Saturday, June 14, 2008
Arequipa
The department of Arequipa begins at the pacific coast and then climbs the Andes, reaching great altitude at the snow covered peaks of its volcanoes.
Arequipa, known as the White City for its beautiful white walls of sillar, a volcanic stone, lies at the feet of the mighty volcanos of Mount Chachani, Mount Misti, and the snow covered peak of Mount Pichu Pichu. The downtown of the city, placed on the World Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO, features Mixed Baroque churches and mansions from the Colonial Period like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios, and plazas. Sabandía, Tiabaya, and Tingo, located among the large fields, are must see places, and the irresistible Arequipa cuisine is the perfect complement to the visit.
One of the most impressive destinations in Arequipa is The Colca River and Canyon, which is just 3 hours and 45 minutes from the capital. Throughout the region, you can see multicolored, pre-Incan, agricultural terraces still used today for growing quinoa, corn, barley and wheat. During the pre-Hispanic age, the department of Arequipa was inhabited by the Collaguas and the Cabanas; today the inhabitants maintain their traditions and conserve their Colonial churches in Yanque, Lari, y Madrigal.
Also, you can practice many types of adventure sports in the valley, such as trekking, biking, and rafting. And you can view the amazing flight of the condors at the Cross of the Condor. There are other interesting places in the department like the Cotahuasi Canyon, Toro Muerto Petroglyohs, and the Andagua Valley of the volcanoes.
Arequipa, known as the White City for its beautiful white walls of sillar, a volcanic stone, lies at the feet of the mighty volcanos of Mount Chachani, Mount Misti, and the snow covered peak of Mount Pichu Pichu. The downtown of the city, placed on the World Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO, features Mixed Baroque churches and mansions from the Colonial Period like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios, and plazas. Sabandía, Tiabaya, and Tingo, located among the large fields, are must see places, and the irresistible Arequipa cuisine is the perfect complement to the visit.
One of the most impressive destinations in Arequipa is The Colca River and Canyon, which is just 3 hours and 45 minutes from the capital. Throughout the region, you can see multicolored, pre-Incan, agricultural terraces still used today for growing quinoa, corn, barley and wheat. During the pre-Hispanic age, the department of Arequipa was inhabited by the Collaguas and the Cabanas; today the inhabitants maintain their traditions and conserve their Colonial churches in Yanque, Lari, y Madrigal.
Also, you can practice many types of adventure sports in the valley, such as trekking, biking, and rafting. And you can view the amazing flight of the condors at the Cross of the Condor. There are other interesting places in the department like the Cotahuasi Canyon, Toro Muerto Petroglyohs, and the Andagua Valley of the volcanoes.
Cusco
The department of Cusco combines fertile inter-Andean valleys with extraordinary mountains that descend to the rim of the jungle, where the landscape contains diverse vegetation and the temperature rises.
UNESCO added the city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, to its World Cultural Heritage list in 1983. Cusco is definitely one of the most important destinations of Perú. Amongst the cobble stone streets, you will stumble upon many ancient, Incan buildings including Koricancha and the palace of Inca Roca, as well the Cathedral and the Church of the Company of Christ with their Andean Baroque structures from the Colonial period. The picturesque neighborhood of San Blas is one of the most traditional neighborhoods of the city, where you can see the workshops of the best artisans of the department. This magical city also has an exciting nightlife with restaurants, cafes, and bars for all tastes. The Fortress of Sacsayhuaman is just ten minutes away from the city, and a just a few minutes journey from there, you can visit the archeological sites of Qenko, Pukapukara, and Tambomacahy, which are all Incan buildings constructed completely with stone.
Just an hour outside of the city of Cusco, you can visit the towns of Pisac, Maras, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo, which are spread throughout the Sacred Valley of the Incas. From the Sacred Valley it is possible take a train to Machupicchu or you can follow one of the Inca Trails, a spectacular network of pathways that snake their way among the snow covered mountains, rivers, and overwhelming countryside, to get to the citadel of Machupicchu. The Inca Trail is one of the best trekking routes in the world; you will find extraordinary archeological sites and areas rich in endemic species of plants and animals.
The most important and beautiful legacy of the ancient Peruvians is the mysterious complex of Machupicchu which is part of the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu. This Sanctuary is also one of the few places in the Americas placed on both the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Lists by UNESCO. With its spectacular location on the top of a mountain, complemented by the exuberant surrounding nature, Machupicchu is one of the most unique and special places in the world.
UNESCO added the city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, to its World Cultural Heritage list in 1983. Cusco is definitely one of the most important destinations of Perú. Amongst the cobble stone streets, you will stumble upon many ancient, Incan buildings including Koricancha and the palace of Inca Roca, as well the Cathedral and the Church of the Company of Christ with their Andean Baroque structures from the Colonial period. The picturesque neighborhood of San Blas is one of the most traditional neighborhoods of the city, where you can see the workshops of the best artisans of the department. This magical city also has an exciting nightlife with restaurants, cafes, and bars for all tastes. The Fortress of Sacsayhuaman is just ten minutes away from the city, and a just a few minutes journey from there, you can visit the archeological sites of Qenko, Pukapukara, and Tambomacahy, which are all Incan buildings constructed completely with stone.
Just an hour outside of the city of Cusco, you can visit the towns of Pisac, Maras, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo, which are spread throughout the Sacred Valley of the Incas. From the Sacred Valley it is possible take a train to Machupicchu or you can follow one of the Inca Trails, a spectacular network of pathways that snake their way among the snow covered mountains, rivers, and overwhelming countryside, to get to the citadel of Machupicchu. The Inca Trail is one of the best trekking routes in the world; you will find extraordinary archeological sites and areas rich in endemic species of plants and animals.
The most important and beautiful legacy of the ancient Peruvians is the mysterious complex of Machupicchu which is part of the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu. This Sanctuary is also one of the few places in the Americas placed on both the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Lists by UNESCO. With its spectacular location on the top of a mountain, complemented by the exuberant surrounding nature, Machupicchu is one of the most unique and special places in the world.
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