Peru & Ecuador
HIGH AND
and dropping back down to the Amazon rainforest, together present a quintessential Latin American experience. Itineraries combining the two countries tick off iconic sites such as Machu Picchu and the wildlife mecca of the Galapagos Islands, with historic colonial towns, Amerindian culture and local cuisine mixed in along the way. Longer Peruvian itineraries are likely
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to incorporate the mysterious Nazca Lines, lofty Lake Titicaca, a stay in an Amazonian lodge, and the mighty Colca Canyon, while all visitors heading to Machu Picchu will have the pleasure of two or more days in Cusco. Littered with pretty cobbled plazas, colonial churches and other historic buildings, Cusco was the heart of the Inca empire and is the perfect place for visitors to acclimatise to the high altitude before setting off on the famous Inca Trail trek – or more leisurely train journey – to Machu Picchu. The Peruvian government has been making efforts for some years to promote the less-visited north of the country and is now in talks with several Latin American airlines with regard to new connections to cities such as Chiclayo and Piura. Plans are also underway to relaunch Kuelap Fortress in Chachapoyas as the
Top: Machu Picchu, Peru; Ecuadorian Amazon; Quechua child, Peru; Kuelap Fortress, Peru. Opposite: Sacha Lodge canopy walkway, Ecuador
46 February 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
eighbouring Peru and Ecuador, stretching from the Pacific Ocean high into the Andes
MIGHTY
With their ‘must-see’ attractions, abundant wildlife and rich cultural charm, Peru and Ecuador make a perfect Latin American twin-centre itinerary, says Andy Hoskins
‘Machu Picchu of the North’ and to highlight other nearby archaeological sites, as well as the Gocta Falls which, at 771 metres, are one of the world’s highest waterfalls. Like northern Peru, Ecuador’s mainland is also often overlooked by visitors on tight schedules as the incredible wildlife of the Galapagos Islands is the principal highlight for visitors heading to the country. However, many operators are now pushing Ecuador's mainland destinations – and it’s well worth suggesting clients add on time to discover its many charms. The historic capital city, Quito, is majestically set in the ‘Valley of the Volcanoes’, high in the Andes. Close to the equator the historic city centre (as well as that of pretty Cuenca, further south) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site such is the wealth and diversity of buildings in the area. A short flight away to the east, the
town of Coca is the gateway to jungle lodge experiences in the Amazon where guests can enjoy guided walks, wildlife watching, kayaking and various other experiences designed to help visitors enjoy an up-close-and-personal experience of the rainforest.
What’s New Already well marshalled, further legislation was introduced for cruise operators in the Galapagos Islands last year and is effective as of this month. All cruise operators must now implement itineraries that last for 14 nights during which the boat cannot visit the same
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