A Peru vacation offers the chance to experience unforgettable archeology and terrain. South America’s third-largest country is best known for Machu Picchu, a mountaintop Incan city discovered in 1911. This fascinating site, built in 1450, contains the remains of stone walls, temples and palaces built by the Inca people. Visitors also get fabulous views of the surrounding Andes mountains.
While a vacation in Peru would not be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu, the country offers many more diversions. Those who travel to Peru marvel at the diversity of its terrain, plants and animal species, which make it a prime destination for nature and outdoor enthusiasts. The Andes offer many opportunities for hiking, hang-gliding and white-water rafting, while the Pacific beaches entice divers, sun worshipers and surfers (the sport may have been invented here). The Amazon jungle lures bird-watchers with its variety of interesting species. History and culture-lovers will also find plenty to do in the country, including strolling through the wonderfully preserved Spanish colonial city center of Lima, visiting the 400-year-old monastery at Santa Catalina, watching Peruvian craftsmen create the country’s distinctive arts and crafts, and experiencing one of the 3,000 festivals Peru celebrates each year.
U.S. citizens require a valid passport, and proof of onward or return travel for visits of up to 90 days in Peru. Visitors to Machu Picchu must take a three-hour train ride from the city of Cusco to the town of Aguas Calientes, from which they’ll board a bus up the mountain further to Machu Picchu. Renting a car is not advised, due to treacherous roads and unsafe conditions in rural areas. If you’re traveling to different areas of Peru, you’ll likely need to fly between destinations. Peru’s currency is the Nuevo Sol. Spanish is spoken throughout the country, although many native languages are also used. For more information on Peru travel, log on to www.peru.info, the Peru Export and Tourism Promotion Board’s website.