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Peru presents a whole new world of potential in special interest travel: for museum members, academic institutions, conservation clubs, and yes, groups of friends who like sharing exceptional experiences.
Culture buffs will thrill to the majesty of ancient sites, the arts of ancient weaving and colonial painting, and the vibrant traditions of regional festivals. The great outdoors welcomes the ardent birdwatcher and the orchid fancier, while adventure calls to those who want to raft on the Urubamba River, hike along the Inca Trail, bike in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and trek along Andean trails around Huarez or Chachapoyas.
Archaeology
Peru is, simply put, a country of superlatives, but the superstar attractions are undoubtedly the former Incan capital of Cusco and the awesome “lost city” of Machu Picchu, tucked away in the folds of the Andes Mountains. The Incas might have been relative latecomers to Peru, but their early civilizations thrived along the arid Pacific coast, where they etched mysterious lines and gigantic figures across the Nasca plains.
 For travelers who want to start their archaeological exploration of the country at enigmatic Machu Picchu, consider a 3-day stay at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, where clients will have the opportunity to catch an early morning bus ride to this site to watch the sunrise. Also included in the stay is a visit to the Casa del Te (Tea House), where guests can participate in processing tea grown right on the hotel grounds. There’s also an Orchid Walk as well as a walk through the cloud forest for silent contemplation.
Some of the oldest treasures are found along the Pacific in the lesser traveled north. In this corner of the country, travelers can feast their eyes on remnants of great cultures such as the Moche, Sican, Chimu and Inca. You can overnight in Lima, fly to Trujillo and explore the nearby ruins of Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the world, as well as the huge Moche pyramids, the Huaca del Sol and the Huaca de la Luna. Stop off in Chiclayo to visit the nearby Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan and the mysterious pyramids of Tucume.
Then travel overland to Cajamarca, whose thermal waters of the Inca Baths were a favorite of Atahualpa, the last true Incan ruler. Among the other attractions in and around the city are the cathedral and cliffside pre-Incan cemeteries, marked with petroglyphs and carvings. End your trip in Lima with a walking city tour including a stop at the Gold Museum.
Birdwatching
Peru is a Shangri-La destination for bird-lovers. And why not? With more bird species than all of North America and Europe combined; with some 2,000 species of endemic and migratory birds identified throughout the country, avian aficionados can expect a dazzling trip.
Trek into spell-binding southeastern Peru, generally acknowledged as the most species-rich birding region on earth. The Manu Biosphere Reserve is believed to have the highest concentration of birdlife on the planet. The area boasts more than 1,000 species, including the cock-of-the-rock, quetzal, toucanets, tanagers, and seven species of macaws.
Cuisine
Anyone who has been to Peru can vouch for its superlative cuisine. Sophisticated restaurants reflect the diversity of a nation that has blended its native traditions with the cuisines of Europe, the Middle East, China and Japan. The result: unique flavors that make Peruvian cuisine one of the tastiest and varied in the world, blending traditional ingredients and recipes with haute cuisine techniques.
Start your tour in Lima, where you can learn the basics of Peruvian cooking with chefs at Le Cordon Bleu Peru school and restaurant. Spend a day with Luis Armando La Rosa, the first chef to introduce Nova Andina (nouvelle Andean cuisine) cooking. A dining highlight could include a 10-course “Menu de Degustacion,” prepared especially by Gaston at the renowned Astrid and Gaston restaurant.
Wings and Rails
What could be more interesting than a chance to see Peru on a private jet journey? Some features, like the famous Nasca lines, can only be appreciated from the air. A bird’s eye view of the Sacred Valley can be breathtaking, and what better way to discover the Lost City of the Incas? The more adventurous may want to charter a plane as their preferred way to see the country. If planes aren’t your style, you might opt to enjoy a scenic train ride through the Andes from Ollyantatambo to Machu Picchu.
Whatever your travel taste, Peru will offer you experiences to last a lifetime.
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