Travel to Peru with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Peru with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Travel to Peru

Rich with a history of ancient cultures and colonial tradition, Peru is a mystical land with one of the richest and most magnificent biodiversities on earth.

The massive capital of Peru, Lima, has plenty to offer the adventurous traveller, including: striking architecture, a great selection of interesting museums and genuinely friendly people. The restored colonial centre of the city boasts many plazas and a vibrant café scene. There are also some lovely old buildings, and the city’s churches provide a welcome respite from the outside bustle.

A popular destination, Cuzco, is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent. Most of the city streets are lined with Inca-built stone walls and are home to the Quecha-speaking descendants of the Incas. Major attractions include the 16th century cathedral and La Merced Church.

Exploring the lost city of Machu Picchu, the Incas stronghold in the Andes and Perus most famous archaeological site sitting high above the Urubamba River, is a must for any visitor. This is also the final destination of the famous four-day Inca Trail.

The ruins of Coricancha, near Cuzco, were formerly covered with gold. The Museo de Arqueológia houses stunning metal and gold work, jewellery, pottery, textiles and mummies. Four other ruins - Sacsayhuamán, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay - are nearby. To the east of Cuzco, Isla Taquile, a 24-kilometre passage from Puno, is an enchanting island in Lake Titicaca.

Known also as the white city, Arequipa is located in the extreme south and is circled by towering mountains and canyons; Cocla Canyon is the world’s deepest. Many beautiful buildings here are constructed from a light-coloured volcanic rock known as sillar. The Convento de Santa Catalina, located here, is one of the most fascinating religious colonial buildings in the country.

Adventure-seekers can enjoy Huaraz for its climbing, trekking and backpacking. The city itself is not attractive, due to massive earthquakes in the past; however, the surrounding mountains are exceptionally beautiful. The glaciated peaks of the Andes around Huaraz offer excellent climbing from May to September. There are also glacial lakes, hot springs and Inca and pre-Inca archaeological sites, most notably Chavín de Huántar.

The Amazon basin occupies half of Peru and is one of the worlds top 10 biodiversity hot spots. Iquitos, Perus largest jungle city and the Amazon Basins largest settlement without road links, is connected to the outside world only by air and river. It serves as a gateway to the Amazon and jumping-off point for jungle excursions.

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