A journey through Peru offers several once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Here are a few of our favorite highlights:
Walk through the clouds
As you walk up to the plateau overlooking Machu Picchu the incredible view of the ancient Inca citadel suddenly appears out of the clouds, spread out below in all it’s glory.
A Mysterious past
After a four-day trek on the Inca Trail, spend a day exploring Machu Picchu and learning all about the history of the Incas, their rise and demise, their culture, to get an appreciation of a people now lost- a fitting end to an amazing trek.
Exploring Ancient Architecture
The Spanish-style city , Cuzco, the center of the Inca universe, with its attractive pink tiled roofs, arcaded plazas and steep winding alleyways, stands upon Inca foundations, the interlocking stones, assembled so carefully that a knife blade cannot be forced between the joints. Visit museums and churches, or walk up to the temple-citadel of Sacsayhuamán which broods high above the town, its huge, zigzagging stone walls broken into 66 sharply projecting angles to catch attackers in a withering crossfire.
Travel by Train
One of the great railway journeys of the world is traveling over the Altiplano to Lake Titicaca. You’ll spot flocks of llamas and alpacas grazing on the windswept pastures while crossing through spectacular mountain scenery.
Island Exploration
The floating islands at Lake Titicaca, where people live on islands constructed from reeds are magical to explore. Be sure to visit the Island of the Sun, regarded as the birthplace of the Inca civilization and today one of the most sacred and spiritual of sites in the Andes.
Relaxation in the Amazon
Journey by boat to your comfortable lodge and let the magic of this ancient forest settle into your bones. On guided hikes through the rainforest, you’ll learn how plants are used in native as well as modern medicine. Explore an oxbow lake by boat, and spot birds and monkeys as well as the gentle sloth, while a stroll on the canopy walkway, affords the rare opportunity to glimpse birds where they make their homes. On the coast, and known among nature lovers as the Peruvian Galapagos, the Ballestas Islands are teeming with over 150 species of bird life (including penguins, cormorants, boobies and pelicans). The noise of the wildlife can be fairly deafening at times as the islands are also home to thousands of sea lions which inhabit some quite amazing rock formations.
Ancient Astrology
Head south to Nazca, home of the mysterious Nazca Lines. Some believe that they represent the world’s largest astrological calendar. Huge birds, spiders, whales, other creatures and geometrical figures are represented in outline. The best impression of the scale and clarity of the designs is to be had by taking to the air.
Bird watching
Visit Cruz del Condor where you may spot the rare Andean Condor. Seeing these magnificent birds in flight is a highlight of any “Once in a Lifetime” journey to Peru.