CUSCO:
THE LANDS OF THE INCA
Located in the south-eastern part of the Andes,
Cusco is Peru's main tourist destination and
one of the most important in the Americas. Known
by the Incas as the "home of gods",
Cusco became the capital of one of the largest
pre-Columbian empires: the Tahuantinsuyo. Its
name in Quechua, Qosqo means "Navel of
the world", which derives from when the
city served as a hub for a vast network of roads
interconnecting virtually the whole of South
America, from the southern part of present day
Colombia to the northern part of what is now
Argentina. Furthermore, Cusco is also both a
mestizo and colonial city, with splendid churches
and manors built on foundations of elaborately
carved stone.
Modern day Cusco features both Inca ruins -such
as the fortress of Sacsayhuamán or the
Koricancha temple- and colonial baroque churches
and mansions. Furthermore, it is the gateway
to an infinite number of natural, archaeological,
and cultural attractions, from the mysterious
and magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu to the
colourful villages of the Urubamba valley. The
latter, best known as the Sacred Valley of the
Incas, is a concentrate of Inca monuments, breathtaking
natural landscapes, and perfect mountain trails
and rivers for the practice of adventure sports.
Given the city's unmatched beauty, historical
worth, and rich entertainment offer, it is no
surprise that Wanderlust magazine's readers
considered Cusco the best tourist destination
worldwide (The Wanderlust Travel Awards 2005),
a distinction the ancient Inca city has obtained
four times since 1999.
The Cusco region has two
very distinct seasons. One of these is the rainy
season, which runs from November to March with
an average temperature of 12º Celsius.
The dry season, which would be the recommended
time to visit, is characterized by cold nights,
sunny days and an average temperature of 9º
Celsius. Due to the location of the city (3,250
masl), soroche, or altitude sickness, is something
to be wary of. Rest and light food are recommended
for the first day of your visit, and warm clothing
is vital at night, as are sunscreen lotion and
hats during the day.
We Recommend for you Cusco
tour:
- Cusco
Tour 4 Days 3 Nigths
- Cusco
Tour 6 days 5 nigths
WE
SUGGEST BEFORE TO BOOK A TOUR VISIT OUR VIDEO
TESTIMONIALS HERE |
AREQUIPA:
THE WHITE CITY
Largely built of sillar, a volcanic porous,
white stone, Arequipa lies in the southern highlands
of Peru, at the feet of mount Misti, an impressive,
white-capped volcano. The Misti is currently
inactive, and has been since a small eruption
occurred in 1870 (for the really strong ones,
we have to leap back to the three decades between
1438 and 1471). The Ciudad Blanca, or White
City, as it is dubbed, features a handsome and
elegant city centre, lined with white sillar
walls and enlightened with Baroque churches
and buildings from the Colonial Period.
In December 2000, UNESCO declared this historical
centre a World Heritage Site, stating the following:
"The historical center of Arequipa is an
example of ornamented architecture, represents
a masterpiece of the creative coalition of European
and native characteristics. A colonial town
challenged by the conditions of nature, the
indigenous influences, the conquest process
and evangelism as well as for a spectacular
natural scenario."
Some of the most representative attractions
include the 16th-century Santa Catalina convent,
an elegant, city-like monastery with its own
streets, squares, and courtyards; the sumptuous
Plaza de Armas; and mansions such as the Goyeneche
Palace and the Moral house. Everything framed
against a monumental trio of peaks: the Misti
(5,822 m), mount Chachani (6,075 m), and a second
volcano, Pichu Pichu (5,669 m).
Moreover, Arequipa is the main gate to the
Colca Canyon, one of the most extraordinary
destinations in Peru. Twice as deep as the Grand
Canyon, it's a prime area for the practice of
adventure sports (mountain biking, trekking,
and white water rafting), and the best place
in South America to see giant condors.
The Colca Canyon is also ideal for Adventure
Sports such as mountain biking, trekking, and
white water rafting. The Colca River, which
starts high in the Andes and changes its name
to Majes, and then to Camaná before reaching
the Pacific Ocean, is famous for whitewater
rafting. Its rapids are widely respected for
their degree of difficulty, specially down the
stretch between Cabanaconde and Tapay. The Colca
can be rafted from May to October and features
Class II-IV rapids. Tours set out from Chivay.
WE
SUGGEST BEFORE TO BOOK A TOUR VISIT OUR VIDEO
TESTIMONIALS HERE |
PUNO:
THE NAVEGABLE CITY
There is something undeniably mystical in the
profound-blue waters of Lake Titicaca. Its mythical
dimension, however, grasps earthly grounds everywhere:
the intense colours of the lake, the pureness
of the Andean highlands' air, the man-made floating
islands, and the colourful festivals that cheer-up
Puno city.
Almost all visitors that reach Puno bear in
mind nothing but Lake Titicaca and its islands,
by far the greatest attraction in the area.
The city and the whereabouts, though, do have
some interesting spots to pay a visit.
In most provincial Peruvian cities the Plaza
de Armas, or main square, is the epicentre of
social and cultural live, the one point where
most attractions tend to converge. Puno is no
exception. At one side of the Plaza, at the
end of pedestrian Lima street, you can find
the Cathedral, built in the 17th century in
Spanish-baroque style (but some Andean elements
are recognisable). The façade, for sure
more appealing than an austere interior, was
sculpted by Peruvian architect Simon de Asto.
La Casa del Corregidor, also on the Plaza de
Armas (Jirón Deustua 576), is both a
nice café and an art gallery that occupies
a historic 17th century colonial mansion. Not
far away, on the intersection of Deustua and
Conde de Lemos streets, you find the Conde de
Lemos Balcony. Built also in the 17th century,
it now houses Puno's offices of the National
Culture Institute. And the local Museum, exhibiting
a nice selection of pre-Inca ceramics, textiles,
and mummies, stands in the same Conde de Lemos
street, at civic number 289.
On the outskirts of town, after a 10-minute
or so walk from downtown, you arrive to the
Kuntur Wasi Lookout. It offers great views of
Puno and Lake Titicaca.
Further out, roughly 35 kilometres north of
Puno, on the shores of Lake Umayo, stands the
Sillustani Archeological Complex. It is renowned
for its chullpas, tall circular fortified stone
buildings, some up to 12 meters high (39 feet),
where leaders and noblemen from the local Colla
people were buried. This cylindrical tombs,
thinner at the base and wider at the top, are
remarkable for the stone-masonry, which some
archaeologists find even more elaborated than
that of the Incas. The most convenient way to
visit Sillustani is by taking a guided tour.
It costs around 25 soles (aprox. $7) per person
for a tour from Puno, including transportation
and the entrance fee.
WE
SUGGEST BEFORE TO BOOK A TOUR VISIT OUR VIDEO
TESTIMONIALS HERE |
