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PERU


High & mighty


There’s more to Peru than Machu Picchu, says Andy Hoskins, who highlights the country’s diverse natural attractions, high-end product and growing reputation among foodies


PERU T


here’s no doubt that the stunning Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is Peru’s biggest draw for international


visitors, but to think the UNESCO World Heritage Site stands head and shoulders above everything else the country has to offer would be a mistake. “Showcase the country as more than just Machu Picchu,” advises Rainbow Tours’ Latin America programme manager, Amanda Sweeney. “Peru is very diverse and offers much more than just Inca ruins. There is the Amazon rainforest for wildlife, colonial towns like Cuzco and Arequipa, the stunning vastness of Lake Titicaca and, of course, the fascinating indigenous culture.” Cuzco and the Sacred Valley are the


gateway to Machu Picchu and the perfect place to acclimatise to the high altitude before taking on the famous Inca Trail. Permits for the classic Inca Trail are limited – but there are alternative routes – and must be booked well in advance through a tour operator, so a scenic journey by train is


the popular, less strenuous alternative. Both the Sacred Valley and Cuzco are rich in luxury and boutique hotels drawing on their Inca and Spanish colonial heritage. The historic heart of Cuzco – the former capital of the Inca empire – comprises cobbled plazas and narrow streets lined by churches, museums, cafes and restaurants, while a steep walk out of town takes visitors to the Inca site of Sacsayhuaman. Cuzco and Machu Picchu are regularly


combined in itineraries with Lake Titicaca and Arequipa (for trips to the enormous Colca Canyon), as well as coastal Nazca, where light aircraft fl ights reward visitors with the best views of the mysterious lines and patterns that adorn the desert sands. Longer itineraries might incorporate a trip


to the steamy Amazon rainforest. Puerto Maldonado (a one-hour fl ight from Cuzco) provides access to jungle lodges and the remote Manu National Park, where visitors can discover the incredible diversity of the Amazon’s fl ora and fauna.


Peru’s capital, Lima, was once viewed simply as a gateway to the country but is now drawing in visitors with improved hotels and infrastructure. There are picturesque plazas, colonial


convents, quirky suburbs such as Barranco, upmarket shopping in Mirafl ores and world-class dining. Its burgeoning culinary reputation sees it play host to the fi rst- ever Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in September, a regional off-shoot of the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants organisation. Tourism authorities are encouraging


visitors to explore the north of the country, where there’s a host of impressive


“The MV Aqua and sister vessel, the MV Aria, are a great way to explore Peru’s northern Amazon in style”


JUSTINE EGAN, PRODUCT & PURCHASING MANAGER FOR LATIN AMERICA, TRAVEL 2


36 September 2013


www.sellinglonghaul.com


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