Suddenly we found ourselves standing in front of the ruins of two of the finest structures in ancient America. Made of beautiful white granite, the sight held me spellbound.
Hiram Bingham, on discovering Machu Picchu
Peru holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Peru holiday, personal to you.
Peru is a beautiful and fascinating country of wild rivers running through deep canyons, dense tropical jungle and mountaintop temples. There are several sites worth seeing around the country, so plan carefully, as it can be time consuming getting to them.
Cuzco and Machu Picchu, two of the most popular Inca sites, lie in southern Peru. If you have time, hike the Inca trail first, and later relax floating on Lake Titicaca or in the white city of Arequipa.
Hiking and climbing are also popular in the north, among the snow-covered peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. From here, it’s also easy to visit other archaeological sites, such as Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the world, once the capital of the Chimú, and the pyramids of Huaca del Sol. Further north, are the two ancient cities of Tucumé and Sicán, whose ruins are surrounded by a carob tree forest.
If the highlands aren’t for you, try heading to the southern coast, to discover the marine birdlife at Paracas Peninsula as well as the Nazca and Palpa Lines – enormous outlines, up to 270 metres across, of animals and geometric patterns carved into the desert. While in the south, make a visit to Colca Canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and a great place to spot condor, the world’s largest bird of prey.
Contact a Peru expert to prepare a personal itinerary and a no-obligation quote.
Peru facts
Capital: Lima
Language: Spanish and Quechua.
People: Indigenous Indians, Mestizo, European.
Religion: Roman Catholic.
Size (sq km): 1,285,220.
Population: 29,180,899.
Population density/sq km: 22.7.
Etiquette
The majority of Peruvians speak Spanish, but many business people also speak English. When leaving Peru, do not take coca leaves or coca tea out of the country, as it is illegal to bring these substances into most countries. Likewise, visitors are not allowed to take any artefacts out of the country without the consent of the proper authority
Shopping
Alpaca wool sweaters, alpaca and llama rugs, Indian masks, weaving and jewellery.
Food & drink
Hot pepper (aji) and garlic (ajo) flavour most Peruvian food. Typical dishes include chupe de camarones (a soup made from shrimps, eggs, cream, potatoes and peppers), sopa criolla (spicy soup with beef and noodles) and anticuchos (beef or fish marinated in vinegar and spices, then barbecued). A potent brandy-based cocktail, Pisco sour, is infamous.
International Airports
Lima (LIM) 10 km from the city, Cuzco (CUZ).
Internal travel
Fairly extensive domestic air network. Peru is home to the highest railroad in the world. Roads are in reasonable condition but affected by landslides in the rainy season.
Red tape
Visas
Not required for stays up to 90 days.
Vaccinations
BCG, Cholera, Hep. A, Hep. B, Malaria, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever3
Driving requirements
Valid home driving permit or an International Driving Permit.
Reps in UK/US
UK: 52 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9SP, tel (020) 7235 1917, fax (020) 7235 4463, email postmaster@peruembassy-uk.com. US: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, tel (202) 833 9860, fax (202) 659 8124, email webmaster@embassyofperu.us.
UK/US reps in Peru
UK: Torre Parque Mar, Piso22, Avenida Jose Larco 1301, Miraflores, Lima, tel (1) 617 3000, fax (1) 617 3100, email belima@fco.gov.uk. US: Avenida La Encalada cuadra 17, Surco, Lima 33, tel (1) 434 3000, fax (1) 618 2397.
Currency
New sol (S) = 100 céntimos.
Finance
Most credit cards accepted. Changing traveller's cheques can be a slow process outside Lima.
Business hours
0900-1700 Mon-Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Relatively safe for travellers. Many reports of petty crime.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 68.61, F 72.37.
Useful websites for travel
www.peruembassy-uk.com, www.virtualperu.net, www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/south_america/peru.
Local media
English-language monthly Lima Times is available in major hotels and bookstores.
Tourist boards
n/a.
Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to Peru. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific Peru itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6548.
On this sample tour we’ve combined the ancient culture of the Inca Empire with a memorable sailing trip around the Galapagos. Visit Inca fortresses and temples, roam through vibrant Indian markets, stay overnight at the foot Machu Picchu, snorkel with pe...
It’s not only the altitude that will leave you breathless on this two-week tour of Peru. Ponder the mysterious origins of the Nazca Lines, investigate living history in fascinating Cuzco and finally conquer the majestic Machu Picchu....
This sample itinerary combines the ancient culture of the Inca Empire with a memorable sailing trip around the Galapagos Archipelago. You will visit Inca temples and fortresses, roam through vibrant Indian markets, stay overnight at the base of legendary Machu...
Of the five main Amazonian countries, by far the best for boating is Peru. Over 60% is in the Amazon basin and some of the forest’s least touched areas lie within its borders. Aqua Expeditions’ 130ft M/V Aqua was the first luxury cruise ship on the...
At 3,888 metres, Lake Titicaca is the worlds highest navigable lake and is home to many islands and traditions....
Experience Machu Picchu in style with the option of a private tour....
Experience Perus eastern jungle close up. A 50-minute flight from Cuzco gets you to the bustling town of Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the jungle. From here there are several jungle lodges that can be reached by boat....
Its not just the altitude that will leave you breathless in Peru. From the majestic Andean peaks to the dramatic Pacific coastline, Peru combines the legacies of its lost civilisations with modern day indigenous Indians and scenery ranging from the Amazon to s...
In this sample itinerary we’ve combined the ancient culture of the Inca Empire with an unforgettable sailing trip around the Galapagos Archipelago. Visit Inca fortresses and temples, roam around colourful Indian markets, stay overnight at the foot of fab...
Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, highlights of any visit to Peru, are linked by rail via Cuzco along some of the world’s highest and most scenic tracks.... Please call 0845 643 6548 for price details.
More information »Dear Rachel [Mostyn],
Just to let you know we got back safely after a brilliant trip to Peru and Ecuador. Everything worked out well. Both Condor Travel and Metropolitan Touring were excellent. All transfers worked well and the guides were informative and well organised (especially Arturo Palomino in the Sacred Valley). All the hotels were good to great. We had an excellent afternoon mountain biking from Sol & Luna [Urubamba, Peru]; the Inkaterra [Amazon eco-lodge, Peru] was fantastic and we’d happily have spent another night there if we’d had the time. As expected, the Nu House [Quito, Ecuador] was a bit noisy, despite its claims about triple-glazing, but was in a great location for bars and restaurants. We even met fellow WEXAS members on Lake Titicaca.
Thanks again for organising such a successful trip. All the best,
Philip & Judith Hanson
Heavy rain in the mountains and jungle from December to April. It never rains in Lima and rarely on the coast.
GMT -5.
New sol (S) = 100 céntimos.
Get foreign currency online
