Things to Do in Peru: Exploring Inca Ruins

The top tourist destination in Peru are the wide variety of Incan Ruins.  While people come to Lima and are sometimes surprised to see such a bustling metropolis, one of the major attractions of Peru are not the country’s modern amenities, but rather the great history that can be found throughout the country.  Though Machu Picchu is the number one tourist spot for exploring Inca ruins, there are a number of other ruins that are just as exhilarating.

Over 3000 people visit the Machu Picchu during the peak months of June to August.  Machu Picchu is accessed via the capital of the ancient Incan Empire, Cusco.  From Cusco, you can visit other ruins, such as the fortresses in the towns of Ollantaytambo and Pisac.  However, Cusco’s Sacred Valley isn’t the only place to find Incan ruins.  In the north, the cities of Trujillo and Chiclayo both claim access to the Tucume pyramids, some of which have Incan origins.

Hiking the Inca Trail is also highly popular.  It can be strenuous in places, so keep this in mind, but by trekking through Peru you are rewarded with clean air and some of the most beautiful vistas in all the world.  At the end of the trail is glorious Machu Picchu – and it can take as long as seven days to get there, depending on the nature of your tour.  It’s possible to trek along the Inca Trail for as little as two days on the way to Peru’s most popular Incan ruin.

About Venture Peru:

Venture Peru is the leading online retailer of Peru tour packages and Peru travel tours. If you are interested in exploring Peru, please visit our book a trip page or contact us at 877.852.7378.

The Mysteries of Machu Picchu

What makes Machu Picchu such a mysterious and magical place to visit is that the purpose of the ancient ruins is still a mystery.  Discovered only recently in 1911, due to its isolation in the higher mountain of Peru, Machu Picchu, it’s estimated that 1200 people could have lived there at any one time, but it’s also thought that it may have been a mountain retreat for elite Incan rulers.

What makes Machu Picchu particularly mysterious is that because of its isolation it is still unknown how the massive structure of Machu Picchu were built.  Much like other famous monuments like Stonehenge in the U.K. there are many theories, but no definitive information.  And also like Stonehenge, there are far-flung theories about its construction, including alien intervention!

Even with this sense of mystery, much of Machu Picchu is practical as well – a combination of both form and function.  As it is built high in the mountains, it is built using an aqueduct system which utilizes the natural slope of the hills and gravity.  The religious centers are high atop Machu Picchu’s peaks, overlooking the Urubamba Valley.

Visiting Machu Picchu isn’t just about visiting the ruins, but the entire experience of hiking through Peru’s jungle forests. Hikers will be hiking along and suddenly there is a foundation among the dense wilderness.  Pictures don’t really do it justice, and it is something that needs to be seen, and felt, to be believed.  Over 7,000 feet above sea level, it’s not an easy hike, but it is worth it to see one of the world’s great wonders.

About Venture Peru:

Venture Peru is the leading online retailer of Peru tour packages and Peru travel tours.  If you are interested in exploring Peru, please visit our book a trip page or contact us at 877.852.7378.

Spirtual Tours through Peru

One thing that separates vacations in Peru from other destinations in South America – or even other destinations throughout the world – is that is an intensely spiritual place.  As a result Peru is a hotspot for spirituality-based tours – through Machu Picchu and other locations in the country.  Converts say that there are certain points throughout the globe have a deeper spiritual resonance.  That, of course, is up for argument, but even the cynical and skeptical who come to Peru have to acknowledge a kind of indescribably magic in Peru.

There are spiritual sites throughout Peru: on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the sacred sites of the Cusco region, the aforementioned Machu Picchu, and other sites in Peru.  Some tours through Peru are led by mystical visionaries.  However you only need to visit a landmark like Machu Picchu to experience it’s magical qualities of the Incan ruins.  A guided tour can be highly informative and exciting, but self-guided tours are also popular, as they allow people to explore Peru on their own time. People have been known to come to Peru for specialized healing and to take part in rituals.

Of course, this is only a subset of Peru tourism, so every trip to Peru doesn’t involve a spiritual quest, but certainly reading about Peru’s history and how people regard the mysterious jungles of Peru will color your experience.  It is best to visit Peru with an open mind and open heart to make the most of what should be a fantastic vacation experience.

About Venture Peru:

Venture Peru is the leading online retailer of Peru tour packages and Peru travel tours.  If you are interested in exploring Peru, please visit our book a trip page or contact us at 877.852.7378.