COUNTRY PROFILE
Peru P
Capital city: Lima | Languages: Spanish, Quechua | Currency: Nuevo Sol | Visas: Not required by British citizens | Time zone: GMT -5hrs HEART OF THE INCA EMPIRE
eru is probably the most quintessentially Latin American
country. There are more ancient sites and monuments here than any other nation in the region, its distinct Quechua heritage thrives, wonderful colonial towns and cities ooze charm, wildlife is abundant and the landscape merges from Pacific coast and desert lowland into Andean mountains and then Amazonian rainforest. No first-time visitor to Peru leaves without visiting its number one attraction, the iconic Inca fortress of Machu Picchu. Summer 2011 marked the 100th anniversary of the rediscovery of the ruins by American explorer and politician Hiram Bingham, providing further exposure for what is already Peru's biggest selling point. Machu Picchu was crowned one
of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 but it has long been responsible for spearheading Peru's charge into the mainstream tourism market. For those with time on their hands and health on their side, the three or four-day Inca Trail is the iconic means of travelling to Machu Picchu. A scenic train journey from
■ One of many splendid colonial churches in Cusco; Below: The mountain-top citadel of Machu Picchu
Cusco or Ollantaytambo, through the Sacred Valley, is the only other option for travelling to the town at the foot of Machu Picchu, for Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo) is not reachable by road, such is the impenetrable surrounding terrain. With sustainability at the fore of
SAMPLE PACKAGE Abercrombie & Kent's 15-day Classic Peru and Galapagos itinerary begins in the Peruvian capital, Lima, and travels south to the Inca heartland of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and iconic Machu Picchu. It then departs for Ecuador, visiting capital city Quito and the Galapagos Islands.
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the Peruvian government's tourism plans, the number of people starting out on the Inca Trail is strictly limited and the route is closed entirely every February for maintenance. It is imperative, therefore, that clients book as far in advance as possible through a UK-based operator. The restrictions have led to a number of alternative treks in the region, and the rise in popularity of the lesser-known Inca site of Choquequirao which can be reached by a two-day trek. Those visiting Machu Picchu will inevitably pass through the
HIGHLIGHTS Machu Picchu Cusco & Sacred Valley Lake Titicaca The Nazca Lines Arequipa and Colca Canyon
TIPS FROM
THE TOP “Peru has it all – colonial and Inca culture, plus the stunning scenery of the Andes, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon rainforest. Nowhere else in South America can you find such a startling combination of culture and nature. Almost all of the clients booking with us are travelling to the destination for the first time and choose to combine Lima with Cuzco and Machu Picchu. What we know is that they are looking to Peru to give them a once in a lifetime experience, but they also want the have the reassurance of staying in good quality, comfortable hotels.”
Andrea Loddo, Lead Regional Product Manager for South America, Hayes & Jarvis
picturesque Sacred Valley and impressive city of Cusco. It is a major tourism hub in southern Peru, full of pretty colonial buildings, churches, plazas and cobbled streets that lie alongside carefully- laid Inca stone walls, with the fascinating Inca site of Sacsay- huaman towering over it all, a short walk from central Cusco. The city and the wider Sacred
Valley has a superb array of accommodation, ranging from backpacker hostels through to an ever-expanding choice of boutique and luxury hotels in carefully converted colonial buildings. The city is also teeming with local
operators eager to set up indepen- dent travellers with all manner of adventure activities in the local area such as mountain biking, rafting,
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