Peru is a land whose people celebrate a culture of Amerindian and Spanish traditions. The art of Peru dates back to Pre- Inca cultures and includes beautiful pottery, elaborate textiles, jewelry and sculpture. Peru offers enormous sand dunes and the snow- capped mountains of the Andes. There are tropical birds of every color, smoldering volcanoes, and a rocky Pacific shoreline that is home to herds of sea lions.
One of the most popular travel destinations in Peru is the historic Inca Trail. There are treks for every endurance level, from easy to arduous. Most Inca Trail hiking travelers spend a little time in Cusco and the Sacred Valley to acclimate to the higher altitude and the thinner air before actually beginning their adventure. Travelers will hike through jungle trails and the misty rain forest. The high point of the trek is the arrival at the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu. After taking in all the splendor of the rainforest and Machu Picchu, most travelers will spend the night in Aguas Calientes, and then revisit the ruins again the next day. Aguas Calientes provides good accommodations, Spanish taverns, spectacular cathedral architecture and indigenous Quechua markets.
The southern city of Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru. It is also called Ciudad Blanca (white city) is a land of active snow- capped volcanoes, hot springs, salt lakes, and deserts. Some of the world’s deepest canyons are located near this beautiful city. The mountains offer spectacular photography opportunities with famous mountains like the Cañón del Colca and the ruins in the Cañón del Cotahuasi where one might even discover dinosaur footprints. Travelers can enjoy white water rafting, mountain climbing, and return to the city for dinner in a fine restaurant and dancing in modern nightclubs. There are hidden passageways of the Monasterio de Santa Catalina to explore and Inca mummies to discover in the Museo Sanctuary. Arequipa is a popular layover destination for points like Lake Titicaca, Nazca and Cuzco.
Lake Titicaca is a short trip by bus trip from Arequipa. The most outstanding features of Lake Titicaca is the unique navy blue color of the water. There are brilliant green islands and inviting shores. There are rolling hills and ruins of cathedrals against the backdrop of the highest mountains in Bolivia. Locals claim that the lake gave birth to the Sun and is the parent of all the peoples of Peru. There are ancient monuments left by the Incas, Manco Cápac, Mama Ocllo, the Pukara, Tiwanaku and the Collas scattered around the Lake.
Travel from Arequipa can be made by bus, air, or by private charter train for tour groups. There are a number of 3 star hotels in Arequipa and most are priced under $125 USD. Most rooms in the 3 star hotels provide cable television, a mini bar, and some hotels offer wi- fi services. All the modern conveniences are available to guests. The traveler will find the people of Peru to be warm and helpful. Peru is one of the best vacation destinations in the world.