Peru Travel: Visiting The South Coast Of Peru

Peru has so much to offer all of its visitors- the extreme biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest , The majestic Andes mountains, Cusco- the capital of the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu- one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, some of the world's deepest canyons, an entire coastline of incredible beaches and ocean vistas... The list in endless! If you want to travel some of the desert coastal areas south of Lima, you should definitely check out the highlights of Ica and the famous Oasis of Huacachina before visiting Nazca!

Ica, the capital of the Ica Region was founded in 1563 by the Spanish conquistador Geronimo Luis de Cabrera. This colonial city has a chill vibe and a wonderful warm dry climate giving you a sense of calm and relaxation when you arrive. The planes of the Ocucaje desert surround the city where you will find Huacachina, a famous vacationing oasis. Ica has a great Regional Museum with pre-Columbian mummies with elongated heads perhaps from trepanning, or the creation of burr holes in the skull.

Ica is a very important agricultural region of Peru. Cotton, asparagus, grapes and olives are produced for exportation in this ‘land of the sun.' Part of the grape production goes to one of the greatest drawls of Ica: Pisco! You can spend days visiting local bodegas (distilleries) where they produce local Pisco, an alcoholic drink made from the same grapes of Brandy. Each bodega will show you their production and storage areas and then offer a few sips of each before you head into there onsite bar or bar / restaurant to share a few drinks with friends and locals. The main square is a nice place to stroll if you want to relax for a while as well.

Although the August 15, 2007 earthquake severely affected the city, Ica has made a large effort to ensure that tourism continues without a hitch. This said, you will certainly see some of the remnants of the earthquake when traveling to and from, and even around the city. Few of the church towers have been reconstructed, but it also gives the city a charm molded by a sense of perseverance and a sincere authenticity that is not always present in major tourist destinations.

You can either stay overnight in the city or head out to stay in Huacachina, an oasis a few miles outside of the city. The oasis is situated in the center of enormous sand dunes and is a main attraction for most tourists. Here you can participate in a variety of outdoor activities such as sand boarding, dune bashing in a buggy and boating on the lake. If you just want to relax, there are cafes lining the sides of the lake and plenty of sand to tan on. Those that are interested can take guided tours into the desert where hundreds of whale fossils have been found- many tourist even stumble upon new fossils while exploring the area.

If you want a great few days while traveling Peru, check out the south coastal city of Ica and its neighbor Huacachina!

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Peru Experience

Create your own Peru Experience with the help of our family run business, experts in Peru Holidays because we have lived there and run a travel organisation in Peru, where we specialised in Peru tours.
We can help you plan the perfect Peru holiday because we only specialise in Peru. Not only do we know the popular destinations but we have an intimate knowledge of the parts of Peru unknown to most people.

We have a good range of itineraries or programmes or we can make a holiday especially for you.
Enjoy the perfect trip with the experts on Peru travel.
Peru - the only place on Earth that has it all, book Hotels in Peru to have a pleasant stay:

* The Peruvian Atacama Desert that makes the coastline so beautiful and includes tropical beaches;
* The lush jungle ; its amazing variety of flora and fauna including 1,800 species of birds and the source of the Amazon;
* The splendour of the Andes, with their snowcapped peaks and deep ravines;
* Its archaeloogy, including the mystical splendour of Machu Picchu; and magnificent testimonies of an ancient civilisation that dates back 6,000 years;
* Its culture, with examples of the fusion between the Hispanic and Latin way of life;
* Its cuisine - probably the best in the world;
* Its architecture - such a wide variety; from ancient villages to colonial cities and the modernity of downtown Lima and Miraflores.

Peru is an exceptional destination for a pleasure trip, come and check it by your own. Hotels in Peru is perfect for your staying in Peru. The writer, Kelly Donovan has good recommendations that you should consider.

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Take an Inca Adventure on Guided Tours of Peru

Imagine the majesty of the Inca Empire in Peru back in the days of their glory. Now with guided tours of this area in Peru, you no longer need to imagine and you can see how the Incas survived and thrived in this beautiful South American location.

Guided tours will take you to Cusco, considered the capital city of the Inca Empire. Cusco is also known as the “Archeological Capital of the Americas” because this is the only place in South America where such rich cultural remains are so readily accessible. It’s a beautiful city and a great starting point on your guided adventure.

In Cusco, most guided tours divide the city into three types of major attractions. The first is Cusco city, containing many ruins, temples, churches, mansions and other archeological sites. The second is Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas” and one of the most amazing archeological sites you’ll ever see. The third is the Sacred Valley of the Incas—a place with a lovely climate, fertile fields and amazing views of archeological sites, such as the ancient agricultural terraces, and the beautiful village of Chinchero, complete with huge Inca Walls in the village’s main square.

Some guided tours of this area will be perfect for adventurers, who, in the Sacred Valley, can enjoy river rafting, hang-gliding, hiking and mountain biking. Let’s look at what a typical guided tour of the area can offer visitors to this enchanted land.

You’ll arrive at the Cusco Airport where guided tours often meet you and get you to your hotel. You’ll need time to rest because the altitude is so high that you’ll need time to get used to in order to avoid altitude sickness. Later, you’ll take a sightseeing tour of the city of Cusco, where you’ll visit the city’s main square, its magnificent cathedral and the Temple of the Sun. Craftsmen have shops in the area for you to buy some souvenirs of your stay.

If there is time, many guided tours will drive you out of the city of Cusco to see the famous Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the very impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. This was a fortress strategically constructed on a hill overlooking the city of Cusco.

Next, many guided tours of the Inca ruins will take you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, along the Vilcanota River. You’ll become acquainted with peasant customs and have time to bargain with street vendors in a traditional Indian Market.

You’ll also visit the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, constructed to guard the entrance to the valley. Visit the Andean village of Chinchero and see the Inca Wall in the village’s main square. Then it’s back to Cusco for some rest and relaxation.

Perhaps the highlight of guided tours of this area is the trip to Machu Picchu. You’ll begin with a three hour train trip to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. This is one of the most well known examples of Inca architecture that survives today. You’ll need to take a thirty minute uphill and winding bus trip before arriving at this amazing Citadel.

Once at the Citadel there will be guided tours of this archeological location, including visits to the main plaza, the Circular Tower, The Sacred Sun Dial, the royal quarters, the temple of the three windows and several burial grounds. It’s easy to imagine the Incas living there.

Guided tours of the Inca Empire in Peru are informative, beautiful and offer some of the best archeology you’ll ever see. It’s a must-see location for every world traveler.