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Northern Peru: Mountains and the Ocean on a Road Less Traveled!
Northern Peru could be thought of as a road less traveled. This is a vacation for adventure hunters who don't necessarily seek all the accoutrements of the modern world. This is an area full of rich archeological treasures, vast mountain peaks, and coastal shoreline that will make any sun worshipper happy. Outdoor enthusiasts can spend a month of Sundays and not begin to get through all the active possibilities. A day's itinerary in Northern Peru can include hiking, swimming, surfing, fishing, parasailing, windsurfing, beach activities, nature study, and just about anything else you can imagine!
People researching Peru as a vacation destination have obviously heard of Machu Pichu and the Inca Empire. But Northern Peru has its fair share of outstanding archeological sights, including Kuelap, a titanic set of ruins that predates the Incas. Located northeast of Cajamarca near the small town of Chachapoyas, and discovered in the mid-19th century, the site is said to have used more stone during its 200-year construction than even the Great Pyramids of Egypt! A fortress complex of nearly 400 buildings, most of them round, and surrounded by a 30m-high defensive wall, Kuelap was home to 2,000 people from A.D. 1100 to 1300. Very little is known about its builders and inhabitants.
Another archeological sight worth visiting is Chan Chan, one of the most important sights in all of Peru. Located near the city of Trujillo, Chan Chan is an enormous adobe city that served as the capital of the Chimu empire, which stretched some 600 miles along the northern coast of Peru from Lima to the Ecuadorian border. First excavated in the mid-1960s, the crumbling mud city was once home to perhaps as many 60,000 inhabitants. The structures on the sight include a maze of living quarters, thick defensive walls, ramps, plazas, workshops, warehouses, narrow streets, a huge reservoir, a royal cemetery, and pyramidal temples.
The beaches of Northern Peru have few rivals. Whether you are looking to enjoy a good book while working on your tan, or shred the local waves, all beach lovers will find a favorite place to play. Mancora Beach is particularly popular with the surfing set, having hosted a number of championship events. The waves are strong, particularly between November to January, making this beach good for surfing and windsurfing, but swimmers should look elsewhere. If a calm dip in the sun appeals to you, head to nearby Las Pocitas, a rock outcropping near Mancora Beach. Natural pools have formed among the stones, making this a perfect place for a leisurely swim. You arrive at lovely Cabo Blanco Beach as you twist through a detour that winds though a set of caves. The view of the Pacific Ocean is stunning as you appear through the opening. This is another spot with surfers. Those looking for fun without the wind will want to visit nearby Restin Beach, a small, picturesque plot of sand in a protected cove.
Northern Peru is also a sports fishing paradise. The waters off of the western coast have been famous with anglers for decades. Ernest Hemmingway was a frequent visitor to Peruvian waters; he was inspired here to write his great masterpiece The Old Man and the Sea. Fishing is one of the most important industries in Peru due to the variety of species in its rich fishing grounds. Tuna, drums, flounder, Pacific croaker, grunt, sea bass and even black marlin are some of the attractions for deep sea fishing. Peru still holds the current world record for black marlin-1560 lbs!
Northern Peru has everything one could ask for in an adventurous vacation. Don your scuba gear and hop in waters teeming with more species of fish than in the Caribbean. Take a hike in the Cordillera Blanca, the world's highest tropical mountain range. Try your hand at hang gliding or parasailing. If you like the idea of being one of the only ones communing with Mother Nature, then a vacation in Northern Peru may be just the ticket!
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Charming Penthouse, Oceanfront — Property 265883
- Apartment
- 4 bedrooms , sleeps 8
- 1 bathroom
- 4 half bathroom
- beach, town
- daily maid service
- Rates (shown in USD)
- $1050 per property per week
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Luxury Living in Miraflores
Luxury Penthouse with fabulous private roof top terrace and front ocean views — Property 403597
- Apartment
- 4 bedrooms , sleeps 7
- 3 bathrooms
- 1 half bathroom
- beach, waterfront
- daily maid service
- Rates (shown in USD)
- $1050 - $1400 per property per week
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