Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Mystical Peru …. the time to go is now……

“The world is a book, & those who do not travel read only one page” - Saint Augustine

Real travelers love South America. Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforest, Patagonian glaciers, Incan ruins, colonial towns, white-sand beaches and vertiginous nightlife: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures. It is as though the continent was built for travel; a place that excites, thrills, challenges & infuriates.

And the word is out: as far as off-the-beaten-path destinations go, Peru is as complex as its most intricate & exquisite weavings where Festivals mark ancient rites, the urban vanguard fuels innovation & nature bestows splendid diversity. An absolute experience. You just come prepared to be charmed…..

Be mindful of what you are getting into: South America can be a lifetime addiction. You would not realize this when you first hike on Andean trails & be awed by the pre-Colombian sites, but you come back for more. You will fall in love with the incredible wonders of this continent: its mist-covered peaks, thundering falls & vast rainforests. Add to this, the human-made treasures: buzzing indigenous markets, picturesque colonial towns & vibrant cityscapes. This is just the beginning, and in South America there really is no end.

From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the undulating waterways of the Amazon, South America spreads a dazzling array of natural wonders. This is a continent of lush rainforests, towering volcanoes, misty cloud forests, bone-dry deserts, red-rock canyons, ice-blue glaciers & sun-kissed beaches. As landscapes go, there aren't many other places on earth that offers so much variety.

South America's diversity doesn't end with geography. You will find colonial towns where cobblestone streets lead past gilded churches & stately plazas, little changed since the 18^th century. You can haggle over colorful textiles at indigenous markets, share meals with traditional dwellers of the rainforest & follow the pounding rhythms of Afro-Brazilian drums corps. South America is home to an astounding variety of living & ancient cultures, and experiencing it first-hand is as easy as showing up.

You can hike past ancient temples first laid down by the Incas, contemplate the awe-inspiring power of Iguazu Falls, or spend the day watching wildlife from a dugout canoe on one of the Amazon's countless igarapes (narrow waterways). You can barrel down Andean roads by mountain bike, go white-water rafting on class V rivers and surf amazing breaks off both coasts. And once you think you have experienced it all, head to the dramatic landscapes in Tierra del Fuego, go eye-to-eye with extraordinary creatures in the Galapagos, & scramble up tableland mountains in the Gran Sabana for a panorama that seems straight out of the Mesozoic era.

This is one of the world's great music destinations. Nothing compares to hearing the rhythms of Colombian Salsa, fast-stepping Brazilian Forro & Samba, Argentine Tango & Andean folk music in the place where they were born. Buenos Aires' sultry Milongas (tango clubs), Rio's simmering Garrafeiras (dance halls), Quito's Salsotecas (salsa clubs) – all great places to chase the heart of Saturday night. Yet this is only the beginning of a great musical odyssey that encompasses Peruvian Trovas, soulful Ecuadorian Passillos, whirling Venezuelan Merengue, steel-pan Guyanese Drumming, Paraguayan Harp music & more. Simply plunge in – though you might want to take a dance class along the way!

Sweat yourself dizzy on an Amazon canoe ride before ending the day caiman-watching on a black-water lagoon. Brave a white-knuckle bus ride down Peruvian slopes & be astounded by endless Andean vistas. Endure Patagonia’s wind-driven rain while chasing life affirming sunsets or simply lose yourself (and possibly your belongings) in the break-neck chaos of Buenos Aires or Salvador.

The real reward, however, is the South American spirit. It seems like the entire continent approaches life with the enthusiasm of an old-fashioned road trip: windows down & stereo blaring. There is as much music as there are adventures to be had. Samba spices up the sandy streets of Brazilian beach towns, panpipes liven Andean markets, Argentine folklorica (folk music) trickles out of truck radios in the pampas, & the jolting rhythm of cumbia makes those Andean bus rides even more absurd. South America is a continent that engulfs you & changes you – your state of mind, your outlook on life. As soon as you step foot on South American soil, the transformation begins.

And then there is mystical Peru with its glorious Inca citadel of Machu Picchu which incidently, is just a flash in a 5,000 year Peruvian history.

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Ancient Civilisation | Cultural Treasures | Captivating Landscapes

Few destinations have as much to offer visitors as Peru, an astonishingly varied country. Here, you will find panoramic mountain ranges, vast deserts, beautiful beaches & tropical jungle, not to mention fantastically rich history, archaeology, wildlife & enduring indigenous cultures.

Clinging to the Andes, between the parched coastal desert & the lush expanse of the Amazon rainforest, Peru offers such a wide range of experiences that it can be difficult to choose between them. Solemn pilgrimages honor gods both Christian & indigenous. Neon-lit discos get jam-packed with reveling youth. Ancient ruins divulge prehistoric secrets. There are museums to visit, lakes to ogle, waves to surf, labyrinthine cities to explore.   

Images of the extraordinary remains of ancient civilizations will inevitably jump to mind. The Inca stronghold Machu Picchu is one of the most famous & photogenic archaeological sites in the world and the mysterious Nazca Lines boggle the mind, but there are hundreds of similarly fascinating & even older sites to discover.

This is a country where practices run deep – 5,000 years, to be exact. Yet it is a place continuously energized by fresh influences. In Peru, you can groove to African beats, admire impressive Catholic Churches & examine indigenous Textiles inspired by pre Columbian tradition.

All are set in stunning landscapes, whether parched desert costa (coast), soaring sierra (mountains) or remote selva (rainforest) overflowing with wildlife. Such a diverse landscape generates diverse pleasures; the visitor can hike through snowy peaks one day & relax on the beach the next; paddle a dugout through lowland rainforest or hop on a traditional Tortora reed boat on some of the world's highest lakes.

There is a wealth of sports & activities on offer, from sandboarding & surfing to extreme mountain biking & rafting. Add to these medicinal hot springs, mesmeric music, well-stocked Museums, rich culture & uncommonly friendly people & you have a destination with something for everybody.

Meanwhile, prepare to send your vision (and camera) into overdrive. Peru is home to snow-capped mountains, giant sand dunes, flocks of brightly hued tropical birds, postcard-perfect volcanoes & rocky Pacific outcroppings inhabited by argumentative sea lions.

And let us not forget the food - a bounty of sublime concoctions made from ingredients native & contemporary. Ceviche with slivers of fiery chili & corn, slow-simmered stews, velvety Amazonian chocolate – in the capital of Latin American cooking, the choices dazzle. You will need weeks to savor the vast selection of delicacies: from rare strains of potato to guinea pig to succulent ocean mollusks. Explore the bounty of food markets. Sample grilled Anticuchos (beef skewers) on the street corners and splurge a little on exquisite Novoandina (Peruvian nouvelle cuisine).

Peru's rich cultural heritage is never more real and visceral than when you are immersed street-side in the swirling madness of a festival. Deities of old are reincarnated as Christian saints, pilgrims climb mountains in the dead of night & Icons are paraded through crowded plazas as once were the Mummies of Inca rulers. History is potent here and still pulsing, and there is no better way to experience it.

Welcome to a place of mythical beliefs where ancient pageants unwind to the tune of booming brass bands. Peru – it is going to be one tasty trip. A unique experience is just the beginning. Take the plunge now & Yep ……the Incas are waiting, & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

Come…be inspired & discover the World….

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Peru. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences….