Peru

Peru is home to some of the most authentic, well-preserved structures in the world.Once you arrive at the top of Machu Picchu, don’t despair if all you see is white. Soon the fog will clear revealing the iconic topiary from a bird’s eye view. It’s cinematic, really – totally surreal. See how the structure’s walls and windows were built at the perfect angle to allow the sun to shine through during the solstice. Learn about Machu Picchu’s history and how it’s existence today is ultimately the result of perfect timing.In the Sacred Valley, you can enjoy lunch at Sol y Luna, then hop on horseback and venture through the mountains. Or if you prefer to sightsee on foot, you can hike through Ollantaytambo, the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The majority of the Incan-built structure is still intact! Climb the steep stone steps up to the imposing fortress at the top of the mountain – around 260 steps – and admire the huge monoliths that form the Temple of the Sun.Visit Cusco, a city adamant about its authenticity and preservation. In fact, if you wander down to the basement of Cusco’s JW Marriot, you’ll see Incan ruins encased in glass walls. In Cusco’s historical center, see the Temple of the Sun at Koricancha, one of the Inca’s most important temples. In the main square’s Plaza de Armas, you’ll discover the Cusco Cathedral and the Iglesia de La Compañía de Jesus. See renowned art, including Pintura Senor de los Temblores, the oldest surviving painting in Cusco.Visit Lima, a shopping mecca that happens to be Peru’s capital city. Though this city is more modern than the rest, it’s still home to many historical buildings and intricate cathedrals.

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Travel Information

Electricity

Electricity in Peru is 220 Volts and 60 Hertz (cycles per second). If you want to use a 110-volt appliance in Peru, you’ll need to buy a voltage…

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Banking

CurrencyPeru’s currency is the Nuevo Sol (S/.). Like most others, it is based on the decimal system (100 céntimos = 1 Nuevo Sol). Coins…

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Cuisine

Drink only bottled water, and take purification tablets in case bottled water is unavailable. Pasteurised milk is widely available, but if you are staying…

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Climate

The weather in Peru varies according to area – the changes in altitude are so extreme that the climate goes from freezing snow in the mountains to boiling…

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Transport

When travelling around Peru, you have to make a decision: time or money? The bus from Lima to Cusco can take over 24 hours instead of a flight of about…

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Dress

For travel in Peru, a variety of clothes are necessary. You will need very lightweight clothes for summer on the coast, and thermals, hats, gloves and…

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Health

Please consult your health-care provider 4-6 weeks prior to travel to ensure you are receiving all required vaccinations and that the medication has…

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Safety

Peru is safe in general. We recommend normal precautions be taken as you would for any city in the world. Be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit…

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Visa

U.S. citizens do require a visa for entry into Peru. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.

Visas are free and are issued at the port…

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General

Language:Spanish is the official language, although various dialects of Quechua and Aymara are widely spoken in the Andes. There also 50 different indigenous…

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Regions

Cusco

Cusco blends colonial Spanish charm with older remains of pre-Columbian glory – you’ll still see the foundations of Inca structures on many of its city streets…

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Machu Picchu Pueblo

Perched high up in the Andes, Machu Picchu Pueblo is a riverside town known for its proximity to the famous Machu Picchu ruins. This cloud-forest town…

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Lima

Peru’s capital is a fantastic city to tour, dotted with a multitude of cultural sites and beautifully preserved architecture. Founded by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro in…

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Featured Tours

Portrait of Peru

Welcome to Peru, where your journey will begin in the capital city of Lima where you will stay 2 nights at the HW Marriott Hotel…

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