About Peru

Wonderful Peru! There is a lot to explore. Open your eyes and wake up in the eternal city, which belongs to the seven world wonders. It is a dream that everyone can experience. It is like planting a tree, writing a book and having a baby... explore Machu Picchu and discover Peru. The heritage of the antique cultures and the rich colonial tradition create the magic of Peru, a place which has one of the greatest diversities of species in the world. It is a mixture of different and common cultures, which stand for a better future.

It is a country with 10 thousand years of history. It once was the center of the impressive empire of the Incas. Much earlier than those, thousands of civilizations in the world left their footprints of a glory past, such as the Caral, the tombs of Sipán, the most magnificent tombs of America, the mysterious Nazca Lines and the fortress of Kuélap. One nation with the greatest diversity in the world, with 84 out of 117 natural habitats. There where you can pass a desert, the breathtaking mountains and the gigantic forests in one breath. It is an exquisite territory with a culinary diversity, which made a great progress in the gastronomy.

A rainbow of sounds, tastes and colors, which is shown in the more than 50 indigenous languages, millions of dances and traditional instruments. You can watch them and listen to them during the great fiestas and processions. It is a destination with countless destinations. A country with millions of people, waiting with open arms for your visit.

ARCHAEOLOGY

Although the word Peru inevitable and almost immediately creates the pictures of Machu Picchu and the founded empire of the Incas, it is possible to explore the impressive archaeological heritage of much older civilizations along the way. The evidence is given through the art, the customs, rituals and the development.

The civilization of the Incas developed very late in the process of the developement of the pre-Hispanic cultures of the Andes and its history rarly lasted a century within the 20 thousand years of the appearance of humans in the Peruvian territory.

Much earlier, before the times of the Incas, during the development of the focus civilizations such as Mesopotamien, Egypt, India and China (3.000 and 2.000 B.C.), in the North of Lima, Carla was created. This was the first expression of an American, urban settlement of the pre-ceramic times, with its monumental architecture, in a better area. Later the Chavín (800 – 200 B.C) had developed in the northern mountains, with a significant developed architecture, engineering and agriculture.

Along the northern coastline, the Mochezivilisation (200 B.C. – 600 A.D.) had developed, which was known for its realistic ceramic (huacos portrait) and its pyramidal temples. The same territory later was the place of the Chimü (1.100 – 1.500 A.D.), whose famous heritage is the citadel Chan. – Chan: a huge labyrinth with walls made out of mud, with 12 meters in height, an impressive, architectonic work.

In the South, the Nazca Lines (300 B.C – 900 A.D.), impressive figures in the desert and the cemeteries of Paracas (800 B.C. – 600 A.D), are evidence of the magical, religious vision, the life of these civilizations had reigned. These are a part of the archaeological treasures of Peru.

In the later centuries the Incas (1.400 – 1.500) have transformed Cusco into their center of civilization. During this time they had created important places such as Sacsayhuamán, Písac or Qoricancha. It was this place, where mythos and history had merged, where the Inca Trails, the villages, the people, the traditions are offering a consistent evidence of the Andean, holy and monumental spirit.

Nature reserves

84 out of the 104 biotopes, existing on the planet make Peru to be a preferential destination for nature lovers.

In Peru are

84 der 104 Zonen des Lebens, welche auf dem Planeten existieren machen Peru zu einer bevorzugten Destination für Naturliebhaber. In Peru are living about 20% of the birds and 10% of the mammals and reptiles of the world. Peru has transformed 13% of its territory into nature reserves.

Fiestas and Traditons

Peru is a country, which dances and sings for its happiness and sorrow with unique colors. There exist around 3.000 fiestas in all the regions of the country, which fill up the calendar.

Apart from religious fiestas, there are other important fiestas, such as the pagans, in connections with the old myths, in the indigenous communities of the forests and countless fiestas, which had been created during the past centuries and decades. Furthermore, the immigrants in the region of the 4 thousand urban centers, create duplicates of the various fiestas, which are celebrated in the small villages.

GASTRONOMY

More than 40 million restaurants in the entire country, reflect the diversity of a nation, whose indigenous tradition has mixed with the European, Arabic, Chinese, African, Japanese cuisine. The result: unique tastes, which had made the Peruvian Cuisene to one of the most diverse in the entire world. Good cooking and understanding, good eating is maybe the most spread custom among the Peruvians. We eat from all and at all occasions. For the birth, the death, once the children grow up, when we say the truth or someone lies, to debauch, to convince or for love. Without any doubt it is a full table.

If someone says to a Peruvian, that theirs is the best cuisine, he should always remind, that is nothing else than a naive risk, and always should think of the six sense, that the Peruvians will have twice as much fun.

Our identity is created in the kitchen: we are challenging commesals and a lot of magical chefs. The democracy we live at our tables: there is always room for a fresh cebiche (fish dish), a Pisco Sour or arroz con pato a la chiclayana (rice with duck).

Languages

• Spanish: 80,3%
• Quechua: 16,2%
• Other languages: 3,0%
• International languages: 0,2%

A part of the rich, kultural Tradion of Peru create the various languages. Although Spanish is spread very far in the entire country, Quechua is an important heritage of the Incas and is also spoken in regional dialects in many parts of Peru.

Currency

The official currency in Peru is the Nuevo sol (s/.), which is divided into 100 céntimos, there are 1,2,5 nuevo soles coins, the bill are divided into 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 soles.

The best currency to take with you is the American Dollar, the exchange of every other currency outside of Lima is rather difficult. Although the Dollar in general is welcome, it is necessary to exchange these, especially in small villages.

The exchange rate to the dollar can vary from day to day, but in general it si fluctuating between S/. 3.20 and 3.00 nuevos soles per American Dollar. The Exchange rate to the Euro is about S/.4.00.

Cash: bring small bills, because usually the salesmen, the stores and the taxi drivers do not have change. If you bring money, take care, that these are not ripped or old, because salesmen, banks or exchange offices etc. do not except bills in this condition.

Arrival by air or land:

(++ Ministerio de Transportes y Comunicaciones)