South America's third largest country, Peru is almost a continent in itself and its passion for adventure shines through, from the soaring, unspoilt Andes to its desert coastal plains. Please call our Travel Consultants who will happily create a bespoke itinerary to suit your preferences.
The birthplace of surfing, water sports-lovers who visit Peru will adore the white-knuckle rafting, the board sports and the spirit of 'anything goes'. Those who prefer to keep their feet on dry land can discover the world-famous and awe-inspiring Machu Picchu; the mist-shrouded Inca citadel was found, quite by accident, by the American Historian, Hiram Bingham, who stumbled upon it in 1911 while searching for Vilcabamba. Invisible from below and completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population and watered by natural springs, Machu Picchu seems to have been utilized by the Inca as a secret ceremonial city. First views of the self-contained, ancient site will take your breath away, while exploration of the ruins will take you far back in time; we guarantee the experience will be an extraordinary one and stay with you for life.
The country has other charms besides Machu Picchu; the Nazca Lines, giant sketches created on such a large scale that they can only really be truly appreciated from the air; desert coastal plains stretching as far as the eye can see; a vast green carpet of jungle, home to the greatest diversity of plants in the world, while for wildlife-lovers, no trip to Peru should be considered complete without a visit to the Colca Canyon to see the Andean Condor take flight – the largest flying bird in the world, it’s a truly breathtaking sight.
Having admired Peru's rich and compelling archaeological heritage and marvelled at its great natural beauty, head to the capital city, Lima. Founded in 1535 by a Spanish conquistador, the city comprises an eclectic mix of modern and Colonial architecture and operates at a much slower pace than its South American counterparts due, perhaps in part, to the more sedate constitution of its people and its seafront location.
Peruvian cuisine combines a variety of ingredients gathered from the coastal, mountain and Amazon regions. The cold sea current also makes the waters rich in fish, and because of the particular type of plankton consumed by them, they are particularly tasty. Fish and seafood restaurants are, therefore, plentiful and worth visiting after a busy day shopping in the open marketplaces or immersing yourself in Peru’s golden past, courtesy of one of its museums.