Luxury Peru Travel One or Two Days at Machu Picchu - A Free Guide
Travel Weekly - Peru 2013 · market for Peru from the United States,” says Beth Jenkins of McCabe...
Transcript of Travel Weekly - Peru 2013 · market for Peru from the United States,” says Beth Jenkins of McCabe...
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Appealing Peru: Exploring the Sales Potential
The current campaign to promote
tourism in Peru uses the tag line
“Peru: Empire of Hidden Trea-
sures.” And while that phrase may evoke
visions of the ancient Incan culture, it can
also apply to many other aspects of Peru’s
tourism off erings. Aft er all, this South
American hotspot is an incredibly diverse
destination, with activities and attractions
that cater to a diverse range of travelers,
whether they crave big-city sophistica-
tion, active adventures, romantic getaways
or a memorable connection with living
cultures that date back thousands of years.
Clients just might be surprised to fi nd out
how much Peru has to off er.
Th at’s where this guide comes in.
Packed with travel information and sales
tips, this supplement is divided by trav-
eler type, to help travel agents match cli-
ents with the kinds of experiences that
best fi t their personalities and prefer-
ences. Many travelers fi t more than one
category, to be sure, so it’s always possible
to mix and match activities, experiences,
hotels and destinations from a variety of
diff erent categories.
WHY SELL PERU?Peru’s diversity of destinations and expe-
riences has helped place it on the short
list for many travelers. “Th ere is a huge
market for Peru from the United States,”
says Beth Jenkins of McCabe World
Travel, a Virtuoso agency in Mclean, Vir-
ginia. “We primarily focus on the luxury
market, but I think Peru is a huge draw
for every level of travel, which is one of
its benefi ts. From backpackers to super
luxury trips, Peru has the infrastructure
for it.”
Jenkins says that the destination is
in growth mode in terms of sales. “Th e
increase in requests for Peru in the last
couple of years is really notable,” she says.
“It’s on everybody’s mind. I also get in-
creasing requests for extended trips and
people going back for a second time to
see things they haven’t seen before.” Peru
is also a great fi t for fi rst-timers, accord-
ing to Jenkins: “For people who haven’t
been to South America before, Peru is a
country that they can feel comfortable
with.”
Peru’s increasingly broad appeal is
good news for travel agents, according
to Kim Vincent, product and business
development manager for Latin America
at Globus Cosmos. “Peru is hands down
our best seller for all of South America,”
she says. “Th ere are so many blossoming
regions in Peru that maybe the U.S. trav-
eler hasn’t heard about yet.” Th at means
sales opportunities for agents.
Peru has many selling points, accord-
ing to Vincent. “Th e biggest factor is, of
course, Machu Picchu — everyone wants
to go see Machu Picchu. But the other
lovely thing about Peru is there is no reci-
procity fee or visa [for travelers from the
United States], which a lot of other South
American nations require.”
PERU FAST FACTSCurrency: Nuevo Sol
Languages: Spanish, Quechua,
Aymara, with English widely spo-
ken in tourism destinations.
Capital: Lima
Time zone: EST
Climates: Peru enjoys mild
weather year round, but each of
the three main geographic regions
has its own unique climate. The
north coast is sunny and dry all
year long, while the central and
southern coast is temperate with
no rain, but humid. Summertime
is from December to March. In the
highlands, the dry season goes
from April to November with sunny
days in the 70s. The rainy season
goes from December to March,
with frequent rain showers mixed
with sunshine. The rainforest has a
tropical climate with high humidity
and a rainy season from November
to March. During the dry season,
from April to October, tempera-
tures can reach the 100s.
Visa requirements: American
citizens only need a valid passport.
No visa is required.
Flights: There are non-stop fl ights
from the United States from New
York, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta,
Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Fort
Lauderdale and San Francisco.
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Location and convenience are addi-
tional selling points, according to Philipp
Weghmann, area managing director for
Latin America and the Caribbean at Pre-
ferred Hotel Group. “Given the relatively
short travel time and lack of jetlag, a trip
to Peru is ideal for the traveler who wants
adventure, culture or history—and be able
to do it all during a shorter vacation.”
Peru’s reputation as a diverse, sophis-
ticated destination is stronger than ever,
according to Laura Castagnini, general
manager of the Hilton Lima Mirafl ores.
“Th e increasingly sophisticated gastron-
omy, uniqueness of sites like Machu Pic-
chu and Nazca, combined with the hos-
pitality of the people make Peru a must
on every traveler’s list,” she says.
“Anyone and everyone can travel to
Peru,” agrees Paul Wiseman, president of
Trafalgar. “Peru appeals to travelers with
a very wide range of interests, from out-
door enthusiasts to history buff s.”
ADD ON TO SELL UP Travel agents should take advantage of Pe-
ru’s diverse off erings to sell oft en and sell
up, according to Emmanuel Burgio, CEO
of Blue Parallel, a Virtuoso Preferred Tour
Operator. “Blue Parallel’s advice would
be not to sell just the standard one-week
package in Peru,” he says. “Peru is a des-
tination that allows a lot exciting custom-
ization options, with cultural exposure,
outdoor activities and historical explora-
tions in many of its fi ne destinations.”
Burgio, whose company focuses on
upscale travelers, notes the destination’s
appeal for a variety of clients. “Th e trav-
elers that fi t the Peru profi le are curious,
nature and food lovers, interested in his-
tory and culture, and are active in the
outdoors, as there are many activities
to enjoy: hiking, biking, horseback rid-
ing, kayaking and white-water raft ing, to
name a few. It is an ideal destination for
couples, groups of friends and families
with children.”
“Peru is lucky in two ways,” notes
Don Forster, Latin America product and
marketing manager at Goway Travel in
Toronto. “One, its tourist board [is] very
proactive in the United States and Cana-
da, and the country is well represented at
both consumer and trade events. Second
is the fact that the country has Machu
Picchu, which is world renowned and
sells itself.”
Forster recommends that travel
agents look beyond Peru’s best-known
tourism site in order to make even more
sales. “Peru is not just Machu Picchu,”
he notes. “It off ers so much more—such
as Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Colca Can-
yon, Nazca, Paracas, Huaraz … Trujillo
Huanchaco, Lord of Sipan and beauti-
ful white beaches in the far north. Th en
there is the fi ne dining; Peru has won the
World Travel Awards the past two years
for best cuisine.”
“While you will never talk a client out
of a visit to Machu Picchu on their fi rst-
time visit to Peru,” Forster adds, “Peru
can be visited at least twice, if not three
times, with each visit off ering something
completely diff erent. So as to position-
ing—it is a multiple-time destination,
which equals repeat business.”
AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES Peru is a land of superlatives; a place
where clients can choose from a stun-
ning array of possibilities. Th ey can nav-
igate the world’s longest river (the Ama-
zon), descend into the world’s deepest
canyon (Colca) or sail the highest navi-
gable lake in the world (Titicaca). Th ey
might choose to hike the Sacred Valley
of the Incas or indulge in spa treatments
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in some of South America’s most luxuri-
ous hotels. Th e choices seem endless.
According to Wiseman, travelers
today are looking for “more interactive
engagements with the locals. Travelers
are no longer just interested in visiting
the natural icons, they want to meet the
locals, see how locals live, be able to en-
gage in their day-to-day activities and
learn fi rst-hand about their customs
and traditions—travelers no longer want
to rely exclusively on their local guides
to learn about history and culture.” His
company, Trafalgar, is among those that
include meetings with local families
during escorted tour itineraries.
Peru’s vast biodiversity makes it
paradise for nature lovers, with 84 of
the globe’s 104 diff erent life zones and
nearly all of its climates represented.
Th e country’s three main geographic
regions include beautiful beaches along
the coast, the snow-capped peaks of the
Andes mountain range in the highlands,
and the lush tropical rainforests of the
Amazon region. It’s a natural wonder-
land, dotted with historic treasures and
cultural activities. And getting around is
easy; most domestic fl ights last less than
an hour.
Today’s travel agents deal with a lot of
diff erent types of travelers. And Peru is
the ideal destination to fi t a variety of in-
terests. Th is guide will help you to make
every trip meaningful, memorable and
successful. ■
What’s New in Peru As an increasingly popular tourism
destination, Peru continues to introduce
new options for travelers—with new
hotels, fl ights and tours, as well as in-
frastructure improvements. Here’s some
of the latest travel and tourism news to
come from Peru.
• Among the newest international
luxury hotel brands to debut in Peru are
Westin, JW Marriott, Orient-Express and
Hilton. Peruvian chains including Liberta-
dor, Casa Andina and Aranwa have also
expanded their presence, as have eco-
lodge and boutique brands including
Inkaterra and Andean Experence.
• Following a U.S.$15 million
renovation, Libertador Hotels, Resorts &
Spas this year reopened its Palacio del
Inka property as a member of Star-
wood’s Luxury Collection. The company
is also refurbishing its Libertador Trujillo
property, with work to be complete by
the end of this year.
• This year, Starwood debuted
the 134-room Four Points by Shera-
ton Mirafl ores, in one of Lima’s most
upscale neighborhoods.
• Wyndham made its debut
in Peru this year with the opening of the
79-room Wyndham Cusco Saqsayhua-
man, in Cusco. Facilities include the
Samay Wasi Inka Spa, which combines
ancient Inca healing techniques with
modern spa treatments. In the capital city
of Lima, Wyndham is planning to open the
140-room Tryp Lima Mirafl ores in 2016.
• InterContinental Hotels Group plans
to open the 179-room Holiday Inn Lima
Airport Hotel in Peru in early 2016. The
$24 million, new-build property will be
located adjacent to the city’s Jorge
Chavez Airport, two miles from the Port
of Callao, one of the busiest seaports in
Latin America.
• Peru’s largest airport, Jorge Chavez
International Airport in Lima, is continu-
ing plans for a major expansion. Lima
Airport Partners, which operates the
facility, has invested some $313 million
in improvements already, and plans to
invest $800 million more, as they begin
work in 2014 on a new terminal, three
new access roads, a second landing
strip and other improvements.
• Aqua Expeditions has refurbished
its 12-suite Aqua Amazon vessel,
which has been sailing the Peruvian
Amazon since 2007. The 130-foot-long
Aqua Amazon (formerly the Aqua) has
received an updated interior designed
by Peruvian architect Jordi Puig. The
Aqua Amazon navigates Peru’s Pacaya
Samiria Reserve.
• Globus has introduced new,
off-the-beaten path destinations as
pre- and post-extension options. The
tour operator’s newest destinations in
Peru include Arequipa, Colca Canyon,
Chiclayo and Trujillo, where recent
archaeological discoveries uncovered
intact tombs inside adobe pyramids.
• Llama Expeditions has introduced
a new, nine-night “girls’ getaway” itiner-
ary for women interested in hiking the
Inca Trail. The company reports that
women now account for about half of
the traffi c along the trail.
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Favorable economic conditions
and the continued popularity of
Peru as a tourism destination
have resulted in an unprecedented
boom in the luxury travel segment,
with an array of new options for travel-
ers looking to pamper themselves while
exploring all the nation has to offer.
“Peru is a great fit for U.S. luxury
travelers for its accessibility, luxurious
amenities and exceptional service,” says
Emmanuel Burgio, founder and CEO of
Blue Parallel, a Virtuoso Preferred Tour
Operator. “Peru’s tourism industry has
grown extensively, with many luxury
accommodations throughout the coun-
try allowing high-end travelers to ex-
plore the country in the comfort and
luxury they are accustomed to.”
“Peru is an ideal destination for
luxury travelers, for its offerings that
appeal to every type of interest and its
abundance of high-end hotels,” says
Philipp Weghmann, area managing di-
rector for Latin America & Caribbean,
Preferred Hotel Group. The group rep-
resents five hotels in Peru, including
Aranwa Sacred Valley, a member of
Preferred Hotels & Resorts in Urubam-
ba; Aranwa Cusco, a Preferred Boutique
property in Cusco; and Delfines Hotel
& Casino and Casa Andina Private Col-
lection, both of which are members of
Summit Hotels & Resorts in Lima.
Among the companies catering to
upscale clients is Goway Travel, which
off ers an Inca Trail tour that includes the
services of a masseuse and refreshments
served in crystal glasses. Cooking les-
sons, dinners in museums with curators
and free bottles of wine are additional
amenities the company can off er.
LUXURY BY REGIONSquare one for most international
travelers is Lima, and it’s an especially
rewarding destination for upscale trav-
elers. Upscale hotels in the chic Mira-
flores district include the JW Marriott
Lima, the Hilton Lima Miraflores and
the Miraflores Park Hotel, which is
an Orient-Express property. Another
popular neighborhood for the luxury
segment is San Isidro, where five-star
hotels include the Westin Lima Hotel
& Convention Center, Swissotel Lima,
Sonesta Hotel El Olivar Lima and
Country Club Lima.
Upscale travelers headed to the high-
lands can indulge in a number of ways
as well. Th e city of Cusco is home to an
impressive selection of luxury hotels,
including the recently opened JW Mar-
riott, the recently re-opened Palacio del
Inka (now part of Starwood’s Luxury
Collection), the boutique-style Inkater-
ra La Casona (a Relais & Chateaux prop-
erty), and two hotels from the Orient-
Express group: Th e Hotel Monasterio
and Palacio Nazarenas. Orient-Express
also operates the Hotel Rio Sagrado in
the Sacred Valley and the Machu Picchu
Sanctuary Lodge, as well as the luxuri-
ous Hiram Bingham train that links
Cusco with Machu Picchu. ■
Natural Luxury In the southern Pacifi c coast, upscale
travelers looking for access to the Pa-
racas Nature Reserve can choose from
properties including the 120-room Hotel
Paracas, which opened in January 2010
as a member of Starwood’s Luxury Col-
lection. Even the rugged Amazon region
can now be enjoyed in luxurious com-
fort, thanks to cruises offered by Delfi n
Amazon Cruises, La Estrella Amazonica
and Aqua Expeditions, which are avail-
able through various tour operators.
Square one for most international travelers is Lima, and it’s an especially rewarding destination for upscale travelers.
Sophisticated Traveler
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Whether the client is a young
backpacker or a seasoned
naturist, Peru off ers many
options for enjoying spectacular scenery
and wildlife, with experiences as diverse
as nature walks, bird watching, moun-
taineering and surfi ng.
“Th is is the good thing about Peru,”
according to Don Forster, Latin America
product and marketing manager at Goway
Travel in Toronto. “Whether clients are
high-end, low-end, backpacker or suitcase
carrier, they can all experience all the big
sites in Peru. It is a simple choice of what ac-
commodations to choose and how to see it.”
Steve Cox, executive director of In-
ternational Expeditions, says that Peru is
ideal for a variety of activities and travel-
ers. “We’re fi nding that Peru is so popu-
lar because there are so many accessible
adventures in nature—from naturalist-
guiding kayaking on the Amazon’s trib-
utaries during our Amazon Voyage to
trekking or easier hikes in cloud forests,
where there are endangered birds and
bears. Peru off ers so many options to re-
ally delve into habitats, but has a range of
possibilities for any age and activity level.”
EXCITEMENT IN EVERY REGIONEvery one of Peru’s geographic regions
off ers its own unique chance to connect
with nature and enjoy exciting activities.
Clients looking to stay active while see-
ing the sites at Machu Picchu can hike
the Inca Trail.
To enjoy the Peruvian rainforest,
which covers some 60 percent of the na-
tion’s land, clients can fl y to Iquitos, a
remote city—accessible only by plane or
boat—that serves as the gateway to the
Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Peru’s
largest protected area.
In Peru’s southeastern region, Puerto
Maldonado attracts visitors with bird
watching, nature trails, canopy walks,
eco-friendly accommodations and un-
forgettable experiences with local com-
munities. Only about 45 minutes away
by boat from Puerto Maldonado is the
Tambopata Candamo National Reserve,
one of the least accessible virgin tropical
rainforests in the world. Visitors can walk
nature trails and take canoe rides across
lakes to see giant river otters, red howler
monkeys, macaws and anacondas.
Along the Peruvian coastline, top
attractions for nature lovers include Pa-
racas Natural Reserve, a dramatically
beautiful region where the desert meets
the ocean. A one-hour boat ride from
the shore brings visitors to the Balles-
tas Islands, where sea lions, Humboldt
penguins and dolphins are among the
36 species of marine and land mammals,
and more than 200 species of birds. Cli-
ents looking for fast-paced, breathtak-
ing excitement might want to consider
touring the desert back on the mainland,
aboard a well-equipped dune buggy. ■
The Adventurer
Every one of Peru’s geographic regions off ers its own unique chance to connect with nature and enjoy exciting activities.
Riding the Wave Sports enthusiasts will fi nd their
own special excitement in Peru as
well—especially those interested
in surfi ng. The longest left-hand
wave in the world, in fact, is in
Chicama, north of Trujillo. Among
the hotels catering to this clientele
is the Chicama Surf Hotel & Spa,
which rents boards in a variety of
sizes. Further north, in the depart-
ment of Piura, Mancora is another
spot with great surfi ng and other
water sport opportunities. And
Lima’s beaches attract surfers of
every experience level.
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World-class museums, historic
sites and tours are just a few
of the ways that travelers can
have an especially enriching experience.
A natural starting point is Lima, the
most popular arrival point for interna-
tional visitors as well as a cultural hotspot
on a global scale. An ideal destination for
individual visits as well as escorted tours,
Lima is home to an array of museums,
with exhibits that highlight every era of
the region’s history; the
best place to start is the
world-famous Larco Mu-
seum (see sidebar).
Other highlights in
the capital city are the
National Museum, show-
casing the history of the earliest mem-
bers of the Inca Empire, and the Con-
vent of St. Francis, a museum set in a
17th-century baroque religious complex
that’s fi lled with beautiful religious art;
the bone-fi lled catacombs are an espe-
cially popular attraction.
In the neighborhood called Bar-
ranco, visitors learn about the life of
the Spanish vice royalty at the Pedro de
Osma Museum, set in a lovely former
home once owned by this important
family. One of the nation’s best collec-
tions of paintings, sculpture, furniture,
silver and textiles is on display here.
Near the Pedro de Osma Museum is
a much newer attraction: the MATE Cul-
tural Foundation, founded by Mario Tes-
tino, Peru’s most famous fashion and ce-
lebrity photographer. Housed in a lovely
19th-century home, the facility exhibits
the work of Testino and other artists.
Tour operators have made it easy to
explore Peru’s cultural side. “With over
5,000 years of history, Peru is a treasure
trove for those who loves museums and
culture,” says Jim Kane, founder of Culture
Xplorers. “What makes it more remark-
able is that so much of the ancient cul-
ture vividly displayed
in the country’s fi ne
museums still thrives
today in communities
along the coast, the
Amazon and in the
Andes.”
Other tour operators include Blue
Parallel, which recently introduced
an Art Safari that includes viewings of
art collections in private homes. Lima
Tours, meanwhile, off ers an 11-day Style
and Design tour, which includes muse-
ums and art galleries in Lima, Arequipa
and Cusco.
Cusco, indeed, is an important stop
for clients with a passion for culture.
Th e Larco Museum of Pre-Columbian
Art, an affi liate of the Larco Museum in
Lima, is set in a 16th-century conquis-
tador’s home. Th e facility’s outstanding
collection includes some 450 works dat-
ing from 1250 BC to 1532 AD. Also in
Cusco is the Choco Museum, devoted
to Peru’s chocolate-making traditions.
At the Workshop of Hilario Mendivil,
visitors can appreciate the murals, stat-
ues and poems by one of the city’s most
famous artists, while the Museum of
Sacred, Magical and Medicinal Plants
helps unlock the secrets and healing tra-
ditions of shamanism, along with indig-
enous arts and craft s. ■
Educated Traveler
Tour operators have made it easy to explore Peru’s
cultural side.
Gold and Silver Housed in an 18th-century
vice royal building built atop a
seventh-century, pre-Columbian
pyramid, the Larco Museum is a
must-see for anyone interested in
culture and history. The museum
houses the world’s fi nest collec-
tion of Peruvian silver and gold,
as well as a much-visited erotic
archeological collection. In just
one afternoon, visitors can gain
an understanding of some 4,000
years of pre-Hispanic history at
this renowned institution.
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With celebrity chefs, gourmet
restaurants and numerous
televisions shows singing
the praises of Peruvian cuisine, it’s no
surprise that the nation’s diverse, deli-
cious creativity has become a worldwide
phenomenon.
“By far, Peru has the richest and
most extensive cuisine in Latin Amer-
ica,” says Emmanual Burgio, founder
and CEO of Blue Parellel, a Virtuoso
Preferred Tour Operator. “Peruvian
cuisine refl ects indigenous Incan tech-
nique and local ingredients with Span-
ish, Chinese, Italian, German, African
and especially Japanese infl uences,
brought with immigrants throughout
the decades. Th ese infl uences have al-
lowed Peruvian food to receive world-
wide attention and become part of the
platform of world-class cuisine.”
Blue Parallel is one of several tour
operators that help clients enjoy cuisine
through unforgettable dining experi-
ences and cooking classes. Also active in
this niche is Goway Travel, which off ers
a product called Unique Dining that in-
cludes visits to some of the best restau-
rants in Peru.
“Peru is known for its ceviche, but
it has much more than ceviche,” notes
Harry Dalgaard, president of Avanti
Destinations. “It’s such a dynamic blend
of cultures when it comes to food prepa-
ration. Th e chefs are very creative, from
the chifas, the little bodegas that create
a blend of Asian and Peruvian food, to
the blend of European and Peruvian
ingredients. Obviously for people who
love seafood, Peru has an abundance.
Th at’s a very strong staple of their cui-
sine. I think what strikes people is the
sophistication of the presentation of the
product, of their local cuisine blended
with international cultures.”
In Lima, the gastronomic capital of
the Americas, clients can sample every-
thing from New Andean cuisine to the
most traditional Peruvian recipes, as
well as fusion dishes with varied inter-
national infl uences. “Our gastronomy
tour includes market visits and cooking
classes to make ceviche and pisco sour,”
Dalgaard says. “We also have dining op-
tions in Lima at Rosa Nautica, which is
a classic seafront restaurant that serves
top-notch cuisine. In Cusco, we have
cooking classes and dinner at MAP
Café, so it’s a nice combination.”
Th e capital’s coastal location makes it
especially easy to fi nd delicious seafood,
while the city’s international sophistica-
tion brings a variety of tastes and infl u-
ences that can’t be found anywhere else
in South America, including mouthwa-
tering Peruvian Creole with dishes like
aji de gallina (chicken and milk stew) and
the nation’s legendary pisco sour cocktail.
Cusco’s innovative culinary scene
includes restaurants that specialize in
New Andean cuisine, as well as tradi-
tional southern Andean specialties that
make good use of the region’s abundant
corn, quinoa and more than 3,000 types
of potatoes. ■
The GourmandWith the richest, most
extensive cuisine in Latin America, Peru-vian food is receiving worldwide attention.
High Appeal In the highlands, guests are
treated to delicious gour-
met cuisine at places like
Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel
& Wellness, a member of
Preferred Hotels & Resorts,
where the Pukawi Gourmet
restaurant combines Andean
tradition with modern culinary
trends. Clients interested in
an in-depth exploration of the
much-used, grain-like crop
called quinoa can sign up for
the Quinoa Trail, a full-day
adventure offered by Liberta-
dor Hotels, Resorts & Spas
at Tambo del Inka, a Luxury
Collection Resort & Spa in the
Sacred Valley of Urubamba.
PeruFINAL.indd 8PeruFINAL.indd 8 11/5/13 2:51 PM11/5/13 2:51 PM
www.peru.travel 9
From legendary sites like Machu
Picchu to living cultures where
travelers can experience fi rst-hand
the ancient traditions that are still part of
everyday life, Peru is an unforgettable des-
tination for clients interested in history.
Indeed, nearly every corner of the na-
tion off ers unique opportunities for im-
mersion in Peru’s fascinating history and
diverse cultures. Clients
who want to start at the
very beginning should
head to the oldest city
of the Americas: Caral,
dating back some 5,000
years, is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site just
over 100 miles north of
Lima. Th e coastal Moche
Route, which runs between the cities of
Trujillo and Chiclayo, includes fascinat-
ing remnants of the pre-Inca culture such
as the Tomb of the Lord of Sipan, the dis-
covery of which has been compared to
the unearthing of King Tutankhamen in
Egypt, and Chan Chan, the ancient capital
of the Chimu Empire, which is the largest
pre-Columbian city in the Americas and
the largest adobe city in the world.
Th e southern circuit, the most popular
tourism route in Peru, includes some of
the nation’s most famous attractions: Cus-
co, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of
the Incas. Th e city of Cusco, the ancient
capital of the Incan Empire, was recently
voted the World’s Best City in the Mexico
and South America category by readers of
Travel + Leisure magazine. Clients could
spend several days discovering the histor-
ic treasures of this UNESCO World Heri-
tage site, which include impressive Inca
archaeological complexes, palaces and
temples, as well as beautifully maintained
churches and colonial buildings. Near the
city, the archeological park called Sacsay-
huaman, a walled
Inca complex, is
also a UNESCO
World Heritage
site.
Just nine miles
away from Cusco
is the Sacred Val-
ley of the Incas,
a scenic region
graced with green fi elds and surrounded
by snow-capped peaks. Th e Valley is
home to archaeological complexes such as
the Ollantaytambo fortress and the Palace
of Pachacutec in Pisac, and small towns
with active indigenous communities. Ol-
lantaytambo is also a boarding point for
the train to Peru’s most famous tourism
site: Machu Picchu.
Words can’t accurately describe the ex-
perience of seeing Machu Picchu for the
fi rst time. Th is 15th-century Inca creation,
perched in a verdant mountain ridge
above the Sacred Valley, is both a World
Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. Th e
Incas used their own advanced engineer-
ing techniques to transport heavy stone
blocks to this location, building struc-
tures that include the temple of the Sun,
the Temple of the Th ree Windows and the
Intiwatana ceremonial center. Machu Pic-
chu is reached via a combination of train
(from Ollantaytambo) and bus from Ma-
chu Picchu Pueblo. Clients in good physi-
cal shape can climb the WaynaPicchu or
walk to the Sun Gate. ■
History Lovers
Nearly every corner of Peru off ers unique
opportunities for immersion in Peru’s fascinating history
and diverse cultures.
Ancient Mystery The legendary Nazca Lines are
another must-see for history lovers.
Located in the desert region of
Paracas, this grouping of strange
geoglyphs—including symbols and
pictures of birds and other ani-
mals—are so large that they’re best
viewed from the sky. Flights depart
from Pisco airport, a 30-minute
drive from Paracas. No one knows
the exact meaning of these cre-
ations, but they offer an unforget-
table glimpse of ancient Peru.
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10
Savvy travel agents know that Peru
appeals to a lot of diff erent trav-
eler types—including couples and
families.
Peru is a natural choice for couples
looking to create memorable experiences.
“Th ere are so many high-end properties
now that really appeal to couples looking
to get away,” says Kim Vincent, product and
business development manager for Latin
America at Globus Cosmos. “Th e smaller,
more boutique properties can help you do
unique really romantic activities, like go out
into Nazca and have a candlelight dinner.”
Peru is an increasingly popular choice
for young couples, according to Beth Jen-
kins, a Latin America specialist at Mc-
Cabe World Travel, a Virtuoso agency
in McLean, Virginia. She says that expe-
riences like private dinners and private
horseback rides are among the favored
options. “I have a lot of young couples
who do Peru as a bucket list trip,” she says.
“Th ere are really great unique and roman-
tic things you can do there. Th e Colca Val-
ley is really popular; it’s a very romantic
destination, with gorgeous settings and
hotels. Also the Paracas area, [with] night
safaris and dinner in the sand.”
Considering that the nation off ers ac-
tivities for such a wide variety of interests
and physical capabilities, it’s no surprise
that Peru has lots to off er for every age
group—including children.
“It defi nitely is a great destination for
families,” says Vincent. “You have the
Incan history and thousands of years
previous to the Incas as well. You have
the Amazon in the backyard, which is a
living, breathing zoo. I can’t think of any
place that’s better for families.”
Legendary destinations like Machu
Picchu and the Amazon River region are
just as memorable for children as they are
for adults, notes Jenkins. “I had clients last
year who hiked the Inca trail,” she says.
“It’s a bonding experience, like a family
camping trip, but in Peru.” In the Ama-
zon, she recommends Aqua Expeditions,
which provides comfort and amenities
for all ages. “With Aqua Expeditions, I
get a lot of multigenerational families, be-
cause it’s a cushy way to do the Amazon.
It’s an easy way for people of all ages to be
able to experience that together in a way
that’s not uncomfortable.” ■
Together Time
A bucket list destination, Peru off ers unique experiences to create memories of a lifetime for couples and families.
Family Adventures “This is the perfect destination
for families,” says Paul Wise-
man, president of Trafalgar, who
ticks off a long list of the many
possibilities for families visiting
Peru. “It offers such a wide array
of diverse landscapes, unusual
fauna—llamas, alpacas and
vicunas in the Andes, and tou-
cans, macaws, caymans, jaguars
and monkeys in the Peruvian
Amazon.”
Plus, he adds, “Peru boasts
an exciting history and colorful
culture for kids, with the Incas,
the Conquistadors, the great
fortresses of Machu Picchu, Ol-
lantaytambo and Sacsayhuaman,
the mummies of Ica, the enig-
matic Nazca Lines viewed from a
small scenic fl ight-seeing excur-
sion; and a seemingly limitless
number of exciting adventures
for the entire family to partake
in: whitewater rafting, horseback
and donkey riding, mountain bik-
ing, hiking, sand boarding down
some of the highest sand dunes
in the world, dune buggy racing.”
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www.peru.travel 11
Travel agents looking to sharpen
their skills and sell more Peru
do well when they make use of
the resources and assistance provided
by PromPeru, the nation’s tourism
organization.
PromPeru aims to be a valuable re-
source for travel agents around North
America. “I’ve traveled and worked with
PromPeru on panels, and they truly do the
best job of any tourist board I can think of
in doing promotional activities,” says Beth
Jenkins, a Peru expert at McCabe World
Travel, a Virtuoso agency in McLean,
Virginia. “Th ey do marketing that other
tourist boards don’t do. Th ey have a re-
ally comprehensive online Peru specialist
program, which is really good. Even their
travel agent portal is super travel-agent-
friendly, so you can fi nd itineraries and
resources. Th ey also have travel agent in-
centives and quarterly promotions.”
HOW PROMPERU HELPS AGENTS• Destination promotion: Positive results
continue to come from the new campaign
launched last year by PromPeru. Using
the theme "Peru, Empire of Hidden Trea-
sures," the campaign focuses on cultural
richness and includes two trailers—one
of which, "Th e Beginning," is an epic cul-
tural video that showcases diff erent Pre-
Inca cultures such as the Chavin, Paracas,
Moche, Nazca, Chimu and Tiahuanaco, as
well as the Incas. Th e campaign aims to
keep Peru on travelers’ wish lists.
•Travel agent education: PromPeru
provides educational tools for travel
agents, with reliable, accurate and up-
to-date information and contacts that go
beyond the tour operator. Peru appeals
to many diff erent client types—whether
they are history and archaeology buff s,
families, adventure seekers, nature lov-
ers, urban explorers or couples seeking
romance. PromPeru assures that travel
agents have access to the knowledge they
need to sell to all of these diverse niches,
thus expanding their sales potential.
• Support through consortia: PromPeru
off ers a general program at www.perua-
gent.com with modules, webinars and
videos. Th e organization also has an ex-
clusive training program for Virtuoso
advisors, which includes modules, webi-
nars and a virtual study trip through the
Virtuoso Travel University. Th rough Sig-
nature, PromPeru operates a microsite
with information about the country, and
PromPeru also off ers a series of virtual
seminars running in the AXtraweb for
American Express agents.
• Incentives: Agents who post their sales
in the Peru Points program, available
through www.peruagent.com, are eligi-
ble to earn cash prizes every month and
travel prizes for two—a full, one-week
program including air—every quarter.
• News and assistance: Travel agents can
log onto www.peruagent.com for the lat-
est news and off ers. In addition, an en-
tire team in Peru is dedicated to helping
travel agents sell Peru successfully.
With so much assistance available—
not to mention Peru’s innate selling
points as a tourism destination—it’s no
wonder that more travel agents are sell-
ing Peru to a wider array of clients than
ever before. ■
Resources to Help Agents Sell Peru
For more information about how PromPeru can assist with your Peru sales efforts, go to www.peruagent.com.
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