Perú
Peru is as complex
as its most intricate and exquisite weavings. Festivals mark ancient rites, the
urban vanguard fuels innovation, and nature bestows splendid diversity.
There is a millennial
Peru of fascinating civilizations and legendary historical episodes, of Mochicas,
Incas, Choles, viceroys and liberators who left in the country an inexhaustible
historical-archaeological heritage that grows day by day and reaches its peak
in Machu Picchu, one of those places on the planet that you have to see at
least once in your life.
Cultures,
civilizations and stories developed over centuries on a natural setting as
diverse as it is impressive: wild nature jungles in the Amazon, snow-capped
mountains over seven thousand meters high and deep canyons in the Andes, the
hypnotic Lake Titicaca, the founding place of the Inca mythology.
But there is also a modern and cosmopolitan Peru, at the forefront of American design hotels, contemporary art and the latest in gastronomy.
Culture & History
Welcome to a place of mythical beliefs were ancient pageants unwind to
the tune of booming brass bands. Peru's rich cultural heritage is never more
real and visceral than when you are immersed in the swirling madness of a
festival. Deities of old are reincarnated as Christian saints, pilgrims climb
mountains in the dead of night and icons are paraded through crowded plazas as
once were the mummies of Inca rulers. History is potent here and still pulsing,
and there is no better way to experience it.
Culture of Peru is formed
by its people, festivals, music, architecture and gastronomy, literature in
particular, the customs that Peruvian citizens have, their codes, norms,
lifestyles and traditions of society. The Culture of Peru was formed by the
kinship between the Amerindian and Hispanic cultures.
They are the oldest
civilization in South America. From our territory and our empire the
neighboring countries arose. Peru was the political and productive center of
the region, with a privileged geographical location.
The ancient Peruvians were
artisans par excellence and developed a high technological level in this
activity. Pre-Columbian Peruvian art has been recorded since millennia in
textiles, gourds, wood, stone, gold, silver, ceramics, and even clay, any
material where part of the daily experiences could be expressed.
Flavors
One existential question haunts all Peruvians: what to eat? Ceviche with slivers of fiery chili and corn, slow-simmered stews, velvety Amazonian chocolate – in the capital of Latin American cooking, the choices dazzle. Great geographic and cultural diversity has brought ingredients ranging from highland tubers to tropical jungle fruits to a complex cuisine with Spanish, indigenous, African, and Asian influences. The truth is, fusion existed here long before it came with airs and graces. Explore the bounty of food markets. Sample grilled anticuchos (beef skewers) on the street corners and splurge a little on exquisite Novo Andina (Peruvian nouvelle cuisine).
If there is something for
which Peru is recognized worldwide, in addition to its fascinating history and
the remnants that sustain it, it is gastronomy.
This country has won
hundreds of international awards, which recognize the genius with which chefs
have taken the best of the culinary traditions of indigenous peoples, the
Iberian, African and, recently, Asian cultures, to give as a result unbeatable
flavors and very healthy dishes.
The gastronomy of Peru is
the most diverse in the world, it has the largest number of dishes in the
world, 4911 in total. Peruvian cuisine is a fusion of the culinary tradition of
ancient Peru with Spanish cuisine. Later, this mix was influenced by the
culinary traditions and customs of French chefs who fled the revolution in
their country to settle in the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru. Another
crucial aspect was the influence of 19th century immigration, which includes
Cantonese Chinese, Japanese and Italian, among other mainly European origins.
Among the most
representative dishes are Ceviche, Cuy chactado, Anticuchos, Tacacho, Juane,
Papa a la huancaína, ají de gallina, Rocoto Relleno, on sweet dishes and
desserts are Alfajores, Nougat, picarones, purple mazamorra, etc. Drinks are
Chicha Morada and obviously Pisco, the national drink.
Urban Experience
In Lima, the capital of the
nation, it is a place where you will find great museums that tell the historian
of the ancient Incas and how their civilization developed while you enjoy the best
dishes in the squares.
Cuzco, declared a World Heritage
Site, is one of the most beautiful cities in America and our favorite in Peru.
This ancient capital of the Inca Empire preserves very few buildings from this
time, although in some of the colonial buildings you can see Inca remains on
its walls, such as the twelve-angle stone.
The Plaza de Armas is the
epicenter of the city, in which its cathedral stands out, a place chosen by
many inhabitants to spend a few hours in the afternoon, enjoying the life of
Cuzco.
Other of the great attractions of
the city are strolling through the beautiful artisan neighborhood of San Blas,
getting lost in the San Pedro market, seeing the Inca remains of the Temple of
the Moon or entering the Santo Domingo Convent, built on the Temple of the sun.
Outdoors & Adventure
Visitors flock to the glorious Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, yet this
feted site is just a flash in a 5000-year history of Peruvian settlement. Machu
Picchu, the lost city of the Incas and one of the seven wonders of the world,
is the most essential place to visit in Peru. This ancient Inca citadel
remained for centuries hidden between the mountains and the thick vegetation.
Explore the dusty remnants of Chan Chan, the largest pre-Columbian ruins in all the Americas. Fly over the puzzling geoglyphs etched into the arid earth at Nazca. Or venture into the rugged wilds that surround the enduring fortress of Kuélap. Lima’s great museums reveal in full detail the sophistication, skill, and passion of these lost civilizations. Visit remote communities and see how old ways live on. Immerse yourself, and you'll leave Peru a little closer to the past.
From downtown Lima to smack-dab in the middle
of nowhere, this vast country is a paradise for the active traveler. Giant sand
dunes, chiseled peaks, and Pacific breaks lie just a few heartbeats away from
the capital’s rush-hour traffic, and all the usual suspects – rafting,
paragliding, zip-lines, and bike trails – are present. Spot scarlet macaws in
the Amazon or catch the sunset over ancient ruins. Take this big place in small
bites and don't rush. Delays happen. Festivals can swallow you whole for days.
And you'll realize: in Peru, the adventure usually lies in getting there.
You
can experience Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, is
located very close to the city of Puno at 3,800 meters of altitude. This
immense lake, in which its calm blue waters blend into the sky.