The country has a long tradition of hospitality and friendliness dating back to the Inka ancestors. Peru was part of Tawantinsuyu -in Quechua: the Four Quarters of the World -the Inka Empire which extended from modern Colombia through Chile.

You are invited to discover a world of traditions, art and legends...to enjoy the music and craftsmanship of the descendants of the Inkas and to explore amazing archeological sites amid the natural beauty of the Andes.

Nazca's wonderful, enigmatic lines, etched in an arid plateau by ancient artists, form creatures: monkey...spider...hummingbird...which can only be fully viewed from the air.

Puno is situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca, highest navigable lake in the world (3800 meters). The Uros Floating Islands are constructed of totora reeds growing along the lake shore. Island women sell embroidered tapestries. Sillustani is known for its Chullpas (circular burial towers) which were probably built by one of the tribes ruling the area before Inka domination.

Ollantaytambo, named for a local rebellious chieftain Ollanta, who had a forbidden love for one daughter of Inka Pachakutic, is the only town in Peru remaining as the Inkas laid it with its street plan in the trapezoid shape. Terraces in Ollantaytambo are aligned in such a way that they form shapes of animals, such as llama. Ollantay men, young and old, wear characteristic white hats and orange/red ponchos.

Aguas Calientes features Thermal Baths with naturally hot mineral water available for bathing under the sky in two open pools.

The jungle covered ruins of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City", were uncovered in 1911. The high quality of the architecture shows that it was essentially a site of spiritual and ceremonial significance with shrines such as Intiwatana (place where the sun is tied) and the temple of the three windows. In 1983, Machu Picchu was selected as one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Archeologist Hiram Bingham (1875-1956) saw Machu Picchu for the first time in 1911 after local Andean natives told him of the site. In his own words: ",...They sent a small boy with me as a guide...The little boy urged us to climb up a steep hill over what seemed to be a flight of stone steps. Surprise followed surprise in bewildering succession. We came to a great stairway of large granite blocks. Then we walked along a path to a clearing where the Indians had planted a small vegetable garden. Suddenly we found ourselves standing in front of the ruins of two of the finest and most interesting structures in Ancient America...The sight held me spellbound.", Lost City of the Incas by Hiram Bingham, 1948 - pg. 164, 166. Later on, Mr. Bingham returned with funds and equipment to clear the Sacred City of centuries old dirt and vegetation.

Qosqo (Cuzco) "The Navel of the World" was the capital of the Inka empire. It is a mixture of ancient sites and colonial places, such as the Plaza de Armas with its cathedral built on an Inka palace, and Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun. Inka foundations and walls can be seen through the city: the Stone of 12 angles in Calle Loreto illustrates the skills of these ancient builders.

The fortress of Saqsaywaman, (multi-colored falcon), built at the beginning of the Inka empire, was a military and religious structure. Only the massive walls remain... In this site yearly on June 24, the festival of Inti Raymi (Homage to the Sun) is reenacted in front of a huge crowd sitting on these walls. This day is part of a week long celebration "Serenata al Qosqo" where dancers and musicians participate from all over Peru wearing the traditional costumes typical of the villages which they represent.


Tambo Machay was popularly called "Baño del Inka" (Inka's bath). It is a series of 3 waterfalls built in the stone, channeling water from a spring used for ritual ablutions.

Qenqo, north of Saqsaywaman, was a Huaca (shrine), with large niches and altar. The walls were carved into channels for ritual Chicha (fermented drink) or blood.

Puerto Maldonado, near the river Madre de Dios, is surrounded by the still wild and virgin Amazon jungle which offers amazing variety of fauna and flora: ocelots, tapirs, colorful macaws, 13 types of monkeys, numerous birds and butterflies...myriad of species of flowers, medicinal plants and gigantic trees...

Lima, the contemporary capital of Peru, was built in 1535 by the Spanish. The Museo de Oro has a dazzling private collection of pre-Inka and Inka gold jewelry and ceremonial objects.