Peru Peru is best known for Machu Picchu, and no trip to the country is complete without a visit to the “Lost City of the Incas.” But today’s sun-worshippers also know that you don’t need to hike the Inca trail and see the ancient sundials or pray to Inti (the sun god) to catch some rays. Peru has almost as many miles of coast (approximately 1,500) as varieties of potato (over 2,000). The north coast offers lovely gems like Punta Sal and Máncora, close to the equator and therefore almost always warm. Some even insist these northern waters served as inspiration for Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. Surfers of all levels, ranging from beginners to “kamikaze” frequent spots like Punta Rocas, Chicama, and Pico Alto. Peru is also home to 11 separate eco-regions, including the rare cold ocean current and equatorial dry forest. In the span of a few days, you can walk through steamy Amazon rainforests or put that new alpaca sweater to use in the Cordillera Blanca. If you want to jet around Peru or all of South America, LAN airlines can be a great value, as well. Everything seems to go through Lima anyway, so if Peru wasn’t in your initial plans, it likely will be at some point. Wherever you go in Peru, the terrain may change, but one thing will follow you wherever you go— the lilting sound of the pan flute. • Put your boots and stamina to the test on the Inca trail or alternative trails through the Andes • Test your pattern recognition skills while studying the Nazca lines and develop your own theory for why they were created • See glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca (but hurry up, they’re melting) • Hike Colca Canyon • River raft in the Urubamba Valley or on the Río Chili • Walk on the floating islands of Uros, made entirely of reeds • Stay with a local family on Lake Titicaca • Visit the colonial buildings, monasteries, and churches in Arequipa • Conduct a search for the best Pisco sour. For you non drinkers, test out a few types of corn juice called chicha • Eat ceviche and bar hop in the Miraflores neighborhood of Lima • See the hand-made canoes, or Caballitos de Totora, once made by the pre-Inca Mochicas and Chimus What it would cost (traveling this June): Airfare from Los Angeles $742, 7 nights in a hostel in Cusco $63 Exchange Rate $1 US = 2.8 Peru Nuevos Soles

Travel to Peru

Feature Articles Play: Surfing on Sand   A Language Pilgrimage - The Best Way to Learn a New Language is to Study In-Country   A Language Pilgrimage - Arequipa, Peru

Top Picks Situated on the northwest corner of South America, the Peruvian Andes contrast dramatically with the lush tropical rain forests making Peru one of the most geographically and culturally diverse countries on earth. Traveler Neil Gibson starts his adventure in Peru’s capital Lima. From there he travels north to trek through the glaciers from the Andean city of Huaraz. Via the surfing town of Trujula, he moves into the Amazon and explores the abundant rain forest wildlife. Taking a flight south he ends his journey in the Inca capital of Cuzco. Visit our website to purchase the DVD or Video of this destination. For travelers with a yearning to get off the beaten track, Intrepid opens up a whole new world in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Australasia. With a huge variety of travel styles available, Intrepid travelers explore the world's most amazing places discovering real people, real cultures and having incredible real life experiences along the way. For details go to www.intrepidtravel.com Make a difference with ProWorld. NOTHING VENTURED - NOTHING GAINED. ProWorld offers profound 2 to 52 week adventure, academic, and service experiences in Cusco and the Sacred Valley of Peru. Project options include: health care, education, business, journalism, and many more. Call 1-877-733-7378, email info@proworldsc.org, or visit www.proworldsc.org