PERU – FROM THE DESERT TO THE ANDES
A trip to Peru suits to everybody, considering that most of the itinerary is in a considerable altitude.
You can visit this country in any time of the year, but we suggest the dry season (between may and september) when the climate is nice and the sky is crystal clear.
In Lima, during our summer (their winter) you will always find a grey sky, due to antarctic currents that bump into hot air coming from the valley, protected by mountains, really close to the coast. Don’t miss a visit to Larco Herrera museum, a private collection of pottery, jewels and manufactures that date back to precolumbian era.
In Paracas, you can venture into Ballestas islands, “little Galapagos” where, besides seals, sea-lions, pelicans and cormorants colonies, you can see one of the mysteries of Perù: the Chandelier, a wide drawing made of regular, perfect lines, carved in the rocks of the mountain.
Another mystery – Nasca Lines that you can overfly with a small plane and a 35-minute fly. The experience is unforgettable.
From Nasca you rise until Arequipa at 2.300 meters high. Most of the tourists going to Arequipa travels by plane, but they miss the wonderful and lonely Pacific coast between Nasca and Camana, where the long ocean waves almost touch the grey dunes a few steps away from the shore.
Take a break at the sunset in Plaza des Armas in Arequipa, sitting in one of the restaurants at the first floor, over the porches at the side of the Cathedral and you will have the chance to admire all the square and its crawling life.
You rise again towards the volcanos surrounding Arequipa, which means towards Colca Canyon, to meet an ancient population that lives in this timeless valley.
In Colca valley, besides a visit at Cruz del Condor to admire the flight of these magnificent birds, don’t miss Chivay market to discover the countless and unexpected quality of potatoes.
And emotions still grow: Necropolis in Sillustani and Titicaca Lake where, besides the famous floating Uros islands, you can also visit Taquile island and spend a night on Suasi island…the atmosphere is magical! On the road towards the beautiful city Cuzco, you absolutely have to visit the colonial Andahuaylilas church, which is considered the Sistine Chapel of South America.
Admire the Inca fortress in Sachsayuaman, go trough the salt mines in Maras on foot and visit the concentric circles terracing in Chincero and, at last, visit one of the most incredible places on earth- the lost town of Incas: the Machu Picchu.