TOURISM PERU

Peru ranks amongst the world's great centers of ancient civilization. Their remains fascinate travelers and archaeologists alike. Peru is located in the west central part of South America and is a country of geographical and cultural contrast. Peru is the 19th largest country in the world and is bordered north by Ecuador, to the south by Chile and Bolivia, to the east by Columbia and Brazil and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. Peru is a diverse country due to the climatic, natural and cultural variation of its regions, which include coast, sierra and jungle.

Peru is populated by over 23 million people, largely descendents of Spanish settlers and native Inca and pre-Inca cultures. Today there are three national languages: Spanish, and the native Quechua and Aymara, reflecting the native Indian and Spanish roots that cultivate modern Peruvian society.

Adventure-lovers will find the Andes to be ideal for trekking, camping and mountain-climbing. The highlands are riddled with more than 15,000 lakes, snow-capped peaks soaring over 6,000 meters, the world's deepest canyons, bucolic valleys and picturesque villages. The entire Andean chain offers unparalleled opportunities for whitewater rafting, superb trails for mountain biking and gusting winds for fans of hang-gliding and parapente.

The beaches of Paracas (south of Lima) and along the north coast are ideal for sports such as surfing, windsurfing, sandboard, fishing and scuba diving. There is also good fishing to be had in the Amazon jungle, where birdwatchers will also have a field day. Whether basking in the noonday sun or watching the star-studded night skies, Peru is the ideal place to enjoy a unique and unforgettable stay.

How does one go about touring Peru, a country whose geography is dominated by the Andes, one of the world's highest mountain chains, and by the exuberant Amazon jungle?