Peru Holidays

Holidays to Peru

Peru is a country that will dazzle you. Its natural wonders, historic treasures and friendly people create a rich and rewarding experience for the traveller.

The diversity of Peru’s landscape extends from the deserts of the coast, sprinkled with beautiful valleys and excellent beaches, to its green mountains and the incredible snow-capped peaks of the cradle of the Inca Empire, to its wild jungle in the Amazon Basin, with its great variety of trees, plants, and birds. Thousands of archaeological sites throughout the country range from the campsites of early hunters to the monumental stone walls of sixteenth century Inca Cusco. By 2000 B.C. Peruvians were building temples and irrigation systems. They had domesticated the llama, grown a variety of food crops, and created amazing ceramics and textiles. By the fifteenth century, the Incas began to emerge from the Cusco valley to build their empire, which came to an end with the arrival of the Spaniards in 1532. The legacy of colonial Peru is found in the churches and mansions built by the Spaniards who made Lima the seat of the Spanish viceroyalty until independence in 1821. Peru’s highlights are so many that planning an itinerary can be challenging! Essentials are the historic Cusco and Lima, the floating reed islands of Lake Titicaca, the Moonstone Trek and the Inca Trail to discover the ruins of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, lost city of the Incas.

Peru is a large country on the Pacific coast of South America, encompassing a desert coastline, tropical rainforest and soaring mountains, each with distinct environments. These offer an exceptional opportunity for travellers to experience a variety of landscapes, an abundance of wildlife, a rich history and archaeological heritage, and the vivacious character of durable native cultures, all within one nation.

Fishing villages, fine beaches, agricultural lands, and Peru's major towns and cities, including the capital of Lima, are interspersed along the narrow belt of desert coastline that stretches the length of the country. The lush Amazon Basin takes up half of Peru and is an ecologically rich area of tropical rainforest that encompasses some of the world's most remote and least explored areas, sparsely populated and for the most part, inaccessible. Separating the coastal desert from the jungle is the splendid Andes mountain range, an endless chain of soaring peaks over 22,000 feet (7,000m) high, and home to millions of indigenous highland people, speaking the ancient Inca language of Quechua, and living in traditional villages with steeply terraced agricultural fields, with their wandering herds of llamas and alpacas.

Peru, 'Land of the Incas', offers a stimulating and rewarding travel experience and is one of the most diverse and exhilarating of the South American destinations.

Business

Business in Peru centres on the capital, Lima. Business is usually conducted in a formal and somewhat conservative manner, and it is worth noting that a business visa is needed from a local Peruvian Consulate. Dress should be formal, with suits and ties the norm. Titles and surnames are usually used upon greeting, and handshakes are standard for men and women. Business cards are usually exchanged and it is useful to have them printed in Spanish on one side. Although English is fairly common, it will be an advantage to have business materials translated into Spanish; an effort to speak Spanish will be well received. Women may encounter some sexism. Punctuality is important, although meetings are not likely to begin on time. Business hours can vary but are usually from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday. Some businesses can close for siesta from 1pm to 3pm.

Climate

The weather on the Peru coast is generally sunny with little rainfall, but from April to November there is a heavy sea mist. The highlands have a wet season (October to April) and a dry season (May to September), when the days are clear and sunny but it's very cold at night, especially at altitude.

Communications

The international access code for Peru is +51, and the outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1) for Lima. A mobile phone operator provides a GSM 1900 network with coverage limited to major towns and cities. Peru is well connected to the Internet with a proliferation of inexpensive Internet kiosks, called cabinas pública,available on street corners in most towns and cities.

Customs

Do not take photographs of anything to do with the military. Homosexuality, although legal, is frowned upon. Visitors should avoid wearing any native Indian clothing as this will be seen as insulting, regardless of intention.

Duty Free

Travellers to Peru over 15 years old do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 50g of tobacco; 2kg of food; 3 bottles of alcoholic beverages not exceeding 2.5 litres; and gifts to the value of US$300. Items such as sausages, salami, ham and cheese may only be brought in if accompanied by an original sanitary certificate. The import of ham from Italy and Portugal is prohibited. The export of cultural or artistic items from the country is not permitted.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts, 60Hz (Arequipa 50Hz). Two-pin, flat blade and round plugs are standard.