Tripatini2024-03-29T05:49:50Zhttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/feed/allHiking in the Peruvian Andeshttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/macchu-pichu-cuzco-cusco-peru-andes-trekking-hiking-adventure2024-03-19T13:12:11.000Z2024-03-19T13:12:11.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p> </p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}10995461470,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10995461470,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10995461470?profile=RESIZE_930x" width="750" /></a><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inca_Trail_2016.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:8pt;">Jorge Arciniega</span></a></span></em></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Everyone's heard of <strong>Machu Picchu</strong>, of course, and this magical spot does indeed live up to the hype. And most visitors take a train here from <strong>Cuzco</strong>, but for real adventure, find a guide or join a group to get there the old-fashioned way nature intended - on foot, with a four- to five-day trek through ancient sites and mountainside communities of weavers and farmers. The best known route is the 26-mile <strong>Inca Trail</strong>, consisting of three overlapping routes and much of it following paved tracks laid down by the anicent Incans themselves (but it's become pretty popular in recent years, so <strong>Peru</strong>'s government has limited the number of trekkers to 500 daily, and you'll need to book well in advance). </span><span style="font-weight:400;">Lesserr known but equally rewarding - and favored by Incan priests - is the <strong>Salkantay Trek</strong> (which also has the advantage of being easier to book). Another big difference experience-wise is that this 46-mile route goes mostly through mountains - more than 16,000 feet above sea level - which yields some majestic views but is also more taxing, both in terms of endurance and potential soroche (altitude sickness). </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em><span style="font-weight:400;"><a href="https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/active-adventure-sports-travel?edited=1" target="_blank">read post</a></span></em></span></p>
<p> </p></div>Peru cited in 'South America's Iconic Vicuñas'https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/peru-south-america-vicunas-wildlife-ecotourism2023-04-02T05:40:25.000Z2023-04-02T05:40:25.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><div class="media-body"> </div>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009528483,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009528483,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9009528483?profile=original" width="750" /></a><br /> <br /> Visitors to part of <strong>Argentina</strong>, <strong>Bolivia</strong>, <strong>Chile</strong>, <strong>Ecuador</strong>, and <strong>Peru</strong> (where it's the national animal and is even on the country's coat of arms) may come across this quintessential South American mammal, a camelid related to guanacos, llamas, and alpacas (which are descended from vicuñas) The smallest of the camelids, vicuñas stand about three feet tall at the shoulder; weigh between 70 and 150 pounds; and have long necks and legs as well as relatively small heads with long pointed ears.</p>
<p><a href="https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/vicuna-wildlife-south-america-ecotourism" target="_blank"><br /> <span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>read post</em></span></a></p>
<p> </p></div>Huacachina one of '15 of the World's Lesser Know Travel Wonders'https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/huacachina-one-of-15-of-the-world-s-lesser-know-travel-wonders2021-03-20T07:57:46.000Z2021-03-20T07:57:46.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p></p>
<p><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/Overview_of_Huacachina.jpg/800px-Overview_of_Huacachina.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="750"/></p>
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<p>There are many incredible destinations in the world yet to be overrun by tourists. If you're an explorer who likes to find under-the-radar spots, read on for a rundown of my favourite off-the-beaten-path destinations and experiences...</p>
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<p><em><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/15-of-the-world-s-best-lesser-known-travel-wonders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></em></p>
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<p></p></div>Cuzco's Festival of the Sun among '4 of Latin America's Most Fascinating Festivals'https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/cuzco-s-festival-of-the-sun-among-4-of-latin-america-s-most-fasci2020-08-07T15:03:15.000Z2020-08-07T15:03:15.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Inti_Raymi.jpg/800px-Inti_Raymi.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Inti_Raymi.jpg/800px-Inti_Raymi.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="800"/></a><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inti_Raymi.jpg" target="_blank"></a><br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> If you’re planning on choosing a holiday with a whole new sense of adventure, there seems to be a huge number of places still available to surprise - even shock and stun - the most jaded traveler. Yet while the temples of southeast Asia, vast canyons of North America, and unmistakable coastlines of Europe are all fantastic places to lose yourself for a week or two, one continent stands out from all the rest as a partygoer’s dream: Central and South America.</p>
<p><br/> We’ve all heard of the blowouts that take place in Rio de Janeiro, São Paolo, and Salvador, yet despite Brazil constituting over 40 percent of South America’s landmass, it’s not the only home of some of the best carnival atmospheres outside of Rio, New Orleans, or Notting Hill.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/top-festivals-in-latin-america" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></p>
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<p><br/><br/></p></div>Visiting Cuzco & surrounding areas? Here's a pass that makes it easy & affordable!https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/visiting-cuzco-surrounding-areas-here-s-a-pass-that-makes-it-easy2020-04-14T09:30:50.000Z2020-04-14T09:30:50.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p></p>
<p><em><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3845228120?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3845228120?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="750"/></a></em><strong><br/> <br/></strong></p>
<p><br/> Along with the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu not far away, a visit to Cuzco in the Andes - a magical mix of Spanish colonial and precolumbian Inca - is a bucket-list must for every world traveler. And there's a lot to see, which is why the Cusco Tourist Ticket (also known as BTC Cusco) is an excellent idea for visitors, bundling entry fees for the main attractions in and around the city, valid for one to ten days depending on the type, for prices between 70 and 130 soles (currently about 21-38 USD) and providing significant savings over paying for each of them individually. These attractions include:</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/tourist-ticket-cusco-all-the-information-you-need" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></p>
<p></p></div>Peru cited in '5 Alternative' Honeymoon Destinations for Adventurous Newlyweds'https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/peru-cited-in-5-alternative-honeymoon-destinations-for-adventurou2020-03-02T08:23:10.000Z2020-03-02T08:23:10.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><em><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3802705056?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3802705056?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="750"/></a><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/couple-admiring-the-spectacular-view-of-machu-picchu-cusco-region-urubamba-province-gm984199180-267098653" target="_blank"></a></span></em><br/> <br/> <br/> If celebrating your marriage with a honeymoon on a tropical beach while sipping cocktails isn’t your style, you are not alone. More and more newlyweds are opting to indulge their love of adventure on their first postnuptial trip, and here are awesome countries to consider:</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/honeymoons-adventure-travel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></p>
<p></p></div>Horseback riding from Cuzco to Machu Picchu cited in 'Romantic Valentine's Day Activities In/Near 26 Iberia Destinations'https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/horseback-riding-from-cuzco-to-machu-picchu-cited-in-romantic2020-02-15T22:23:28.000Z2020-02-15T22:23:28.000ZIberia Airlineshttps://tripatini.com/members/IberiaAirlines<div><h6><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://love2fly.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/L2F_Feb_19_pic_Valentines_Day_hands.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://love2fly.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/L2F_Feb_19_pic_Valentines_Day_hands.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="1254"/></a></h6>
<p><br/> Sure, going out for an intimate dinner <em>à deux</em> is pretty much everyone's default on this day for lovers. But to make <strong>Valentine's Day</strong> extra special, seek out an experience that will make it truly memorable for years to come. High and low, on land and water, laid-back and high-adrenaline; simple and elaborate; cheap and pricey - there's something here for every couple!</p>
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<p><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/romantic-valentine-s-day-activities-in-near-26-iberia" target="_blank">read post</a></p>
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<p></p></div>Southern Peru's spectacular Apurímac Canyon & Riverhttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/southern-peru-s-spectacular-apurimac-canyon-river2020-01-01T13:56:21.000Z2020-01-01T13:56:21.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3668411981?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3668411981?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="750"/><br/> <br/></a> Like a gigantic throat which was carved out of the earth by the Apurímac River, this natural wonder is located between the Apurímac region and the Cuzco region in southern Peru. It is considered to be one of the deepest canyons in the <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/what-are-the-best-trips-you-can-do-on-earth" target="_blank">world</a>.<br/></p>
<p>The incredibly tall sides of the canyon were carved out over millions of years by the mighty Apurimac, an Amazon River tributary which flows from the Apacheta Ravine on the Misti Volcano in Arequipa, nearly 200 miles southwest. The people who live along the river consider it to be a god.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/peru-apurimac-canyon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></p>
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<p></p></div>Puerto Maldonado a prime destination to experience the Amazonhttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/puerto-maldonado-a-prime-destination-to-experience-the-amazon2019-11-07T00:17:22.000Z2019-11-07T00:17:22.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Collage_P.Maldonado.png/775px-Collage_P.Maldonado.png" target="_blank"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/Collage_P.Maldonado.png/775px-Collage_P.Maldonado.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><em><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Collage_P.Maldonado.png" target="_blank"></a></em></span><br/> <br/> The world's greatest biodiversity is found in South America's vast Amazon rainforest, home to 20 percent of the world's river water, protecting over 40,000 plant species and fauna including 2,000 birds and mammals and some 2½ million insects - one in ten of all the world's species - along with many thousands of tribal peoples. After Brazil, Peru has the largest swath of Amazon, covering nearly 60 percent of the country. <br/> <br/> And the city of Puerto Maldonado (pop. 85,000) is a fairly under-the-radar destination when one thinks of visiting the Amazon. Brazil has famous Manaus, and in Peru larger Iquitos is the place most visited. But Puerto Maldonado is a wonderful choice for a tropical town experience near large reserves and jungle lodges. A two hour flight from Lima and and hour (or eight hours by bus) from Cuzco, it sits at the confluence of the Madre de Dios and Tambopata rivers next to the border with Bolivia and Brazil. Here are the top half dozen things to do:<strong><br/></strong></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/puerto-maldonado-amazon-peru-ecotourism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></p>
<p></p></div>Family travel to Peru: 6 fantastic places to gohttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/family-travel-to-peru-6-fantastic-places-to-go2019-10-05T13:14:43.000Z2019-10-05T13:14:43.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Llama_on_Machu_Picchu.jpg/800px-Llama_on_Machu_Picchu.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Llama_on_Machu_Picchu.jpg/800px-Llama_on_Machu_Picchu.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="800"/></a></p>
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<p>Long enticing for its history, culture, landscapes, and ecotourism, Peru is an exotic but safe destination for parents who want to expose their children to amazing international experiences, including unspoiled beaches, stunning islands, emerald rainforests, astounding glaciers, lovely colonial architecture, and of course the amazing ancient sites of the Inca. Here are a half dozen of the top highlights:</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/family-travel-peru-6-fantastic-things-to-do" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></p>
<p></p></div>The Peruvian desert's mighty, mysterious Nazca Lineshttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/the-peruvian-desert-s-mighty-mysterious-nazca-lines2019-06-09T11:46:13.000Z2019-06-09T11:46:13.000ZIberia Airlineshttps://tripatini.com/members/IberiaAirlines<div><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/lineas_nazca_ahora_toc_viajar-640x427.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/lineas_nazca_ahora_toc_viajar-640x427.jpg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="750"/></a></p>
<p>In the middle of <strong>Peru'</strong>s parched, dusty <strong>Nazca Desert</strong>, you'll find one of the world's most fascinating archaeological enigmas: the <strong>Nazca Lines</strong>. These are ancient geoglyphs located on the <strong>Pampas de Jumana</strong> between the towns of <strong>Nazca</strong> and <strong>Palpa</strong>, a 5½-hour drive south (or one-hour flight) from capital <strong>Lima</strong>.<br/><br/></p>
<p>Looking like some adventure film set, this bleak setting showcases gargantuan shapes painstakingly fashioned between 500 BC and 500 AD by the mysterious civilisation which once inhabited this place. There are many different theories about this enormous, enticing enigma. The American Archaeological Association, for example, offers up various interpretations and new discoveries that shed some light on these lines in the desert. But it turns out there are more questions than answers.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/peru-s-mighty-mysterious-nazca-lines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></p></div>Animals + awesome archaeology at Lima's 'Park of Legends'https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/animals-awesome-archaeology-at-lima-s-park-of-legends2018-10-12T13:37:02.000Z2018-10-12T13:37:02.000ZMaría Joséhttps://tripatini.com/members/MariaJose<div><p><img src="http://love2fly.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/L2F-Apr-15-pic-Peru-Lima-Parque-de-las-Leyendas-Huaca-Cruz-Blanca-Wikipedia-David-Stanley.jpg?width=640"/><br/><br/><span>The</span><span> </span><strong><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.leyendas.gob.pe/" target="_blank">Parque de las Leyendas</a></strong><span> </span><span>is basically a zoo in the city of Lima - but with an amazing an unique "something extra". Located in the</span><span> </span><strong>San Miguel </strong><span>district near the coast, west of the old city centre and north of</span><span> </span><strong>Miraflores</strong><span> </span><span>and</span><span> </span><strong>Barranco</strong><span>, it is far, however, from just another municipal zoo. Now in its 54th year, not only was “</span><strong>Park of Legends</strong><span>” essentially the first zoo in Peru, but in recent years it has grown into much, much more than a mere animal farm....</span></p>
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<p><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/a-park-of-legends-in-lima-peru" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></p>
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<p></p></div>2 Andean spots cited in '4 Excellent Easter spots in Latin America'https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/2-andean-spots-cited-in-4-excellent-easter-spots-in-latin-america2018-04-02T16:47:31.000Z2018-04-02T16:47:31.000ZPaul Varmuzahttps://tripatini.com/members/PaulVarmuza<div><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://love2fly.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Easter-Sunday-Mexico.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://love2fly.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Easter-Sunday-Mexico.jpg" class="align-center"/></a> <br/><br/>Unlike as is increasingly the case with Christmas, in Ibero-America<span> </span><em><strong>Semana Santa</strong></em><span> </span>(Holy Week, aka Easter week and the last week of<span> </span><strong>Lent</strong>), going on right now, is still an almost exclusively religious observance, largely sans the Anglo-Saxon-style Easter-egg rolls,<span> </span><em>el conejito de Pascua</em>(the<span> </span><strong>Easter bunny</strong>), and such (except perhaps for some supermarket promotions). But it is still very much an occasion for ostentatious pomp and spectacle in practically every Latin country, just as it is in many places in<span> </span><a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://love2fly.iberia.com/2014/04/easter-in-spain/" target="_blank">mother countries Spain</a><span> </span>and Portugal. Over the course of my travels, I’ve found the following countries to be the places where it’s perhaps the most riveting.</p>
<p><br/><br/><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/easter-holy-week-latin-america" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></p></div>Sacred Valley/Machu Picchu culinary tour called out in '10 Fantastic Foodie Trips'https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/sacred-valley-machu-picchu-culinary-tour-called-out-in-10-fantast2018-03-02T14:21:54.000Z2018-03-02T14:21:54.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/73911174?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/73911174?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><br/>Gastronomy is a fashionable trend, a hobby for thousands, and according to a recent U.N. World Tourism Organization report, is now one of the main motivations for many to travel.</span></p>
<p><span><br/>The report ranks gastronomy as the third reason tourists decide to visit a destination, following culture and nature. Right behind this trio are health and shopping.<br/><br/></span></p>
<p><span>Linking gastronomy and tourism also provides a platform for the promotion of cultures through a region's cuisine, which assists in destination branding — and helps to promote sustainable tourism by preserving valuable cultural heritage, nurturing pride among communities, and enhancing intercultural understanding. Through a visit to a food festival, cooking class or farm-to-table dining experience, tourists garner a better sense of local values and traditions.</span></p>
<p><span><br/><a href="https://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/10-ways-gastronomy-leads-to-fine-tastes-in-travel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a><br/></span></p></div>My own experience travelling to Machu Picchuhttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/my-own-experience-travelling-to-machu-picchu2018-02-03T14:06:57.000Z2018-02-03T14:06:57.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/73910295?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/73910295?profile=original" width="640" class="align-center"/></a></p>
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<p>Many words have been written about the ruined Inca city of Machu Picchu, and I can’t think of anything to say about it that hasn’t been said many times already. So I shall content myself with a few words on how to get there, to see for yourself.</p>
<p>There are several train services, from both Cuzco and Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the nearest rail station to Machu Picchu. There’s the luxurious Hiram Bingham train, which is rated among the "great train rides of the world", and is, I believe, classified as "if you need to ask how much, you can’t afford it". Lower down the scale is the Inca Express, which is favoured by local people, and those on a budget, who would rather spend their money on something else. In between is the Vistadome, which we rode. It’s comfortable, with large windows … and travels along the same track as the Hiram Bingham, so you see pretty much the same thing. And, we did get fed … something between a snack and a full meal.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/travelling-to-machu-picchu-peru" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read post</a></p>
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<p></p></div>Getting to Machu Picchuhttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/getting-to-machu-picchu2017-06-19T13:07:36.000Z2017-06-19T13:07:36.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><img src="https://www.inkasdestination.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/machu-picchu-by-train.jpg?width=600"/></p>
<p dir="ltr"><br/>Long gone are the days when you could hover over the Andes Mountains to view Machu Picchu from above in a helicopter. All flights have been suspended due to environment concerns - and rightfully so I might add.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So what are your options to get to the lost city of Machu Picchu? Here follows your different options...<br/><br/><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/machu-picchu-peru-transportation" target="_blank">read post</a><br/><br/></p></div>Peru shout-out in Christmas/New Year's in Latin Americahttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/peru-shout-out-in-christmas-new-year-s-in-latin-america2016-12-26T15:51:52.000Z2016-12-26T15:51:52.000ZDavid Paul Appellhttps://tripatini.com/members/DavidPaulAppell<div><p><a href="http://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/Noche_Velitas_Medellin_ColombiaDiciembre_Navidad.jpg?width=800" target="_blank"><img src="http://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/Noche_Velitas_Medellin_ColombiaDiciembre_Navidad.jpg?width=800" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><br/><strong><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/celebrating-christmas-new-year-s-in-latin-america" target="_blank">Celebrating Christmas/New Year's in Latin America<br/><br/></a></strong>Along with many other cultural traditions, <strong>Spain</strong> bequeathed Christmas and <strong>New Year’s</strong> to its American colonies, now the <strong>17 Spanish-speaking countries</strong> of <strong>Latin America</strong> – and while quite a few customs have survived intact or close to it, many others have become modified over the years, and new ones have arisen according to local circumstances. In Colombia, for example, the season is inaugurated in many of the country’s cities by the <strong>Noche de las Velitas </strong>(Night of the Little Candles, top) on December 7, on which families gather in front of their residences to light many lanterns and candles to light the way of the Virgin Mary to enter their homes to bless them. Some are on the ground, others on other surfaces or hanging, leading to a spectacular setting of warm, glowing lights and colours, culminating in a display of fireworks. This is especially notable in the city of <strong>Medellín</strong>, because not only is its very river also set aglow with floating candles, but there are impressive... <em><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/celebrating-christmas-new-year-s-in-latin-america" target="_blank">keep reading</a></em></p></div>Puerto Maldonado, gateway to the Peruvian Amazonhttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/puerto-maldonado-gateway-to-the-peruvian-amazon2016-03-21T12:00:42.000Z2016-03-21T12:00:42.000ZDavid Paul Appellhttps://tripatini.com/members/DavidPaulAppell<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106873527?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106873527?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-right"/></a>When many think of <strong>Peru</strong> outside <strong>Lima</strong>, what springs most readily to mind are the likes of the mighty <strong>Andes</strong>, <strong>Cuzco</strong>, and Machu Picchu. But nearly half the country is part of the great Amazon rain forest and ecosystem, with two main cities: <strong>Iquitos</strong> (the "capital" of the Peruvian Amazon) in the north and <strong>Puerto Maldonado</strong> in the south.The latter, capital of the <strong>Madre de Dios</strong> region, is an hour and 40 minutes from Lima by air and just an hour from Cuzco. Though usually sweltering and humid, it’s an especially great place to experience eco wonders thanks to its... <em><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/puerto-maldonado-peru-amazon" target="_blank">keep reading</a></em></p></div>Souvenir shopping in Peruhttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/souvenir-shopping-in-peru2015-12-01T15:06:59.000Z2015-12-01T15:06:59.000ZDavid Paul Appellhttps://tripatini.com/members/DavidPaulAppell<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106872318?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106872318?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-right"/></a>When it comes to shopping on holiday, the 20 countries of Ibero-America are a stupendous trove that reflect the diversity of both their modern culture and their Hispanic and pre-Columbian heritages. Some of the most striking items that decorate my home are from this region, including colorful Talavera plates from <strong>Mexico</strong>, <strong>Costa Rica</strong> pottery based on ancient <strong>Chorotega</strong> designs, brilliant <em>molas</em> of <strong>Panama</strong>'s <strong>Kuna </strong>people, and a Modiglianesque dog that's a lovely example of woodworking from <strong>Brazil</strong>'s <strong>Pernambuco</strong> state. That's not even counting the edible and potable delectables you cannot easily find...<em><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/souvenir-shopping-in-latin-america" target="_blank">keep reading</a></em></p></div>Seeing white in Arequipahttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/seeing-white-in-arequipa2015-03-09T12:45:32.000Z2015-03-09T12:45:32.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><a href="http://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/3867946044_810e2f7d25_z.jpg?width=640" target="_blank"><img src="http://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/3867946044_810e2f7d25_z.jpg?width=250" width="250" class="align-left"/></a><span>When we think about Peru, Machu Picchu and Cuzco, along with Lima, are usually the first places to spring to mind. But many are this country’s alluring destinations, and none more so than its second city, Arequipa, in the deep south, at the edge of the Altiplano highlands. If the capital is stress, hurry, and humidity, Arequipa is the opposite – relatively tranquil; with a crisp, sunny climate (more than 300 days of sunshine per year); rugged countryside punctuated by the trio of snow-capped volcanoes Chachani, Pichu Pichu, and Misti; and a historic old town built from pale blocks of volcanic “sillar” stone responsible for earning this UNESCO World Heritage Site the nickname... </span><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/seeing-white-in-arequipa-peru" target="_blank">keep reading</a><span> </span></p>
<p></p></div>Caral, the Americas' oldest archaeological sitehttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/caral-the-americas-oldest-archaeological-site2014-08-13T13:22:33.000Z2014-08-13T13:22:33.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106865584?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="250" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106865584?profile=RESIZE_320x320" width="250" class="align-left"/></a><span>When it comes to the pre-Columbian past of </span><strong>Peru</strong><span>, most of us automatically and understandably think of the Incas. But there were many other cultures and civilizations in these lands through the millennia, some far older than the Incas. Several of these elder civilizations originate in what is now desert regions up and down the country's coasts north and south of present-day capital Lima (Nazca ring a bell, for example?). One probably you haven't heard of is the Western Hemisphere's oldest known city and civilization... </span><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/caral-peru-americas-oldest-ruins" target="_blank">keep reading</a></p></div>Arequipa, Peru's majestic "white city"https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/arequipa-peru-s-majestic-white-city2014-02-03T15:00:43.000Z2014-02-03T15:00:43.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><br/><a href="http://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/3867946044_810e2f7d25_z.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://megustavolar.iberia.com/wp-content/uploads/3867946044_810e2f7d25_z.jpg?width=240" width="240" class="align-right"/></a><strong>Peru</strong>'s second largest city feels peaceful and genteel. The architecture is beautiful - low buildings of bare white stone or coated in colorful paint, primarily Spanish baroque in style, with local touches - the air is soft and the people are friendly. While there were pre-Incan and Incan settlements here before the Spanish arrived in 1540, there is little trace of them in <strong>Arequipa</strong> today. As a result, you often feel more like you're in Europe than in the Andes. <a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/peru-s-white-city-a-weekend-in-arequipa" target="_blank">keep reading</a></p>
<p> </p></div>Festival season in Cuzco includes an Inca extravaganzahttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/festival-season-in-cuzco-includes-an-inca-extravaganza2013-06-25T03:26:41.000Z2013-06-25T03:26:41.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><em><br/><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106858754?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="150" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106858754?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150" class="align-left"/></a></em><strong>Cuzco, Peru</strong><span> during the latter half of June is one of the world's top travel destinations not just because of its bright, sunny weather and its astonishing ancients sites both in town (such as the Temple if the Sun) and nearby (Sachsayhuaman and of course Machu Picchu). This time of year is especially compelling because now is the time to experience its most spectacular annual public events, culminating in </span><strong>Inti Raymi</strong><span> and </span><strong>Corpus Christi</strong><span>, which celebrate the Andes' dual Inca and colonial heritage. The former in particular is a spectacular (and somewhat theatrical) display of pageantry, beginning at </span><span>Q'oricancha (</span><span>the Temple of the Sun), proceeding to the nearby Plaza de las Armas, and culminating at the Sachsayhuaman ruins just outside the city. It includes the blood sacrifice of... </span><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/cusco-s-post-colonial" target="_blank"><br/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/group/peru" target="_blank">read complete post</a></p>
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<p></p></div>check out this cool video about Peru's fabulous tipple, the pisco sour!https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/check-out-this-cool-video-about-peru-s-fabulous-tipple-the-pisco-2013-02-20T01:38:24.000Z2013-02-20T01:38:24.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/video/the-fabulous-pisco-sour-english-version" target="_blank">Click here for link to video.</a></p>
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<p></p></div>Off the beaten track in Peru's Andes: the building of Queswachaca Bridgehttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/off-the-beaten-track-in-peru-s-andes-the-building-of-queswachaca-2013-01-27T14:20:49.000Z2013-01-27T14:20:49.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><em><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106855752?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="150" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106855752?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="150" class="align-right"/></a></em><span><br/><br/>Each year at the beginning of June, Inca communities in the area 60 miles south of </span><strong>Cuzco</strong><span> come together to weave a hanging bridge in the age-old Incan style. There is a perfectly serviceable modern bridge crossing the Apurimac River a stone’s throw away, but the tradition remains beloved today. Each community must contribute a length of rope and during construction weekend, a mayor takes attendance; failure to attend means a fine. And with incredible sunshine, laughter and a bit of beer, this is an event any visitor to </span><strong>Peru</strong><span> at that time should not miss.... <br/><br/></span><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/kuoda-travel-off-the-beaten" target="_blank">keep reading</a></p></div>what makes Peru an especially cool place to ring in the New Year?https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/what-makes-peru-an-especially-cool-place-to-ring-in-the-new-year2013-01-01T14:57:58.000Z2013-01-01T14:57:58.000ZTripatinihttps://tripatini.com/members/Tripatini<div><p><a width="700" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/73870042?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" target="_self"><img width="700" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/73870042?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" class="align-center"/></a><br/><strong>Peru</strong> offers a New Year’s experience to appeal to virtually any and every type of traveler. It’s famously filled with the mystical and the historic. It also offers high culture, unsurpassed ecotourism, and adrenaline-pumping adventure. Add in a plethora of superb hotels, restaurants and spas, and it all adds up to a special occasion you’ll never, ever forget. Another year? Bring it on.<br/><br/><strong><span>Let's start with top Peruvian New Year’s Traditions: </span></strong><span>To ensure a new year full of good luck and prosperity, tradition-minded Peruvians will do the following...<br/><br/></span><a href="http://www.tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/peru-s-a-perfect-place-to-ring-in-the-new-year" target="_blank">read complete post</a><br/><br/><br/></p></div>Can the Cuisine of Peru Change the World?https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/can-the-cuisine-of-peru-change-the-world2012-11-13T15:03:58.000Z2012-11-13T15:03:58.000ZDavid Paul Appellhttps://tripatini.com/members/DavidPaulAppell16<div><p></p>
<center><img alt="2012-10-31-ferranygastonmercadodesurquillow600PhotographybyMarinaGarcaBurgos.jpg" src="http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2012-10-31-ferranygastonmercadodesurquillow600PhotographybyMarinaGarcaBurgos.jpg" width="600" height="439"/></center>
<p>Here's something I published recently on the Huffington Post:<br/><br/>Remember the proverb about giving a man a fish versus teaching a man to fish? That ancient bit of wisdom was well at work in an inspiring documentary I saw last week about three of my favorite topics: <strong>Peru, food,</strong> and <strong>Peruvian food</strong>. I even got to meet its stars, both world famous chefs, and in the process was pleasantly surprised to learn something new about how a little creativity and imaginative thinking outside the proverbial box (another example would be micro-lending) can have implications for world economics and foreign policy, helping developing countries bootstrap themselves up rather than getting further caught up in the demoralizing foreign-aid dependence trap.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-appell/peru-cuisine-change-world_b_2040394.html" target="_blank">read complete post</a><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/></p></div>Questions about an a 5-week honeymoonhttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/questions-about2012-10-27T19:09:06.000Z2012-10-27T19:09:06.000ZEd Wetschlerhttps://tripatini.com/members/EdWetschler<div><p>One of our members is looking to travel South and Central America (especially Panama) on a five-week journey, and would appreciate suggestions, logistics advice, etc. Please reply NOT here but <a href="http://www.tripatini.com/forum/topics/5-weeks-south-cental-america" target="_blank">at this link to our Ask A Travel Pro forum.</a></p></div>Keen to explore Peru by bike?https://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/keen-to-explore-peru-by-bike2012-02-03T00:44:49.000Z2012-02-03T00:44:49.000ZAspiring Adventureshttps://tripatini.com/members/AspiringAdventures<div><p><strong><em>Fellow riders!</em></strong><br/><br/>Keen to visit South America? <br/>Love riding mountain bikes? <br/>Come ride in <strong>Peru</strong> with us!<br/><br/>Each trip combines the opportunity to explore Peru, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail area, traveling mainly by mountain bike. We like to keep our groups as small as possible, so each trip has a maximum of 12 people.<br/><br/><strong>TRIP DATES:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Jun 24 - Jul 6, 2012 (a few spaces left!)</li>
<li>Sep 23 - Oct 4, 2012 (filling up)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>May 12 - May 23, 2013 (spaces available)</li>
<li>Jun 23 - Jul 4, 2013 (spaces available)</li>
<li>Aug 4 - Aug 15, 2013 (spaces available)</li>
</ul>
<p><br/><strong>INCLUDES:</strong><br/><br/>• fully guided 12-day trip in Peru<br/>• world-class mountain bike terrain for all ability levels<br/>• bike to Machu Picchu<br/>• ride from a snowcapped mountain pass to the Amazon basin<br/>• plus: Inca ruins, hot springs, jungle zipline, amazing food, <em>and much more…</em><br/><br/><strong>TRIP ORGANISER:</strong><br/>Katy Shorthouse, author of the current Lonely Planet Peru guidebook<br/><br/>To read the full itinerary and see a bunch more photos, click here: <br/><a href="http://www.aspiringadventures.com/" target="_blank">AspiringAdventures.com</a><br/><br/><strong>TRIP PRICE: US$2800</strong><br/>The trip price includes all accommodations, food, activities, transportation and guiding as listed in the itinerary on our website. Bring along your own trusty steed or hire one of our dual-suspension Kona Coiler's, if you prefer! <br/><br/><em>Questions? Comments? Like to get in touch with someone who's done the trip before?</em><br/>Contact Steve: email: <a href="mailto:info@aspiringadventures.com">info@aspiringadventures.com</a> | or phone: +64 3 489 7474<br/><br/>I look forward to hearing from you soon!<br/><br/>Cheers,<br/>Steve, and the team at Aspiring Adventures<br/><br/><br/><span>PS:</span> If biking isn't your thing, but you want to visit Peru - no worries! We also run hiking trips, cultural trips, and even a Food-lovers tour of Peru! Or let us know what you'd like to do and we'll put together a custom itinerary for you at a time that suits you! When it comes to Peru, <span>no one knows it better than us</span> - after all, that's why Lonely Planet asked us to write their Peru guidebook!</p><p class="attachment"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9010934077?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3. Bike riding in the Andes on our June biking trip in Peru.jpg</a></p><p class="attachment"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9010935682?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">11. Machu Picchu in the morning.jpg</a></p><p class="attachment"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9011935268?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10. Cycling on the Lares Inca Trail.jpg</a></p></div>Newly Discovered Indigenous Tribehttps://tripatini.com/group/peru/forum/topics/newly-discovered-indigenous-tribe2011-10-29T13:18:45.000Z2011-10-29T13:18:45.000ZEd Wetschlerhttps://tripatini.com/members/EdWetschler<div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage"><span class="font-size-2">Peruvian authorities have sighted another group of Indians who've had no contact with the outside world, this time near a touristed part of Manu National Park. What's your prognosis?<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106841686?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/106841686?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"/></a></span></h6></div>