4 Peru Souvenier Ideas To Delight Your Friends and Family

 

A Peru vacation may seem like a nice time, but really it's a high pressure situation. Waiting for you back at home are your loved ones; you know if you return empty-handed you'll be confronted by ill-concealed looks of disappointment. Friends and family need souvenirs. Fact. But they don't just want something to put down amongst all the other foreign trinkets that they've been given, they are after something special. Something that they proudly show every time they invite guests over.

You're in luck; Peru has some incredible treasures waiting to be plundered, and you can take heart that your approach will be much nicer than the Spanish 500 years ago. Here are some of your options for impressive Peru souvenirs to delight your friends and family.

Peru pottery souvenirs
One of the most popular products in the world of crafts is pottery. Pottery is the main activity of Quinua, a town that is found 25 miles from Ayacucho. The uniqueness of these works is in the quality of the red and cream colored clay that makes for highly expressive pieces. The best-known pieces are small churches, houses, chapels and bulls called the Toro de Quinua. You can also find pieces that are figures of peasant farmers or have a variety of religious themes.

The 'Chulucana' pieces of the northern jungles by the Arabelas communities are created using particular methods such as beating the clay with a paddle that give it a special appeal. They make heavy use of the black color in their jars and also create characters such as dancers and magicians as well as animals that come alive in the hand-worked clay.

Another area of Peru that is famous for its pottery is Puno, known for its pottery bull figures (toritos de Pucara). The figures were originally used during cattle branding ceremonies as a ritual element, a flask that was used by the high priest to drink a special mixture made with the blood of the cattle. Churches, country chapels and homes are also feature items made by the potters of Puno, and pieces feature images of dancers, musicians and various types of flora and fauna from the area of Lake Titicaca.

Peru stone carving souvenirs
Materials found in Puno such as basalt, granite and andesite are used for stone carvings as well as a white alabaster more commonly called Piedra de Huamanga which is found in Ayacucho. A shortage of marble and porcelain caused the birth of the Huamanga stone carvings in colonial times. At that time, the carvings were mostly of the infant Christ and other religious themes but later on, artisans found the stone to be an excellent material for carving and started creating other religious motifs as well as Nativity scenes. Figures that are rougher in nature are carved primarily as souvenirs for visitors.

Peru mask souvenirs
Masks can be purchased from the southern Andes where they are created and are used in conjunction with a dancer’ s costume. They are used primarily during festivals and depict angels, demons, Spaniards and various kinds of animals. Plaster, leather, wood, wire sheeting and tin make up the materials of masks and are as varied as their place of origin.

Peru wood carving souvenirs
The town of Molinos near Huancayo is one of the Peru’ s current wood carving centers. The primary products include utensils, decorative pieces and toys as well as animals such as dusks, horses, roosters, lions and a variety of mythical beasts.

Bring back one of these from your Peru vacation, and you'll be greeted with squeals of delight. Happy hunting!

Author: Jackie Masloff - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

 

Peruvian Soap Operas - 3 Of The Worst

 

Televised soap operas are popular in Peru, even though they are often not produced there. Shown in the evening, they come primarily from Venezuela, Mexico and India and attract a wide following. Get in touch with the trashy side of Peru - pick up a remote control and start flicking channels for one of these three Peru soap operas.

Popular Peru soap opera #1 - Winter Sonata
A Korean soap opera, “ Winter Sonata” , whose story line is almost as complex as a Shakespearean play but nowhere near as well written, follows the blossoming of the relationship of former childhood sweethearts Joon-Sang and Yu-Jin.

Joon-Sang began his life as an introverted music student who was born out of wedlock which causes him great distress. However, one day, Joon-Sang and Yu-Jin meet on a bus to school and Joon-Sang quickly falls in love with Yu-Jin, who opens up her heart to Joon-Sang. He then gets into a car accident which causes him to suffer amnesia and erase his memory of Yu-Jin (of course). He moves to the United States with his mother and changes his name (as one would). In the meantime, everyone in South Korea is, including Yu-Jin has been told that he died.

The story (unfortunately) continues ten years later when Joon-Sang returns to Korea as a successful architect. It turns out that he works for the same firm as Yu-Jin, who is now engaged to someone else. Yu-Jim notices him and decides to postpone her engagement. The plot deepens as she tried to find out if Joon-Sang is really her lost lover...

Popular Peru soap opera #2 - Amores de Barrio Adentro
“Amores de Barrio Adentro” which is translated as “ Love Inside the Neighborhood” is a popular Venezuelan soap opera which portrays the life and political reality in a poor neighborhood.

The plot is basically a love story between a young pro-Chávez woman and a young man who is politically neutral, that is he is neither with the government nor its opposition, in a Venezuela that is highly polarized. The story depicts on the screen what has become popular in Venezuela, which is the lies of the opposition and the truth of the about the revolution, which refers to the peaceful social movement that Chávez has brought about and the opposition movement that has worked hard to remove him. The title of the program is similar to the name of the Barrio Adentro plan that Chávez undertook in 2003 to bring primary health care to the slums and poor neighborhoods of the country. In this program, close to 10,000 Cuban doctors have played a role in tending to the patients in Venezuela’ s shanty-towns.

If you want to see some creaky acting combined with shameless political propaganda, here's your winner.

Peru soap opera #3 - King of Baking, Kim Tak Goo
Inexplicably, Peruvians go potty for Korean media. This other offering, otherwise known as “ Bread, Love and Dreams”, this is South Korean drama that tells the story of how a determined young baker decides to become the best baker in all of Korea. The dreams of youth, eh?

As the eldest son of Goo Il Jong, the chairman of Geosung Food Enterprise, a company well known in the baking industry, Kim Tak Goo finds himself to be a talented baker and to be destined to succeed his father as President of the company. However, because he was the son of Il Jong’s mistress, the family plots against him so he cannot rightfully take over his inheritance. The story revolves around Tak Goo’ s resolve to become the best in the industry as he has to start his career from the beginning. Naturally, he has to overcome many trials blah blah blah.

So there you have it - 3 of the best options for watching hours of your life slide by as Korean bakers, politically indifferent (and thus probably evil) Venezuelans and conveniently forgetful architects wander in improbable and highly dramatic circles. Don't say I didn't warn you...

Author: Jackie Masloff - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Mario Vargas Llosa - Peru's Nobel Prize Winner

Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa has long been regarded as one of the most acclaimed writers, playwrights, essayists and literary critics in Latin America. Recently this reputation was confirmed by the prestigious 2010 Nobel Prize for Literature. This makes him one of two Latin Americans to have won the prize, alongside Colombian Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Born in Arequipa, Peru, Vargas Llosa stays true to his roots. Most of his novels take place in Peru and follow the traditional Peruvian fiction regarding social protest that exposes political corruption, violence and racial prejudices. Despite dealing with such passionate and personal topics, he is known for maintaining a lack of preaching or having to reconcile ideological propaganda with artistic aims.

After being born in Arequipa, Peru in 1936, Vargas Llosa moved to Bolivia after his parents separated, with his mother and maternal grandparents. The family returned to live in northern Peru in 1946 and then moved to Lima, Peru. He first attended military school and then studied literature and law in Lima, and afterwards Spain. During this time, he wrote several books on literary criticism as well as fiction and started to become a famous writer whose ambitious goal was to rejuvenate the Latin American novel.

During the 1960s, the country of Peru suffered from problems in the publishing industry and many Peruvian writers suffered as well. Vargas Llosa moved to France and was a Spanish teacher, journalist and broadcaster in the early 1960s. During the late 1960s, he served as an adjunct professor at many European and American universities.

It was in 1962, however, that Vargas Llosa primarily became known as a novelist with the book, “The Time of the Hero”, which takes place at one of the military academies where he had been a student. It won immediate international recognition although it was considered controversial in his own country where 1000 copies were publicly burned by Peruvian military officials.

Since then, he has written over thirty novels, plays and essays including “Conversation in the Cathedral” and the “The Green House”. He was awarded the Cervantes Prize, the Hispanic world’s most distinguished literary honor in 1995.

In addition to novels, Vargas Llosa has published a great deal of criticism and literary and political journalism. He has been a writer with an international following and has written for The New York Times, Le Monde, The Times Literary Supplement, El País, and other well-known newspapers. The book, “Diary of Iraq”, published in 2003, is a collection of his articles for El País magazine about the war in Iraq. In 2005 he travelled to Israel and Palestine with his daughter to record his impressions in the book “Israel/Palestine: Peace or War”. The Jewish community in South America had mixed reactions.

Entering the political arena, he ran to become president of Peru in 1990 but lost to Alberto Fujimori. In 1994, he was the first Latin American writer to be elected to the Spanish Academy and he took his seat there in 1996.

If you are planning a vacation to Peru or would like to get to know the country better, be sure to check out some of Mario Vargas Llosa's varied works for a unique and intimate view of the Peruvian psychology. It might help explain some of the strange things you encounter when travelling!

Author: Jon Clarke- Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Vacation Spots in the Sacred Valley near Cusco, Peru

If you are looking for places to visit in Peru that have been relatively unaffected by modern development and are not too far from main tourist destinations then one of the best places to visit is the Sacred Valley. This lovely valley only 45 minutes from Cusco was an important area of settlement for the ancient Inca Civilization. If you are short on time, try prioritizing some of the following spots.

Sacsayhuaman, a military fortress
Sacsayhuaman, located just north of Cusco, is part of the Sacred Valley and demonstrates the tremendous construction skills of the Incas. Stones of up to 125 tons make up many of the buildings found in the area. Some believe that Sacsayuaman was some kind of military fortress with its shape as a zigzag resembling the open jaw of a Puma. The layout of the city of Cusco formed the body of the Puma with the Plaza de Armas being the center of the world according to Inca beliefs.

The ruins of Sacsayuaman are still impressive despite the massive destruction of the complex by the Spaniards. Many of Cusco’s style of colonial churches and mansions use stones taken from the ruins. Tourists are rewarded from the site with a good view of the city of Cusco in the valley below.

Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay
About four miles from Sacsayhuaman is Quenko, an amphitheater and temple. Quenko was carved from huge limestone formations and the ruins are well preserved with a series of underground tunnels, galleries and carvings. The amphitheater is in the middle of the ruins and features wide seats or thrones, once thought to be used by royalty. Puca Pucara is a smaller fortress, most likely used to defend Cusco. The sacred bathing place for the rulers is located at Tambo Machay. The use of hydraulic engineering still functions and provides crystalline water from a hidden spring. The exquisite stonework of Tambo Machay counters the basic stonework of the nearby Inca farming terraces.

Pisac: Impressive Ruins and an Indigenous Market
Located about a 45 - minute journey from Cusco, the ruins of Pisac are the most impressive of all sites in the Sacred Valley. Quite a bit of hiking is required if you plan to see the entire site. There are intricate farming terraces and impressively detailed examples of stonework used in creation of some of the temples. Fitted with incredible precision, the stonework in the temples indicates the importance of the site. The city still has fully functioning irrigation systems channeled from its heights, and from here you can get a thrilling view of the valley below.

Pisac is also known for its Sunday market which is a mix of items of interest to both tourists and locals alike. Products range from wall carpets and flutes to colorful spices and fruits. Prices may be a bit higher than those you would pay in the markets of Lima so be prepared to bargain hard.

With a bit more time try to include some of the following which are very interesting indeed; Ollantaytambo ruins, Moray Inca crop circle complex and the ancient salt pans at Maras.

A short trip out of Cusco with a reputable travel agent will provide the diverse offerings of the Sacred Valley and many visits are achievable in a day-trip, so be sure not to miss them on your next Peru vacation.

Author: Jackie Maslow - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

10 Things to do in Peru besides Machu Picchu

Although Machu Picchu is one of the best known and most popular tourist sites in the world, it is not the only attraction worth seeing in Peru. To add diversity, fun and a great deal of cultural wealth to your vacation, try some or all of the following ten alternatives added to Machu Picchu if you have the time and energy!

1) Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
Arequipa is known as the “White City” because of the white volcanic sillar stone used to build its churches, monasteries and beautiful homes. Marvelous semi-desert countryside surrounds its city center which is a few hours drive from the Colca Valley and Colca Canyon, reputedly the deepest of the world at 9,842 feet. The area is known for its natural beauty, outdoor adventure and flights of condors, which are the world’s largest land-living birds.

2) Chiclayo – Calling All Archeologists
Chiclayo in colonial times was a simple village that sat incongruously on the road between Lambayeque and Zaña. Recent archeological discoveries of the pyramids of Túcume, the Lord of Sipán from the tomb of the Huaca Rajada and the Lord of Sicán in Batán Grande are now housed in the Sicán National Museum, making them available for all to see and marvel at. These discoveries have made Chiclayo Peru’s second destination after Cusco for archeological and historic interest.

3) The Sacred Valley – travel experiences with a spiritual twist
The main stretch of the Scared Valley of the Incas lies between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo and rewards visitors with a wealth of well-preserved Inca ruins, having once been the heart of the Inca Empire. Because the esteemed Urubamba River flows through the valley, you are rewarded with stunning vistas of the Andes, charming towns and many opportunities to enjoy the countryside. Those seeking adventure can go white water rafting, mountain biking or hike one of the many ancient Inca Trails in the area.

4) Huaraz and the Cordilleras
The Cordilleras are known as the White Mountain Range and sometimes the “Switzerland of South America” for their snow-capped summits, turquoise blue lagoons and spectacular Andean landscapes. Huaraz, the nearest town, is one of Peru’s oldest civilizations and is home to the splendid Huascarán National Park. The area is known to travellers for its wide range of adventure sports.

5) The Amazon River
For those who love nature and biodiversity, the virgin nature of the Amazon forests and jungles offers a full range of exuberant flora and fauna. The area has been well preserved to offer some of the richest varieties of birds and mammals on the planet as well as an abundance of amphibians, insects and reptiles. Visit the jungle in either Tambopata, Manu or Iquitos depending on your budget.

6) Lima—The Capital of Peru
As the gateway to the country, Lima is a bustling metropolis. It's historical center is filled with colonial constructions and is home to one of the best museums in South America, the Larco Herrera. Lima also offers a great variety of cultural shows, luxurious casinos and game houses and has a mouth-watering culinary tradition.

7) The Nazca Lines
The Nazca lines consist of wonderful forms of immense figure and lines that are the work of an ancient Peruvian civilization and set on a high plain in the barren desert. You must see them from the air to fully enjoy their spectacular geometries on a short flight in a light aircraft.

8) Paracas
Paracas is the destination in Peru for nature lovers and bird watchers. There is much history in the town to attract visitors in addition to the nautical sports of windsurfing, scuba diving and deep sea fishing. The nearby Ballestas Islands are not to be missed and are known as the "poor mans Galapagos islands" as the trip out is quite cheap!.

9) Trujillo
For those interested in archeological and historical tours, Trujillo offers pre-Inca locations such as Huaca de la Luna, Huaca del Sol and the ancient mud built city of Chan Chan which enable you to explore the ruins and pre-Columbian civilizations that once flourished here. Jumping forward in time, visitors can admire the downtown mansions that remind one of the profitable colonial period. Although Trujillo is Peru’s third largest city located in the northwest part of the country, it still manages to maintain its small town colonial charm.

10) Puno and Lake Titicaca
Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world containing the Uros, Taquile and Amantini Islands. As a folkloric capital of Peru, Puno offers alternatives to the tourism of archeology, living culture and nature and biodiversity tourism of Peru. Peru shares the lake with Bolivia and many people combine a visit to both countries while in the area.

When considering options for your upcoming Peru vacation, resist the temptation to just follow the crowds to Machu Picchu. Consider one of the suggestions above to have a more unique experience!

Author: Jackie Maslow - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Machu Picchu Hotels - 4 Options For Different Budgets

There's only a couple of things left to organize for your long awaited Peru vacation, and hotels is one of them. Naturally, you'll be visiting Machu Picchu, so what are your options? Luckily there is a variety from which to choose to suit any budget, ranging from business class hotels to affordable hostels.

For the luxury front-row Machu Picchu experience
A deluxe hotel is the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, which is on the top of the mountain and the only hotel that is situated inside the sanctuary of the Machu Picchu citadel. Being only a few seconds away from the actual ruins, it has a one-of-a-kind position at the gate to the sanctuary. You need to take a train ride of several hours from Cusco to the town of Aguas Calientes and then a bus for a 25 minute drive up the mountain to the hotel and the ruins. The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Hotel has a casual, intimate atmosphere with 29 rooms and two suites. Some of the rooms offer partial views of the Sacred Mountain and the ruins of Machu Picchu. The hotel also has an interior garden with a selection of orchids and various flowers.

Not right next to Machu Picchu, but tip-top quality
A hotel that is considered to be of first class quality is the Hatuchay Tower Machu Picchu. It started servicing customers in December 1999, offering different services than its competitors such as satellite television, a panoramic elevator, 24-hour room service, suites with Jacuzzis, rooms with Internet coverage and international quality cuisine. High quality is demonstrated in the design of the hotel, comfortable rooms for guests, security and personalized attention.

Quirky with all the trimmings
A hotel of the superior tourist class is the La Cabaña Boutique Hotel. It is located in the middle of Aguas Calientes and offers customers a pleasant and comfortable stay. By being in the upper village close to the curative baths of Aguas Calientes, the hotel is very safe and offers privileged views. It has 20 rooms which are either small suites, double rooms or triple rooms, all of which have a common resting area at each level.

Something nice for the emptier pocket
A B&B Class hotel is the Hotel Plaza Andina Machupicchu. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, fax and Internet service, room service, a cafeteria, bazaar and laundry. The management has designed a hotel that will make your stay pleasant and unforgettable.

Good news; whatever your budget for a hotel, you will be able to find something that is suitable around Machu Picchu for your Peru vacation.

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Four Incredible Peru Travel Experiences

There are innumerable travel experiences that one can have visiting Peru from the dry coastal regions to the towering Andes containing Machu Picchu, all offering a unique, unforgettable vacation. This article will describe four fantastic travel experiences that you can have in Peru.

Exploring the legacy of the Incas
Your first experience is a tour of the heart of Inca territory. It starts in the city of Cusco, which is considered an impressive city with its mix of Spanish colonial and Inca architecture. It was once the center of the Inca Empire that covered what is now Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia and the southern part of Colombia. You take a tour of this city before heading to the depths of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. While in the Sacred Valley, you will ascend the ruins of the military outpost of Ollantaytambo and meander through the market of Pisac. Once done exploring the Sacred Valley, the next stop is Aguas Calientas and the wonders of Machu Picchu. Due to its almost impossible location, Machu Picchu was protected from Spanish conquest. It remains as one of the best-preserved and impressive reflections of the Inca Empire.

Riding high in the Mountain ranges Of Peru
A trip to the Peruvian Andes has many awe-inspiring and magical sites. This trip starts in Arequipa, known as “the White City” and then travels to Colca Canyon to enjoy the hot springs and witness the flying condors and incredible panoramas. Then it is off to Puno to tour the wonderful and magnificent Lake Titicaca, a sacred place for the Inca civilization; Incan mythology tell us that Manco Capac, the first Incan king, was born here. According to Incan legend, this is the place from which the world was created, when the god Viracocha came out of the lake and created the sun, the stars and the first people. You will have many places to discover on the shores of Lake Titicaca, as well as on the islands that lie within the lake.

Jungle boogie
The Peruvian Amazon is also a place not to miss. The Amazon is a beautiful rainforest displaying an intricate balance of life with a lush ecosystem. When you visit the Amazon, you will encounter some of the thousands of species of flora and fauna that live there.

Ancient culture and impressive wildlife; the coast of Peru
Another incredible tour is to visit the Nazca Lines, Paracas National Park and the Ballestas Islands. Starting from Paracas, it is one of the best marine reserves in the world with the highest concentration of marine birds. This is followed by a motorboat excursion to the Ballestas Islands which have numerous arches and caves created by erosion that provide shelter for thousands of seabirds and sea lions. The islands have been called the “Galapagos of Peru”. Once you have visited the islands, you can travel by air over the famous Nazca lines, huge parallel and geometric line figures, as well as designs such as an enormous monkey, a dog, a bird with a wing span of over 100 meters, a spider and a tree cut into the stony desert. It is thought that these lines are representative of a vast astronomical pre-Inca calendar.

Between Cusco, Mach Picchu, the Andes, the Amazon, the Nazca lines and the Ballestas Islands, you will have found some incredible Peruvian travel experiences that will be long remembered.

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Places in Peru You Have Never Heard of

You are planning a Peru vacation, but you don't want to go where everybody else does. Yes, Machu Picchu is an obvious choice, yes you can visit Colca Canyon to see Condors and yes, the Nazca lines are fantastic. But what about the lesser-known parts of Peru, the unique places where you'll have some real stories to tell when you get back from your adventures? Try these three Peru vacation spots for size.

The Northern Coastline of Peru – Plenty Of Options
Incredible, but true; hardly anyone goes up from Lima. One place in Peru that remains unknown is the northernmost part of the country near Ecuador where there are some of the finest beach resorts in the world. The accommodation ranges from quaint bed and breakfast places to first class hotels close to the beach with all the modern facilities. These provide access to the twenty-six northern pyramids of Tucume, built of adobe (earth bricks). Although time has taken its toll on the pyramids, the site still retains a sense of its original glory and it can be seen from numerous viewpoints for many miles. A small museum is also on-site.

One Of The Best Archeological Finds In The Americas, Still Unknown
In the area around Lambayeque is the 'Lord of Sipan' Museum, which was discovered in the late 1980s when a robber was arrested by the police as he was trying to sell gold from the tomb of the Lord of Sipan. The exhibits at the museum include the most important archeological remains of the Moche Culture as well as the amazing gold, silver and pottery artifacts that were discovered during the excavation of the Tombs of the Lord of Sipan, who was thought to have been a Moche government leader. As one of the most magnificent archeological finds in the Americas, this exhibit can take two to three days to see in its entirety.

Beach Living In The North
Among the resorts in the area to see are the Las Arenas de Mancora hotel in Mancora and the Punta Sal Club Resort in Tumbes. Situated on the warm northern Peruvian coast, the Las Arenas de Mancora hotel is surrounded by massive palm trees and gardens. It offers a five-star restaurant that serves traditional Peruvian gourmet dishes with an extensive international menu. In addition to accommodation, the Punta Sal Club include suites, bungalows and rooms right on the beach. One of the main activities to indulge in at the hotel is deep-sea fishing. Their fishing vessel is fully equipped with a GPS fish finder system, full fishing equipment and a highly-trained crew. The fish which can be caught in this area include striped and black marlin, big eye, dorado and grouper.

Far-Away Jungle Paradise
The last place that is little heard of and among the least visited in Peru is the largest natural reserve of Peru, the Pacaya-Samiria, located in the wilderness north of the Amazon jungle. Although it is remote, it is extremely beautiful with endless waterways. It is named by the two rivers, Pacaya and Samiria, which flow through it. The waterways are designed for riverboat cruises and wetlands make it a lesser-known jungle spot for nature tourism. Visitors to the area can also observe nature, camp and make fishing tours as well as explore the jungle which covers the area. Watching birds and animal life in the early morning or at dusk when the jungle is its liveliest is made possible by canopy walkways. Viewing from the highest possible level also reveals the layers of the Amazon eco-system.

Take advantage of the quieter and lesser-known spots for your upcoming Peru vacation, and book a tour that will take you away from the crowds of the south

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Peru Vacations - How To Get Into A Conversation About Sports In Peru

As with many countries, Peru holds its top atheletes in high esteem. Every major bank wants them to endorse their products, and you'll frequently see a toned athelete sitting uncomfortably in the spotlight on television, being interviewed by a selection of cheery presenters. If you're heading to Peru for a vaction, here are some well known atheletes that you can discuss with a proud Peruvian, who will probably be delighted that you know about some of their greatest achievers.

The Swimmer
Juan Carlos Bello is more popularly known as Johnny Bello for his expertise in swimming. He learned how to swim at the age of seven and from 1965 to 1973 dominated the four major styles of swimming, winning many medals in South American and Pan-American swimming contests. He participated in the Olympics in Mexico in 1968 and in Munich in 1972. He was also a sports leader, being president of the Peruvian Sports Federation Swimming Club and is currently Vice-President of the Peruvian Sports Swimming Federation, in charge of the Committee on Open Water Swimming. He ran for the presidency of the Peruvian Olympic Committee in 2009.

The Footballer
Teofilo Cubillas, a former player of football (or soccer) is widely regarded as one of South America’s best football players of all time. Having excellent technical ability, Cubillas played midfield and had a powerful shot with which he used to terrify goalkeepers. He was known as a free kick specialist, and scored 515 goals in his entire career, placing him seventh in the ranking of the World Cup all-time scorers with ten World Cup goals. A poll by the IFFFHS voted him the 48th best football player of the twentieth century and Pele named him as one of the 125 greatest living football players in his 2004 FIFA list. In February 2008 the All Star First team of South America selected him as a member of the previous 50 years.

The Volleyball Player
Volleyball is a big deal in Peru, and Cecilia Tait is known as Peru’s most talented volleyball player and one of the best players in the history of volleyball. She made her debut in the sport at the age of 18 at the Pan American Games in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She also participated with the Peruvian national team in three Summer Olympics, finishing fourth in 1984 and won a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. At the World Championship in 1982 she won a silver medal and added a bronze to her trophy cabinet in 1986. In 2005, she was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame and in 2000, she was elected to Congress in Peru.

The Surfer
Peru's location as a world class surfing destination was confirmed when it produced a surfing World Champion. Sofía Mulánovich Aljovín, born in Lima, is the first Peruvian surfer ever to win an ASP event, let alone the World Title. On 27th July 2007, she was inducted into the Surfers Hall of Fame for it's 10th Anniversary Celebrations, the first South American to have achieved this goal.

With a few of these famous names under your belt, you should be able to relate to the majority of sports aficionados and get into some interesting conversations, giving you a great opportunity to get a unique, insiders point of view on your Peru Vacation.

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Thermal Springs in Peru - 3 Places to Unwind on Vacation

Wherever there is hot, recently formed igneous rock and volcanic activity, there are thermal springs. Sometimes resort areas or spas have developed around these areas offering mud baths, mineral water baths and massages while others have remained in their natural state. Either way, thermal springs offer travelers a respite from their busy days of vacation. Here are three of the best know Peruvian thermal springs for you to consider if you want to enjoy a relaxing bath heated by mother nature.

Spa fit for a King
One of the more well-known thermal springs are the Inca Baths of Cajamarca. The Baths are located about 4 miles east of the city of Cajamarca, which is 8,900 feet above sea level and has a population of 135,000 people. The springs are historically important in that they were greatly enjoyed by the Inca Emperor Atahualpa around the time when the Spanish Conquistadores arrived. The baths have remained relatively intact, with stone canals and fountains dating back to the time of the Incas. The waters themselves contain a variety of minerals and at are a temperature of 70°F. New pools have been built for both individuals and groups, designed for visitors. Comments about the waters revolve around their medicinal and healing powers and they are considered a good way to treat some bone diseases, as well as to relax.

A relaxing end to the Inca Trail
Probably the most famous of the thermal springs in Peru are located in the town of Aguas Calientes, the city whose name means “hot waters”, which comes from the natural, sulfur-heated waters in the small town at the base of Machu Picchu. The waters emerge from the rocky subsoil at a temperature of between 38°C and 46°C and appear to be quite dirty due to the amount of sulfur present. They have long been considered to have medicinal properties and have become so popular that a basic infrastructure of pools and changing rooms along with a cafeteria have been set up for enjoying the waters, particularly if one has just completed the Inca Trail and explored the mysteries of Machu Picchu.

At the bottom of the World's second deepest canyon - a thermal bath
The thermal springs of the Colca Valley and Canyon are located in various places near to the town of Chivay along the Colca River. Surrounded by mountains affording lovely views, these springs consist of natural and man-made pools built of stone which make good use of the rocky formations of the riverbed and are fed by a spring which has a surface temperature of 80°C. The pools themselves are not as hot with temperatures of between 36°C and 39°C, depending on the pool. Because of the high lithium content of the pools, the waters are found to be very relaxing.

There are many other thermal springs in Peru, many which can be easily visited on your standard a Peru vacation package. Some of the sites are more remote however and require extra efforts to get to see them and enjoy a warm, soothing dip. Even a quick holiday to Peru will provide the chance to enjoy rest and relaxation for the weary traveller, so don't forget to pack your bathing suit when packing for your next trip!

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Choquequirao - The Secret Alternative to Machu Picchu

As the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu shakes under the footsteps of thousands of tourists daily, another equally impressive Inca ruin is lying silently in wait for hoardes of tourists to descend. Choquequirao is a Quecha word for “cradle of gold” and is located on a leveled hilltop 1,750 meters above the Apurimac River, surrounded by the towering snow-capped peaks of Yanama, Ampay, Choquetacarpo, Pumasillo and Panta. It consists of ruins of buildings and terraces from the ancient Inca civilization. It is over 4,000 acres in size and 30 to 40 percent of it is excavated. It can only be reached by foot and is a two-day hike from the trailhead, several hours by bus from Cusco.

Discovery of the site
Juan Arias Diaz first visited Choquequirao in 1710 but its existence was not revealed to the world until 1768 by Cosme Bueno. The revelation of Choquequirao was ignored at the time and then rediscovered in 1834 by Eugene de Santiges. The site was mapped for the first time in 1837 by Leonce Agrand but his maps were also ignored. It was not until 1909 when Hiram Bingham, the discoverer of Machu Picchu, sought out Choquequirao that the site got the attention of the world. The 1970s saw the first excavations of the site.

An overview of the site
The site consists of a central square around which are some administrative buildings, a temple and the living quarters of aristocrats. A small village surrounds the central square where the living quarters of the lower classes are grouped together. Water channels, aqueducts and water springs also fill the site. Most of the buildings have been well preserved and restored with care and the careful restoration of the site is an ongoing process.

Construction of the site began during the reign of the Inca king Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, and he transformed the site into the empire Tawantinsuyu, or the Inca Empire. When Cusco was under siege in 1535, the site was the last fortress of refuge and resistance of the Sons of the Sun who fled Cusco. They decided to take refuge in Choquequirao, led by Manco Inca Yupanqui.

Choquequirao was most likely one of the entrance check points to the Vilcabamba region and served political, social and economic functions as an important administrative hub. Its urban design is very much like the layout of an imperial capital, with ceremonial buildings dedicated to the sun, water, earth and other divinities, small houses for artisans and larger and grander ones for administrators, and large buildings and warehouses with farming terraces for the local people. The ceremonial area, which is 700 meters in size, is 65 meters below the elevated area of the main square. Not only was it used as an entrance check point to the Vilcabamba area, but also as a religious and cultural center. That the ruins have many double jamb niches doorways demonstrates that the region was held in high status. It also served as an important link between the city of Cusco and the Amazon region.

Access to Choquequirao
Because of the remoteness and inaccessibility of the site relatively few visitors had been to it until recent years when COPESCO built a bridge for foot traffic across the Apurimac River, which is below Choquequirao. It remains rarely visited in comparison to the thousands of people a month that visit Machu Picchu, although with new regulations designed for the Inca Trail, Choquequirao is becoming a great alternative for the serious hiker. Ensure that Choquequirao is on your list of places to visit on your next trip to Peru so that you get there ahead of the crowds!

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Alan Garcia - The Peruvian President Who Got a Second Chance

When general elections were held on June 4, 2006, Alan Gabriel Ludwig Garcia Perez, a member of the APRA party (Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana) a left-center Peruvian political organization, became the current President of Peru. As the head of APRA, he is the only member of the party to have served as President of Peru. His first term in office was from 1985 to 1990 and was marked by social unrest, violence and the collapse of the Peruvian economy. He ran again for the office of President in 2001 but lost in a run-off election to Alejandro Toledo.

A very bad presidency
When Garcia took office in July, 1985 for his first term, he was very popular with Peruvian voters. However, by the end of this first term, the economy had suffered from hyperinflation, which reached 7,649%, and became extremely destabilized. The Peruvian currency, the Sol (meaning Sun), was replaced by the Nuevo Sol, the per capita annual income of the Peruvian people fell to $720, which was below the 1960 level and the Gross Domestic Product was reduced by 20%. National reserves reached a negative US$ 900 million.

Social tensions in Peru were aggravated by the poor economic conditions and contributed to some extent to the rise of the communist rebel Shining Path movement. The movement attacked the countryside and the city of Lima itself, causing major blackouts. The Garcia administration retaliated with military force, allegedly committing human rights violations in the process. However, Garcia’s direct personal involvement in these events is not clear. It was also reported that his party and other officials in the government were tied to the attempted bombing of the El Diario newspaper, which at the time was linked to the Shining Path movement, with possible involvement in executions and sending terrorists to train in North Korea. In general, it was claimed that the many poor decisions Garcia made in office during his first term led to the rise of the authoritarian leader Alberto Fujimori.

Garcia gets a second chance
In July 2006 Garcia became President of Peru for the second time, with his party holding the second largest block of seats in the 120-seat unicameral Congress. For his second term, Garcia sought to improve relations with Venezuela and endeavored to establish a trade agreement with the United States and possibly with Brazil. His disagreements with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez were resolved at the second South American Community of Nations Summit. The free trade agreement with the United States was passed during the Bush administration, with a majority in the Peruvian Congress favorable towards the agreement and twelve commercial agreements with Brazil were signed in 2006 that strengthened the relationship between the two countries.

In 2008, Peru had a 9.8% increase in the Gross Domestic Product following years of increases that began in 2001. These increases were due mostly from policies that were initiated to promote trade and attract investment and Garcia and his economic team have continued to implement these polices. Construction, mining, private investments, exports and domestic consumption have contributed to recent economic expansion with public debt dropping to $19.2 billion in 2008 and foreign reserves up to $31.2 billion.

It appears that Garcia’s second term as President of Peru has served to improve the economic and social status of the country, despite concerns regarding the control that foreign companies hold over Peru's wealth of natural resources. However, whatever these concerns may be, Garcia is certainly making better progress in office than during his first attempt.

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Cusco and Puno Handicrafts

A visit to any market or museum in Peru will demonstrate the great assortment of crafts and textiles, many of which come from the Cusco and Puno highlands areas. They are the result of centuries of historical development, with pre-Hispanic shapes abounding and merged with other symbols brought over by the Spaniards. Peruvian crafts and textiles have a unique and complex identity with a touch of innocence in their native art.

Styles of Pottery Design in Cusco and Puno
The works of Peruvian artisans display weaving with a harmony of geometric designs, the cultural elements blending with the retalbo boxed scenes, miniature pictures of peasant life on carved gourds. Sculptures produced include stone, wood and gold and silver relics as well as many forms of pottery. The Inca tradition has heavily influenced the pottery of Cusco. The Inca Renaissance was a movement that helped to revitalize Cusco art and resulted in a great many pieces of pottery, including flower motifs, dishes and a variety of types of crockery. Another style of Cusco pottery is known as the grotesque tradition, a design created by Eriberto Merida and derived from the figurines in Quinua pottery. This style tends to display rough characters such as peasants and picture of Christ with facial features that are deformed and hands that are over sized.

A Load of Bull
One of Peru’s most well-known pieces of pottery that is created by the artisans of Puno is a ceramic bull. It originated as a sacramental element during the branding of cattle ceremony. Shaped as a flask, the bull figure was used to hold something known as chiha, a mixture of the blood of cattle, which was then drunk by the high priest conducting the ceremony. Churches, country chapels and homes are also created by Puno potters and their humble designs are typically covered by a white glaze. In addition, potters include designs and figurines depicting musicians, dancers and different types of flora and fauna from the area around Lake Titicaca.

Textiles of Cusco and Puno
An important source of income for many mountain communities, including Cusco and nearby markets such as Pisac and Chinchero is the production of textiles. In these areas can be found a great number of weaving cooperatives and exhibitions of native textiles. Weavers have been creating textiles for many generations. The region from which the textile comes plays a large part in the color and quality of the designs and defining a personal and community identity.

The weaving display symbols that are visual metaphors of the relationship between the physical and spiritual world and the Quecha people. Cusco textiles are primary woven by hand from alpaca or the wool of sheep. The process starts with the yarn being spun by hand on drop-spindles and then colored using natural dyes from extracts from plants, insect larvae or mineral oxides. A loom is then used to produce the weaving. It may take up to several months to produce larger items such as shawls or ponchos. The weavers more often than not sell their pieces directly to the public, giving them an opportunity to discuss the significance of the design and symbolism and for the buyer to praise the work.

Each textile is a unique and beautifully made item and purchasing such textiles directly from the community serves to help the local economy and preserve local self-esteem as well as contribute to a tradition and culture that has remained unchanged for hundreds of years. If you are on a trip to Peru, be sure to include a trip to a handicrafts market in either the Puno or Cusco region to be amazed by the cultural legacy on display, and even have a chance to take a piece of it home with you.

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

The Shining Path Movement in Peru

The Shining Path Movement represented the Communist Party in Peru and reached its peak in the 1980s as a formidable rebel movement, waging a brutal war with the Peruvian state. Its leader was Abimael Guzman, who formed the movement in the 1970s and was inspired by Mao's Cultural Revolution in China.

Dramatic Beginnings
When the Shining Path movement first launched itself in 1980, it burned the ballot boxes the night before the first democratic election in twelve years. Its goal was to replace the existing democracy in Peru which it considered bourgeois with its own “New Democracy”. The Shining Path would arrive at pure communism by instituting a dictatorship of the proletariat and bringing on a cultural revolution followed by a world revolution. The means to this goal was to kill villagers suspected of agreeing with current government policy. The Shining Path movement believed that it was the leader in promoting communism in the world.

Terrorism in Peru
The results of its efforts put large areas of the countryside under its control. It also struck at various areas in the capital city, Lima, consequently concerning many that it would eventually take over the entire country. Nearly 70,000 people died in the rebellion and the war of counter-terrorists it triggered. It was a brutal organization, employing violence against peasants, trade union organizers, and the general civilian population. In 1983, sixty-nine villagers were killed and a van was bombed in Lima that killed about 20 people in July 1992. It is considered a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union and Canada.

The Fall and Re-Emergance of The Movement
Only when the Shining Path leader Abimael Guzman and six other rebel leaders were apprehended in 1992 did the violence subside. Guzman had a speedy trial by a military court behind closed doors and was sentenced to life imprisonment, which was basically a death knell for the movement. However, in 2003, Guzman’s sentence was overturned when the constitutional court of Peru reversed the laws against terror enacted under former President Alberto Fujimori. This was then followed by a civilian trial and a few years later by a call from Guzman for a peace deal. The civilian trial ended in 2006 with the calling of a life sentence for Guzman. This action caused the membership of the Shining Path movement to decline. A government amnesty program initiated in 1994 enabled about 6,000 terrorists to surrender. A resurgence of the movement was spearheaded by guerrilla leader Oscar Ramirez Durand in the mid-1990s but was backed up only by a few hundred men and confined strictly to jungle regions in eastern Peru. Ramirez himself was captured in 1999 and also underwent a civilian trial. Some terrorist activity occurred after his capture with a car bomb in Lima in 2002 and a kidnapping in 2003.

The Threat is Removed
In September 2004, police arrested seventeen members, further weakening the movement so that it no longer has the power to destabilize the state of Peru. Apart from fairly harrowing stories from Peruvians that experienced the years during the Shining Path movement, tourists planning a trip to Peru will have no contact with the Movement, and there is nothing to worry about.

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

The Trans-Oceanic Highway of Peru - Benefits and Concerns

Connecting Acre, Brazil, a state in the Amazon, with the cities of Matarani, Ilo, and San Juan de Marcona which are located along Peru’s southern coast is the Trans-Oceanic Highway. The highway is 3,400 miles long and basically entails the renovation of existing roads as well as the construction of new ones. The main purpose of the highway is to make it easier to get Brazilian goods to the Pacific coast and thereby the Asian market as well as facilitate the transfer of Asian products to the Atlantic coast, and consequently to the United States, Europe and Brazilian markets. It is anticipated that it will attract more tourists to the area. On the other hand, it has been a concern of environmentalists that the road will cause an increase in the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.

A Vast Construction Project
When the project began, there was a more complex network of roads in Brazil so construction efforts centered on building a bridge across the Acre River and making the border crossing more efficient. In Peru, the road between the border of Brazil and Inambari River needed to be paved and three roads that were already paved that went across the Andes and connected with the cities of San Juan de Marcona, Matarani and Ilo needed to be renovated and improved. In addition, the work required 1,606 miles of highway to be constructed and renovated as well as 11 miles of city roads. There were a total of 22 bridges that were to be built, in particular the President Guillermo Billinghurst Bridge. This bridge was designed to cross the Madre de Dios River, a few miles from the main city of the department of Madre de Dios, Puerto Maldonado. The bridge, at a cost of $22 million US, has a length of 450 miles and displays a large hanging structure. The cost of building the Trans-Oceanic highway was over $1.51 billion US. Funding sources were the Andean Development Corporation and the Brazilian National Development Bank. These bank loans enabled the financing of a Public-Private Partnership between the companies contracted to do the work and the Peruvian government.

Environmental concerns
Although the commercial gains from building the highway were supported by the governments of Peru, Bolivia and Brazil, environmentalists were concerned that the highway was approved without an environmental impact study and it would affect the region negatively from an environmental standpoint. They reported that climate changes would result as the new roads broke up the natural expanse of the Amazon forest and make it hotter and drier. The atmosphere would be filled with more carbon gases from the forest causing the rise in temperatures.

Fears Are Confirmed
An environmental impact study conducted during the construction of the highway concluded that within ten years the highway will degrade the natural forests as well as urban areas, cause problems for water resources and biodiversity and have great impact on the local societies by invading the native land in general.

In land of contradictions and extremes, the Trans-Oceanic Highway is another Peruvian example of conflicting interests in a complex situation.

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Peruvian Music and Instruments

The music of Peru is based on sounds from the musical roots of this ancient Andean country combined with the influences of Spanish colonial period music. There are many varieties of Peruvian music including coastal Peruvian music, traditional music from the highlands, and Peru Negro which is a fusion of traditional and afro-Caribbean themes. There is another type of popular Peruvian music that is called Huayano and is very much like Pre-Columbian music. Coastal Peruvian music has a fusion style while Andean Peruvian music is native to Peru.

Established in 1969, Peru Negro is an Afro-Peruvian style of music designed to celebrate and conserve the black culture and heritage of the Peruvian coast. It gained a reputation as it rescued conventional dance and music and became internationally recognized with the release of the album, “The Soul of Black Peru”, with songs from popular Peru Negro singers. The year 2001 saw the first international recording of the song “Sangre de un Don”, released by Time Square records. At the time Peru Negro had only twelve members but has since grown to thirty, all of whom are very talented.

The charango is the national instrument of Peru and forms a major part in much Peruvian music. It has five strings and is similar to a mandolin or ukulele. It can have a harp-like quality if it is played as a plucked instrument but can have a stronger and more rhythmic sound if played as a strumming instrument.

Other instruments used in Peruvian music are lutes, guitars, bandurrias, vihuelas, pan pipes, and rattles made from llama toenails! A very simple instrument, very popular along the coast is the “Cajon” which means “box”. It is a rectangular wooden box which has a whole in to emit sound and is simply drummed with the hands while the player sits on it!
The pan pipe is an instrument made up of five or more pipes that increase gradually in size and length, based on the principle of the closed tube, which is a tube that is closed at one end and plays a single frequency. It has long been considered a popular folk instrument and has been determined to be the first mouth organ, predecessor to the pipe organ and harmonica. Materials that make up the pipes of the pipe organ are typically bamboo or giant cane but can also be wood, plastic and metal.

The bandurria is a type of chordophone which is an instrument that makes its sounds by means of vibrating strings between two points. It was used primarily in Spanish folk music and is similar to the mandolin. The modern bandurria has twelve strings which are tuned in pairs and is classified as part of the Hornbostel Sachs set of musical instruments.

The vihuela is a type of guitar or lute derived from fifteenth and sixteenth century Spain, where its “Christian” shape made it gain popularity over the lute derived from Arabia. It typically has six strings and is very comfortable to hold. Some vihuelas do not have octave stringing in the bass but many do and each design works equally as well for its sound which is very resonant and sweet and bright. Known as “chapchas”, the llama toenail rattles are a type of percussion instrument, and are worn on the wrists while playing the drums.

When in Peru you are sure to hear the sounds of pan pipes whilst in the Andes and of course the Amazon has its own styles. In addition to traditional music you will of course hear plenty of salsa, merengue and Latin pop should you choose to sample the nightlife.
 

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

Peruvian Wildlife

Due to the existence of the Andes Mountains, the Amazon River and the Pacific Ocean, Peru has the one of the greatest bio-diversities in the world. This Andean country is one of the 17 countries on earth that is home to 80% of the total world biodiversity. Peru is host to 53 protected areas with over 1,800 species of birds of which 120 are endemic to Peru, hundreds of mammals, including pumas and bears while the coast has a great deal of marine life including sea lions, penguins and other seabirds.

Among the best known of members of the Peruvian wildlife family are the bespectacled bear, the llama, alpaca and vicuna, the condor, viscachas, the puma, tapirs and otters. Found in high, rugged areas, largely unsuitable for agriculture is the bespectacled bear. It is predominantly black or brown in color with shading around the chest and neck in white, cream or orange with each eye encircled by a ring, which gives it its name. It is a relatively small animal with the males weighing about 175 pounds and the females about 135 pounds. Its feet have five sharp, short and powerful claws which are used for climbing and tearing trees apart. It eats wild fruits and particularly enjoys eating figs, leaves, insects, small animals, herbs and grasses. It lives in tree tops and builds a nest every night for sleeping.

The llama, alpaca, vicuna and guanaco are members of the camelid family and are characterized by having no horns, being cud-chewing and having an even number of toes and padded feet. Llamas are bigger than alpacas, typically with a height of 40 to 45 inches at the withers and 5½ to 6 feet at the head. Their average lifespan is between 15 and 30 years and they weigh between 280 and 450 pounds. Alpacas, on the other hand, weigh about 100 to 175 pounds and have a height of 36 inches at the withers. Their life span is about 15 to 25 years.

There are many similarities between llamas and alpacas. They use their posture and ear and tail movements to communicate, with aggressive modes of communication being stamping, kicking and spitting. They are very social animals and are best when pastured together. They differ not only in size but in ear shape, hair, fleece and curvature of the back. Alpacas have symmetrical pear-shaped ears and shorter noses while llamas have ears that are longer and shaped like a banana. The shape of the alpaca’s back has a slight upward curve while the back of the llama is straight. Llamas are descendants of the guanaco while the alpaca was domesticated from the wild vicuna.

Vicunas are the smallest of the camelids, weighing between 70 and 90 pounds and having a height of about 36 inches at the withers. The color of the wool is light brown on the dorsal side and white on the belly and chest. Both vicuna and guanacos are not domesticated animals. The guanaco has a slender body with a wooly, thick and short coat that is brown in color. The legs are also brown with a necklace of white hair. They grow to 46 to 68 inches in height and weigh between 200 and 300 pounds.

Viscachas are a type of chinchilla that are about the size of a rabbit with large hind limbs for leaping and dense, soft fur. They have relatively large heads and range in color from gray to black. Not including the tail, they are between 11.8 and 23.6 inches long with the tail being between 2.9 and 10.5 inches long. They typically weigh between 1.1 and 19.8 pounds and live in rocky outcrops, scrub and grasslands.

The Andean Condor is one of the world´s largest birds with a wingspan up to 12 feet wide. They are brown when young, changing to predominantly black as an adult with a white collar and often white coloring on the tops of the wings. The head and neck are bald, and the birds are ungainly when on the ground. In the air however they seem to glide effortlessly on thermals and make for an impressive sight.

The animals described above are largely found in the Andean region of Peru. Much of Peru however is made up of the Amazon basin which is of course the world’s most biologically diverse region and teeming with wildlife. Wherever you choose to visit you are sure to encounter at least some of Peru’s rich fauna.

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America