| Peru is a country with a rich and varied cultural and | | | | The Peruvian jungle is some of the most unspoilt |
| architectural heritage. Facing the Pacific, it enjoys | | | | rainforest in South America and much of it is protected |
| spectacular and varied scenery, including Lake Titicaca, | | | | under international law. The only access to large |
| the world's highest navigable lake, and has a strong | | | | sections of the jungle (including the few cities) is by |
| Inca and pre-Inca heritage, which includes the famous | | | | boat or plane and so it feels very different to the rest |
| Lake Titicaca area, the Nazca Lines, and the ancient | | | | of the country - you get a real sense of arriving |
| Inca capital of Cuzco, with its Inca Trail to the lost city | | | | somewhere! The rainforest is home to a bewildering |
| of Machu Picchu. It's a fantastic place for a holiday and | | | | and spectacular array of wildlife, with more unique |
| in this article, we'll be looking at some hints and tips to | | | | species being discovered every year! |
| make sure you can get the most out of your holiday in | | | | Food and Drink |
| Peru! | | | | Peruvian cuisine is excellent and a real highlight of any |
| Language | | | | Peru holiday, with all the regions having different |
| The primary language in Peru is Spanish. This is almost | | | | specialities. Coastal dishes owe a lot to African and |
| identical to the Castilian Spanish of Madrid, albeit with | | | | Spanish influences, tending to be quite rich and often |
| slightly different pronunciation and a few vocabulary | | | | reasonably spicy. Seafood is, unsurprisingly, excellent |
| changes. In the high Andes, particularly around Cuzco | | | | and anything with chicken is usually a good bet. The |
| and Puno, many people still speak Aymara or | | | | coast is also the birthplace of the national dish: ceviche. |
| Quechua (the language of the Incas) as a first | | | | This is a selection of fish pieces marinated in lime juice |
| language, although almost all will also speak Spanish. | | | | and is absolutely stunning - we urge you to try it even |
| Some English is often spoken in areas popular with | | | | if you're not usually too keen on fish! Good chicken |
| holiday-makers and in staff of services that deal with | | | | dishes include aji de gallina - chicken in a spicy, creamy |
| international customers (eg: airports, banks, etc.) will | | | | sauce. |
| invariably speak some English. | | | | Highland dishes tend to be more simple than coastal |
| People | | | | (and especially Limeño) cuisine, concentrating on |
| Peruvians are renowned even in South America for | | | | the excellence of the ingredients, but is just as |
| their friendliness and they are always keen to engage | | | | delicious! Particular favourites include rocoto relleno |
| you in conversation. Even if they are hoping to sell you | | | | (stuffed Andean peppers). These are the size and |
| something they are still often curious to find out | | | | shape of the peppers we eat in England but have a |
| something about you and where you come from. The | | | | rather spicy edge to them. They are usually stuffed |
| British are quite popular in Peru, although we still have | | | | with small pieces of beef and vegetables, although |
| something of a 'Victorian' reputation; we are usually | | | | most places will do them with just vegetables on |
| seen as very polite and efficient but somewhat lacking | | | | request. We'd also suggest that you try an alpaca |
| in passion and, of course, quite unable to dance! The | | | | steak at least once during your holiday in Peru: it's a |
| Peruvian expression for being on time is 'A la hora | | | | kind of heavenly mix between pork and beef and has |
| ingles' (English time) and if you try and explain about | | | | to be tasted to be believed. Of course, for the |
| the current situation on British railways you are usually | | | | adventurous then nothing will do but the Arequipa |
| met with polite disbelief and an assumption that you | | | | speciality of cuy - roasted guinea pig! It's surprisingly |
| are just being kind... | | | | good so long as you can deal with the guilt... |
| Geography and Transport | | | | Rainforest cuisine features a great deal of fresh fruit - |
| Peru is split into 3 separate climatic zones: costa, sierra | | | | both on its own and as part of main dishes. An unusual |
| and selva (the coast, the mountains and the jungle). | | | | one to try is chirimoya (which you can also find in fruit |
| The character and culture of the three areas is | | | | juices and milkshakes outside the jungle). It looks a bit |
| remarkably distinct and can give your Peru holiday real | | | | like an apple but tastes like strawberries and cream! |
| variation although nowadays the country is | | | | Chicken dishes are popular in the jungle, as they are |
| inter-connected by a good road network, some | | | | elsewhere in Peru but tend to be served with yucca (a |
| amazing railway lines and excellent air services. | | | | kind of manioc) rather than the usual rice or chips. |
| The coast mainly consists of a small fertile strip along | | | | Of course, if you're on holiday in Peru then you may |
| the Pacific which merges slowly into the desert at the | | | | well be wanting a couple of beers to unwind! Peru has |
| foothills of the Andes. In the very north and south of | | | | several excellent national beers, probably the best of |
| the country it is not unknown for it not to rain for years | | | | which is Cuzqueña. All the beers are lagers but |
| at a time but complex irrigation systems (some of | | | | you can often get cerveza malta - a kind of dark, |
| which date back to Inca times) keep areas like the | | | | hoppy lager which is similar to an English Brown Ale. |
| Pisco valley surprisingly fertile. The Panamerican | | | | Peru is starting to make some good wines, particularly |
| highway travels the length of the coast, making travel | | | | reds but is not as far down the road as Chile or |
| within the coastal region both comfortable and speedy. | | | | Argentina in this respect. The country does, however, |
| The Andes range covers the entire central region of | | | | produce one of the great world brandies: Pisco. This is |
| Peru, from north to south. They offer some of the | | | | also the source for what must be one of the world's |
| most spectacular views and some of the most | | | | best cocktails: the Pisco Sour. Made from Pisco |
| interesting cultural experiences in the world. As | | | | brandy, egg-white, cane sugar syrup and limes it is a |
| mentioned above, in many areas you can still hear | | | | great aperitif, although you may find yourself drinking |
| Quechua - the language of the Incas - spoken as a | | | | more than just one... |
| first language and the spiritual ideals of Inca culture | | | | Also worth a mention is the fact that Peru is one of |
| remain strong. Today cities like Cusco combine | | | | the only countries in the world where the local soft |
| stunning Inca and colonial architecture with thoroughly | | | | drink outsells Coke! The local 'Inka-Cola' is bright green |
| modern services but just a short distance away from | | | | and very sweet but is very refreshing and 100% Real |
| the major urban areas, life carries on in a way which | | | | Peru! Apart from fizzy drinks, Peruvians love |
| would be instantly recognisable to the Incas. The | | | | milkshakes (often known as yoghurt) and all kinds of |
| Andean areas are where most travellers spend the | | | | fruit juices and these can often hit the spot when you |
| majority of their time while on holiday in Peru. | | | | fancy a break in a shady café. |