From Lima
we will travel to Paracas, located
152 kms. (just a few hours south) from Lima. It's a pre-Inca
Culture and a National Reserve. Its amazing for birdwatchers
and hikers. Situated in the department of Ica, the desert and
the sea come together in spectacular landscapes in Paracas.
The cliffs that fringe the beaches are swarming with life,
millions of birds that live here year-round, and thousands
of others that fly from the northern hemisphere and from further
south
Boats depart from the port to Islas Ballestas, giving
visitors a chance to observe at the sea lion colonies, millions of birds and
you'll see the famous three-pronged Candelabro (Candelabrum), carved into the
sand with a similar technique to the Nazca Lines.
After we continue for a visit to the Nazca Lines. They
were created by the Nazca culture between 200 BC and AD 700. There are hundreds
of individual figures, ranging in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds,
spiders, monkeys, fishes, sharks, llamas and lizards.
After visiting the town of Arequipa, we continue
to the Colca Valley, a colorful Andean valley with towns founded in Spanish Colonial
times and formerly inhabited by the Collaguas and the Cabanas. The local people
still maintain ancestral traditions and continue to cultivate the pre-Inca stepped
terraces. The Canyon of Colca is the deepest in
the world, in addition to the awesome sights, are the Andean condors. The Colca
Canyon is home of the majestic Condor.
In the Titikaka Lake (frontier Perú and
Bolivia) excursions to the Urus Floating Islands and
then to the Sun Island are a must. Copacabana - Sun Island where
according the Mythology the Inka Empire founders Manco Kapac and Mama Ocllo,
came into existence. The Sun Island is a high island, with 9.6 Km length and
4.6 Km width, located one hour navigation by boat from Copacabana. In the Island
we can find important archaeological pre-columbian monuments like Pilkokaina,
Chinkana, Yumani and many inka-terraces. Views from the Sun Island are spectacular.
Next day, excursion to Tiwanaku archeological place. It was
the center of a powerful, selfsustaining empire. The roots
of the Tiwanaku capital can be found in the early village underlying
the 1.5-square-mile civic-ceremonial core. The city was settled
by 400 B.C. on the Tiwanaku River, which empties into Lake
Titicaca 9.3 miles to the north. The small farming village
evolved into a regal city of multi-terraced platform pyramids,
courts and urban areas, covering a total 2.31 square miles.
Traditionally it is thought to have been built by the predecessors
of the Inca Civilization over 2,000 years ago. It is a mysterious
ruined city of extremely ancient origins.
Starting in La Paz (the main city in Bolivia) the tour heads to the Uyuni Salt
Fields the world's largest salt flat. Salar de Uyuni is also the breeding grounds
for three species of South American flamingos. Highlights include the Red and
Green Lagoon, a salt hotel and some so-called islands.
The trip continues to Potosí famous for
the rich silver mountain, where now mines are still exploited as in the colonial
times.
Sucre the official capital of
Bolivia, has much to offer to the visitor. Amongst them Tarabuco (72
Km from Sucre) is best known as the home of the Yampara culture.
Each Sunday, a colorful and vibrant open-air market attracts
locals and tourists alike. Many people wear traditional Yampara
costumes, which not only preserve their identity but also advertise
their location of origin. In a country filled with lively,
colorful, and character-filled markets, Tarabuco may be one
of the best.
From La Paz to Cuzco is a pleasant trip, with some visits in the way. Cuzco the
Inca's main city is a town full of history. There are still Inca building remains
and foundations, which have been in some cases been proved to be stronger than
the foundations built in the present day Peru. Among the most noteworthy buildings
of the city is the cathedral of Santo Domingo.
The major nearby Inca sites are Pachacuti's presumed winter home, the "fortress" at
Ollantaytambo and the "fortress" of Sacsayhuaman in the Sacred Valley
of Incas. Naturally the main attraction is Machupicchu The site was designated
as a World Heritage Site in 1983 when it was described as "an absolute masterpiece
of architecture and a unique testimony to the Inca civilization.
|