Thanks to its strategic location, Peru is a privileged destination for tourism and one of the most attractive markets for investment. Heir to ancient cultures and a rich colonial tradition, Peru is a magical spot within a continent which is home to more than 300 million inhabitants. The country features possibly the richest biodiversity on Earth, and is a melting pot of different cultures who together are forging the promise of a better future.

 Path through history

 Learn about the first Pan-Andean civilization, that of  Chavín (1500-400 BC), which features stone temples riddled with labyrinthine galleries at altitudes over 3,100 masl. Discover the mystery of mud-brick citadels and pyramids built near the sea by the Mochica dynasty (200 BC-700 AD) and their royal tombs such as the Lord of Sipán, one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century.

 Follow in the footsteps of the fierce Chachapoya warriors (1000-1400 AD) along 25-meter-high ramparts in the Kuélap fortress or peer into the imposing tombs of their ancestors that lie near where the mountains plunge down into the forest. Stroll around Cuzco, the capital of the Inca empire (1300-1500 AD), the greatest pre-Colombian civilization in South America. Cuzco and environs feature colossal constructions such as the Machu Picchu citadel, hailed as the eighth wonder of the world.

 Witness the melting pot of cultures in striking and prosperous cities founded during the colonial era which today, with their churches, convents, monasteries and aristocratic mansions, are a showcase of architecture and art from a bygone age (PROMPERU).

 Peru: a natural paradise

 Peru's astounding variety of climates and eco-systems ranks the country amongst the world's top eight nations in terms of biodiversity, where one can find 84 of the 104 life zones existing around the planet. The country is home to more than 400 species of mammals, 300 reptiles, 1,700 birds and more than 50,000 plants registered to date.

 Nature lovers will find Peru to be a choice destination: more than 50 protected natural areas along the coastline, Andean foothills, wetlands, Amazon forest and tropical highlands, including Paracas, Manu, Tambopata-Candamo, Pacaya-Samiria, Pampa Galeras and Huascaran. These eco-systems are unique and are a haven for dozens of species on the verge of extinction.

 Peru also features one of the world's richest fishing grounds, thanks to its special climactic conditions and a wealth of nutrients that have give rise to a staggering number of fish species (more than 900), mollusks, crustaceans, birds and 33 species of sea mammals (PROMPERU).

 Festivals, arts and traditions

 Peru will also lead visitors into a world of art and age-old wisdom, the legacy of major pre-Hispanic civilizations such as the Quechua, Aymara and jungle peoples, whose view of the world was based on their observation of the Heavens and Nature. Over the course of centuries, Peru incorporated the cultural contribution of European, African and Asian migrants.

 A diverse nation featuring many cultures, Peru is an endless wellspring of creativity. In addition to its historic, archaeological and architectural legacies, folk art is another of Peru's tourist attractions. Its rich folklore is evident in more than 1,500 musical genres, combining instruments from the outside world with native Andean equivalents, such as the quena and zampoña flutes, which provide the accompanying music for more than 3,000 festivals such as the Candelaria, Inti Raymi, Carnivals, Corpus Christi and Easter Week.

 At the same time, Peru boasts one of the most exquisite and varied cuisines on Earth, as local chefs have succeeded in adapting a diverse variety of native ingredients while remaining open to outside influences. Peru's cooking is an invitation to taste discover flavors and fragrant smells which are as authentic as they are ancient (PROMPERU).

Maximum cultural expression of the Nazca civilization.  Declared "Cultural Patrimony of Humanity" by UNESCO

Unique place in the world, full with mystery and mysticism, wonderful traces of immense figures and lines of spectacular perfection. Diverse scientific theories have been placed on these lines. Some theories only explain its possible construction associated to extraterrestrial beings.

The great constructions of observatories of astronomical cycles, well-known as the Nazca Lines, were used by the farmers to know and control the meteorological agrarian cycles, aside from their possible religious significance (María Reiches theory).  These lines are traced on San José and Socos desert plains, between the 419 and 465 kms. of the South Pan-American Highway, with an extension of 350 square km., near the Nazca city.

These lines form drawings of several kilometers in length and aproximately 0.4 and 1.1 km in width, with animal, geometric and trapezoidal forms; some of which can only be seen in all their magnitude from an airplane. The figures of the spider, the monkey, the dog, the small lizard, the hummingbird, the condor, and the astronaut, among others, stand out.

These lines were investigated scientifically for the first time by the Prof. German Paul Kosok, along with the Peruvian archeologists Julio C. Tello and T. Mejía Xesspe, denominated these lines as 'the biggest astronomy book of the world '. María Scholten carried out investigations to determine the mathematical unit of measure that was used in the construction. Their main investigator was Dr. María Reiche.

The Nazca Lines were discovered accidentally from an airplane in flight in 1927. By the end of the 1980's new lines were discovered.

On the Pan-American Highway some observation towers can be found, which allow a limited vision of the lines. The only possible way to appreciate them in all their magnitude, given their gigantic size, is flying over the area on a light plane.

Called this way to the end of the extensive valley of Urubamba, near Cusco where the agricultural cattlemen and beautiful towns were concentrated since Inca times.

 The valley is characterized to have very special conditions, as an excellent climate, very fertile lands and the waters of the sacred river of the Inca, the Vilcanota (in Quechua language: sacred or wonderful thing) that, in the town of Urubamba, changes name to Urubamba River. "Valle Sagrado" is embraced between the towns of Písac and Ollantaytambo, it has wonderful landscapes where its inhabitants, native of the Quechua ethnic, conserve many customs and ancestral rites.

It is the area where you can appreciate and magnify the high technological development that the Inca reached in the agriculture through "andenería" systems (platform systems that are a group of earth patches arranged in steps on the hills to be used in the sow). These systems are still today in full production, with sophisticated designs and hydraulic engineering works that they used for watering. Also outstanding adoration centers to the Pachamama (mother earth).

Each town in the "Valle Sagrado de los Incas", today has the coalition of the Inca and Spanish architectural style. The people's wealth in folklore and crafts, their way of life, their clothing, transform it into a place that will leave in you unforgettable memories.

Písac

Picturesque town located in the skirts of Intihuatana hill (place where the sun is tied). It has the best "andenería" system (platform system) achieved by the Inca in all the Andes.  Near the town is located the "Parque Arqueológico de Pisac" (Archaeological Park of Písac), Inca archaeological locations, constructions in finely assembled refined stone, citadel, turrets, military fortresses, astronomical observatories, etc. Outstands the Inca cemetery, the biggest of America.

Every Sunday is celebrated the Sunday feast, headed by the caciques or bosses of Ayllus carrying their "varáyoc" and typical suits, folkloric dance and mass in Quechua. Every Sunday is also carried out the "catu" that is the indigenous fair of exchange of agricultural products in which the exchange, alive custom of Inca character prevails.

Every Thursday and Sunday is carried out in the Main Square a crafts fair, outstanding beautiful textile crafts, sweaters, ponchos, bags, etc. and the crafts made out of ceramic with reproductions of Inca archaeological pieces, the queros (ceremonial glasses), necklaces, etc. To this fair artisans and indigenous merchants of many towns go to be supplied and to trade their products.

Písac is located at 32 kms. (20 miles) from Cusco, 2,972 meters above sea level (9,751 feet).

Calca

Town located between beautiful landscapes, in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility that has as a beautiful background, the snowy mountains of Pitusira and Sahuasiray. Near the town are the medicinal spas of Machacancha (thermal sulfurous springs) and Minasmoqo (cold gassy springs). Near Calca is located the archaeological Inca complex Huchuy Cusco.

Calca is located at 50 kms. (31 miles) from Cusco, 2,928 meters above sea level (9,606 feet). 

 Yúcay

The beauty of its landscape, and the benign of the weather made of Yúcay the elected place for the Inca royalty resort, which is also attributed to be a place with mythological character and powers on the human spirit.

The fertility of its lands transformed it into one of the main centers of agricultural production during the Inca time, big "andenerías" (platforms). Numerous Inca constructions exist, outstanding among those the Palace of the Inca Sayri Túpac, stone and adobe construction with decorations in its walls on high and low embossment.

In the town a small place museum exists; comfortable and good hotels exist in the area. It is located at 68 kms. (42 miles) from Cusco, and 2,857 meters above sea level (9,373 feet).

Urubamba

Other old Inca town, located in fertile valley, formerly great agricultural producer center of the Inca, and today a beautiful countryside, with great production of fruit bearing. 

Urubamba is in the skirts of the majestic snowy mountain Chicón, to which you can arrive easily and achieve its ascent.  Urubamba is also called the "Capital Arqueológica del Perú" (Archaeological Capital of Peru), for the rich Inca archaeological locations that exist in the area; also called "La Perla del Vilcanota", for the incomparable landscapes that surround it, natural scenarios of an indescribable beauty. Indigenous communities of marked ancestral customs exist.

Urubamba is also ideal scenery for the practice of numerous adventures sports, as canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and horse rides. From Urubamba, good penetration routes exist to undertake adventures in the forest of Cusco.

In the town and periphery exist comfortable and good hotels. It is located at 72 kms. (45 miles) from Cusco, via Písac, and at 58 kms. (36 miles) by Chinchero; 2,871 meters above sea level (9,419 feet)

Ollantaytambo

The legend counts that Ollántay (the titan of the Andes) of plebeian origin, loved the princess Cusi Coyllor (cheerful star) the Inca king's daughter Pachacútec, who was in disagreement with this love. Pachacútec sent the princess to a house of Virgins; Ollántay tried to abduct her, without getting her, being able to escape. From the fortress that Ollántay controlled he rebelled against Pachacútec, and after bloody battles was defeated, but the generosity of Pachacútec forgave the life of Ollántay.

The foundation of Ollantaytambo is attributed to Ollántay, and the military fortress that protected this area of the valley prevails strategically located between two mountains. Actually you can visit this fortress, and also the rich Inca archaeological locations, conformed by the temple to Inti (god sun), the icamisana, the spas of the Ñustas (princesses), the chullpas of Cachiccata, a group of terraces symmetrical and steep stairs in the slope of a hill.

In the summit of the archaeological complex out stand six monoliths of enormous size, assemblings with incredible precision, that have mysterious engravings of Inca iconography.

The current town of Ollantaytambo, has many houses built on the bases of the old Inca town where natives of ingrained ancestral customs inhabit.

The complexity and beauty of the Inca constructions and the contemporary town, the immense agricultural complex, great administrative and social center, religious and military, is considered by many scientists and historians like one of the most important alive museums in the world.

Ollantaytambo is located at 97 kms. (60 miles) from Cusco, 2,846 meters above sea level (9,337 feet). Train station to Machu Picchu.

The whole "Valle Sagrado de los Incas", is also a natural scenery, where besides appreciating the archaeological wealth, is an ideal place to enjoy its rich flora and fauna, observation of wild birds, and the practice of adventures sports

The diversity of its micro weathers allows the production of a big quantity of variety species of height flowers that beautify its sowed fields with immense variety of potatoes, cereals, vegetables, fruit-bearing and ornamental plants. In the area it will be common to find deers, chinchillas, vizcachas, foxes, Andean doves, and infinity of birds and beautiful hummingbirds. In the Vilcanota River you can fish delicious salmon-like and rainbow trout, especially among the months of April to October.