DESTINATIONS IN PERU
Here you can find a description of the different regions in Peru:
HIGHLANDS
The complex physical character of the Andes mountains
is paralleled by the complex pattern of human settlement in these
mountains.
One of the more outstanding features along the highland plateau
or Andean highland plain, are the lakes and lagoons throughout the
region; among these, Lake Titicaca, located in the southwest sector
in a basin encompassing both Peruvian and Bolivian territories.
From the highland plateaus or "punas" rise the higher
Andes with peaks towering more than 5,000-6,000 m. (19,000-20,000
ft) above sea level. Some of them appear as isolated peaks, others
rise forming ranges, or "cordilleras", as for example
the "Cordillera Blanca" (White Cordillera). The ice of
these Andean peaks form the headwaters of all the river basins sourcing
the rivers that flow across Peruvian territory. The largest of these
comprise the river sources that form the Amazon river.
Two distinct seasons can be found in the highland. One is a rainless
summer that runs from April to October when days are sunny and nights
cold with frequent frosts, thus making it the perfect time for a
visit. Heavy rains (generally more than 1,000 mm or about 40 inches),
fall in the rainy season- erroneously known as "winter"-
that lasts from November to March.
The Andean climate features radical temperatures changes over the
same 24 hour period from 24ºC in the day to as low as 3°C
at night. The mountain climate is dry and favours a wide variety
of crops typical for the region.
Here you can find the following cities and places:
Arequipa
- Colca Canyon - Puno
- Cusco - Machu Picchu
- Huaraz -
Cajamarca - Chachapoyas
Cusco is called the Archaeological Capital of South America and
the city closest to Machu Picchu. It is located in the valley of
the Huatanay River, at an altitude of 3,360 m in the Southeastern
Andes of Peru. Visiting this mythical capital of the Inca Empire
is a memorable experience. Discover some of the mysteries of the
Inca. Cusco was considered to be the center, or navel, of the Andean
world.
The history of the Imperial City, as the legend goes, dates from
the 11th or 12th century when the first Inca, Manco Capac, founded
Cusco obeying the dictates of the God of the Sun. On March 23, 1534,
Francisco Pizarro declared the Spanish foundation of Cusco.
Today, it is a city open to the world, marveling visitors with its
unique atmosphere. Pre-Colombian monuments such as the Qorikancha
(Temple of the Sun); the Ajlla Wasi; the Amaru Kancha (fence of
the serpent); and the Kiswar Kancha, to mention a few, and gems
of the "mestizaje" (the mix of Spanish and the native)
like the Cathedral, the Church and Convent of La Merced and the
Temple of San Blas stand alongside each other in perfect harmony.
The city is surrounded by impressive archaeological remains such
as the fortress of Saqsayhuaman, the Q'enqo (labyrinth), a center
for ceremonies and cult to the Pachamama (mother earth), the Puka
Pukara or Red Fort, and Tambomachay or the Inca Baths for the rendering
of cult to water. Further away one finds the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo,
and their sacred valley Urubamba, with the compound and picturesque
towns of Pisaq, Calca and Yucay, that still preserve the traditions
of their ancestors. Another place you have to see is the lost city
of the Inca, Machu Picchu which is located over the deep canyon
of the Urubamba river.
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The only way to get to Machu Picchu is by train. Those trains leave
every day, early in the morning. From the station in Cusco to Aguas
Calientes the trip is three to four hours. From there the buses
leave up to the citadel. The trains which return to Cusco leave
between four and seven p.m. There is also a train station in Ollantaytambo
from which you can take some of the trains, too.
Machu Picchu lies 400 meters above the river Huatanay, so it is
not possible to see it from the valley. The whole area around Machu
Picchu, including the ruins themselves, were in 1983 declared World
Cultural Heritage of Mankind by the UNESCO.The function of the citadel
until now is still a riddle, but it must have been something like
a holy place or a hiding place for the last Inca. It can be said
for sure that the citadel was not finished when left for good. The
complex covers 216 buildings, connected with about 100 stairs. Around
the citadel the mountains fall down in steep slopes, giving the
visitor the feeling of being majestically placed above the world.
Every year also a lot of trekkers are attracted, reaching the old
city of the Inca after a two to five days hike on one of the ancient
Inca trails.
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