Hotels in Peru
A holiday to Peru brings you to a simply breath taking country, one of the most eclectic in South America, from the Amazon jungle in the east to the coastal deserts in the west and snow capped mountains to hidden cities with deep rooted colonial and indigenous traditions, in between. Perhaps one of the greatest treasures of the Americas and one of the most visited, is nestled on the Andean foothills, built around 1460 the 'Lost City of the Incas', Machu Picchu, was rediscovered in 1911.
Cusco is the perfect gateway to explore Machu Picchu, and in itself has a lot to offer, with colonial churches, monasteries and convents interspersed with the remains of Inca walls, archways and doorways. These fascinating ruins can be seen throughout the Sacred Valley and detailed colonial architecture is in abundance in cities like Arequipa, such as the spectacular neo renaissance Cathedral, the Santa Catalina Convent, museums and colonial mansions, all built in local white sillar stone, which sit against a snow-capped peak back-drop. Lima is also home to colonial gems, fascinating museums, great nightlife and some of the best cuisine in the region.
Whether the purpose of your visit is to relax and take in the culture, to explore the rugged landscape of the Andes or complete an adventure of a lifetime through the foothills to the lost city, a holiday to Peru truly does offer visitors a complete experience.
Peru Travel Notes
GMT: - 5 hours
Language: Spanish is the official language but Quechua is widely spoken amongst the Indian community in the Andes (it has now been given some official status). Aymara is also spoken around Lake Titicaca. Many dialects exist in the jungle region.
Currency: Nuevo Sol (S/)
Tourist/Visa/health information: Passport valid for six months beyond intended stay. No visa required for British citizens, a 90-day tourist card is issued free on arrival. You get given a copy of the tourist card keep it safe as you will be charged US$40 for reissue if you loose it and may have problems when leaving the country. If crossing into any other country make sure you get given a new tourist card each time you come back into Peru. All other nationalities should contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate for information.







