Why Travel to Peru?
Top Reasons You Should Go
Ancient Peru:
While many travelers are familiar with Peru’s Inca civilization, the country’s history can be traced well before that time to even more indigenous peoples, all of whom left archaeological treasures waiting to be discovered.
A visit to Peru isn’t complete without a pilgrimage to the glorious Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, but what many don’t realize is that this feted site is relatively new – Peru is dotted with the remnants of ancient cities, dating back as far as 5,000 years. Visitor can find vestiges as Caral, the oldest city in the Americas, Chan Chan, the biggest mud-brick Chimu settlement, Chavin de Huántar, one of the main oracles of the ancient Peru, the mysterious Nazca Lines and the remote stone citadel of Kuélap that hide the history of the Chachapoyas Culture, this is just to mention some. The experience should have a stop by the museums in Peru hide also priceless ceramics, gold and fine textiles that were found at these sites.
Living Cultures and Traditions:
Many of the festivals, rituals, and actual ways of life remain from pre-Columbian time. From traditional clothing to popular folk art expressions, and belief systems to ways of working and even cooking, Peru is full of customs that maintain the legacy of its ancient cultures.
Home to approximately 3,000 festivals, Peru is dotted in year-round festivities. Some of the more famous festivities include Semana Santa, the week leading up to Easter and the great Inca Festival of Inti Raymi on June 24, making it a popular time to visit Peru and Machu Picchu. Traditional ancient cultures are still alive, rituals as a payment to the mother earth, The Pachamama, is extended in all the mountain territory, reed water-crafts dating back to the Mochica culture, they are still used by local fishermen as a work tool or for riding waves on north coast beaches.
Extensive Biodiversity:
Peru is one of 10 mega-diverse countries of the world, with hundreds of endemic species of flora and fauna; a paradise for bird watching and orchid spotting, or the exploration of remote and mythical natural landscapes, some still pristine virgin lands teeming with life. Discover the dazzling landscapes of Peru: extensive deserts, exuberant jungles, magical cloud forests, vast mountain ranges, crystalline lagoons and virgin forests that hold 84 of the 117 life zones on Earth and are home to 106 endemic bird species. Peru is a world within the world; it holds70% of the planet’s biological diversity concentrated within its borders. Home to eight national parks, eight national reserves and seven national sanctuaries. A few highlights include the Manu National Park, located in the Amazon rainforest and the largest biosphere in Peru with close to 1,000 different species of birds; the Titicaca National Park located on the highest navigable lake in the world; the Paracas National Reserve, home to the Humboldt penguins, sea lions, dolphins and turtles; and the Huascarán National Park, home to jaguars, tapirs, llamas and more.
Culinary Exploration:
Respected by prestigious chefs and discerning palates around the world, Peruvian cuisine offers a vast and exquisite array of dishes that combine ancient traditions and foreign culinary techniques. Peru has been named a Culinary Destination of South America for many consecutive years by the World Travel Awards and It is home of various of the 50 best restaurants in the world.
Peru has given rise to a unique and diverse style of fusion cuisine. In Lima for example you can taste a variety of ceviches, as well as dishes that meld Inca traditions and ingredients with influences from Japan, Italy, China and Spain. Down to the south in Ica Valley you can find a number of vineyards including many that produce Peru´s signature Pisco. Meanwhile in the north you can find dishes as Arroz con Pato or in the south cities, as Arequipa and Cusco, they share their traditions on cuisine putting on the table dishes as stuffed chilies or guinea pig.
Adventure Paradise:
Peru is versatile and its geography proves it to be the perfect place for adventure. A warm desert coast, an imposing mountain range and a lush jungle invite you to enjoy all kinds of extreme experiences, whether it is sandboarding on coastal dunes of Ica, a horseback riding through the Sacred Valley, a trekking up the snow-capped Andean mountains in Ancash, or taking a kayak inside of the Amazon River there is something for every adventure enthusiast. Other popular adventure activities include paragliding in Lima, surfing in all the Peruvian Coast, rock climbing and rafting on mountain areas.
