vice-royal mansion built over a VIIth century precolumbian pyramid Museo Larco is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The museums’ new galleries exhibit the finest and most comprehensive Peruvian pre-Columbian gold and silver collection in the world; as well as the renowned Erotic Pottery Collection.
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Pachacamac A unique archaeological and mystical experience: the oracle, temples, palaces, myths and legends of Pachacamac. Ancestral Shrine Our excursion begins with a panoramic view of the “Pucllana Pyramid” built in IVth century a.d., and considered as a “sacred village” by the Incas. Pachacamac Oracle We will then have a guided tour through the splendid and vast archeological site of the Pachacamac Oracle, also known as the temple of the deity. The old Andean civilizations believed Pachacamac was the creator of the universe. The citadel comprises temples, pyramids and palaces, such as the “Temple of the Sun”, the “Temple of Pachacamac”, the “Acllahuasi” or “Palace of the Virgins” of the Sun, amongst others. The whole area was considered holy and part of the mystical axis of the world.
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Lima Fountains at Night Be surprised by the largest compound of electronic fountains in the world. A Magical Water Circuit‖of the largest water fountain compound in the world, certified by Guinness World Records. Here you will enjoy a wonderful display of water, light, music and images .
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Caral – The Oldest Civilization in the America’s Caral the “most important archeological site in the America’s”. Dating to 3,500yrs BC, this puts civilization in the America’s on a timeline with the Ancient Mesopotanian and Chinese for instance. It’s existence rewrites our understanding of civilization in the America’s and I hope you will agree may be a must see for both History enthusiasts and scholars alike. Caral is still undeveloped as a toursit destination and is a working archealogical site in the desert. It is a Full Day round trip from Lima leaving at say 07:00 and returning around 18:00. Six societies around the world would change their lifestyles and create the conditions that made civilization possible, the state and the formation of cities: Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, Peru, China and Mesoamerica. It is important to know each of these civilizations because they influenced the development of contemporary populations and played a key role in the development of societies that followed. The Lost Pyramids of Caral BBC Documentary (or Google this on YouTube)
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Cusco Peru Ancient Capital of Both the Inca & Colonial Spanish Empires
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Cusco Known to the Incas as the “navel of the world”, colorful Cusco was built by the Spanish on the remains of Inca temples and palaces, and is as rich in human activity today as it must have been at the height of the empire. One of South America’s biggest tourist destinations, the city boasts a thriving Andean culture, Inca architecture, and colonial treasures galore; not to mention exclusive access to the mighty Machu Picchu, an unmissable highlight to any trip to Peru. Cusco, once the Inca capital, it is now home to a rich mix of traditional culture, lively nightlife and an endless variety of museums, walks, and tours. Cusco Weather
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Cusco Cathedral Cusco Cathedral is a Baroque-style cathedral built on the foundations of the palace of the Inca Wirachocha in Cusco. Construction began in 1550, using many stones looted from the site of the hillside Sacsayhuamán fortress, and was completed a century later. It is considered one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in the Americas. Within the cathedral's high walls are some of the best examples of the Cusqueña school of painting, including a Marcos Zapata painting of the Last Supper with a local specialty, cuy (guinea pig), as the main dish. Qorikancha If the Spanish came to the new world looking for El Dorado, the lost city of gold, they must have thought they'd found it when they laid eyes on Qorikancha. Built during the reign of the Inca Pachacutec to honor the Sun, Tawantinsuyos' most important divinity, Qorikancha translates as "Court of Gold." Sacsyahuaman This enormous walled fortress forms the head of Cusco’s ethereal puma, whose fierce-looking teeth point away from the city. The name Sacsayhuaman is of disputed origin, with different groups holding that it means either “satiated falcon”, “speckled head” or “city of stone”, it was the falcon that guarded the capital of the empire.
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Qenko A sanctuary dedicated to the adoration of animals, and consists of ruins formed by a rocky site with stairs in a zigzag, and a main building similar to a circular amphitheatre where 19 window sills are located as a way of seats. Tambomachay This was an Inca sanctuary dedicated to the cult of water, a place reserved for Inca Royalty. Consisting of a group of walls that are united by stairs, there are springs that cascade to a pool through several channels. The waterfalls in these ruins form part of a terrace to the second wall where the drainage cascades to the first and forms a small pool. Puca Pucara This is an Inca archaeological site located again on the peak of a hill and is thought to be a military position and an administrative center. Due to its proximity to Tambomachay, it is believed to have had a relationship with its defense, as well as the control of the route to Calca.
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Sacred Valley of the Inca The Urubamba Valley, better known as El Valle Sagrado de los Incas (the Sacred Valley of the Incas), is a relaxed and incomparably beautiful stretch of small villages and ancient ruins spread across broad plain and rugged mountain slopes northwest of Cusco. The magnificent Inca ruins found from Pisac to Ollantaytambo and beyond are some of the finest not only in Peru, but also in all of the Americas are testaments to the region's immense ceremonial importance. The Inca built several of the empire's greatest estates, temples, and royal palaces between the sacred centers of Cusco and Machu Picchu, positioned like great bookends at the south and north ends of the valley. With the river as its source, the fertile valley was a major center of agricultural production for the Incas, who grew native Andean crops such as white corn, coca, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables in expansive fields and along spectacularly terraced mountain slopes. The valley continues to serve as a breadbasket for Cusco, providing grains, peaches, avocadoes, and much more.
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Pisac Market Pisac's famed artisans' and antiques market draws many hundreds of shoppers on Sunday morning in high season, when it is without a doubt one of the liveliest in Peru. Hundreds of stalls crowd the central square and spill down side streets. Sellers come from many different villages, many of them remote populations high in the Andes, and wear the dress typical of their village. Pisac Inca Ruins The Pisac ruins are some of the finest and largest in the entire valley. Despite the excellent condition of many of the structures, little is conclusively known about the site's actual purpose. It appears to have been part city, part ceremonial center, and part military complex. It might have been a royal estate of the Inca emperor (PachacĂştec). It was certainly a religious temple, and although it was reinforced with the ramparts of a massive citadel, the Incas never retreated here to defend their empire against the Spaniards (and Pisac was, unlike Machu Picchu, known to Spanish forces). Ollantaytambo At the far northern end of the Sacred Valley lies the magnificent ancient town of Ollantaytambo which is overwhelmed by the astounding temple-fortress clinging to the sheer cliffs beside it. The town is a very pleasant place to spend some time, with good restaurants and a convenient location in the heart of great trekking country.
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Awankancha Living Museum On route we can stop at Awanakancha, which is a great place for an introduction to life in the High Andes. Here you will see traditional weavers at work and come face to face with llamas, alpacas and other Andean camelids. Entrance is free, they hope to make money by donation or by the sale of arts and crafts available in their shop. Animal Rescue Center A family run Animal Rescue Center on the road between Pisac & Cusco. Injured animals are rescued from the wild and nursed back to health and released back into the wild if possible. Payment is by donation and at your discretion. Currently there are Llama, Alpaca, Condors and a Puma in residence so a great opportunity to see these animals up close and personal.
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Moray A further breathtaking 20 kms drive with the beautiful snowcapped Chicon and Veronica mountains in the Cordillera Vilcanota as a backdrop we continue through to Moray. In Moray we visit “ the Inca agricultural greenhouse or laboratory�, consisting of four platforms amphitheater style or. Has a depth of 150 meters, the overlapping concentric circular stone rings widen as they rise. It was an experimental place to study the adaptation of plants to new ecosystems.
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Maras / Salineras ( Salt mines ) Located 7 miles from Moray at an altitude of 3, 380m is a small village, as a model of a miniature city. Famous for its salt mines, made up of about 3000 small wells with an area average size of about 5 ms ². These were already exploited since Inca times as a means of economic exchange and securities. It is very interesting to see how the salt is recovered from these mines and the lives of those who work here.
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Machu Picchu One of the Seven Wonders of the World
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The Incas built Machu Picchu around 1450, but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The site is so large it would take several days to see everything, however the highlights can be seen in a day, or better, two days if you have the time and funds available. Below you will find a description of the highlights:
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Machu Picchu - Central Zone Within Machu Picchu there are a number of specific treasures that you can explore at your own pace. There are over 150 different palaces, temples, dwellings, and other structures within the citadel. Take time to get lost in its 75 acres of wonder and climb some of the citadel’s 10,000 steps. Separated into three areas, agricultural, urban, and religious the structures are arranged so that the function of the buildings matches the form of their surroundings. Famous Machu Picchu attractions include the Intihuatana stone, which points toward the sun at the winter solstice and may have acted as an astronomical calendar, and the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of Three Windows, both of which were devoted to the Sun God Inti. The central buildings of Machu Picchu use the classical Inca architectural style of polished dry-stone walls. The Incas were masters of this technique, called ashlar, in which blocks of stone are cut to fit together tightly without mortar. Many junctions in the central city are so perfect that it is said not even a blade of grass fits between the stones.
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Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu (3 to 4 Hours Round Trip) Huayna Picchu is the mountain you see behind Machu Picchu. Towering above the north end of Machu Picchu this steep mountain is often seen in the backdrop to the classic photos of the ruins. The mountain is steep, but stone steps are laid along most of the way and where the mountain is steeper you will find steel cables used as handrails. For fit people it is not a difficult climb. Very Limited Access! Only 400 people are allowed to hike Huayna Picchu each day. You have to sign in at the entrance gate. The first 200 numbers are released at 7:00am, and are often gone in less than an hour on busier days. The second 200 are available at 10:00am. It is approximately a 3 to 4 hour hike up and down Huayna Picchu but well worth the effort for the stunning views from the top.
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Machu Picchu - Inti Punku the Sun Gate (2 Hours round trip)
Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, marks the entrance to Machu Picchu. It is a one hour uphill hike to the southeast of the Sanctuary, climbing more than 300 meters. The hike is on the original Inca trail and is paved with Inca stones. There is a spectacular view from the gate (pictured above).
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Machu Picchu - Inca Bridge (1 Hour Round Trip) This hike is to the south west of Machu Picchu, a nice original trail that overlooks the Aobamba valley and the Hydro-electric plant. This Inca Bridge is a part of a mountain trail that heads west from Machu Picchu. The trail is a stone path, part of which is cut into a cliff face. A twenty-foot gap was left in this section of the carved cliff face, over a 1,900 feet drop that could be bridged with two tree trunks. When the tree trunks were removed then the trail became impassable to outsiders. The path is narrow and paved with original Inca stones. The steep trail continues on and climbs the side of the mountain, leading adventurous travelers to a remote corner of this archaeological site. In addition to a magnificent bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu, the summit also offers a perfect vantage point to the canyon of the Vilcanota River, the mountain of Putukusi and the distant snow-capped Andean peaks.
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Machu Picchu - Apu Machu Picchu (4 to 5 Hours Roundtrip) The hike to the summit of Apu Machu Picchu is 2 ½ hours and can be quite steep in places. This trail, accessed from Machu Picchu, joins parts of the Inca trail leading to the Sun Gate before climbing to the mountain's highest point. From there, enjoy the view of soaring eagles as well as Machu Picchu and other significant ruins in the area, such as Putukusi, Huayna Picchu, Salkantay mountain and the Vilcanota River view. This is a breathtaking hike, lot of orchids along the way, birds in the bushy areas, and with every stop the view is gets better and better. The climb is 600 meters uphill, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Access to Apu Machu Picchu is controlled by special tickets which need to be purchased in advance. Access is 07:00 – 11:00.
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Arequipa & the Colca Canyon Beautiful Colonial City and perhaps the deepest Canyon in the World
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Arequipa
It’s hard playing second fiddle to Cusco and Machu Picchu on Peru’s international tourist circuit, not that this little detail makes the average arequipeño jealous. Other Peruvians joke that you need a different passport to enter Peru’s secondlargest city, a metropolis one-tenth of the size of the capital Lima but pugnaciously equal to it in terms of cuisine, historical significance and confident self-awareness. Guarded by not one but three dramatic volcanoes, the city enjoys a resplendent, if seismically precarious setting – earthquakes regularly wrack this region, the last big one causing significant damage in 2001. Fortunately, the city’s architecture, a formidable ensemble of baroque-mestizo buildings grafted out of the local white sillar rock, has so far withstood most of what Mother Earth has thrown at it. Luxury Peru Travel Calle Garcilaso 265, Cusco, Peru Toll Free: 1800 298 3158 Contact Us: enquiries@luxuryperu.travel
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In 2000 the city’s central core earned a well-deserved Unesco World Heritage listing and the sight of the gigantic cathedral, with the ethereal image of 5825m El Misti rising behind it, is worth a visit alone. Pretty cityscapes aside, Arequipa has played a fundamental role in Peru’s gastronomic renaissance; classic spicy dishes such as rocoto relleno, chupe de camarones and ocopa best enjoyed in the city’s communal picantería restaurants, all hail from here. Suiting its reputation as an outdoor paradise, Arequipa also enjoys perfect weather: more than 300 days a year of sunshine, huge blue skies, and low humidity.
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Colca Canyon 165km (103 miles) N of Arequipa Claimed to be the deepest canyon in the world at more than 1km from cliff-edge to river bottom, the COLCA CANYON is an impressive sight. Vargas Llosa, the Peruvian novelist and most famous Arequipe単o, described Colca as "The Valley of Wonders." That is no literary overstatement. Colca is one of the most scenic regions in Peru, a land of imposing snowcapped volcanoes, narrow gorges, artistically terraced agricultural slopes that predate the Incas, arid desert landscapes and vegetation, and remote traditional villages. Some of Peru's most recognizable wildlife, including llamas, alpacas, vicu単as, and the celebrated giant Andean condors, roam the region.
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Puno & Lake Titicaca The birth place of Inca Civilization
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Puno With a regal plaza, concrete block buildings and crumbling bricks that blend into the hills, Puno has its share of both grit and cheer. It serves as the jumping-off point for Lake Titicaca and a convenient stop for those traveling between Cuzco and La Paz. But it may just capture your heart with its own rackety charm. Smoke from unvented fires wafts through Puno’s streets, along with jangling waves of traffic, including mototaxis and triciclos (three-wheeled cycles) that edge pedestrians to the narrow slivers of sidewalks. Its urban center can feel contaminated and cold. But Puno’s people are upbeat, cheeky and ready to drop everything if there’s a good time to be had. As a trade (and contraband) hub between Peru, Bolivia and both coasts of South America, Puno is overwhelmingly commercial and forward-looking. For a glimpse of its colonial and naval identity, you only have to peruse the spots of old architecture, the colorful traditional dress worn by many inhabitants and scores of young cadets in the streets. Puno is known as Peru’s capital folklõrica (folkloric capital) – its Virgen de la Candelaria parades are televised across the nation – and the associated drinking is the stuff of legend. Good times aren’t restricted to religious festivals, though: some of Peru’s most convivial bars are found in Puno.
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Lake Titicaca Worlds collide around Lake Titicaca. Here the desolate altiplano (Andean plateau) meets the storied peaks and fertile valleys of the Andes. Green, sundazed islands contrast with freezing dirt farms. Ancient agrarian communities live alongside the chaos of the international marketplace. Lake Titicaca shimmers with a distinctive navy blue, and its gemlike islands and gentle shores are an agricultural paradise. Crumbling cathedrals, rolling hills, checkerboard valleys and Bolivia’s highest mountains in the background all conspire to make anyone a pro photographer. According to Andean belief, this lake gave birth to the sun, as well as the father and mother of all the Incas, Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo. Pre-Inca Pukara, Tiwanaku and Collas all lived here and left monuments scattered across the landscape – from waist-high burial towers for dwarves to comical oversized stone penises.
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Although it's generally cold, the beaming sun keeps you warm and, if you don't watch it, burned. Before leaving Puno, though, almost everyone hops aboard a boat to visit at least one of several ancient island-dwelling peoples that seem to have materialized straight out of the pages of National Geographic. A tour takes travelers to the Uros Floating Islands where local communities consisting of just a few families construct tiny islands out of totora reeds and two inhabited natural islands, AmantanĂ and Taquile. Taquile Island's brown dusty landscape contrasts with green terraces, bright flowers, and the surrounding blue waters. Islanders still wear traditional dress and have successfully maintained the cooperative lifestyle of their ancestors.
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Amazon Jungle Peru Just 60 Minutes from Cusco
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Nearly two-thirds of Peru is Amazon rainforest, which thrives with some of the richest biodiversity on the planet. Covering 6,475,000 sq. km (2,500,000 sq. miles), the Amazon basin represents 54% of all remaining rainforest on the planet. This vast, largely impenetrable region, with the smallest human population in the country and few towns of any significant size, clearly is not the Peru of great pre-Columbian civilizations and Inca ruins. It stands in stunning contrast to the country's rugged Andean peaks and arid desert coasts. The humid frontier towns of the jungle, well past stages of oil and rubber booms and now hell-bent on ecotourism, are worlds removed from the historic cities Cusco and Arequipa and the modern madness of Lima. Top reasons to go: The River: The Amazon is a natural choice for adventures, but it is best explored on an organized tour. Wild Things: Peru's Amazon Basin has more than 50,000 plant, 1,700 bird, 400 mammal, and 300 reptile species. Bring binoculars. Sport Fishing: Anglers can test their skills on dozens of river fish, including the feisty peacock bass. Jungle Lodges: Staying at a jungle lodge is almost obligatory when visiting the Amazon Basin if you really want to experience the jungle life surrounding you.
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Amazon Critters: Pink dolphins, jaguars, the slow-moving sloths, armour-plated armadillos and the peculiar anteaters, along with about 420 other mammals are found there. Amazon reptiles include turtles, tortoises, venomous snakes, boas and anacondas, green iguanas, crocodilians, alligators/caimans, and many more. From the colourful toucan to the majestic harpy eagle, the South American tropics rank as one of the world's most diverse areas for birds. About 3,800 species are found there. The most abundant and varied amphibians in the region are undoubtedly toads, frogs and tree frogs. Of the 4,000 species found around the world, more than 427 in the Amazon, including the poison dart frog. While things may seem relatively quiet above the water, Amazon rivers and tributaries teem with more than 3,000 species of fish, including piranha and the feared electric eels. Invertebrates make up a huge group of species which reveal the fiery rhinoceros beetle, the beautiful morpho butterfly and one of the world’s largest cockroaches. Between 1999 and 2009, more than 1,200 new species of plants and vertebrates were discovered in the Amazon biome – or one new species every three days – confirming the Amazon as one of the most diverse places on Earth.
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South of Lima Nasca Lines, Ballestas Islands & Paracas
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Nasca Lines The Nasca Lines are a series of ancient geoglyphs located in the Nasca Desert in southern Peru. They were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The high, arid plateau stretches more than 80 kilometers (50 mi) between the towns of Nasca and Palpa on the Pampas de Jumana about 400 km south of Lima. Although some local geoglyphs resemble Paracas motifs, scholars believe the Nasca Lines were created by the Nasca culture between 400 and 650 AD. The hundreds of individual figures range in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fish, sharks, orcas, llamas, and lizards. The lines are shallow designs made in the ground by removing the ubiquitous reddish pebbles and uncovering the whitish ground beneath. Hundreds are simple lines or geometric shapes; more than seventy are zoomorphic designs of animals such as birds, fish, llamas, jaguar, monkey, or human figures. Other designs include phytomorphic shapes such as trees and flowers. The largest figures are over 200 meters (660 ft.) across. Scholars differ in interpreting the purpose of the designs, but in general they ascribe religious significance to them.
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Nasca was a quiet colonial town unnoticed by the rest of the world until 1901, when Peruvian archaeologist Max Uhle excavated sites around Nasca and discovered the remains of a unique pre-Colombian culture. Set 598 meters (1,961 feet) above sea level, the town has a dry climate—scorching by day, nippy by night—that was instrumental in preserving centuries-old relics from Inca and pre-Columbian tribes. The area has more than 100 cemeteries, where the humidity-free climate has helped preserve priceless jewelry, textiles, pottery, and mummies. Overlooking the parched scene is the 2,078-meter (6,815-foot) Cerro Blanco, the highest sand dune in the world. Ballestas Islands Today a half day small group of the nearby Ballestas Islands, known as Peru’s “Little Galapagos” because of the wealth of wildlife spotting opportunities. “This trip of discovery aboard a private boat, pictured right, takes you to the famed Ballestas Islands where you will enjoy the sights and sounds of such fascinating Peruvian coastal wildlife as sea lions (tourist-friendly), Humboldt penguins, and an endless number of migratory birds. Along the way, there will be ample opportunity to marvel at the Candelabro, a mysterious and huge geoglyph that stands watch over the Ica coastline, and to listen to the islands’ history, as recounted by our knowledgeable guides.”
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Paracas Nature Reserve The only marine protected area in Peru, home to sea lions, Humboldt's penguins, dolphins, and hundreds of bird species. The Paracas Natural Reserve is an Eden for nature lovers, where they can admire the ocean, the desert, and incredible wildlife diversity. Not only is it one of the richest aquatic ecosystems in the world, but also a regional reserve for migratory birds. This part of the Peruvian coast is the habitat for 260 marine bird species, but there are others, as well‌ the Andean fox, Peru Pacific iguana, Andean condor, etc.
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Ancient Northern Kingdoms of Peru Lord of Sipan & Chan Chan
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Lord of Sipan This stunningly modern museum certainly stands out in northern Peru, land of dusty archaeological pyramids and colonial towns. Its daring architecture of bold angles, glass, and orange concrete makes a statement by echoing the ancient Moche pyramids of the region, but the principal attraction is within. It holds one of Peru's most spectacular exhibits, the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, discovered in 1987, which ranks as one of the most important archaeological discoveries in Peru of the past 50 years. Unearthed at the Huaca Rajada at Sipán, the multilevel royal funeral tomb of El Señor de Sipán, a Moche royal figure buried more than 1,700 years ago, was remarkable for its undisturbed, methodical layers and wealth of ceremonial ornaments and treasures that provided key clues to Moche culture. Buried along with the king, who was presumed to be a sort of living deity, were companions joining him on his journey to the afterlife: a Moche warrior, a priest, three female concubines, a dog, two llamas, a child, 212 food and beverage vessels, and a guard with a copper shield, gold helmet, and amputated feet -- symbolic of his everlasting protection over the king's tomb.
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The space dedicated to the Lord of Sipán is one of the most impressive and unforgettable sights under a roof in Peru -- a revelation for visitors who've visited several of the archaeological sites in northern Peru and been disappointed to find little more than difficult-to-decipher colossal piles of clay. In this marvelously designed three-level museum, the spectacular Sipán finds articulate the grandeur and achievements of pre-Inca cultures and help us comprehend their religious beliefs, social structure, and sophistication. On display from the main funerary chamber amazingly never looted are headdresses, garments, and breastplates of gold, silver, and precious stones that tell an intricate story of power and rank. Several pieces, such as the royal necklace of 20 peanuts, half gold and half silver, are stunning. Other tombs uncovered and re-created here are those of the priest, the mythical "Bird-Man" and top-ranking religious official, and the Viejo Señor de Sipán (or Old Lord of Sipán), a Moche spiritual dignitary whose death preceded that of the newer lord's and whose remains were found buried farther below. The Tumbas Reales Museum is one of the best organized and best designed in Peru, an eminently worthy resting place for this monumental discovery. You'll need at least a couple of hours to explore it fully.
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Chan Chan The sprawling adobe-brick capital city, whose ruins lie 5 km (3 mi) west of Trujillo, has been called the largest mud city in the world. It once held boulevards, aqueducts, gardens, palaces, and some 10,000 dwellings. Within the city were nine royal compounds, one of which, the royal palace of Tschudi, has been partially restored and opened to the public. Although the city began with the Moche civilization, 300 years later, the ChimĂş people took control of the region and expanded the city to its current size. While less known than the Incas, who conquered them in 1470, the ChimĂş were the secondlargest pre-Columbian society in South America. Their empire stretched along 1,000 km (620 mi) of the Pacific, from Lima to Tumbes.
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About Us – The Luxury Peru Travel Company For over 16 Years, The Luxury Peru Travel Company is a First Class & Luxury Peru Vacation Operator based in Cusco, Peru. Luxury Peru Travel won “Best Tour Operator” 2012 by DIRCETUR the Peruvian National Tourist Authority for Cusco & Machu Picchu. Our mission is to provide unique, personalized Peru Vacation experiences for our clients, listening carefully to your needs, wants & desires and customizing a Machu Picchu Vacation itinerary that meets these perfectly, and at the right price. Detailed Expert Local Knowledge Booking a major trip is exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. We understand. That's why we have live Peru Travel Experts here to take care of your every need, making your trip stressfree & amazing. Contact Us Call Toll Free: 1800 298 3158 e-Mail: enquiries@luxuryperu.travel Skype: LuxuryPeruTravel Live Online Chat: https://secure.livechatinc.com/licence/2558521/open_chat.cgi?groups=0
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Luxury Peru Travel Calle Garcilaso 265, Cusco, Peru Toll Free: 1800 298 3158 Contact Us: enquiries@luxuryperu.travel
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