Peru is a land of fascinating rituals of the ancient kings, warm and friendly welcomes from the modern-day Peruvians, and mystical intrigue of ancient ruins, colourful customs and epic history to rival the early Greek and Roman civilisations. Travel beyond the standard South America tourist trail and get caught instead by the lure of the other sides of Peru.
Drawing Lines in the Sand
Ancient sites beg an explanation. If you’ve visited the Colosseum in Rome or the Parthenon in Greece, you’ve likely been privy to historical clues to transport yourself to the worlds of gladiators and gods. Peru’s mysterious Nazca Lines are a bit more cryptic in theory. These massive, geometric designs carved in the desert of southern Peru depict flora, fauna and human figures and are believed to date back to 500BC and 500AD. Best viewed by aircraft, the Nazca Lines are a perplexing sight not to be missed.
High Water
Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable body of water and the largest lake in South America. But what makes this natural wonder so wonderful is its arresting beauty and intriguing local culture. Take the Uros Indians, who continue the arduous tradition of living on floating islands on the mountain waters that separate Peru and Bolivia. Follow in the wake of Spanish conquistadores to Taquile Island to experience a place virtually untouched by modernization – including the Peruvian tradition of colourful textiles hand-woven by the “knitting men” – one of UNESCO’s Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Deep Culture
At its deepest point, Peru’s Colca Canyon is deeper than the US Grand Canyon. Running deeper still, are the preserved Inca and Pre-Inca traditions of the people who live here. While Machu Picchu is the star of ancient Incan civilization, Colca Canyon is alive with culture and natural wonders at every turn. The local people maintain their ancestral traditions and continue to cultivate the pre-Inca stepped terraces, while artistry and ecology also rule the canyon’s edge. Stand at eye level with soaring Andean Condors – the “Eternal Bird” of Andean folklore and mythology. The largest flying bird by weight and wingspan (about 10 feet), it is also the national symbol of six South American countries.
The Road to Ruins
Travel to coastal northwestern Peru and you’ll find that Egypt isn’t the only place with ancient pyramids. The Sun and Moon Temples are the largest pre-Colombian structures in South America – and notable for human sacrifices by the mysterious Moche people atop the pyramids’ adobe bricks. The region is rich in ruins of ancient cultures, including the remarkably preserved metropolis of Chan.
Welcome to the Jungle
The Amazon rainforest setting of Puerto Maldonado in Peru’s southeastern gateway to the Amazon River. Home to some of the most pristine rainforests in the world, plentiful with amazing wildlife at the confluence of the Amazon’s tributaries, Puerto Maldonado is also near Manu National Park, Tambopata National Reserve, and Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. Enjoy the opportunity to encounter some of the world’s most flourishing plant life and fascinating wildlife, including endangered giant river otters, tapirs, maned wolves, caimans, monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, 575 bird species and 1200 species of butterflies.
Look but Don’t Touch
Reachable only by boat with no docking allowed, the pristine Ballestas Islands off the south coast of Peru provide a protected rocky sanctuary for marine life, such as the blue-footed booby, Peruvian pelicans, red-legged cormorants, Humboldt penguins, fur seals and sea lions. Don a hat and protective clothing to withstand the spray and sun for an exhilarating 2-hour boat excursion from the resort town of Paracas. Scan the horizon and shoreline to get a good look at Islas Ballestas’ marine mammals and thousands of birds, along with whales and dolphins on a fortunate day.
A Celestial Citadel
By now, Machu Picchu is a staple on just about everybody’s bucket list, and deservedly so! This archaeological treasure is believed to have been the home of Incan emperor Pachacuti (1438 – 1472). Still, the widely accepted moniker, “Lost City of the Incas” has stuck in referring to the most iconic remnant of the Inca civilization. A more apropos name might be “Best Hidden City of the Incas”, considering how it remained obscure to Spanish conquest and the outside world until the 1900s. All history aside, Machu Picchu remains a jewel in the clouds, a marvel of architecture upon its breathtakingly beautiful Andes perch, and an inspiration for the imagination above Peru’s Sacred Valley.
Held Sacred
The Sacred Valley of the Incas (Urubamba Valley) in the Andes of Peru lies in the Cuzco area, encompassing the shores of the Urubamba River from the Inca ruins at Pisac and westward to Machu Picchu. Its lower elevation compared to the looming peaks surrounding it made the valley ideal for Incan agriculture, mainly the prestigious crops of maize, still marked by hillside farming terraces flanking the valley floor. Travellers today make pilgrimages to the Sacred Valley, not only for its proximity to Machu Picchu and Cusco but for its archaeological ruins, local culture, cuisine, ancient villages and – best of all – camelids (aka llamas, alpacas, vicuna and guanaco)!
Kings and Conquistadores
As the gateway to the Sacred Valley, Cusco is a mix of ancient Andean tradition and Spanish colonial influence – a city of colourful woven textiles, fiestas and carnivals weaving Catholic pomp with pagan pageantry. Once the capital of the Incan Empire, Cusco’s pre-Colombian history as a kingdom, then conquistadors’ quest, remains rich in ancient ruins, lush valleys, Peruvian delicacies and fascination for all who visit and venture on to Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
Name that Tomb
Chiclayo is a city of flavourful cuisine, pre-Incan ruins and treasures of the Moche and Chimu adobe pyramid-style tombs. Preserved in the Sipan Archaeological Complex is the tomb of one of Peru’s most powerful men – the Lord of Sipan. Enshrined and adorned with the finest gold, silver and turquoise, the tomb also contains companions of the lord, sacrificed to accompany the royal into the afterlife. Truly an archaeological site to behold!
From Incan ruins to Pisco sours, Globus and Cosmos tours will show you that Peru has everything you need for the holiday of a lifetime!
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