Experience The Land of the Incas

The grandeur of Lima‘s exquisite dining options, nightlife, arts and culture is surrounded by small towns that also have a lot to offer to travelers. They may not have five star hotels, but they often hold the remains of fascinating ancient cultures. The Casma Valley is a little over 300 kilometers north of Lima, and is known for producing many tropical fruits, such as avocados, mangos and passionfruits. The almost always sunny climate makes it a perfect place for these crops and others, including cotton and corn as well. However, the true treasure in the Casma Valley is called Chankillo. This archeological site was originally created over 2000 years ago. The site includes gathering areas, storage facilities, and a ceremonial center and temple. The most interesting facet of the ruins, however, is the Thirteen Towers. These towers are set along a low hill, each made from blocks of stone. The stones all sit about 5 meters from each other, and they each have a staircase leading to the top. The fascinating aspect of this structure is that the positions of the towers correspond with the sun’s range throughout the year. There are also two more lookout platforms at Chankillo, which researchers believe were placed there for viewing at sunrise and sunset. Spanish conquistadors also reported seeing sun pillars in Cusco when they arrived, but none are left today. Seeing this ancient formation has let researchers in on the way pre-Columbian Peruvians may have kept a calendar from solstice to solstice.

The start of civilization on this planet can be traced back to six cultures throughout the world. They include settlements in Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India, Central America and Peru. Caral, Peru is one of the oldest cities in the world, and is still one of the most important archaeological finds of all time. Located in the Lima Region, it is only two hours north of the country’s current capitol. Before researchers discovered Caral, they did not believe that a complex agricultural society had existed in the Americas until one million years later. However, the main Caral settlement and temples date back to around 2600 BC, making them older than the pyramids in Egypt. Researchers believe some of the smaller settlements in the area may be even older. They also believe Caral was home to about 3,000 people, and that their innovative ways of fishing and irrigating their land made their civilization a success. Eventually, the town was abandoned, and it is widely believed that the people of Caral migrated due to an extreme drought. This site is now preserved as an invaluable piece of history, and tourists travel there to see one of the places where human civilization started.

The Incas are known for many things, including their orderly hierarchy and ability to conquer other civilizations. Another interesting aspect of their society is their innovative solutions to traveling. They did not used wheeled vehicles, but they did create suspension bridges that stretched across the canyons and gorges in the mountainous landscape of Peru. The bridges were made with heavy ropes of grass and branches, and had to be constantly maintained by peasants in order to remain in working condition. They were incredibly strong, however, and even sustained the Spanish conquerers when they arrived on horses. The last Inca rope bridge, Keshwa Chaca, is still in existence today. This is due to the commitment of several local families who replace the grass ropes each June, to honor their ancestors. It hangs over the Apurimac River in the Canas Province, and tourists pay a small fee to cross the bridge during the celebration of the new bridge in June.

When I travel to Peru, I look forward to the marketplace. I know that there will be a seemingly endless supply of beautifully handmade items, and of course I look forward to the jewelry. I love seeing new handcrafted jewelry styles, especially when they are inspired by Peruvian traditions. Sometimes I am also inspired by certain pieces that I eventually have adapted by the artisans to match my taste. That is what happened with the stunning inlaid stone and shell earrings I brought back on one of my jewelry buying trips. I later realized they would look great on a bracelet. I asked one of my favorite artisans if it would work, and before I knew it, there was a wonderful leather bracelet with an inlaid design as part of the Tikanchay collection of handcrafted bracelets.

Alpamayo is a steep mountain peak in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range in the Peruvian Andes. It gets its name from the village Alpamayo, which actually means muddy river in the the Quechua language. Locals refer to the mountain as Shuyturahu, which (loosely translated) means thin, long snowy mountain glacier. This is a much more fitting name for the mountain, since it is made completely of ice. In 1966, an international survey of climbers and photographers issued by a German magazine named Alpamayo “The Most Beautiful Mountain in the World.” Climbers have attempted the steep ascent since the 1950s, and there is dispute over who actually reached the summit first. Alpamayo’s beauty can also be enjoyed from the ground, however, as part of the awe-inspiring landscape of The Andes.

There are only 19 destinations around the world that Disney has named as vacation destinations for their “Adventures By Disney” vacation packages, and Cusco is one of them. Disney’s packages are expensive, but come with a list of activities that are sure to create lasting memories for families. From demonstrations by master weavers to guided raft rides, these packages will give tourists a feel for the culture and history of Peru. For more information, visit Disney’s site for Peru vacation packages.

Peru‘s Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in South America, was recently named one of 15 top travel destinations by National Geographic magazine. They pointed out places that are perfect to visit in the winter, when we’re looking for a warmer place to go. They call the list the “Great Winter Escapes.” This lake is certainly an amazing destination, located 12,500 feet above sea level.

As I have written in the past, there is almost nothing I love more than perusing the artisan markets of Peru. Each visit provides a chance to see new treasures, from beautiful paintings to intricately carved gourd designs. My favorite, of course, is the handcrafted sterling silver jewelry. The handcrafted earrings, bracelets and necklaces I have found in Peru are unlike any I have seen elsewhere. People always stop me to ask where I found this unique jewelry. If you’re looking for a unique jewelry gift, or just a special piece of jewelry for yourself, these Silver Heart Earrings are perfect for Valentine’s Day.

One of the biggest traditions Peruvians take part in while welcoming each new year has to do with the color of their underwear. That’s right – Peruvians wear yellow underwear for good luck in the coming year. Street vendors in Peru sell yellow underwear, garland, festive glasses, and many other yellow accessories at this time of year. Some also believe that if you want to find love that year, you should wear red underwear instead of yellow. If you’re hoping to get married, you should throw rice under your front door after midnight. They also say that if you want to travel in the coming year, you should run around the block with an empty suitcase at midnight. These traditions make New Year’s Eve a fun time of year in Peru. So ring in 2010 with some yellow underwear, and you are sure to have a great year!