The Highlights of Peru with a Vacation to Machu Picchu |
Peru - An Overview |
Lima Known
as "The City
of the Kings", Lima is the capital and main gateway
to Peru. A city of contrasts, Lima was the colonial capital
of Spain for three hundred years. It offers up colonial treasures,
fascinating museums,
and fine gourmet dining. Lima is located on the coast at sea level.
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Machu Picchu and Cuzco.
The gateway to the fascinating Sacred
Valley of
the Incas, Cuzco was at the center of the ancient Incan
Empire. High in the Andes, from Cuzco, visitors take a short train ride
to the wondrous "Lost City of the Incas",
Machu Picchu. Hikers have the option of trekking the "Royal
Inca Trail" and reaching Machu Picchu as the ancients
did… by foot.
The mysteries of Nazca have fascinated
scientists for decades. Nazca is situated on a plain
south of Lima, and the site of an amazing pre-Incan
Nazca view travel destination civilization highly advanced
in astronomy and ceramics. Huge figures of animals,
birds, and humans have been etched into the desert
sands by these ancient people. |
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Trujillo and Chiclayo. Home to
the Chimu and Moche civilizations of Northern Peru, this destination
is found at the heart of Peru's colonial folklore traditions.
Northern Peru contains many of the country's most important
ongoing archaeological finds. The Mausoleum known as the "Lord
of Sipan" in the "Valley of the Pyramids" contains
the most ornate tombs ever found in the Western Hemisphere.
These tombs contain exquisitely detailed treasures fashioned
from gold. |
Manu. Accessible
by airplane or overland from Cuzco, Manu is one of the premier
areas for
observing wildlife in the Amazon rainforest. There is an
abundance of turtles, monkeys, giant otter, peccaries, tapirs,
capybaras, and the magnificent jaguar. In the bird world
there are motmots,
macaws, toucans, and currasows. The terrain shifts from lowland
rainforests to high Andean grasslands. The Manu Reserve is
protected and untouched by civilization. Renowned for its
abundant wildlife, Manu is held as a national park and a
world heritage site. |
Amazon
and Iquitos. Ecotourists, orchid enthusiasts, birdwatchers,
and nature lovers, will thrill to the abundance of life
in the
pristine Amazon rainforest. The Amazon river port of Iquitos
is situated in northeastern Peru, and is gateway to your
Amazon adventure. Iquitos can be reached by air from Lima. From Iquitos, visitors can explore the incredible
rainforest by taking an adventure river cruise, or staying
at a jungle lodge along the river. |
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Lake Titicaca. High
in the Andes and accessible by train or air from Cuzco
or Lima, this Lake was held sacred by the Incas and
hailed as the birthplace of Inca civilization. A hydrofoil
across the lake, and a stay at the Inca Utama Hotel
are an unforgettable experience.
Stanford Travel Systems works with an extensive network
of local multi-lingual guides and transportation experts.
STS travel consultants research the best travel destinations
and seek out the finest hotels, to offer you an unparalleled
travel experience wherever you go in Peru or South
America.
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