Machu Picchu
Located 120 km northwest of Cusco, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu lay hidden from the world in dense jungle covered mountains until 1911. This 'Lost City of the Incas' is one of the world's archaeological jewels and is one of South America's major travel destinations. The well preserved ruins of Machu Picchu seem to almost cling to the steep hillside, surrounded by towering green mountains overlooking the Vilcanota River Valley. Even after having seen the classic photos of ... |
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Cusco
Often referred to as the 'Archaeological Capital of the Americas' Cusco is a beautiful city riddled with contrasts between the indigenous styles and the modern western world. It is these contrasts that have given Cusco its rare beauty. Most visitors are keen to get to Machu Picchu, either by trekking for 4 days along the Inca Trail, or by 4 hours in the train, but Cusco itself has a lot to offer the visitor and most travellers usually end ... |
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Puno
The city of Puno is located in the south east corner of Peru, on the shores of the magnificent Lake Titicaca and only 126km from the frontier with Bolivia.At 3,827m in altitude, Puno is a rather cold and bleak town surrounded by the desolate altiplano (or high plateau). It is not so much a destination in itself but a necessary stop on the way to visit the islands on Lake Titicaca, or when crossing the border to Bolivia.Puno is, ... |
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Arequipa
Arequipa is well known for its glistening white buildings made from sillar, a white volcanic rock, which gives the city its nickname 'La Ciudad Blanca' or 'The White City'.Arequipa is Peru's second largest city and was founded in 1540. The site was chosen for its proximity to the coast, enabling settlers to trade the products of Cusco and the mines of Potosi (Bolivia) with Lima. The local cultivation of wheat, corn and grapes all contributed to the regions economic ... |
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Nazca Lines
On an arid plain 22km north of modern day Nasca are the world famous 'Nasca Lines'. Straight lines, abstract designs and outlines of animals are etched on the dark desert surface revealing a lighter colored soil beneath. Images of birds predominate, some measuring up to 60m across, but there are also outlines of a whale, a dog, a monkey, a spider and a flower. The lines were not 'discovered' until spotted from above by aircraft in 1939. They are ... |
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Colca Canyon
Most people who visit Arequipa take a tour out to the Cañon de Colca, one of the worlds deepest canyons formed by an enormous seismic fault between the Coropuna (6425m) and Ampato (6325m) volcanoes. (actually the worlds deepest canyon is the nearby Cotahuasi Canyon). The tour can be arranged on arrival in Arequipa at one of the several tour operators or travel agents around the Plaza. Many hotels can also arrange this activity. Although a tour can be fit ... |
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Titicaca Lake
Lake Titicaca is the main attraction that draws people to this part of Peru. This amazing deep blue lake, 195 km in length with an average width of 50 km, is the largest lake in South America and the largest in the world above 2,000m.Lake Titicaca was, according to Andean legend, the birthplace of civilization. Wiracocha, the creator god, brought light into a dark world by directing the Sun, Moon and stars to rise up out of the lake ... |
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Aguas Calientes
Apart from hiking the Inca Trail, a stay in Aguas Calientes, is one of the best ways to get to Machu Picchu before all of the tourists arrive by train from Cusco.The town's economy is based around tourism providing all the necessary services such as hotels and restaurants, as well as its fair share of souvenir shops and stalls. Of course it's Machu Picchu that people have came to visit and Aguas Calientes itself has little to offer the ... |
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Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is an attractive little town located at the western end of the Sacred Valley (about two and a half hours by bus from Cusco). The town has been built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The town is divided in canchas (blocks) which are almost entirely intact. Each cancha has only one entrance (usually a huge stone doorway) which leads into a central courtyard. The houses surround the ... |
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Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley of the Incas was undoubtedly a key area of settlement to the Incas. Its agreeable climate and fertile plains make a rare and fruitful combination for the high Andes. It was also the route to the jungle and therefore an area with access to the fruits and plants of the tropical lowlands. The Sacred Valley served as a buffer zone, protecting Cusco from incursions of the Antis, the fierce jungle tribes who from time to time ... |
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 Explore Machu Picchu did an outstanding job arranging an itinerary that accommodated our last minute requests and the fact we were traveling alone. Each of the airport transfers were smooth and friendly, and the tours were exactly what I had hoped. We've traveled throughout Asia and Africa and this was my first vacation to South America. Explore Machu Picchu ... Michael and Veronique, San Francisco, CA - USA
Hidden Treasures of Ancient Machu Picchu
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03.07.2009
