Peru Tours, Travel Vacations, Guided Tours in Peru, Holiday Trips

Peru as a vacation destination is one of the little-known secrets of South America. Alive with history, fantasy, magic and folklore, Peru has grown and developed expansively since the Spanish invasion.

Today the historic and archeological sites tell tales of a people who were as advanced as the ancient Egyptians, could build elaborate structures and had an abundance of gold – a commodity that the Spanish were particularly fond of. Today Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire is still one of the most sought-after tourist destinations. Here you can see the wonders of the Amazon Basin, marvel at the Spanish cathedral and other monasteries built on top of the Inca walls or travel to Machu Picchu, the Inca city at the edge of the Amazon – its castle still shrouded in mystery.

From Cusco there are many options to choose from depending on your preference of vacation. The top ten vacation attractions in Peru are as follows:

• Arequipa: Home of the dormant Misti volcano, Arequipa still offers a variety of tourist attractions.

• Huascaran National Park: Here you will find the picturesque Huarez, as well as the Callenjon de Huaylas valley.

• Chiclayo: This is the business hub of Peru and only 22 miles (35 km) from the site where the Lord of Sijan’s body was found. His treasure trove is on display at the new museum, Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipan.

• Iquitos: This is Peru’s main port along the Amazon River. Here you can experience the opulence of the economic boom in the 1880’s as well as take boat rides on the major lakes and rivers.

• Lima: This is the capital of Peru filled with historic meaning as the numerous Inca temples in the valleys testify.

• Nazca Lines: The Nazca Lines are a wonder in their own right as they were created in 300BC, but can only be fully appreciated at an altitude of 1500 feet.

Peru offers a rich variety of attractions to suit every taste and preference and is well worth a visit.

One of the best ways to see and experience the grandeur of Peru is to take a hiking of trekking trip to some of its spectacular tourist attractions. There are a myriad of choices to be made between packaged tours and customized tours – all tailor-made to do no harm to your budget.

Here are some examples of Peru tours available to hiking and trekking lovers:

• Panoramic Peru: This is a good trip to get a good overall view of Peru. There are hiking trips to the Amazon Jungle, on the Inca Trail as well as hiking trips to and around Machu Picchu. This vacation can take up to 15 days to complete and ensures a variety of physical challenge to meet everyone’s needs. Some tour operators also offer customized packages for this particular tour.

• Hiking, biking and rafting in Peru: This kind of trip is truly for those who thrive on adrenalin. Sites and activities for this adventure-filled vacation are: Cuzco, Apurimac River Rafting, Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu, mountain biking, and the Manu Cloud Forest.

• Inca Discovery: Use this 4-day trek to follow in the footsteps of the mighty Incas to their citadel Machu Picchu. Sites along the way include Cuzco, The Sacred Valley, The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

• Trek and Study: This informative type of tour includes intensive Spanish classes with hiking and trekking tours to tourist destinations like the Four Ruins, Huchu’y Qosqo and Cuzco. Each day is filled with beautiful vistas and adventures on foot and on horseback. Once again, this tour can be customized by some of the tour operators.

• Ultimate Wildlife – Amazon and Machu Picchu: This off-the-beaten-track adventure gives you the opportunity to view some of Peru’s most amazing wildlife whilst hiking through spectacular forests and valleys. This tour is also customizable.

• Cordillera Blanca Adventure and Trek: This is a trek worth every minute spent in Peru. The trek itself is mainly mountaineering on Peru’s highest mountain – Nevado Huascaran.

There are many options for hikers of every physical description in Peru. It’s worth taking the time to choose the right one for you. No matter which one you choose you’ll have the time of your life.

From the rich textures of history come the aromatic flavors of modern Peruvian Cuisine. A short history overview will illustrate where the taste bud tempting food tastes and displays come from.

The Incas started it off by domesticating over 1000 varieties of tuber. Among these were potato and sweet potato. Along with potatoes, the Incas dined primarily on quinoa, corn, alpaca (meat) and cuy (a native guinea pig). Many of their recipes have stood the test of 500 years and today their traditional dishes such as carapulca and pachamanca are still being served.

When the Spanish arrived they brought with them beef and dairy products, chicken, rice, olives and grapes. As the new rulers of the country they had a strong influence on the way the food was to be prepared, as well as the recipes they preferred. The fusion of the native and Spanish dishes successfully fused in the Creole culture and gave us such as aji de gallina or papa a la huancaina containing hot peppers, cheese and milk blended in a variety of sauces.

With the Spanish came their African slaves who knew how to put together dishes from inferior produce. This led to two of Peru’s best dishes: anticuchos and tacu-tacu. The Africans also brought with them a unique music which complimented the food and made the whole culinary experience a thoroughly enjoyable one.

Travelers and immigrants from Europe also brought their particular touch to Peru’s already fabulous food, but it was the Chinese and Japanese that had the next significant impact on the cuisine of Peru. The Chinese introduced new frying techniques and the use of soy and ginger, producing the Peruvian classic, lomo saltado. The Japanese reintroduced fish and seafood dishes and recreated the dishes ceviche and tiradito to become the wonderful dishes known today.

Although Peruvian cuisine was until fairly recently unknown to the Western world, more and more prominent chefs have started studying and serving the dishes, winning admirers for the country’s wonderful recipes. Delectable, delicious and delightful, Peruvian cuisine is a must-taste.

When visiting any tourist destination, there are simple rules to follow in order to stay healthy and to enjoy the trip to its maximum. Peru is no different. It is a foreign country and with it comes the responsibility of taking good care of oneself. To assist the tourist on his/her way to Peru, here are a few tips that may be useful to follow:

• Accommodation: Peru offers a wide variety of accommodation. Types of accommodation include Backpacker hostels, guest houses and hotels. For longer trips you may even be able to rent a house / apartment for the duration of your stay. Wherever possible, it is important to book in advance and make sure of the price you are being charged. If you are travelling with children, it may be worth your while to book into a hotel rather than a hostel.

• Transport: The main mode of public transport in Peru is buses. They travel comfortably to the long distance destinations and are frequently used by travelers who want to appreciate the scenery of the country. There is also the option of air flights for those who want to travel long distance quickly. If independent travel is on your itinerary, or if you are travelling with children, a rental vehicle may be more appropriate.

• Food: Although food hygiene can be somewhat lax in some places, the food in small establishments and hotels are of a good standard. It is important, however, to ask what the ingredients are if you have specific dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or food allergies)

• Special precautions: Peru is generally a safe country to travel in. However, tourists still need to be alert and vigilant when travelling to avoid the odd pickpocket etc. It is also wise to have updated information on the safety situation in the country before setting out.

• General care: The country is situated at a very high altitude and visitors may experience a mild form of altitude sickness. Come prepared with medication that will relieve the symptoms. When travelling, it is extremely important to have plenty of fresh water with you and a high SPF sunscreen, as ultraviolet rays are more intense at high altitudes. The water is specifically meant to prevent dehydration along with added salt in your meals.

As with any holiday, Peru is an ideal setting for some well-deserved rest and relaxation, as long as all the health and safety bases have been covered.

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One of the main reasons for visiting Peru is the fact that there are so many Inca ruins and trails to follow and explore. These ruins tell the tale of a mighty and intelligent people who were technologically as advanced as the ancient Egyptians.

The tourist destinations that will appeal to those interested in the Incas and their empire are mainly located in and around Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Pisac. From there you can catch a plane, boat or car to take you to see of the most wondrous sights in the world.

• Cusco: The ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is the departure point for trips to the Inca city and castle of Machu Picchu are taken. It lies in the heart of the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 11,000 feet. It was the capital of the Inca Empire for a a relatively short time, there are still relics and imprints to be found in the city. Cusco is also the starting point of the famed Inca Trail which eventually leads to Machu Picchu. The trail in itself is an adventurous and rewarding trail for all trekking and hiking enthusiasts. Another plus of the trail is that it passes through the Sacred Valley which was the heart of the Inca Empire. The trail winds through the Andes Mountains and takes you to incomparable Inca ruins.

• Ollantaytambo: In the heart of the Sacred Valley lies Ollantaytambo, home of the Inca elite. It boasts the Ollantaytambo Fortress which was used for worship and the study of astronomy by the Incas. The rising terrace walls that gave the Spanish Conquistadors so much trouble in conquering the heart of the Sacred Valley are also a beautiful reminder of the might of this tribe. At the top of the Fortress you will also find the Temple of the Sun which still bears some faint Inca carvings. The ruins also contain the Baños del la ñosta (Princess Baths) where a carved Inca head can be seen on one of the surrounding cliffs.

• Pisac: Also situated in the Sacred Valley, Pisac’s ruins are some of the most spectacular.

Together Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Pisac provide a deeper insight into the life and times of a great nation – the Incas.

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