Peru

Peru is the third largest country in South America and has a prodigious reputation for both its heritage and wild beauty from the Andes to desert coastal plains. Top of the list of must sees is Machu Picchu , the Inca citaldel discovered in 1911, best seen at sunrise. The Nazzca Lines are giant drawings best seen from the air, whilst the Colco Canyon is where you can catch sight of the rare Andean condor, the largest flying bird in the world. Or head to Lake Titcaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. Thrill seekers will love Peru for its extreme surfing and white-knuckle rafting, whilst seafood and nightlife lovers will be in heaven in the capital , Lima.

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Peru’s climate varies. On the coast, winter lasts from June to September but during this time mountainous areas are sunny but cold at night. This is the best time to visit most regions although Macchu Picchu is milder, sunnier and drier during May and October. The mountains and jungles experience heavy rains from December to April.

Transport

Getting there and away

Lima's international airport, Jorge Chavez, has direct flights to and from cities all over the Americas, as well as continental Europe. Other locations require a connection. Cuzco has the only other airport with international service, to La Paz, Bolivia. There is a departure tax of US$31 on international flights.

There are overland border crossings between Peru and Bolivia at Desaguadero and nearby Yunguyo on the shores of Lake Titicaca; between Peru and Chile at Tacna; and between Peru and Ecuador at Tumbes. It is possible to travel by river from Colombia and Brazil to Iquitos.

Getting around

Domestic flight schedules and ticket prices change frequently. New airlines open every year, as those with poor safety records close (check out www.airsafe.com). Most cities are served by modern jets, while some smaller towns are served by propeller aircraft. A useful website is www.traficoperu.com, which details flight schedules and fare quotes between major cities.

The major drawback to cycling in Peru is the country's kamikaze motorists. Cycling is more enjoyable and safer, though very challenging, off paved roads. Rent one here or bring your own.

While there's no passenger service along the coast, boat travel is an important mode of travel around the Amazon Basin and in the Andean highlands on Lake Titicaca.

Driving can be a hassle in Peru and it's a long way to get anywhere from Lima, so it's better to take a bus or fly to wherever you want to go and rent a car from there. Major car-rental companies have offices in major cities.

Bus fares are cheap and services are frequent on the major long-distance routes.

In most towns and cities, it's usually easy to walk or take a taxi. Using local buses, micros and combis, can be tricky, but is less expensive than taxis.

There are limited train services available in Peru. Train buffs should get themselves onto the historic railway between Lima and Huancayo.

Health & Legal Requirements

Dangers and annoyances

Everyday dangers are often over-estimated in Peru, but street crime is common. Don't display your wallet or passport in public; a small wad of bills in your front pocket is a safe way to carry money. Thieves often work in pairs or groups - while your attention is being distracted by one, another is robbing you. Crowded places are usually the haunts of pickpockets - don't place bags on the ground unattended and be cautious on overnight buses. In hotels, lock up your valuables or use safety deposit services. Always walk purposefully, even if you're lost. If you have travel insurance, you will need a police report of the theft to make a claim. Robberies have also occurred on hiking trails near places such as Huaraz and in the Cordilleras Blanca and Huayhuash. Military checkpoints can appear anywhere, but road blockades by terrorist groups occur only in certain remote areas.

Travelers should avoid the area around Tingo María on the eastern edge of the central highlands. In recent years 'express' kidnappings have occurred, particularly in unsavory neighborhoods around the airport in Lima. An armed attacker abducts someone from a taxi or off the street, then forces them to withdraw cash using their ATM cards.

Other hazards include earthquakes, avalanches and landmines. Unexploded ordinance (UXO) in the mountainous Cordillera del Condor region on Peru's northeastern border with Ecuador has not been completely cleaned up. Use official border crossings, and don't stray from the beaten path in this region.