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Discover ‘Deepest, Darkest Peru’ with Archers Direct

Isn’t it good to know that while the internet, affordable air travel and commercialisation may be shrinking the world, reinforcing the notion of a ‘global village’, there are places you can travel to that are still largely untouched by the homogenous culture of the modern world. And, if ever a destination qualified as ‘off the beaten track’, then a holiday to Peru has to be it.

Archers Direct can help you get away from it all and feed your mind with something dramatically different. A touring holiday to Peru is the perfect antidote to that run-of-the mill holiday that leaves you feeling like you’ve hardly been away at all. There are two great touring holidays to choose from namely: the expansive 16 day South American Highlights tour and Peru and the Treasures of the Incas tour that will give you a real appreciation of this extraordinary country and its history and culture.

Key Facts About Peru

Before you embark on your tour of Peru you might want a little background information, so allow us to furnish you with some key facts about Peru.

For starters, this is South America’s third largest country covering some 1,285,215 sq. km.with a population of 29,000,000. There are 22 people for every square km in Peru compared with 400 people in England – good news for those that like wide-open spaces! Peru has enjoyed a stable economy of late and is blessed with an abundance of natural resources. While Spanish (the country is predominantly Roman Catholic) and Quechua are the official languages a large number of Amazonian languages and dialects are still spoken today.

Bear Necessities

More importantly, Peru is, of course, Paddington Bear’s birthplace and happily enough the adventures of Paddington continue to delight his loyal and evolving audience. But are there any real bears left in Peru? Happily the answer is ‘yes’ and recently the actor, author and all round clever fellow, Stephen Fry, made a fine job of publicising Peru’s Spectacled Bears. These truly rare bears inhabit the countryside around the mysterious Inca city of Machu Picchu.

Peru and the Incas

Talking of Machu Picchu, this extraordinary legacy of the Incas is reason enough to visit Peru. Machu Picchu is spectacular, perched high in the very mountains that gave birth to the Inca civilisation - definitely one of those tours you’ll never forget!

As well as mysterious Machu Picchu you’ll also visit Cuzco the Inca capital established around 1100AD just as the Incas began to dominate their neighbouring tribes. By the time of the Spanish conquest, the Inca empire extended some 2500 miles from Cuzco the capital to the western coast of Latin America - roughly the area of modern-day Peru.

Although they didn’t quite have a formal numbering system, the Incas were a sophisticated people and were able to dominate their vast territory via a superb road system. The roads facilitated trade whilst a network of runners allowed messages to be broadcast around the empire with great speed and authority. In Cuzco you’ll have time to soak up the atmosphere of this unique city and to visit the Inca ruins in the surrounding countryside including Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay and Kenko the giant rock decorated with mysterious carvings.

The Incas: Decline and Fall

As well as the Inca’s fascinating legacy you’ll also appreciate the legacy of their nemesis, the Spanish Conquistadors. Lima’s beautiful baroque monasteries, the exquisite architecture of Arequipa and the La Compania cathedral in Cuzco pay eloquent testament to the zeal of the Conquistadors.

In some ways the Inca’s were victims of their own success. Infighting within their vast territories meant their empire was already in decline by the time the Spanish appeared. However, the Spaniards led by Pizarro, had a disastrous effect on the Incas who revered them as gods only to fall prey to a cocktail of decidedly earthly European diseases. Many Incas died as a result of contact with the Spanish and those that did survive often ended up as little more than plantation slaves or were forced to work in gold and silver mines run by their new rulers.

Enjoy A Condor Moment

From a scenery point of view, Peru is definitely near the top on the ‘truly spectacular’ scale. The Colca Canyon is a fine example of just how dramatic the scenery is in Peru and, at 10,725ft deep, it is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Colca is also home to the mighty Andean Condor and, with luck, you’ll be able to see these magnificent birds riding the thermals as they wheel and glide around the snow-capped volcanoes and dramatic ravines in search of their next meal.

Discover Legendary Lake Titicaca

Located on the border of Bolivia and Peru, Lake Titicaca sits some twelve and a half thousand feet above sea level and is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. In terms of water volume this is also the largest lake in South America.

Yet Lake Titicaca is so much more than an entry in the Guiness Book of Records; this is a very spiritual place that looms large in the creation myths of the Incas. It is said that following a great flood the god Viracocha appeared from Lake Titicaca to create the world. Viracocha then commanded Inti (the sun) and Mama Kilya (the moon and stars) to rise and – clearly on a bit a bit of a roll at this point - he decided to create Mallku Kapac and Mama Ocllo, the first human beings later dubbed the ‘Inca Adam and Eve’. Like Adam and Eve, Mallku Kapac and Mama Ocllo were commanded to go and populate the world. Thus Lake Titicaca is really the birthplace of the Incas and their ancient lore suggests that their spirits will return to the lake when they die.

Like so many things on your tour of Peru, Lake Titicaca will live on in your memory.

And There’s More…Don’t forget Archers Additions!

Peru and South America generally have so much to offer that you might want to expand these already expansive tours with some really exciting options. With the Peru and the Treasures of the Incas tour you can choose between an extra 3-night Amazon Rainforest tour or 2 extra nights discovering the mysterious Nazca Lines.
The Amazon Rainforest tour features some amazing boat rides to the heart of the rainforest in search of, amongst other things, the Amazon Dolphin. The Nazca Lines tour features a flight across the Pampas de Jumana to appreciate the extraordinary cuttings that were created here between 200BC and 600 AD.

If you book your tour of Peru online with Archers Direct today you’ll have something really special to look forward to, as well as an extraordinary trip and some amazing memories to look back on.