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|  | PERU COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Peru is a large, mountainous country on the Pacific coast of South America. It has borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and the Pacific Ocean. The Sierra contains the Andes, with peaks of over 6000m (20,000ft). The Selva, an area of fertile, subtropical uplands, lies between the Andes and the jungles of eastern Peru. Peru offers diversity: history, archaeology, sports, beaches, mountains, medicinal springs, nature, fantastic landscapes, friendly people and music. Tumbes and Piura are the most northerly Peruvian coastal departments and are major beach, surfing, sporting and deep-sea fishing centres. Lima, the capital, is an ancient Spanish city founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and known as the 'City of Kings'. The city's splendid museums, galleries and monuments are juxtaposed with modern suburbs. Cusco, situated 3360m (11,024 feet) above sea level, was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Remains of the granite stone walls of the Inca Palace and temples can still be seen. Peru's most famous archaeological site is Machu Picchu, the 'Lost City of the Incas', and the final destination of the famous three-day Inca Trail. Ceviche is a local speciality (uncooked fish marinated in lemon juice and hot pepper, served with corn-on-the-cob, potatoes and onions). There are many bars, pubs, discotheques and casinos in the major towns and tourist resorts. Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government; his presidency has been hampered by allegations of corruption. Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastal region, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands bordering Colombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in the mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. However, overdependence on minerals and metals subjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and a lack of infrastructure deters trade and investment. After several years of inconsistent economic performance, the Peruvian economy grew by an average 4 percent per year during the period 2002-2004, with a stable exchange rate and low inflation. Risk premiums on Peruvian bonds on secondary markets reached historically low levels in late 2004, reflecting investor optimism regarding the government's prudent fiscal policies and openness to trade and investment. Despite the strong macroeconomic performance, the TOLEDO administration remained unpopular in 2004, and unemployment and poverty have stayed persistently high. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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| | | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Perhaps no other country has more to offer the visitor than Peru; panoramic mountain ranges, vast deserts, beautiful beaches and tropical jungle. All this combined with a rich historical and archeological past and enduring indigenous cultures. To reflect the importance of tourism to the national economy, the Tourist Bureau has set up a Tourist Protection Scheme to help visitors solve any problems they may encounter. There is a 24-hour hotline based in Lima (tel: (1) 574 8000). For locations outside the capital there is a toll-free number (0800 4 2579) that operates weekdays 0830-1630. The South American Explorers Club is another good source of information on the area and has an office in Lima, offering a variety of services to its members such as equipment hire and a safe luggage store. For further information on any of the topics mentioned in this section, please contact the Tourist Information and Assistance 24-hour service(tel: (1) 574 8000; e-mail: iperu@promperu.gob.pe).
Lima
Situated halfway along Peru's desert coastline, Lima is literally stuck between the desert and the deep blue sea. The valley was once dominated by hundreds of pre-Inca temples and palaces. Pizarro chose the palace of local chief Taurí Chusko as the site of the city's inauguration on 6 January 1535 and thus began Lima's colonial history, reflected in the opulent mansions with Moorish latticed wooden balconies that grace Lima's plazas. The main square (Plaza de Armas) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, complete with paths, gardens and an elegant bronze fountain. Surrounding the main plaza are the Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace, the Town Hall and the impressive Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace). Located at the northern end of the plaza, the Government Palace is a lavish example of colonial opulence. The sumptuous state rooms are adorned with Carrera marble, cedar and mahogany wood carvings, French glass and Czech crystal. Highlights are the Grand Salon, modelled on the Versaille Palace's Hall of Mirrors, the dining room adorned with friezes depicting Inca history and the private theatre. Free guided tours operate daily at 10am from the visitor's entrance in Jirón de la Unión. Outside, visitors can admire the elaborate military uniforms in the Changing of the Guard (Mon-Sat 1145 and 1745). The Baroque Cathedral has been reconstructed after several earthquakes and its present building is dated around 1758. Visitors should not miss its Museum of Religious Art and Treasures, plus the collection of bones believed to be those of Pizarro himself.
One of the few buildings to withstand the 1746 earthquake is the Church of San Francisco. Recently renovated with the help of UNESCO, this exquisite church has several highlights, including the extraordinary early 17th-century domed cedarwood roof above the broad staircase leading to the cloisters. The library, in its thin, rectangular two-story salon with twin delicate wooden spiral staircases, houses a collection of some 20,000 volumes, plus masterpieces by Rubens, Jordeans and Van Dyck. Underneath the church are the catacombs, complete with ghoulish circular displays of the skulls and bones of some 70,000 souls.
The downtown area of Lima also houses historic colonial mansions, some of which still have connections with the original Spanish families who constructed them. Now occupied by the Foreign Ministry, the Palacio Torre Tagle (1735) with its Moorish-influenced balconies has particularly interesting azulejos (tiles), thought to be the first examples of an artistic fusion between both Native American and European styles. Close by is the striking salmon pink and white stuccoed Post Office built in the 1920s. With wrought iron gates and an arcade roof, the Correo also houses a stamp museum where enthusiasts can buy, trade and sell Peruvian stamps.
Peru's rich cultural heritage is reflected by the variety of museums in the capital. Unmissable for history buffs are the Museo de Oro del Peru (Gold Museum), the Museo de Cultura Peruana (Museum of Peruvian Culture) and the Museo de la Inquisición (Museum of the Inquisition) with its sinister dungeons. Art-lovers should see Goya's etchings at the Museo Taurino and the collection of masters at the National Art Museum.
On 30 August visitors can marvel at the religious processions held to honour the city's patron saint, Santa Rosa de Lima. Later, on 18 October, a purple haze descends upon the city as the faithful don purple robes to march in processions, praising El Señor de los Milagros. Cultural attractions aside, areas such as San Isidro, Miraflores and Barranco have much to offer the visitor in the way of shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Malls and department stores are expanding within the city, and the downtown area, particularly the streets around the Plaza de Armas, were remodelled a few years ago. Visitors should not miss the colourful daily market in Lima's Chinatown district. A good place to get a close look at some of Peru's diverse wildlife (such as jaguars and condors) is the Zoo and Parque de las Leyendas, landscaped to reflect Peru's three main geographical zones; costa (coast), sierra (mountains) and selva (desert).
Costa
North of Lima
Tumbes and Piura are the most northerly Peruvian coastal departments and are Peru's most important beach, surfing, sporting and deep-sea fishing centres. There are small resort-type hotels and small fishing villages and beaches.
Chiclayo
Chiclayo is a northern city with a hot and sunny climate, distinctive cuisine and musical tradition as well as an unparalleled archaeological heritage. Unfortunately, the 26 pyramid complex of Tucume (35km/22 miles north of Chiclayo) and Huaca Rajada (or the 'Tomb of the Lord of Sipan'), considered to rank among the finest examples of pre-Columbian art are not yet well restored, thus visitors should hire a local guide. Many of the fascinating ceramics, metal objects and textiles from the region are on view at the Bruning Museum in the town of Lambayeque, located 11km (6.8 miles) north of Chiclayo.
Trujillo
Known as 'the City of the Eternal Spring', Trujillo's brightly coloured colonial mansions - such as the Casa Bracamonte or Casa del Almirante Del Risco - are well worth visiting. The area's archaeological treasures include Chan Chan, the largest pre-Inca mud city (20 sq km/7.7 sq miles) and the huacas (religious centres) of the Sun and the Moon (the latter has painted mud walls depicting one of the main deities of the Moche culture). The beautifully restored Huaca Arco Iris, located close to the city limits is covered with pre-Inca hieroglyphics. Visitors may be interested in the impressive Palacio Iturregui and the Church of El Carmen with its Pinacoteca (Art Museum). Unmissable is Casinelli's Musuem with an impressive collection of pre-Inca pottery and artefacts, collected from local huaqueros (native priests). Trujillo's excellent sea-food restaurants, coffee shops and bars make this city one of the best places to dine in Peru.
South of Lima
Situated 250km (156 miles) south of Lima via the Pan-American highway, the Paracas National Reserve is home to a large concentration of sea fauna and marine birds.
Ica
A pleasant colonial town, famous for its wineries and Pisco distilleries (open to the public all year), Ica is a good point of call on a trip to the Nazca Lines. The town's interesting Museo Regional de Ica has a striking collection of Paracas, Nazca and Inca artefacts, including a macabre installation of mummies showing the Pre-Inca method of beautifying skulls.
The Nazca Lines - 200km (125 miles) ahead towards the South - are a set of large geoglyphs thought to be made by three different cultures between 200 BC and AD 600. These spectacular drawings of animals (birds, felines and reptiles), geometric shapes and lines can be seen from an observation tower but are best viewed from the air. Flights are around US$55 and can be booked from Lima or in the town of Nasca.
Sierra
Cajamarca
Located in the northern highlands, Cajamarca was the site of the execution of Inca emperor Atahualpa by the Spanish Conquistadors. Visitors can see Atahualpa's Ransom Room, allegedly filled with gold to try to buy his release from his Spanish captors. Declared a Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Americas by the Organisation of American States (OAS) in 1986, Cajamarca contains many well-preserved examples of 17th- and 18th-century colonial Spanish buildings and churches and visitors should not miss the Belén complex that includes the Anthropology Museum. As a highland commercial hub, Cajamarca's central market is a bustling mix of many different native products and people. Cajamarca is also famous for its Carnival celebrations (held four days after Ash Wednesday) undoubtedly the biggest Carnival celebrations in Peru.
Huaraz
Nicknamed the 'Peruvian Switzerland' for its glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks, Huaraz is the departure point for treks and expeditions to the Callejón de Huaylas. Huaraz hosts the annual Semana del Andínismo, including international ski events on the Pastoruri Glacier. The Huascarán National Park protects the area's biggest indigenous plants, the Puya Raymondi (giant bromeliads that grow up to 15m high and live for over 40 years) and is the home of the native viscacha, puma, vicuña and the rare spectacled bear. The nearby Chancos thermal baths, known traditionally as the 'Fountain of Youth', are located 30km north of Huaraz. There are also many archaeological sites nearby, especially remarkable is the pre-Inca stone complex of Chavín de Huántar, situated110km (69 miles) from Huaraz, dating from approximately 600 BC.
Ayacucho
From some city views Ayacucho appears to have more churches than houses and therefore it comes as no surprise that the Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations are the most important event on the calendar for locals. Semana Santa sees a massive influx of visitors and therefore it is a good idea to pre-book accommodation. Ayacucho is famous as a source of exquisite handicrafts, including pottery, leatherwork, textiles and jewellery.
Cusco
The capital of the Inca Empire (founded circa AD 1100), Cusco today is a fascinating mix of Inca and colonial Spanish architecture. Almost every central street has remains of Inca walls, arches and doorways that serve as the foundation for the colonial and modern buildings. More archaeological sites are abundant in the nearby area and towns. Narrow alleys of whitewashed houses with sky-blue and bottle-green shutters open out onto elegant squares with stone-hewn fountains and elegant restaurants and posadas (inns). Colourful murals depicting historical scenes can be seen on countless walls and indigenous women with braids and embroidered shawls set up makeshift stalls selling woven blankets and handmade crafts and jewellery. Shops around the main square are open all week from dawn to midnight, but close for about two hours during lunch. There is a wide array of hotels, hostels, pensions and family houses, as well as restaurants and other services related to tourism. Cusco also has a good choice of nightlife.
The Church of Santo Domingo was built on the foundations of the Inca Temple of the Sun, Qoricancha, (Quechua for golden courtyard: its walls were covered in solid gold sheets, much to the delight of the gold-hungry Spanish invaders). Heavy doors leading into the cloisters are now adorned with Moorish star- and diamond-shape patterns. The cloisters are lined with oil paintings in heavy gilt frames that depict scenes from the life of St Dominic. Remains of the original Inca temple walls are found inside the main courtyard. The Incas built these walls tapering upwards so that they would withstand earthquake tremors. Huge blocks of green and grey diorite stone were placed together in a perfect fit, without mortar, perfectly demonstrating the sophisticated Inca engineering and architectural skills. A further example of Inca skill with polygonal masonry is seen in the Stone of Twelve Angles.
The elegant Plaza de Armas, or main square, is lined with arcades and houses with ornately carved wooden balconies and terracotta tiled roofs. Dominating the square is the Cathedral, which is flanked on the left by the Church of Jesús María. Its altar is elaborately carved from cedar wood that is covered in gold and silver plate (plateresco) and mirrors. In the cathedral there are several notable features, from the 400kg (882lb) main altar fashioned from silver mined in Potosí, Bolivia, to the 1958 silver-plated truck, that carries some 14 statues in the annual Corpus Christi procession. The early-17th-century cedar-wood choir stalls bear testimony to the skill of the principal carver, Tomas Tuero Tupac, and are some of the finest in Peru. Marcos Zapata's painting, La Ultima Cena (The Last Supper) has the apostles with ghostly white pallor, while Judas is given the darker skin colouring of an Indian and, stretched out in the centre of the table, is a local Inca delicacy - cuy, or roast guinea pig. To the right of the cathedral is the Church of El Triunfo. Inside, a painting by Alonso Cortes de Monroy depicts the great earthquake of 1650 with the inhabitants praying to El Señor de los Temblores (Lord of the Earthquakes). Underneath the chapel are commemorative plaques to Garcilaso Inca de la Vega, Inca chronicler, whose remains were returned from Spain to Cusco several years ago. Other sites of interest include the Museo de Arte Religioso, Museo Palacio Municipal, Museo Historia Nacional. Visitors should purchase a Cusco Visitors Card available from the Tourist Information Office on the main square, that allows the bearer entrance to all of the Inca sites surrounding Cusco, including the town's museums.
Sacsayhuamán
Outside Cusco are four nearby Inca ruins, of which Sacsayhuamán is the most impressive (the others are Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay). This magnificent ceremonial centre, with its three vast ramparts that run parallel for more than 350 metres (1148ft), was the site of the famous battle between Manco Inca and Juan Pizarro, Francisco's younger brother, in 1536. The boulders used to construct the walls are immense, weighing up to 360 tons and measuring up to 10 metres (33ft) in height and 4 metres (13ft) in depth. On 24 June each year, thousands of locals arrive to celebrate the Inti Raymi festival with a colourful pageant held at Sacsayhuaman. Visitors can explore the sites on horseback; it is easy to hire horses and a guide at the park's entrance.
Urubamba
The Urubamba was once the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Key sites to visit include the Inca ruins and popular Sunday market at Pisac, as well as the extensive complex of ruins at Ollantaytambo. Urubamba, the main town in the valley, is a base from which to explore the surrounding region. Worth a detour is the pottery belonging to Pablo Seminario, whose distinctive work shows pre-conquest influences.
Salinas
About 6km (4 miles) from here are the salt pans of Salinas. These pre-Inca salt pools were constructed during the Chanapata culture between c. AD 200-300 and AD 900, from a natural salt spring. Terraces were carved from the hillside and through a system of natural irrigation and gravity (still in perfect use today) the water courses along channels to form pools of water, which evaporate in the sun to leave salt deposits. There are over 3000 pools still in use, still co-owned by 400 indigenous families. All the salt is scraped by hand from the sides of the pools into sacks and then pulled up the hillside by mules, concensus dictates on which days the water will be diverted along channels to collect in a certain group of pools.
Machu Picchu
For most visitors, the Inca city of Machu Picchu is the highlight of their visit. Revealed to the Western world by the American Hiram Bingham on 24 July 1919, it is probably the most important archaeological site in South America and requires at least a day to explore fully. Buried beneath jungle vegetation for centuries, excavations revealed a myriad of staircases, terraces, temples, palaces, towers and fountains. Highlights of the site include the ceremonial baths, the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Three Windows and the Intihuatana, or carved rock pillar used by Inca astronomers to predict the solstices. A 30-minute walk south from the main complex takes the visitor to the Inca Bridge, carved into the vertiginous cliff face. Climb the peak of Huayna Picchu that towers over the city and from the summit, it is a breathtaking experience to watch the mist roll back to reveal the architectural marvels of the Inca citadel. Visitors should invest in a guide as there is little information for tourists and there is much that is known about the lost city of the Inca. Those interested in trekking the Inca Trail through the Urubamba Valley should organise their treks at home, due to the environmental damage done by unscrupulous local tour operators to the trail.
Puno
Puno (3800m/12,464ft above sea level) is the centre of Peruvian folklore and it hosts some of the best festivals in Peru, Candlemas (2 Feb) and Puno Day (5 Nov) to name but a few. Spaniards were lured to the region by the vast mineral wealth and the area is dotted with both colonial churches and pre-Columbian ruins, such as the Chullpas de Sillustani, a complex of tombs in the form of towers built on the banks of Lake Titicaca by the Tiahuanaco people. Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, is the home of the Uros people who have for centuries built their homes and boats out on the lake using Totora reeds. Extending over a total surface area of 8379 sq km (3235 sq miles), Lake Titicaca is 180km (112 miles) long and 69km (43 miles) across, at its widest point. Around the lake can be found pre-AD 1000 remains from the Pucara and Tiahuanaco cultures. An unforgettable site is the Yavari Project, the oldest steamship on Lake Titicaca. The lake forms a natural border between Peru and Bolivia and in this part of Peru the native people are predominantly Aymara and not Quechua speakers.
Arequipa
The second-largest city in Peru, Arequipa is also known as the 'white city', since the most important colonial buildings were built of a white volcanic rock (ashlar) from a nearby quarry. Both Spanish colonial and Andalusian influences are visible everywhere. Especially remarkable is the Santa Catalina Convent - a beautiful 'city within a city'. Other highlights include the Casa del Moral (House of the Mulberry Tree), with its elegant wrought-iron windows and sculptured portico and the Casa de la Moneda (the former mint). Arequipa is a great place for hiking and mountaineering expeditions with daily excursions to the Cotahuasi and Colca Canyons. El Misti is a relatively easy climb and river rafting is becoming popular in the area.
Selva
Iquitos
Iquitos is Peru's largest jungle city. Once a booming rubber town in the late 19th century, tourism and oil are now Iquitos' main industries. It is a major base for excursions to the Amazon basin and has numerous hotels of varying standards as well as nearby jungle lodges and camps. The river provides excellent opportunities for travelling down the Amazon to Brazil or crossing the river to and from Colombia.
Manu National Park
Located in the rainforests of the Cusco and Madre de Dios departments, Manu National Park is Peru's greatest natural treasure in biodiversity. Extending to some 20,000 sq km (7722 sq miles) of tropical rainforest, the area was first earmarked for protection in 1973, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977 and a World Natural Heritage Site in 1987. The park is inhabited by indigenous people including the Amahuaca, Huachipaire, Machiguenga, Piro, Yora and Yaminagua tribes and is divided into three distinct areas. The first section, Parque Nacional Manu, can only be entered by scientists and researchers on special permits, while the Zona Reservada is accessible to group tours operated by a licensed company and the Zona Cultura consists of a few villages that are outside restricted areas. Tourist infrastructure in the Zona Reservada is rustic and made from sustainable materials such as local timber and woven palm fronds for roofing material. Few of the lodges have hot water or electricity and, as such, are packaged as eco-friendly and follow strict environmental practices.
Scientists believe that there are over 20,000 species of plants, 1200 species of butterflies, around 1000 types of birds and 200 different mammals. The dense carpet of tropical rainforest is irrigated and dissected by several great rivers, including the Ucayali, Madre de Dios, Manu and Panagua. Over time, swamps and cochas (oxbow lakes) have formed, sustaining unique types of flora and fauna. In the Manu region, a whole host of birds can be seen including the Amazon kingfisher, harpy eagle, hoatzin, orinoco goose and tiger herons. It is possible to spot various primate groups in the dense tree cover, such as the emperor tamarin, spider and howler monkeys, but less common are the lowland tapir, sloth, jaguar or capybaras. For this reason, a stay of seven to eight days is recommended in order to observe a representative sample of the flora and fauna, birds and animals available.
Blanquillo Ecological Reserve
Outside the Reserve Zone is the Blanquillo Ecological Reserve, a private reserve that extends to almost 14,000 hectares (34,595 acres). The Tambo Blanquillo Lodge owns a floating catamaran hide, which is ideally situated to view the spectacular early morning sight of hundreds of brightly coloured macaws and parrots descending to feed off the 6m- (20ft-) high clay lick, or cliff known as a ccollpa. A ten-minute motorised canoe ride from the lodge connects with a trail that leads to the Cocha Camunga, home to a family of giant river otters. Even more opportunities to see wildlife can be enjoyed from a magnificent 40m- (130ft-) high viewing platform, carefully constructed in the boughs of a magnificent Kapok tree.
Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone
The Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone is 58km (36 miles) from Puerto Maldonado by river. Specialists say that it contains the largest and richest bio-diversity of the world. The flora and fauna within includes more than 2000 flower varieties, 1000 birds and 900 butterflies and dragonflies. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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