BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Peru has a population of over twenty nine million inhabitants and is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia , on the east by Brazil , on the southeast by Bolivia , on the south by Chile and west by the Pacific Ocean.
Great civilizations have left their mark in Peru making it an intriguing and fascinating tourist destination.

• Lima

Lima, its capital, offers a good selection of valuable museums, historical squares and palaces, imposing monuments and churches and exotic markets. Her sophisticated districts of Miraflores and San Isidro boast an excellent collection of restaurants and accommodations.

• Cuzco

Located 11,200 feet above sea level, in the southeastern Andes, Cuzco is the archaeological museum city of the Americas . Ancient capital of the mighty Inca Empire, this city is unique. Old buildings and Spanish style homes are built on top of Inca masonry foundations. Nearby are the impressive ruins of Sacsaayhuaman military fortress, an amazing example of the technique achieved by the Incas’ stone working, and Pisac, a village famous for its colorful market and Intihuafan ruins.

• Machu Picchu

Located on the Vilcabamba Mountains , with Huayna Picchu enormous and imposing peak as its background, Machu Picchu is a striking and spectacular example of the Incan architecture.

• Puno

Puno is a quaint city famous for its rich folklore and proximity of Lake Titicaca , the world’s highest navigable lake. The Sillustani Tombs, outstanding ruins of the Tiahuanaco culture are nearby.

• Arequipa

Arequipa, also known as “The White City” is famous for its colonial mansions built in “sillar”, a local white volcanic rock. The Santa Catalina Convent is the city’s most prominent historical building. Arequipa is also the starting point for visiting the Colca Canyon, home for giant condors, said to be twice the depth of the Grand Canyon .

• Iquitos

Iquitos, is the Peruvian gateway to the Amazon and the country’s largest jungle city. Iquitos is connected to the outside world only by air or river. Iquitos is also the starting point for river cruises and eco tours.
A fair choice of lodges and a variety of programs that feature river archipelagos, natural reserves, indigenous villages and jungle hikes are available from here.

• Chiclayo

Other places also worth your visit are Chiclayo, located just a short drive from the tomb and museum of Lord of Sipan, one of the most important archaeological findings of the past century. In this town we suggest a visit to the Plaza de Armas and the Witches market.

• Trujillo

Trujillo, a colonial city “of eternal spring”, that was founded by Diego de Almagro in 1534, famous for its pleasant weather all year-round , and its International Spring Festival that takes place in early October every year.

• Ica and Nazca

Ica and Nazca, important wine producing areas, featuring an archaeological museum with valuable collections of mummies, textiles and ceramics left by the Paracas and Nazca cultures. Nazca is famous for the “Nazca Lines”, huge geometric designs which are thought to have been built between 900BC and 600AD