travel tips | peru (eng.)

PERU

TRAVEL TIPS

VISÃO GERAL ATRAÇÕESTRANSPORTE COMPRAS ONDE FICAR ONDE COMEROVERVIEW ATTRACTIONSTRANSPORTATION SHOPPINGWHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT

OVERVIEW

Peru is the third largest country in South America, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, marked by the Andes and beheld by the Amazon Forest. It is currently divided into three regions: North, Central and South, and in three areas according to its climatic and geographic (altitude) conditions: Coast, Mountain and Jungle. Respectively, the Coast is the seashore of the country, with tropical climate; the mountain is the mountainous area of the Andes, where the highest peak, the snowy Huascarán, is located at the central region; and the Jungle is the most extensive region of Peru, occupied by the Amazon forest and its rivers: Marañón and Ucayali, which arise from the Amazon River basin.

It is a land of many traditions and natural beauty, which was also the cradle of the first civilizations of the continent, adding a strong indigenous past to the history and culture of Peru. Caral was considered the first civilization of America, with about five thousand years. Indigenous tribes such as the Chancas, the Chachapoyas, the Mochica and Wari also raised their cities in this territory, leaving precious heritage in the form of ruins to the Peruvian legacy.

The last dominant indigenous civilization were the Incas, which were famous for the greatness and the advancement of their urban centers. In 1533, the Inca Empire was dominated by the Spanish and despite the several wars and the exploitation of indigenous peoples of the region, its buildings and monuments were mixed to the Hispanic culture, generating a miscegenation of the culture, of the architecture and of the Peruvian people.

DUFRY TRAVEL TIPSPERU

highlands, which can cause mild discomfort, until the adjustment to the new environment.

WEATHERFrom May to September it is winter time and there is almost no rainfall in the country, therefore it is the best time to travel to Peru. The months of July and August are considered peak season, therefore the cities and attractions can be very crowded (if it is possible avoid traveling during these months). From November to March is summer time, period usually accompanied by a lot of heat and heavy rains, the months of January and February are the ones with more rainfall. Between the months of May and August it happens the “friajes” or “surazos”, which are cold waves coming from the extreme south of the continent that lower temperatures up to 8 ° C.

Due to the Hispanic domination, the country’s official language is the Spanish, which coexists with several indigenous languages. The main Peruvian religion is the Catholicism, but the freedom of worship is the rule throughout the territory, in such a way that the diversity of beliefs succeeds several religious festivals that take place every year.

The country’s capital is the city of Lima, located at the Central region. The main cities of Peru are: Machu Picchu, Cusco, Arequipa, Huaraz, Chiclayo, Trujillo, Puno, Nazca and Iquitos, each one of them with its particularities and unique attractions.

Peru is a country where diversity is reflected beyond its culture and its endless natural resources. Counting with many attractions for all touristic interests, it is possible to venture into extreme sports such as climbing, trekking, surfing, kayaking and even tyrolean traverse or skydiving; as well as relaxing in rivers, waterfalls, beaches next to an amazing fauna and flora; or get to the bottom of the local history exploring cities in ruins and remains of ancient civilizations; without forgetting to enjoy the rich local cuisine of Peru and its festivals.

In order to well meet Peru’s main attractions it is necessary to stay there for at least 10 days, but the ideal is a trip of 12 to 15 days. Furthermore, it is important to travel well equipped with cosmetics, medicines and appropriate clothing, because it shouldn’t be forgotten that the country has very high altitudes, mainly when visiting the Andean

TRANSPORT

Peru has various means of transportation available, but as in any country in South America, the bus is the most widely used: with tour buses companies for long distance trips. To move around in the cities the best option for tourists is to take a taxi.

CARTo rent a car on one’s own account in Peru is risky, because the traffic is messy, with winding roads (some in poor condition) and the driving of locals may seem very aggressive.

BUSMost buses public lines in Peru ride in precarious conditions, besides being very crowded, which can be a real adventure. In

the city of Lima there is the Metropolitano, which is an articulated bus network with exclusive lane on the roads.

The “inter-provincial buses”, with more comfort, are the most used to travel between cities or to the tourist sights, they offer many routes and companies, among them the main companies are: Cruz Del Sur, Expreso Sial, Civa and Tepsa. It is possible to purchase tickets online or in the bus terminals. In the case of travel buses it is important to pay attention if the service and the bus model offered are the same that were paid in the ticket. If not, do not hesitate to claim the difference or to ask for your money back.

TRAINTrain rides are highly recommended for tourism in Peru, the routes offer beautiful scenarios, making the experience an unforgettable


attraction. Any of the train lines belong to the government, so its goal is more to serve tourists than local people themselves.

It possible to find in Orient Express luxury train lines, the Belmond Hiram Bingham, which performs the Cusco - Machu Picchu route; and the Andean Explore, which performs the Cusco - Puno route, with approximately 10h long. Both already include food in the ticket price. Other train lines more accessible and commercial of PeruRail are: Vistadome, with panoramic windows, which performs the route between stations in the cities of Poroy, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba and Machu Picchu; and the Expedition, considered the cheaper one, also performs the same routes, except for the Urubamba station. IncaRail is another railway company that works only in the Machu Picchu route - Ollantaybambo, and has 3 train models from economy class to presidential class.

TAXIThe taxi is the best option to move around the city. It is quick and practical, and not expensive, being even possible to negotiate with the taxi drivers. In Peru taxis do not have taximeter, prices are negotiated with the driver, so before getting in the taxi always ask how much you will be charged to go to your desired destination, see if you agree, or if you want to negotiate a better price, only then enter the vehicle. It is safer to ask at the hotel front desk if they have any taxi company to indicate, or to search some companies’ phone numbers before the trip, so you do not risk catching whichever taxi on the street, especially at night, when is more dangerous.

PLANEPlanes are not only the way to get to the country, but there are also domestic flights available. Some companies that perform domestic flights are Lan Peru, Taca, Star Peru and Peruvian Airlines. It is a more expensive mean of transportation, however it is a great option to not waste too much time traveling between cities. The companies fly between the main Peruvian cities, such as Lima, Cusco, Arequipa and Puno.

ATTRACTIONS

Peru has many attractions to be explored and all seem to be unforgettable. Such attractions meet all tourist preferences, from those seeking extreme sports to those who want to glance at ancient archaeological ruins. Deciding what to see in the country depends on the time you have reserved for the trip.

- Machu Picchu: the ruins of the ancient Inca civilization are the main attraction of Peru. The city was built in the fifteenth century, on top of a mountain and using only large stone blocks to build their temples, palaces, platforms and waterways. Nowadays it is a Humanity’s Cultural and Natural Heritage (UNESCO). Going to Machu Picchu takes the whole day, the most appropriate is to spend a night in nearby cities such as Aguas Calientes so you can leave at the first time of the day. To climb the mountain you can walk through a trail called the “Inca Trail” (if you have fitness and disposition) or you can go through a faster way, which is taking a van that takes you to the entrance of Machu Picchu reserve. It is possible to buy the van tickets at the site and time of the trip (near the train station). There are many trip’s schedules available, however the tickets to enter the Machu Picchu Park should be purchased in advance.

- City of Cusco: it is known as the emperor’s city, it was built by the Incas in a colossal architecture with huge walls and palaces. After the Spanish arrived, they began to build their churches and buildings over the Inca constructions made of stone, so the city was shaped into an unique and peculiar architectural mixture. Some of the city’s attractions are: Cusco Plaza de Armas, Cusco Cathedral, Temple of the Company of Jesus, San Blas neighborhood and São Brás Temple.

- Incas’ Sacred Valley: it is located between the Peruvian Andes Cordillera, the region is consisted of numerous rivers running through small valleys and archaeological ruins of indigenous villages. The main cities of the Sacred Valley are: Pisac, Moray, Chinchero,


Maras, Tipón, Andahuaylillas, Calca, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. It is one of the most popular tours among those who want to discover a little more about the Inca culture. The main archaeological complexes are: Archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman, Archaeological Complex of Qenko, Archaeological Complex of Puka Pukara, Archaeological Complex of Tambomachay.

- Archaeological complex of Chavín de Huántar: The culture of the Chavín people is considered one of the most developed in the pre-Inca period (1500 BC to 300 AD). Nowadays its most famous ruins are the Tello Pyramid, the Circular and Rectangular Square, the New Temple and the Old Temple, the North

and South Platforms and internal galleries containing sculptures such as “Lanzon”.

- Sacred City of Caral: it is considered the oldest civilization of America, with more than 5000 years, Caral is located on the north coast of Lima. Consisting of six pyramids, dominant residences, circular plazas and other buildings, which show a little bit of these people’s lifestyle.

- Chan Chan Archaeological Zone: the interesting city of clay is the largest of Pre-Columbian America (850 AD and 1470 AD). It was capital of the pre-Inca Chimú kingdom and it is consisted of ten walled citadels, with pyramids, canals, cemeteries and other buildings.


- Huascarán National Park: it is formed by the White Mountains and the glacial lakes. In this park are located the highest tropical snowy peaks in the world, among them it is the peak with highest altitude in Peru, the Huascarán.

- Manu’s National Park: it is located between Cusco and Madre de Dios. It is one of the most famous parks for those who seek nature tourism.

- Abiseo River’s National Park: it is located north of Peru, inside the forest with a rich fauna, it is also the territory of important archaeological complexes of the Chachapoyas culture, such as Pinchudos, Kuélap and Gran Pajatén.

- Nazca Lines: the famous geoglyphs forming geometric figures, animals and plants are found in the Pampas de Jumana, in the desert, between the provinces of Nazca and Palpa. It is only possible to have a view of the enigmatic Nazca lines when flying into small airplanes or helicopters.

- Fortress of Ollantaytambo: it is located in Cusco and its main buildings are the Temple of the Sun, the Mañaracay (Royal Hall), the Incahuatana and the Princess’ Baths.

- The main cities of Peru’s littoral zone are: Lima, Trujillo (further north, it is a colony city) and Chiclayo the most quiet, they form an impressive area of archaeological discoveries, such as the Ventanas of Otuzco.

- Arequipa: its historic center dates back to the colonial period with large houses, convents such as Santa Catalina Monastery, churches and

numerous works of art. The city also provides access to Valleys and Canyons, such as the Colca and Cotahuasi, for those who seek camping, trails and enjoying all the nature that Peru offers.

WHERE TO STAY

The quality of accommodation in Peru is improving every year, especially with the implementation of the luxury tourism in the country. From hostel to luxury hotels, there are many options ready to meet the needs of any traveler.

The first advice that applies to all cities and regions of Peru is to look for the accommodations closest to the city center. For two reasons: Security, since some regions can be dangerous at night; and the convenience of mobility, since being downtown everything is more accessible in order to get the tourist sights, to take transportation for farther trips and to avoid walking a lot to get back to the hotel.

The daily rates can vary widely according to external factors such as the season (low or high), the location relative to city’s downtown/ neighborhood (the closest to downtown the more expensive), facility to get transportation. That’s why it is worth looking for the hotel in advance. It is also always good to call or request an email from the hotel, confirming the daily rate in order to not be surprised when you get there. Also, pay attention to the government tax over the daily rates, if they are already included or not.


In Lima, the best neighborhoods to stay are: Miraflores and San Isidro. The most famous hotels in these neighborhoods are: Miraflores Park Hotel by Orient Express, Radisson Hotel Decapolis Miraflores, JW Marriot Hotel Lima and Hilton Lima Miraflores. Other cheaper options in Lima are: Casa Andina Classic Miraflores San Antonio, Hotel Runcu and Ibis Larco Miraflores.

In Cusco, the ideal is to stay close to the Plaza de Armas, however, it is necessary to have a little more attention to the hotel location, because the city has many hills and high points, which sometimes hinder the access. One of the most famous hotels in Peru is located in Cusco, the Hotel Monastery, which is named for being a monastery of the sixteenth century renovated to be a hotel. Other cheaper hotels are: Casa San Blas, Loreto Boutique Hotel, El Virrey Boutique, Sonesta Hotel and Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza.

For those looking for a different luxury hotel experience, it’s worth staying at the Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel within the archaeological park of Machu Picchu.

DINING OUT

The Peruvian cuisine is recognized as one of the world’s best for its originality in aggregating the food raw materials produced in the country. With lots of variety, scents and flavors, typical Peruvian dishes are true and unforgettable tourist attractions!

Among the basic ingredients of Peruvian cuisine are: sweet potato, rice, corns, peppers of all types and intensities, and fish food. Many ingredients are exclusive from Peru, found only in certain regions, as well as

its peppers and spices, which are the true differential of Peruvian cuisine.

TYPICAL DISHES- Ceviche: there are many recipes of ceviche or “cebiche” in Peru, varying from region to region, but its base is in the use of marinated fish in Peruvian lemon. The basic ingredients of this dish are red onion, garlic, sweet potatoes, corn, pepper.

- Olluquito with charqui: it is made with two ingredients exclusive from Peru, the elm (a potato that grows in the Andes) and the charque of Llama or Alpaca (dried meat). It is considered a typical dish of the Peruvian highlands.

- Causa rellena: its preparation takes Peruvian yellow potatoes, green peppers and Peruvian corn, that are mixed to the lemon juice forming a smooth, soft dough, which can be stuffed with chicken, tuna, shrimp, crab or octopus, it also may take mayonnaise.

- Lombo salteado: Sirloin chopped into small pieces, with a mixture of spices typical of Peru (it may take shoyo sauce), tomato, onion and peppers. It is usually served with rice and fries.

- Ají de galinha: it is made with a full-bodied texture broth that contains bread humidified in milk, aji amarillo pepper (typical of Peru) and other spices in mixed in blender and finally mixed with shredded chicken. The dish is served with yellow potatoes, olives and eggs.


- Papa a la huancaína: it is prepared with yellow potato, aji amarillo pepper, bread moistened in milk, cheese, red onion, garlic and yellow peppers. Served with black olives, boiled eggs and lettuce.

- Pisco: it is considered the national drink, it is made of distilled from wine grape, lemon, sugar, egg white, ice and a touch of pepper.

- Picante de Cuy: this dish is one of the most traditional ones, used since the pre-Inca period. It is prepared with guinea pig’s meat, great source of Omega 3 protein, it is usually roasted and served with potatoes and corn, but its preparation varies from region to region.

- Pachamanca: the dish is prepared under the ground, in a hole dug in the soil. Its ingredients are different types of meats and vegetables that are cooked.

RESTAURANTSIn Peru there are several kinds of places to eat, from fine cuisine restaurants to picanterías with delicious homemade foods, so you can taste the authentic Peruvian cuisine without paying a lot for it, or if you prefer, spending more money in the restaurants of the more renowned Peruvian chefs.

In Lima there are restaurants with the three most famous chefs in Peru, namely Gastón Acurio, with his restaurant Astrid y Gastón – Casa Moreyra and Chicha (in Cusco); Rafael Osterling, with his two restaurants, El Mercado and Rafael; Virgilio Martínez, with his

restaurant Central. Other restaurants of the same level are the Osaka, which represents a fusion of Peruvian food with Japanese food and the Malabar. In Cusco, very good and cheaper restaurants are the Limo Cocina Peruana, Cicciolina, Hacienda Huayoccari and the Illariy (Hotel Mosteiro).

Gastronomy in Peru is so strong that a gastronomic fair is held in Lima annually, called “Mistura”, bringing together leading chefs and Peruvian restaurants. Additionally, there is also the Gastronomy Museum of Peru.

SHOPPING

In Peru, the most demanded items are the handmade ones. Since before the pre-Columbian period, Peruvians are known as artisans of excellency. Their art has ancient records in fabrics, gourds, wood, stone, gold, silver, ceramic, clay and many other materials. These ancient handicrafts are still found in small villages. The wool, or Peruvian cotton (textiles) and silver are also very popular items and of good quality in Peru.

The most internationally valued pieces are the stone and wooden sculptures of Huamanga,

the Chulucanas’ ceramic, the famous ponchos of Monsefú, the silver filigree, the guampas for mates and the ayacuchanos altarpieces.

Another very demanded product is the Alpaca wool, with a fine and soft texture. It is necessary to be careful when buying it, in order to not be fooled and take a llama or sheep wool etc. which are cheaper. One of the stores in Lima where a legitimate wool can be found at Huna Store.

In a general overview, shopping in Peru can be a good deal. With the devalued currency, taxes end up being much lower than in other countries in South America. The main city for shopping is Lima, which has many options of stores and multi brands stores like Sagafalabella and Ripley. During the change of seasons, you can find many sales with great prices, including designer brands.

The main malls are Jockey Plaza and El Polo I and II, the Plaza San Miguel (it is located farther from the touristic area) and the Larcomar Mall, that is considered a “mall for tourists”, which sometimes ends up making the prices higher. For those who want to take a day for shopping, the Lima Outlet Center is a good option and it is close to the airport.

A tip for shopping in Peru is always bargaining for better prices (“El regateo”). Very often the object can be bought for half the price, so never accept the first price.


CURRENCYIn Peru, the currency is the Nuevo Sol, more commonly called “soles”, which is divided in 100 cents. Available in bills of 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 nuevos soles; and in coins of 1, 2 and 5 nuevos soles, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents. The ideal is to take an amount of soles, preferably with bills of low values, because in Peru it can be difficult to find a reliable place to exchange the money, at the beginning of the trip. The exchange rate in areas close by the airport or borders is not good, being advisable to seek the best rate in town centers. It is also good at all times to ask indication of exchange offices in the hotels, or in the official tourist agencies, so you don’t end up getting counterfeit money. Credit cards are a good paying option, as it is accepted in most establishments, with exception

of fairs and small traders of small villages. The dollar ends up being another alternative, however it may not be accepted everywhere.


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travel tips | peru (eng.)

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