I guess the first thing that most people think about when they think about Peru tours is one that will include Machu Picchu. While that is a fantastic and popular site (as evidenced by the over 2,500 people a day who visit in in the peak season), it would be a shame to think that there is nothing else in Peru worth seeing. Even if you don't go to anywhere other than the Cusco/Machu Picchu area, there are still very interesting sites there that often go unnoticed, such as Maras and Moray in the Sacred Valley and the little weaving villages in the mountains surrounding the valley. A quick program could be 3 days or it could be extended to a week or so for a more in-depth experience
If learning about the Incas is your thing, then why not include Lake Titicaca, which is supposed to be the birthplace of the Inca empire? While you're down there, you will learn about other southern cultures that pre-date the Incas, such as the Wari, Collas and Tiwanaku. You can just do a day tour to the Uros floating reed islands or continue on to Taquile or Amantani Island you can overnight with a local family on one of the latter islands. Or you could cross over onto the Bolivian side to visit Sun Island, the supposed birth place of the first Inca.
At Nazca, you will see and learn about the mysterious Nazca lines and maybe hear how Maria Reiche, the scientist whose research made the lines famous, had actually wanted to study the figures that are closer to another town, but the people of that town did not want to give her support, , so she moved on to Nazca instead and that town got all of the notoriety. You can also stop off in the Ica area to visit wineries that make the famous pisco that is used in the national drink. Why not visit Ballestas Islands while you are in the area to see penguins, sea lions and many different bird species. This can all be seen in 2-3 days.
In the north, they keep discovering new archeological sites in the Trujillo-Chiclayo area. These are artifacts from groups that pre-date the Incas, such as the Moche and Chimu. The huge walled city of Chan Chan and the pyramids of the Sun and Moon near Trujillo as well as the pyramids and burial sites near Chiclayo and the nearby museums that display the valuable artifacts found, are just some of the places that are well worth visiting in this area that deserves to get more tourists. 2-3 days is probably the normal amount of time spent in this area. I think this is an under-appreciated area - particularly the pyramids
In the north, they keep discovering new archeological sites in the Trujillo-Chiclayo area. These are artifacts from groups that pre-date the Incas, such as the Moche and Chimu. The huge walled city of Chan Chan and the pyramids of the Sun and Moon near Trujillo as well as the pyramids and burial sites near Chiclayo and the nearby museums that display the valuable artifacts found, are just some of the places that are well worth visiting in this area that deserves to get more tourists. 2-3 days is probably the normal amount of time spent in this area. I think this is an under-appreciated area - particularly the pyramids
Speaking of areas that deserve to get more tourists, there is talk of making improvements to the airport at Chachapoyas so that, hopefully, regularly scheduled flights will visit to there again. The government has long wanted to make the area the "Machu Picchu of the north", but the long drives from Chiclayo and other gateway cities have slowed down the progress. It is a shame because the area has many architectural sites to see, many of which have not been excavated yet, so it is not as touristy as other places who receive many tourists every day.
People used to spend as little time as possible in Lima, but now it has because a place to spend more time in. With the museums, the culinary scene, the nearby ruins (such as Pachacamac and Huaca Pucllana) and the Palomino Islands, you can spend 2-3 worthwhile days in Lima.
And don't forget the Amazon. Though the largest part of the Amazon basin is in Brazil, there are many lodges and cruises in Peru that offer abundant wildlife and local people to see. In general, I think you can see more wildlife from easily accessible lodges in Peru than you can from easily accessible lodges in Brazil because many of the Brazilian lodges are located near Manaus - a city of 2 million people.
Of course there are other areas, such as Arequipa/Colca Canyon, Huaraz, the far northern coast,etc. The recent earthquake in the Colca area has not affected tourism much at the present time (a couple of hotels were temporarily closed)
If you want to do group day tours to save money, then you will have to stick to the high traffic areas or go on a fixed departure group tour. If you do a private tour, then you can go to many other places and even go to the high traffic areas in a way that will allow you to avoid the crowds - such as doing the day's itinerary in reverse or starting at a different time.
People used to spend as little time as possible in Lima, but now it has because a place to spend more time in. With the museums, the culinary scene, the nearby ruins (such as Pachacamac and Huaca Pucllana) and the Palomino Islands, you can spend 2-3 worthwhile days in Lima.
And don't forget the Amazon. Though the largest part of the Amazon basin is in Brazil, there are many lodges and cruises in Peru that offer abundant wildlife and local people to see. In general, I think you can see more wildlife from easily accessible lodges in Peru than you can from easily accessible lodges in Brazil because many of the Brazilian lodges are located near Manaus - a city of 2 million people.
Of course there are other areas, such as Arequipa/Colca Canyon, Huaraz, the far northern coast,etc. The recent earthquake in the Colca area has not affected tourism much at the present time (a couple of hotels were temporarily closed)
If you want to do group day tours to save money, then you will have to stick to the high traffic areas or go on a fixed departure group tour. If you do a private tour, then you can go to many other places and even go to the high traffic areas in a way that will allow you to avoid the crowds - such as doing the day's itinerary in reverse or starting at a different time.
RSS Feed
