Planeo Americas Discovery About a destination
Yolande Bernard 26 October 2021
Peru is a very diversified country that’s also rich in traditions. Whether it’s on a boat, a train, the back of a horse or a plane, some experiences will take you on an emotional rollercoaster! You can wander in the heart of the Amazonian Forest, feel the excitement of walking around the famous Machu Picchu—this mythical place everyone dreams about—, have fun in the giant sand dunes either in a buggy or on a board… So, without further ado, let’s head to Peru!
In 2007, the remarkable site of Machu Picchu was selected among 21 contenders to this title. Machu Picchu, which means “old mountain” in quechua, is a sacred city of the Incas that’s invisible from the valley below, which explains why it was never discovered by the Spaniards. It’s hidden in a natural hollow made up of beautiful green mountains 2,438 metres above ground. Since there is no road to get there, you must take the scenic train that goes through various climate types. Leave the eastern part of the Andes—almost 3,000 metres high—to get to the edge of the Amazonian Forest that occasionally follows the stream of the sacred river Urubamba. Continue your journey by bus on a winding road up to the entrance of the site, then climb the last 300 metres separating you from the plunging view and majestic peak that became the symbol of Machu Picchu. In the midst of this breathtaking landscape, it’ll be hard not to get teary-eyed.
From the port of Puno, board an excursion to the floating islands on Lake Titicaca that were once home to the Uros. Today, this community has disappeared and the Aymaras are now the ones living on this island while making sure to perpetuate the ancestral traditions. Their welcome in Aymara language is always warm. Women proudly wear their traditional outfit made up of a wide, bright-coloured ruffled skirt. Setting foot on one of these islands will have you walking on a thick layer of reeds. They are in fact the raw material used for making these islands. Collected from the lake, the reeds can also be used for building houses as well as being edible. You’ll even be encouraged to try them! This day of living the traditions will be engraved in your mind for a very long time.
For an insight into the Amazon rainforest, you’ll navigate on a dugout the Madre de Dios River, a branch of the Amazon River. In the jungle, no need for an alarm clock! The howler monkeys will make sure to let you know when it’s time to get up and explore this incredibly rich ecosystem. On foot, follow the trails to discover the fauna and flora of a part of Earth’s lung. The tour guide knows how to impress travellers at every step of the way by highlighting the fig tree, iron tree, garlic tree, kapok tree, spider monkey, termites, tarantula, etc. At night, be on the lookout for caimans on the shore then let yourself drift along the current to listen to the night sounds and admire the billions of stars and the Crux.
For many, flying over the strange Nazca drawings turns out to be an impressive discovery. The secret is so well kept that these geoglyphs can only be seen from the air. Many theories exist about the meaning of these numerous geometrical shapes and lines. However, this desert still hasn’t revealed anything about its mysteries created by the Nazca civilization that disappeared around year 600 of our era. From above, the pilot will show where to find the condor, the hummingbird, the monkey, the spider, etc. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss out on.
From the Paracas port, sail towards a group of rocky islands nicknamed the “Peruvian Galápagos” to observe the bird and marine fauna. From the boat, you’ll be able to admire hundreds of marine animals and tons of birds such as sea lions, Humboldt penguins, Inca terns and pelicans. The growling of sea lions marking their territory, the birds screaming and the smell of guano (bird excrement) will for sure make for a sighting, hearing and smelling experience!
In the region of Ica on the Pacific side, you’ll find an oasis called Huacachina. Sand dunes over 100 metres high rise all around this water source. There, dune buggies are the perfect vehicles to live an extraordinary experience! We bet you’ll be shocked when your buggy takes on a steep-looking hill or slope. For an adrenaline rush, you can also surf down the dunes on a sandboard. But that’s not all, the excitement will continue while enjoying a delicious barbecue in the middle of these enchanting dunes.
On the back of a horse, explore the fertile fields of the Sacred Valley of the Incas while admiring the snowy peaks of the Andes in the distance. This activity will be a moment of pure happiness even for unexperienced riders! The Peruvian horse is known for its “amble” gait which means it moves both legs of the same side at the same time. This movement is less jerky and therefore makes for a very pleasant ride.
In local markets, you’ll discover one of Peru’s oldest type of art: weaving. The geometric patterns and stylish designs that decorate woven objects such as the lama, the condor or the Crux are often a representation of Andean culture. Many cities and villages’ historical centre arcades turn into large handicraft markets. The bright colours overlap one another and the soft alpaca wool is put in the spotlight. The Andes’ traditional fabrics serve more than just decorative purposes. For example, the aguayo is a large piece of cloth used to carry babies as well as merchandise brought by artisans to the markets. The chullo is a type of beanie with earmuffs that is very useful in the Andean highlands where the cold can be brutal. Wandering around those markets is a great opportunity to connect with the local population, even if you don’t speak the language.
With its many layers and welcoming people, Peru will never cease to amaze you. Your turn to experience it!
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