destination | peru peru | destination

Peru remains one of South America’s most “The world-class cuisine is attracting foodies Operators are also feeding demand with appealing destinations. Traditionally, visitors and we’re consistently seeking out authentic improved connections and infrastructure. have been lured by its mysterious archaeological food experiences for them. We’ve also noticed an American Airlines established a direct daily ruins, vibrant indigenous culture and incredibly increase in a desire for more people to head to service to Lima from Dallas Fort Worth in April diverse geography, comprising the Andean the Peruvian Amazon, instead of the Brazilian last year, while JetBlue began its daily service to mountains, the subtropical Peruvian Amazon side of the Amazon, in a desire to head off the Lima from Fort Lauderdale in December. Peruvian and the Pacific coast. beaten path.” Last year also saw the opening of the 134-room UNESCO World Heritage Site Machu Picchu And this desire has been reflected in visitor Four Points by Sheraton Miraflores and the 17- remains the country’s star attraction, with the numbers. In 2013, the country saw sustained room boutique Hotel B, joining the Hilton Lima archaeological site acting as an anchor for most growth, with 318,364 US visitors arriving Miraflores and the Westin Hotel & Convention itineraries. However, in the past few years Peru between January and September — a 9.2% Center in the growing number of high-end has firmly established it’s credibility as a top- increase on the same period in 2012. options in the Peruvian Capital. tier destination, with more to offer than just the According to Naureen Kazi, US travel trade But one of the biggest factors driving visitor treasures famous ruins. manager for PromPeru, this growth is driven by numbers is word of mouth. “We’re experiencing “We’ve found it’s not just Machu Picchu people the distinct experiences Peru offers. “Looking a lot of enquiries from friends of guests,” says Incan icon Machu Picchu may be Peru’s tourism star wish to visit, although that’s still an important at trends and what segments are becoming Le Rougetel, “It seems the word is out on the element in many of our tailor-made trips to popular, there’s a clear rise in culinary travel, diversity Peru offers.” but other attractions in the country are now emerging Peru,” says senior travel consultant Nicola Le multi-generational travel, adventure travel, river Here we offer a rundown of some of Peru’s top Rougetel, from Enchanting South America. cruising and voluntourism.” trails and tours… u from its shadow, says Shaney Hudson

image: gettyimage: Machu Picchu

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destination | peru

Celebrating the Hiking the Inca Trail fastfacts Winter Solstice n Where: Cusco and Machu Picchu. n How long: Three days camping together with n Where: Cusco and the Sacred Valley. four days hiking. n climate: Peru has a varied climate. The wet n How long: Six days/five nights. n The details: For most visitors, Machu Picchu season is during summer (December-March), n The details: Held in Cusco every year to is the highlight of a visit to Peru. But why take the with peak season during the drier, winter mark the winter solstice, Inti Raymi remains the train when you can walk there in the footsteps months (May-September). For Machu Picchu, most important celebration on the Inca calendar; of the Incas? The classic four-day trek along the May-June is the best time to visit as it’s dry and city streets swell with people, music, markets, Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins at kilometer warm without the crowds of July and August. ceremonial processions and performances. 82 and consists of a series of steep ascents and n Currency: Peruvian Nuevo Sol (PEN). The festival is popular with locals and tourists descents through dense cloud forest. While the $1 =$2.8 PEN. alike and it’s common for most hotels to sell out. trail is well marked and supported by porters, n time: GMT -5. This specialist tour from Totally Latin America the altitude and mud can challenge even the n dial code: +51. not only covers accommodation but also secures most experienced hiker. Accommodation is at n Getting there: International flights from pre-reserved seats for the festival’s main event at campsites along the trail, and the climax is the the US land in Lima. JetBlue flies from Fort Saqsayhuman on June 24. final morning’s climb before dawn to reach the Lauderdale; United from Newark, Houston Also included is a day in the Sacred Valley Sun Gate as the sun rises over Machu Picchu. and Miami; American Airlines from Dallas Fort exploring the indigenous market of Pisac, a tour Departing from Cusco, the four-day trip also Worth, while Delta flies from Atlanta. of Ollantaytambo, return train tickets to Machu allows a full day to explore Machu Picchu before n Getting around: In Peru’s cities and main Picchu and a guided tour of Cusco. returning to Cusco by train in the evening. Only tourist centers, taxis are affordable and reliable n Best for: Culture vultures and festival-goers. a limited number of permits to hike the trail are but most travel within the country is done by n Sample: Totally Latin America’s Inti Raymi released each day, so it’s important to book early. bus or air. For Machu Picchu, special minibuses 2014 festival package departs Lima and costs from n Best for: Active and adventurous travelers. depart every few minutes to/from Aguas $1,250 per person. This includes all accommodation n Sample: Inca Trail Reservations’ four-day Calientes (round trip US$14). Travel to Aguas and breakfasts, airport transfers, entrance, train hike is priced from $539 per person and is Calientes (Machu Picchu) is via a private rail tickets and shuttle to Machu Picchu, Sacred available March to January; the trail closes service. There’s also a thrice-weekly rail service Valley and Cusco tours, plus pre-reserved seats during February. The price includes trail permit, between Cusco and Puno and thrice-monthly for Inti Raymi Saqsayhuman. Excludes flights. transfers to and from Cusco, porters and food. Tren Sierra service between Lima and Huancayo. T: 1 855 217 9045. totallylatinamerica.com T: 1800 930 4319. incatrailreservations.com n n health: Peru doesn’t require any immunizations for entry but recommends against yellow fever and antimalarials are advised for trips into the Amazon. Parade at Inti Raymi n Geography: Peru is in the west of South America, by the Pacific Ocean between Chile and Ecuador, and comprises tropical jungle, arid desert and mountains. n Visitor Numbers: 387,606 US visitors in 2012; 318,364 from January-September 2013. n Tourist Board Contact: Prom Peru. T: 511 574 8000. peru.travel

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Sacred image:R. GETTY PACIFIC Machu Valley Picchu Cusco OCEAN ME LU

Lake Arequipa Titicaca 500 miles map: JOHN P

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