Gap Year Expedition - Peru

Programme Location
Peru in South America is a fascinating country. Geographically, Peru encompasses an arid coastal desert, the rugged snow-capped peaks of the Andes, and steamy rainforests that form part of the vast Amazon basin. Historically, the region has seen the development of cultures such as the Incas whose legacies remain to mystify travelers and archaeologists to this day. The Inca culture was the last to arise in Peru before the arrival of adventurers from overseas.

Peru is a country rich in history - from the mysteries of the early civilizations; the powerful empire of the ingenious Inca; to the colonial days under Spanish rule - all have left their legacy on the country. For many though the highlight is a 4-day Inca trail trek to Machu Picchu - lost city of the Incas high in the Andes. You will walk in the footsteps of the Incas on your pilgrimage!

Cusco
This is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent and is now an important link in the South American travel network. Its legacy as the hub of the Inca Empire is readily apparent: Most of the city streets are lined with Inca-built stonewalls and crowded with Quecha-speaking descendants of the Incas. The city has magnificent repositories of colonial art such as the cathedral (begun in 1559) and La Merced Church. There are also the Coricancha ruins, east of the city centre.

Machu Picchu
This is a mysterious place built in a staggering landscape for reasons forgotten with the passing of the Inca Empire. It is believed to have been constructed by the great ruler Pachacuti around the middle of the 15th century. The Spanish conquistadors never found the site, probably because it was abandoned before the conquest. Because the Incas left no written records, historians can only speculate on the purpose of Machu Picchu. Some believe that the dramatic location may have held geographical or astronomical significance to the Incas.

Lake Titicaca
The lake is over 170 kilometers long and lies almost 4000 meters above sea level. The sun shines brightly through the thin air at this altitude and the lake appears to be a deep blue. The Titicaca area is steeped in tradition and folklore and is the center of Inca creation legends. One Inca myth tells how the god Viracocha created the sun and moon at Titicaca before fashioning humans from stone

Arequipa
The city is located at a height of 2325 m in the Desert Mountains of the Andes. This beautiful city is built out of sillar, a kind of white volcanic stone. This is why Arequipa is called the white city. With its one million inhabitants, it is the second biggest city of Peru. The main square, the Plaza de Armas is the most beautiful of the country. The city is a resting place before going to the Colca Cañon, the deepest valley in the world and home for the famous condor.

The Nazca Lines
An elevated plateau called the Nazca Pampa is covered by these mysterious markings. From the air we can wonder at a multitude of long straight lines, geometric shapes and outlines of animals and birds that have been marked into the dry, stony ground.

Removing the top layer of dark stones from the ground made most markings. The longest straight lines run for several kilometers while most of the animal drawings are around 100 - 200 meters across. Why these designs were made is an enduring mystery, particularly since they can only been seen properly from the air.