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Peru is a colourful and diverse country -
the third largest in South America. It is divided into three regions: the
coastal desert extending the length of the country, the upper Andes mountains range
& the jungle (almost 2/3rd of Peru!). The Inca civilization, one of the last significant
pre-Columbian cultures, had its center in Peru. The Spanish conquistadors
arrived in Peru in 1532 and killed the last Inca in 1535 before founding
the city of Lima. Today, Peru has great natural wealth particularly from
its mineral resources but a rapidly expanding population and serious economic
problems have hindered development.  [Machu Picchu] [Cuzco] [Iquitos][Lima]
Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, lies in the province of Urubamba, and the department of Cuzco. The dramatic and isolated city was unknown to the present world until 1911, when Hiram Bingham discovered this 100 acre site. When Francisco Pizarro and his gold-hungry conquistadors from Spain reached Peru in 1532, the rich Inca empire stretched from the Pacific coast across the Andes to the Atlantic and from Ecuador 3,000 miles southward to central Chile. The Incas, a Quechua-speaking tribe, had conquered this vast territory in a single century and they ruled its people through a highly organized government. At its peak, the Inca population is said to have been between 8 and 10 million. It took Pizarro and his conquistadors only a few years to destroy one of the mightiest empires in the Western Hemisphere. [What to do][Where to stay] [Where to eat]
Machu Picchu lies about 112 km northwest of the city of Cuzco and is accessible by a narrow train ride that winds through the "Sacred Valley of the Inca in about 3-4 hours. The train leaves Cuzco each day at 6AM, and departs Machu Picchu at 2PM. It is best to get your return ticket for the following day, and stay overnight at one of 2 hotels outside of the ruins, but make sure your have a reservation at one of the hotels before leaving Cuzco. The Inca foot trail to Machu Picchu is known as the most famous route for hiking and trekking due to its combination of different elements it offers the visitor. One starts the hike on km. 88 of the railway towards the "Valley of the Convention", at a site called "Q'oriwayrachina. This is just outside the "Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu" (Historic district), which the Peruvian government established in 1981 with the goal of preserving great scientific and historic values of the natural and cultural resources. The trail is about 32km or 20 miles, and takes from 3-5 days. The climate is relatively temperate throughout the year, rainy between November and March; dry and warm to hot between April and October, the season most recommended for visitors. During this period the lowest temperatures oscillate between 8-11 degrees celsius The highest temperatures oscillate between 20-26 degrees celsius. The geography, numerous waterways, streams and tributaries of the Urubamba river, cross the region forming a deep valley. The natural scenery is magnificant and one can appreciate the equilibrium between nature and the Incan architectural work. The mountain range of the Vilcabamba with heights more than 6000 meters, along with the jungles, and valleys, create images unimaginable. The fauna is abundant and varied in Machu Picchu. The existence of species considered in danger of extinction (the spectacled bird or "oso de anteojos" (Tremarctos Omatus), the rock hens or "el gallito de las rocas" (Rupicola Peruviana), among other species were one of the motives for declaring Machu Picchu a conservation zone. You can observe the presense of other species such as the Puma, the Andean fox (zorro andino), the cat (gato montes), the duck "pato de los torrentes", many small birds of varied color, reptiles such as the poisonous snake "jergon bothrops", In terms of flora or plant life, the area contains diverse tree species which are characterized based on their altitude. One can find cedars, laurels, romerillo and intimpa. The flowers found here have made Machu Picchu famous within the "Santuario Histórico". You'll find 90 varieties or orchids, begonias, and other flowers distinct to this region. [What to do][Where to stay] [Where to eat]
$$ Hotel Machu Picchu Ruinas - the best (and most expensive place to stay at the ruins. [What to do][Where to stay]
[Where to eat]
[What to do][Where to stay]
[Where to eat]
The city of Cuzco is located in the valley of the Huatanay River in the Southeast Andes of Peru, in the Province and Department of Cusco. The altitude is 3360 meters above sea level at the Plaza de Armas. Generally speaking, the climate is agreable, cool and dry. The mean annual temperature is 11 degrees celcius, and the rainy season is November to March, with the heaviest rains occring from January to March. The dry season is April to October, the recommended travel season. [What to do][Where to stay]
[Where to eat]
Many of the following tours are incorprated in the Half Day Cuzco City Tour & nearby Ruins which starts at the center of the city, the Plaza de Armas. From there you will see the following all within walking distance; The Cathedral - Spanish renaissance style, took almost 100 years to build from the stones quarried at Sacsayhuaman (pronounced like "sexy-woman"), the large Inca fortress over looking the city. El Triunfo ( the Triumph), 1733, is to the right of the cathedral and the first church built by the Spanish La Compañía de Jesús - Baroque style Jesuit church on the site of the palace of the Inca Huayna Capac Church and Convent Merced Church of Santo Domingo Church of San Blas - Church and Convent San Francisco Church and Monastery of Santa Catalina Church of San Pedro Church and Monastery of Santa Clara Monument to the Inka Pachakuteq
[What to do][Where to stay]
[Where to eat]
$$$$ Hotel Libertador - The best place to stay in town, this hotel was a 16th-century colonial mansion. It has 130 rooms, a restaurant, and a very comfortable lobby and bar area. The bar in fact makes one of the best "Pisco Sour" drinks in Peru! In the center of the hotel is a patio/plaza with a fountain, perfect for peaceful reading. Located at 400 San Agustin Street, $$$ San Agustin Plaza - moderate hotel with 53 rooms with bath. Located at 390 Augustin Street, [What to do][Where to stay]
[Where to eat]
$$$ Meson de Espaderos - traditional peruvian cusine in traditional surroundings. Located at 105 Espaderos Street $$$ Qhatuchay - interesting night spot for food and drinks on the plaza de armas, with live Andean and coastal music. Open 8pm-4am, and located at 233 Portal Confiteria, 2nd floor. [What to do][Where to stay]
[Where to eat]
Puno is located in the southeast of the country on the Meseta del Collao, a plateau. The altitude is 3,800 meters and it is situated on Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world and the most important means of transportation from Bolivia to Peru. Puno has almost 890,300 inhabitants. It's climate is marked by 2 seasons, rainy season from December to April, dry season from May to September. The days are temperate and the nights are cool (8 degrees celsius). The Puno area was the center of one of the most important cultures of the pre-inca period; Tiahuanaco. According to legend, the first Inca "Manco Capac" and his wife "Mama Ocllo", emerged from Lake Titicaca near Puno [What to do][Where to stay]
[Where to eat]
The Cathedral It's construction dates to the 17th century, and the stone building was made by the Peruvian Simón de Asto, whose name is etched in the main entrance door. The style is baroque and it exemplifies the local mestiza architecture. Balcony of the Conde de Lemos Located at the corner of calles Deustua and El Conde de Lemos. In this house lived the Viceroy of Lemos, who arrived in Puno in 1768. Dreyer Museum Calle Conde de Lemos 289, contains a collection of ceramics tilework, and sculptures pertaining to the pre-Inca as well as the Inca period. Here you will also find a collection of documents and transcripts covering the history and the founding of Puno by the Spanish. Deustua Arch Made of stone, this arch was contructed by the townspeople in honor of the patriots who fought for liberty. Museum of Popular Art Located on Deza 257, this museum contains samples of artisan work , textiles and ceramics. Cerro de Huajsapata Located to the west of the city. On its summit is a Monument to Manco Capac, the first Inca man. From this vantage point you can appreciate a beautiful panoramic view of the city of Puno and Lake Titicaca. Important cities in the Department of Puno are: Juliaca, Chucuíto, Juli, Pomata, y Pucará. [What to do][Where to stay]
[Where to eat]
$$$ Hotel Isla Esteves - the best place to stay in Puno is just outside of town on an island connected by a causeway. It's a 126 room hotel with restaurant on Lake Titicaca. Other places to stay include small pensions in the center of town. The Hotel Isla Esteves is the only hotel that will take credit cards, you'll need cash for all other places. [What to do][Where to stay]
[Where to eat]
No recommendations at this time outside of the hotel listed above, which has a great view of the lake from its dining room. Recommendations welcome. [What to do][Where to stay]
[Where to eat]
Iquitos, gateway to the Amazon
Iquitos, Peru, the gateway to the Peruvian Amazon is a frontier city on the banks of the Amazon River. It was started as the Jesuit Mission of Santa Maria de Iquitos in the 1750's and flourished from 1880 to 1920 during the rubber boom. The city is 2,000 miles from the mouth of the Amazon River at the Atlantic Ocean and 1000 miles from Lima, Peru. Iquitos is the most inland port navigable by oceangoing ships on the Amazon River. [What to do][Where to
stay] [Where to eat]
City Take an interesting bus ride through the bustling streets of Iquitos. Visit markets where everything from bananas and live chickens, motorcycle parts, and books/magazines are sold. Interesting sites to see Plaza de Armas Santa Ana church Casa de Fierro - a metal house built by Gustav Eiffel for an 1889 exposition in France Amazon Museum Artisanias de Peru Aquarium
The Amazon River Iquitos is the gateway to amazon tours and trips. This region is a vast area of rivers and rainforest, designated by many a botanist as the richest place on Earth. Over 300 species of trees can be categorized within a single hectare (2.471 acres), and there are several hundreds of animal life flourishing as well. The rainforest, or "La Selva" as the locals call it, covers just under 60% of Peru's territory. Among it's 400,000 residents are more than 30 Indian tribes, the largest being the Yagua tribe (blowgun hunters), who occasionally, if seldom, have contact with the outside world. Visitors to the Amazon will encounter environmentalists, bird watchers, and biologists downriver from Iquitos exploring the flora and fauna in this region. In the past few years the likelihood of seeing all this flora and fauna have increased dramatically since the construction of a 1200 ft. long walkway built 100 ft. off the ground and just above the forest canopy. It was constructed along with lodgings by the Foundation for the Conservation of Peruvian amazon Biosphere, and is located just behind the Explornapo Camp. The best way to see the rainforest is to stay in one of the jungle lodges (the Explorama being the best and only lodge on this part of the river), and/or take a 3-6 day cruise down the river itself on boats such as the Arca, Delphin, or Rio Amazonas. The new boat "Marcelita" now goes all the way from Iquitos to Manaus, Brazil on a 9 day trip. Contact us for a general guideline of a weeklong trip to this region mixing in both river crusing and jungle exploring, starting in Iquitos [What to do][Where to
stay] [Where to eat]
$$$ Amazonas Plaza Hotel - You'll want to stay overnight in the Amazonas Plaza Hotel (semi-expensive), the most comfortable in Iquitos, 120 rooms with bath, a restaurant, pool and tennis courts. Located at Abelardo Quinones Km 4. $$Acosta Hotel - a moderate small 25 room hotel with restaurant. Located at Calles Huallaga and Calvo, Downstream on the river [What to do][Where to
stay] [Where to eat]
$$$ Gran Maloka - Outdoor restaurant on the "malecon". Local dish is the Juane, a jungle tamale, or picadillo de paiche, a local fish cooked with herbs. $$$ Amazonas Plaza Hotel Restaurant
No other significant recommendations. Suggestions welcome. |