Located in South America, Peru is one of the great pre-Hispanic civilizations of Central and South America.  Peru is steeped in ancient Inca culture that reached from modern Colombia to Chile. The Spanish conquistadors destroyed a lot of the culture starting in 1532, but there is plenty from the past cultures for the traveler in Peru to see.

I love the Andes and the diversified culture of this long mountain range that stretches the length of the South American continent.  However, much of my time in the Andes has been in the regions of Argentina.    Peru has a portion of the awe-inspiring Amazon Jungle.  I have over thirty trips into the interior of the Amazon jungle, but my trips were usually in part in Brazil.   There are guided trips into the Amazon as well as the individual traveler can take one of the passenger boats and sleep in a hammock and enjoy frequent stops along the river, take a returning river boat at any point they decide they have gone far enough.  Sun screen and mosquito spray are essential. 

Music and Food:  Some of the world’s most beautiful music comes from the culture of the people of Peru.  I especially love their flute music –  with the African slave influence, the Hispanic influence, and other influences, there is a great diversity of rhythms, sounds, and dance types.  One generally does not see a place to eat in America (or other part of the world) advertising Peruvian food.  There is nothing outstanding about their cuisine.  The food is often spiced up with peppers and the 200 varieties of potatoes.  Certainly they make sure that some form of the potato vegetable is on each plate.  Peruvians  love chichi (a thick whitish fermented corn beer type drink).  The national drink is pisco, a brandy and also there is Cartavio rum, a national product.  Mate de coca is one of the high altitude teas that helps with altitude sickness.  Peruvians love sweet foods and there are plenty of pastries to choose from, with many of them being deep fried.  There are a number of juices from desert plants that are excellent drinks.  Drink fresh juice, bottled water, or soda drinks when possible.

Lima, Peru:  http://www.geographia.com/peru/lima/ In Lima there is the old city and the new, modern capital.  Among the "to see" is the long list of museums, colonial architecture, churches, and street shopping.  Machu Picchu:  http://www.ifip.com/Machupijchu1.htm  Perhaps one of the top ten most beautiful and spiritual places of the world.  It was so well hidden in the mountain peaks that the Spanish did not find it on their destruction trips.   Lake Titicaca:  The highest navigable lake in the world.  Natural beauty at its best.  The famed totora boats of reed are a legend of their own.

Airlines Flying Into Lima from Dallas, Texas 11/04   Average price $750

American

Continental

United

Aero Mexico

Delta

Related Web Sites:

http://www.perutourism.com/

http://www.raingod.com/angus/Gallery/Photos/SouthAmerica/Peru/IncaTrail.html

http://www.raingod.com/angus/Gallery/Photos/SouthAmerica/Peru/IncaTrail/

http://www.crystalinks.com/laketiticaca.html

http://www.thule.org/titicaca.html

Happy Traveling