skip to main content
Home|Blog| 01296 653000|Contact
EnquireEnquire
Show map

Blog posts on Peru

peru

From the cloud-capped Andes to the humid Amazon basin, Peru is the quintessential Latin American destination rich in history, culture, adventure and wildlife.

The citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites, its narrow terraces clinging spectacularly to a mountain ridge. Nearby, the ancient Inca capital Cusco reveals its fascinating past in layers - terracotta-roofed colonial houses built on the foundations of previous civilisations.

An arid coastal plain stretches along the entire Pacific coast, highlighting archaeological gems such as the vast ruined city of Chan Chan, the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, and the mysterious Nasca lines etched in the southern desert.

Peruvian culture is a heady mix of influences. Indigenous people trade crafts and textiles in busy markets and celebrate festivals with music and dancing. Quechua or Aymara are spoken alongside Spanish, and gastronomy is a delicious fusion typified by ceviche accompanied by a pisco sour.

If you have a taste for adventure, try river rafting in a canyon with condors soaring overhead; trekking or biking along remote mountain trails; or sailing on the world’s highest navigable lake, Titicaca. Or travel by boat to remote rainforest lodges in search of giant otters, shimmering birds and butterflies and the secretive jaguar.

Highlights

Here are some of our Peru highlights

The Sacred Lake

The Sacred Lake

The highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca is the mythical birthplace of the first Incas, Manco Capac and his sister Mama Ocllo. Centuries ago, the local Uros people began building floating reed islands on the lake and many still live on them today.

Epic adventure

Epic adventure

Peru is a wonderful country for the adventurous and the Sacred Valley and Cusco are a great base for activities. Try stand-up paddle boarding on Laguna Huaypo, rafting on the roaring Urubamba river or even mountain biking past the salt flats at Maras.

Spectacular hiking

Spectacular hiking

The Inca, despite their other successes, never discovered the wheel, but maybe they didn't need it, as Peru is made for walking. Criss-crossed with trails along remote mountain paths to traditional villages and through spectacular valleys, possibilities abound.

Ancient Inca sites

Ancient Inca sites

The ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the world's most iconic archeological sites. With its narrow terraces clinging spectacularly to a mountain ridge high above the winding Urumbamba river, it really is an awe-inspiring site.

Paddington Bear

Paddington Bear

The spectacled bear is South America's only surviving native bear. They are mainly herbivorous (including Aunt Lucy's predeliction for marmalade) and live in the humid cloud forests of the western Andes. Peru has several projects to protect the species, threatened by habitat loss.

Open QuoteWe arrived home yesterday from an amazing three weeks in South America visiting Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil and wanted to thank you for putting together a fantastic package for us. With 9 different hotels and 6 internal flights we had anticipated a few difficulties but it is fair to say that things all ran very very smoothly. There was someone to meet and greet us at every airport and your local agents were very very helpful. All of our guides were knowledgeable and experienced and although we bonded better with some than others all, without exception, were good with some we would describe as outstanding. All the hotels met our minimum requirements, many were very very good and I'm not sure it was deliberate but if so congratulations - our first hotel and our last two were very high quality which set us up and let us down very nicely indeed. All visits/trips you booked for us were as advertised and very appropriate for us as individuals (it must be difficult for you to judge your clients - we were hungry for knowledge of local culture, history etc. but know when our appetite has been sated). Only once did we feel were were suffering from a slight sensory overload - day 6 of the Inca's - and that may well have been partly the affects of nausea related to altitude.

Before we set off we were slightly anxious about the pace of travel, the packing and unpacking etc. but it was all managed very well - all in all some very happy, well travelled clients. Thank you!Close Quote - RP

When to go to Peru

Peru Useful Information

Enquiry Form

Please add me to your mailing list. We send members a quarterly newsletter, the occasional news update, and invitations to Latin American travel events. We never pass your details to anyone else.