Trip To Peru

In October 2003, we took a vacation to Peru. For just over two weeks.

It's the multiple layers of great civilisations which make Peru so intriguing. We wandered around colonial cities, like Lima,  which have preserved the legacy of the Spanish conquistadors, we visited the ancient Incan capital of Cuzco, and explored the lost city of Machu Picchu.

Peru has some of the most spectacular and varied scenery in South America. The Peruvian Andes are arguably the most beautiful on the continent and the mountains are home to millions of highland Indians who still speak the ancient tongue of Quechua and maintain a traditional way of life.

You don't have to be in Peru too long to realize that the 'New World' had a rich and complex cultural life thousands of years before Pizarro turned up wearing funny clothing.

Peru is underappreciated by travellers but offer the opportunity to get off the Gringo Trail in a big way.

Population: 27 million People: 54% Indian, 32% Mestizo, 12% Spanish descent, 2% Black Language: Aymara, Quechua Religion: Over 90% Roman Catholic Government: Democracy GDP: US$112 billion GDP per capita: US$4,300 Inflation: 2% Major Industries: Pulp, paper, coca leaves, fishmeal, steel, chemicals Major Trading Partners: USA, Japan, UK, China, Germany