Forget roughing it with backpacks and hostels to visit the Inca ruins in Machu Picchu. You can enjoy this destination hotspot with every bit of luxury you would expect from a European vacation while taking in all that Peru has to offer.
When planning your next vacation, instead of looking over the pond to Europe why not look south -- past the Caribbean -- to South America? In Peru you can also live the life of luxury while experiencing culture, history, adventure and food.
With a population of nearly 30 million, Peru has thriving cities in Lima and Cusco, friendly people and what seems to be endless beauty, Peru has made its way to the top of our list of favourite places and it will surely be on yours, too.
A couple of points to know before leaving for Peru
Pace yourself -- the altitude changes can make you feel nauseous and tired, give you headaches, and greatly influence the way alcohol effects your body. Coca tea, made from the leaves of a coca plant, is the local cure. The delicious drink will give you the boost of energy you require. Secondly, Peru has an abundance of potatoes and corn -- over 4,000 varieties of potatoes and 400 varieties of corn -- so leave your low-carb diet at home and indulge.
Getting there
Begin your trip to Peru (or any South American country) by flying in the most civilized way possible -- with LAN airlines in business class. LAN offers plenty of flights from Toronto to Lima via JFK (for all you fashionistas looking for a NYC weekend jaunt, LAN is a great new option to get there in class). About an 8-hour flight away from NYC, Peru is just as easy to get to as Europe. And this isn't your typical business class accommodation with wider seats and a few extra inches of legroom. The roomy seats can be moved to more comfortable positions at the touch of a button, from leaning back, to stretching out your legs, to fully flat for a good night's rest. If only all flights could be this good. LAN also provides about 20 flights per day from Lima to Cusco (where you'll need to go en route to Machu Picchu). From Cusco you can take a train through the mountains into the town of Machu Picchu; visit PeruRail.com for tickets.
Where to stay in Machu Picchu
Considering you're surrounded by the Andes (the second largest mountain range in the world) and the only way into town is via train, luxury could, understandably, be hard to come by. Not so with the SUMAQ Machu Pichu Hotel. Once you've finally made it to the small town of Machu Picchu, you can rest at the only 5-star hotel in the area, bypassing the hostels and tents. The SUMAQ Machu Picchu Hotel is nestled into the edge of a mountain with stunning river and mountain views from nearly every room. Dressed in warm hues of beige, orange and reds, each room is the ultimate in luxury, with plush beds, modern rain showers and beautiful terraced balconies gazing over the river, all with traditional Inca decorations and influences. With an on-site spa that gives deep, relaxing massages, and the opulent dining experience at Qunuq, the hotel restaurant (with famous Peruvian chef Rafael Piqueras), you just might not want to leave. Fusing traditional Andean cuisine with a contemporary feel, Piqueras gives native ingredients like pumpkin, trout and alpaca (yes, alpaca -- trust us, it's delicious) a haute dining experience worthy of a luxury trip.
What to do in Machu Picchu and Cusco on the next page ...
Image courtesy of the SUMAQ Machu PIcchu Hotel
Looking for a taste of Peru in Toronto? Check out the Babaluu Supper Club in Yorkville for their authentic South American fare.
