Of course, a stay in Peru will go through the discovery of the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu and Lima, the capital, will surprise tourists with its unusual visits and its modernity. Corn why go to Peru exactly? Because it is also a country of unparalleled human and cultural wealth which asks only to be discovered and appreciated by the adventurers of the XXIst century!
The Peruvian coast
Stay in Peru, weekend with the Incas!
Formerly, Peru was the territory of the Incas, a pre-Columbian civilization that appeared in the 4.000th century. At its peak, its territory stretched along the Andes Cordillera for more than XNUMX km, from Colombia in the north to Chile in the south, making it the largest empire that ever existed in Pre-Columbian America. Although the Inca population was conquered and greatly decimated by the Spanish Conquistadors in the XNUMXth century, Peru today still bears many traces of this prestigious past : places, monuments, customs and languages (Quechua is an official language, the second most widely spoken after Spanish).
Lima, the shopping capital
Why go to Peru and mainly to Lima? Because today's “conquistadors” generally land in Lima, the capital, which has an airport that receives the majority of international flights. It is in any case an unmissable step, if only for its architecture. - to see, the cathedral, the church and the convent of San Francisco or the fortress of Real Felipe - and its museums, very instructive to understand the history of the country. It is also an opportunity to visit Peruvian stores and to buy some typical products, in particular woolen fabric clothes: ponchos, gloves, hats.
Peruvian crafts
Next stop: Cuzco!
After Lima, stays in Peru generally take the direction of Cuzco, cradle of the Inca civilization and the city closest to the famous Machu Picchu. The best way to move between these two cities is to fly. Indeed, Peru is a vast country with few roads, unlike domestic flights: therefore prefer the plane to travel in Peru. It is also interesting to prepare your stay in Peru in advance, especially with regard to hotel reservations. You sleep better by not having to look for a room at the last minute, especially since hotels in Peru offer cheap prices if they are booked in advance, via the internet for example.
Street scene in Cuzco
Wonderful Machu Picchu
In Cuzco, after a visit to the city and its unusual neighborhoods, the time has come to embark on the ascent of the Andes, to discover the ancient Inca city, Machu Picchu. It is accessed either by a hiking trail - a magnificent option but quite long - or by the train which is just as unusual.. It winds up to Machu Picchu on the mountainside. This city was probably a religious site, although some documents suggest that it was also a place of residence of the emperor Pachacutec, one of the major figures of civilization, responsible for the expansion and of the erection of many sites. You shouldn't ask yourself “why go to Peru” after seeing this!
Machu Picchu
Lake Titicaca and restaurants
To complete this stay in Peru, and the discovery of the Inca civilization, visitors will also go to the shores of Lake Titicaca, a huge lake that stretches between Peru and Bolivia. It has several islands including Taquile Island, accessible by boat and populated by Quechua and Aymaras inhabitants, the two main ethnic groups in the time of the Incas. These have also bequeathed in Peru many gastronomic traditions that can be found in Peruvian restaurants. Perfect for a bite to eat, they offer a variety of meats and fish accompanied by local products: avocados, peppers and tropical fruits.
Lake Titicaca
Pratical information
- Saint-Martin Tourist Office : the official website of the Peruvian tourist office
- Passport and Visa : a valid passport is required to enter Peru. However, the Visa is not compulsory for a stay of less than 3 months.
- Money and Change : the Peruvian currency is the Nuevo Sol (NS)
Transport
- Getting to Peru: Lima receives most of the international flights. Its airport is located on the outskirts of the city, but shuttles or taxis allow you to reach the center of the city.
- Getting around Peru: Due to the large distances between the various points of interest and infrastructure not always at the top, it is advisable to use the plane to travel within the country.
