Travel Guide Peru

Create your own Peru Experience with the help of our family run business, experts in Peru Holidays because we have lived there and run a travel organisation in Peru, where we specialised in Peru tours.
We can help you plan the perfect Peru holiday because we only specialise in Peru. Not only do we know the popular destinations but we have an intimate knowledge of the parts of Peru unknown to most people.

We have a good range of itineraries or programmes or we can make a holiday especially for you.
Enjoy the perfect trip with the experts on Peru travel.
Peru – the only place on Earth that has it all, book Hotels in Peru to have a pleasant stay:

* The Peruvian Atacama Desert that makes the coastline so beautiful and includes tropical beaches;
* The lush jungle ; its amazing variety of flora and fauna including 1,800 species of birds and the source of the Amazon;
* The splendour of the Andes, with their snowcapped peaks and deep ravines;
* Its archaeloogy, including the mystical splendour of Machu Picchu; and magnificent testimonies of an ancient civilisation that dates back 6,000 years;
* Its culture, with examples of the fusion between the Hispanic and Latin way of life;
* Its cuisine – probably the best in the world;
* Its architecture – such a wide variety; from ancient villages to colonial cities and the modernity of downtown Lima and Miraflores.

Peru is an exceptional destination for a pleasure trip, come and check it by your own. Hotels in Peru is perfect for your staying in Peru. The writer, Kelly Donovan has good recommendations that you should consider.

If you want an awesome two week trip for your Peru vacation, try this route: Puerto Maldonado, Cusco / Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu, Puno / Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Colca Canyon, Nazca, Ballesta Islands ending in Lima. With this route you can experience the vast biodiversity of Peru’s flora and fauna, wander the ruins of the Pre – Columbian civilizations and enjoy the best of the major cities.

To start, you will probably need to fly to Lima and Lima to Puerto Maldonado. From Puerto Maldonado you can take a boat to an Amazon jungle lodge and enjoy the rainforest. There are many jungle tours for dawn, during the day and some very interesting ones at night where your guides will help you spot rare animals and plants as you explore.

Next, travel to Cusco, what was once the capital of the Inca Empire. This gem of a city totes amazing Spanish colonial architecture built on and around Inca ruins. Take at least a half day city tour and enjoy the awesome nightlife of this cities many clubs and live music venues before venturing off into the Sacred Valley to visit Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Chinchero and or Moray. The lush valley and amazing Inca agricultural terraces that you pass are all part of the beauty of a Sacred Valley tour. You can either return to Cusco for the night or stay in the Sacred Valley before heading to Machu Picchu. You can either do the 3-5 day trek or take the train to this New Wonder of the World.

From Machu Picchu, jump on a tour bus, the train or an airplane to visit Puno, the city on the famous Lake Titicaca. This lake is the highest navigable lake in the world and is home to the man made Uros Islands. Take a full day or overnight trip to visit the many different cultures that reside on this lake before leaving for Arequipa, or “The White City.” In Arequipa, be sure to visit the Cathedral, Santa Catalina Monastery and the Ice Maiden before leaving on an overnight trip into the Colca Canyon. The Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the Americas, is where you will get a chance to watch the condors glide through the skies and enjoy an evening at the hot springs.

The bus to Nazca is best taken at night in order to not loss the whole day traveling. That way, when you arrive, you can go straight to the airport to ensure you have great visibility when you fly over the mysterious Nazca lines. From there head north toward Ica overnight to experience the Ballesta Islands the following morning, also known as the Peruvian Galapagos. After your off shore adventure you will make your last transfer to Peru’s capital city, Lima. Many people judge Lima too soon before they really get a good sense of it. So be sure to try the Lima City Tour and enjoy the vistas from the Malecon and LarcoMar Mall to see what this metropolis really has to offer.

This is a great route to take to ensure you get a little of everything on your tour. It is possible in two weeks but you could certainly span it out over months if you would like too! Enjoy your awesome Peru vacation.

The natural untouched beauty of the mighty Andean mountain range, the majestic Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca Islands that are barely affected by the modern world. Street markets and Andean culture in Bolivia, sand-boarding in the Atacama Desert and 4×4 drives across the Bolivia salt flats. All this can comfortably be experienced in about a month travelling through this awe-inspiring part of South America.

Below is a suggested one month backpacking itinerary, starting and finishing in Peru and travelling by bus throughout.

Fly into the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, Peru. With Machu Picchu on its doorstep, Cusco is a tourist hot-spot where you can organise tours into the Amazon rainforest, explore Inca culture and history, become acclimatised to the Andean altitude, and see the many Inca ruins, most notably the Inca city of Machu Picchu. If you’re into trekking, the 4 day Inca Trail finishing at Machu Picchu at sunrise is a must. In and around Cusco, there’s a wide selection of museums, galleries, Andean villages and markets to explore.

From Cusco, head to Puno on the shores of the enormous Lake Titicaca. Whether you book onto a tour or just turn up at the pier and get on a boat is up to you, but you won’t want to miss a trip to the remote islands on Lake Titticaca. The floating reed islands are postcard-perfect and on Isla Amantani, staying with a local family will give you a real insight into life in this remote part of the world where life has barely changed for centuries.

Next head by bus to Copacabana, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Bolivia. The highlight of this is the day trek up the coast to a little village where you can hire a small boat and driver to take you across to Isla Del Sol. The scenery is spectacular, and what a night on Isla Del Sol may be lacking in luxury and comfort (supplies are carried up by mule and water is at a premium), the Island more than makes up for in spectacular scenery and walking opportunities.

Back to Puno and on to La Paz, a major city in Bolivia. One of the highest cities in the world, La Paz is nestled in the mountains which provide a perfect backdrop for wandering the stall-lined streets, and exploring the bustling markets and museums.

From La-Paz, head south and get on a 4×4 tour through the immense salt flats at Salar De Uyuni. You’ll end up at the Chilean border and on to San Pedro de Atacama, the centre of tourism in the spectacular Atacama Desert. You can go sand-boarding, mountain biking, horse riding and trekking with San Pedro de Atacama as your base, but however you choose to see it, experiencing the desert should be on your list.

Next, head to the Northern Chile coastal town of Iquique, a place where high desert plains abruptly meet the Pacific Ocean creating spectacular cliffs and probably one of the top paragliding destinations in the world. Amazing climate, familiar food and travelling in comfort will all probably be appreciated in Chile after a few weeks in Peru and Bolivia.

Next, head North to Arica and on to the barely discovered gem, the highlight of Northern Chile; Parc Nationale Lauca. One of the best ways to explore this area is to hire a car in Arica for a couple of days. Stay in a rural village like Putre, and explore the spectacular natural landscapes of snow-capped volcanoes reflected in crystal clear lakes, spot flamingo, alpaca and vicuna and buy Andean handicrafts from the villagers.

Continue North into Peru and head for Arequipa. This beautiful city has lots to offer the visitor, not least a trip into the nearby Colca Canyon. From the village of Cabanaconde on the Canyon rim (about 100 miles from Arequipa), you can trek into the canyon in a few hours where you bathe at the Oasis (sheer bliss) and stay in a hut by the river. Your hosts (a local family – no need to reserve, in fact it’s probably not possible to reserve) will cook you a meal, light you a fire and provide you with basic accommodation. The sense of tranquillity in such a remote location and the expansive natural surroundings mean a trip into Colca Canyon should feature on every traveller’s itinerary.

After another day or so relaxing in the cafes and restaurants of beautiful Arequipa, it’s a convenient transport hub for flights back to Lima and home, or on to your next destination.

Excluding the cost of flights and travel insurance, and travelling independently as a backpacker, this trip is likely to cost around $1800 – $2500 per person.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/vacation-inspiration-1-month-itinerary-peru-bolivia-and-chile-2205694.html#ixzz0r82kbz9q
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

During Your Stay in Peru

Accommodation
If you are booking with us you can be assured that your accommodation will have been vetted by us.
Should you have any problems, if you are in a group you can contact your group leader or guide.
Should you be travelling on your own, you will have contact details of either ourselves or our local agent, Book a Hotels in Peru to have a pleasant stay.

Health
* Only drink bottled or boiled water.
* Be careful with raw vegetables and fruits.
* Avoid eating from street food stalls.
* Avoid spicy food until your stomach has become accustomed to the change in diet.
* Altitude sickness (soroche) may be prevented by resting on your first day in the highlands and eating light food. Drinking coca leaf is recommended.
* If travelling to the highlands or to the jungle, make sure you take insect repellent and a raincoat or waterproof poncho.
* If you need medical assistance, contact the staff at your accommodation or your travel agent/tour operator.
* We can provide travel insurance if required, but check the cover provided through your credit card.

Business Hours
Banks
Many banks in Peru are open to the public from 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday, but in some place the siesta is observed, so they are open as follows:

Monday to Friday – 9 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 6.30 pm
Saturday 9 am to 12 am

Changing Money
It is preferable to change money in banks and authorised exchange bureaux (open approximately between 9.30 am and 6.00 pm). The US Dollar exchange rate varies, so check before changing your money. For other currencies, check with the exchange bureaux. To find out the exchange rate please visit Hotels in Peru

ATMs/Cash Machines – 24 hours
Many of these are in a secure location accessed only by your card.

Offices
Monday to Friday – 8 am to 7 pm with one to two hours lunch break

Shopping
* In general, stores, shops, shopping centres and crafts markets are open every day from 9 am to 8 pm.
* Bargaining for prices is acceptable in markets as well as with beach or street vendors. This practice is known as regateo. Do be aware that a few traders will try to charge gringos more.

Documents
You should always carry your personal documents with you as you may be required to produce them at any time, particularly in banks, to police or to security guards to gain access to premises. If you wish to hire a car, you will need an International Driving Permit. (In the UK these can be obtained from main post offices).

Valuables
You should avoid unnecessary risks by depositing your valuables in the hotel safe or in a bank and only carrying low denomination banknotes and travellers cheques.

Post Offices
Expect to queue. These are generally found near the centre of towns and are open at roughly the same times as banks.

Telephone/Internet
There are many internet cafes, many of which contain telephones, in addition to public phone boxes.
We recommend that you purchase a telephone card for making phone calls. These are available from kiosks and supermarkets. Be careful with internet cafes, as not all are on broadband and you can lose your connection while in the middle of composing an e-mail. You should ask if they have banda ancha (broadband).

Transport
We recommend taxis as the means of transport (rickshaw/motorcycle taxis in Iquitos). It is usual to tip the driver if he carries your luggage for you. The hotel will arrange a taxi for you, for a certain time or place, or you can always pick one up on the street. It is normal to negotiate the fare with the driver before setting off. The hotel will tell you what you should expect to pay.

Safety
We should like to stress that Peru is a safe country to visit, providing you take normal precautions.
There is no more terrorism than found in Europe or North America and crime is not a major problem.
But we should like to make these observations:

* If you decide to use public transport, be careful of the areas they pass through and take particular care of your belongings. Do not wear a hat if you are sitting beside the open window of a bus, as it might be snatched. Snatch thieves particularly like gorros (baseball caps).
* Be discreet when carrying valuable items. Do not carry large amounts of cash.
* Carry your money and ID in a money belt, but be aware that thieves have been known to slit the bottom of these, but to do this they have to be very close to you. Therefore get away from anyone who attempts to crowd you. Keep an eye on your bags and luggage.
* We have experienced someone coming up to us and asking if we have any change. When we show him what we have, thinking he wants to change something, he takes it and says thank you; he’ll pay us back.

Then he runs off.
* Take normal precautions against pickpockets.
* Do not carry your case, handbag or backpack on your back.
* Do not change money in the street.
* Avoid walking alone or in dimly lit areas at night.

Food and Drink
Peruvian cuisine offers a great variety of typical dishes from the Coast, the Highlands and the Amazon Region. Ask about ingredients as some may be hot or very spicy – problematical for stomachs not used to it. Also, there are restaurants serving international food.

As for drinks, try chicha morada (purple corn juice), chichi de jora (fermented red or yellow corn drink) or any fresh fruit juice. Inka Kola is a very popular gaseosa (soda) which is less fizzy than Coca Cola. They call it the golden cola and it is much more popular than Coke.

Tipping
In Peru, the tipping amount varies from one place to another and will depend on your satisfaction with the service you receive, but beware that as you leave airports “porters” will descend upon you and try to take your baggage, although you may not need it carried.
Book a Hotels in Peru to have a pleasant stay.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/your-stay-in-peru-2188802.html#ixzz0r3Yhi1wo
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

If you are traveling Peru and want to take a relatively short trip into the Peruvian Amazon that will not break the bank, you should consider a trip to Puerto Maldonado in the tropical Amazon Basin and then into the depths of the jungle from there. Located in the South Eastern part of Peru, you will certainly enjoy the biodiversity paradise along the Madre de Dios River. With three conservation areas in Madre de Dios, the Manu Biosphere Reserve ( A UNESCO world Heritage Site since 1987), the Tambopata – Candamo Reserve and the Bahuaja – Sonene National Park., this entry point into the Amazon Basin is a great way to enjoy your Peru vacation.

Founded in 1901 and later made into the capital of Madre de Dios region (1912), Puerto Maldonado is built on the logging, gold dredging, Brazil nut collecting, boat building and eco-tourism industries. Eco lodges in the surrounding reserve are the main drawl for travelers into the area. Upon arrival you will most likely be transported by van to the river where you will travel almost immediately to your eco-lodge into the jungle by boat. There are also several ‘retreat centers’ in the area for people wanting to experience yoga camps and Amazon shelters for a few days. If you are staying in town, there are a number of taxis to get around and motorcycle taxis are very popular due to the price of gasoline. If you have some time in the center, visit the Plaza de Armas and Monkey Island, a medium sized island home to hundreds of monkeys in the middle of the river. You can also visit the Lumber yard, market, the El Jaguar Zoo and Disco (yes there is a nightclub in the zoo!), the obelisk and the snake rescue center.

Where ever you decide to stay, try to visit the highly recommended Taricaya Research Center on the Madre de Dios River while visiting as it is home to the highest canopy walkway in South America, runs an animal release program and an active conservation projects. It is also highly suggested that you do at least one jungle tour to watch the dawn break and the jungle come to life as well as one night tour to enjoy the nocturnal wonderland the jungle has to offer. Many of the jungle lodges that you can stay in offer a complete package that includes the organized jungle tours at dawn and in the evening and some even offer a trip to the Taricaya Research Center as well.

As you explore the jungle you will encounter a vast array of flora and fauna, many of which are endangered such as the Harpy eagle, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, the Orinoco goose, and the giant river otter. In the region there are nearly 600 species of birds, over 1,000 species of butterflies, over 100 types of mammals, 127 species of amphibians and reptiles and at least 94 identified species of fish! You will want to bring your camera to share your Amazonian adventures with your friends and family back home.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/entering-the-jungles-of-peru-2015851.html#ixzz0qHXUQUr7
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution