Peru and Aruba

Founded in 1535, in the days of the Conquest Lima used to be one of the wealthiest, mightiest cities in in South America. Its historic centre (UNESCO World Heritage Site) still boasts the beautiful Plaza Mayor, with the old palaces of politic and religious life. The soul of the city, however, has drifted to the modern towns of Miraflores and San Isidro, and to the lively sea town of Barranco.

Arequipa, rising between the imposing volcanoes El Misti (5,821 m) and Ampato (6,288), is Peru’s second city, and a major business and cultural centre. It owes its long-standing fame to its stunning, high-rise location (2,335 m a.s.l.), to its mild weather, and to its beautiful colonial buildings made of lava stone. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The road to Puno runs across a wild, beautiful landscape, with the occasional lake, village, and small herd of grazing llamas and alpacas. There will be a few photo stops, including the Lagunillas pass (4,410 m) to see the pink flamingos in the lagoon. Puno, rising on the border with Bolivia at a height of 3,810 m, overlooks Lake Titicaca. Though not exceptionally interesting in itself, the town makes for the perfect base to visit the rest of the region.

We cross the Andes, passing a stunning variety of landscapes. Stop at Raqchi, known for the massive walls of an Inca temple built to appease the wrath of the god Viracocha; at the provincial Andahuaylillas, featuring a beautiful 17th-century colonial church; and at the village of Pucarà, famous for its colourful ceramics. The top altitude reached during the journey is 4,335 m, at the La Raya pass. Rising at an height of 3,400 m, Cuczo, once the capital of the Inca empire, was rebuilt by the Spaniards on the vestiges of its ancient palaces, using the remains of the Inca temples and edifices. Today, Cuzco is a lively, fascinating town. Even in the busy summer months, when the Sacred Valley literally swarms with tourists, it preserves its charm.

Aguas Calientes, auch bekannt als Machu Picchu Pueblo, ist eine kleine Stadt am Fuße der berühmten Ruinen von Machu Picchu im Herzen der peruanischen Anden. Sie ist der wichtigste Ausgangspunkt für alle, die die archäologische Stätte von Machu Picchu besuchen möchten. Die Stadt ist von üppigem Tropenwald umgeben und wird vom Fluss Urubamba durchflossen. Sie ist bekannt für ihre natürlichen heißen Quellen, daher auch ihr Name Aguas Calientes", was auf Spanisch heißes Wasser" bedeutet. Aguas Calientes ist eine lebendige und pulsierende Stadt mit einer Vielzahl von Restaurants, Cafés, Kunsthandwerksläden und lokalen Märkten, die eine Vielzahl von traditionellen Produkten und Souvenirs anbieten.