THE PACIFIC COASTPeru has over 2,680 kms of coast on the Pacific Ocean. Lima, the capital city, is the country's commercial and cultural center. The city is located on the central coast in the Rimac valley. In the Lurin Valley south of Lima is the archaeological zone of Pachacamac, with its temples to the Sun and Moon. Trujillo, with its marked colonial architecture is near Chan Chan, the largest adobe citadel in the world. The warm city of Piura has romantic beaches like Paita and Col·n, the northern coast is endowed with beaches on which the most perfect, even waves break. It also has areas for off-shore fishing and underwater hunting, like Cabo Blanco, home to Merlin and other species, and scenes that inspired Ernest Hemingway to write The Old Man and the Sea.
- Activities:
- Surfing, swimming, archeology, fishing, sea diving, shaman healers.
- Minimum stay:
- One day at any beach.
- Tourist services:
- Transport, instructors for the different activities, organized tours and equipment rental.
- Season/ Climate:
- Sunny year round in the north, cloudy May trough October in Lima.
THE LORD OF SIPAN AND THE VALLEY OF THE PYRAMIDS
Lord of Sipan, "King Tutankamon of the Americas", is the most spectacular tomb discovered in the western hemisphere. Four tombs have been found in Sipan's Huaca Rajada, near the coastal city of Chiclayo. The Huaca is a mausoleum built by the Moche culture that ruled the northern coast of Peru from the time of Christ to 700 AD, centuries prior to the Incas. Sipan's treasures show us the Moche Culture's ability with several metals; gold, silver, copper and precious stones in fine quality and mastery in metallurgy unrivaled in the Americas: masks, necklaces, earrings and other elaborate jewelry. The Moche treasures are exhibited in the Bruning Museum in the City of Lambayeque. The city also has a fascinating herb market, with all the natural remedies used by the region's traditional healers. Sipan and Tucume both have site museums.
- Activities:
- Archeology, bird watching, traditional healers, surfing.
- Minimum stay:
- Two days to see Sipan Tucume and the Bruning Museum.
- Season/ Climate:
- Warm year-round, highest temperatures from December through March.
THE NASCA LINES AND THE PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE
Located on a wide, arid plain near the coastal city of Nasca, the lines are one of the greatest mysteries known to man: a mosaic of gigantic stylized figures. A monkey, a fish, a spider and a hummingbird are among the many drawings and geometric figures visible only from the air. Flying over the plains in a small plane is an unforgettable experience.
Excursions by boat and glider are also available from Paracas, a paradise for animal and bird watchers, to the Ballestas Islands for a close view of sea lions, penguins, dolphins and even andean condors. The Paracas Reserve also has beautiful beaches, plains and cliffs for swimming and relaxation.
- Activities:
- Archeology, observation of animals, surfing, wind surfing, sports fishing, diving and overlanding.
- Tourist services:
- Flights over the lines ( from Nasca, Ica, or Lima). Land and sea transport to the Paracas Reserve and guided tours. Sea transport to the Ballestas islands.
- Season/Climate:
- Warm and dry year-round. No rain.
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This page was last updated on January 14, 2005
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