peru
A Journey into Peru
The heart of the Inca Empire from around 1100 to 1533 AD, the spirit of nature and tradition runs deep in Peru. Of course, there’s the ‘floating castle’ of Machu Picchu. But there’s a lot more. From Lima’s 80s ‘chicha’ street art neighbourhoods and Virgilio Martínez’s cocoa lab in the Andes to the solitary Huaypo lagoon and Awana Kancha, the “weaver’s palace”.
On this journey, we’ll take you on an unforgettable expedition through some of its most enchanting sites and off-the-beaten-track secrets. The dramatic cliffs of Lima, the cloud forests of the Sacred Valley, the aqueducts of Tambomachay. Along the way, you’ll be led by some of the best and friendliest guides that Peru has to offer. Let’s dive in.
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Lima
With its historic center declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lima – or “the City of Kings” – is a perfect blend of Incan history and modern tastes. Open-air markets packed with crowds of ambulantes (street vendors), the colonial architecture of Torre Tagle Palace, and 80’s “chicha” street art. Being the only capital in South America to face the ocean, Lima sits atop a dramatic coastline overlooking the glittering expanse of the Pacific.
The Sacred Valley
Originally inhabited by small Andean communities – and later the Incas – Peru’s Sacred Valley (El Valle Sagrado) has long been valued not only for its agricultural lands, but for its spiritual significance. With the Vilcanota River (seen as a representation of the Milky Way) and the Salkantay and Veronica mountains (worshipped as gods), the importance of nature runs deep here.
Cusco
Situated in Peru’s Southern Sierras, Cusco – the Inca and Quechua (the indigenous people of the Andean highlands) capital – unveils a dazzling world of Andean culture. Unspoiled colonial architecture, Inca ruins, snow-smeared mountains. The city, and its rural surrounds, are a sight to behold.
