Travelore Update: Peru Reopens Machu Picchu After Agreement With Protesters

Peru’s Machu Picchu, an Inca-era stone citadel nestled in its southeastern jungle, reopened on Wednesday after being closed nearly a month ago amid antigovernment protests, the culture ministry announced.

The decision was made between agreements between authorities, social groups and the local tourism industry to guarantee the security of the famed tourist attraction and transport services.

Protests calling for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte and members of Peru’s Congress have shaken the region, including Cuzco, for more than two months. The demonstrations caused a blockade of the train tracks leading to the stone citadel.

The protests have led to 60 deaths: 48 are civilians who died in clashes with the security forces; 11 civilians killed in traffic accidents related to road blockades; and one policeman who died inside a patrol car when it was set on fire, according to data from the Ombudsman’s Office.

The closure of Machu Picchu, on Jan. 21, forced the government to airlift more than 400 tourists from Machu Picchu to the city of Cusco by helicopter.

Machu Picchu was built by the Incas in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary high in Andes Mountains.

Peru Closes Machu Picchu As Anti-Government Protests Grow

Peru indefinitely shut the famed ancient ruins of Machu Picchu on Saturday in the latest sign that anti-government protests that began last month are increasingly engulfing the South American country.

The Culture Ministry said it had closed the country’s most famous tourist attraction as well as the Inca Trail leading up to the site “to protect the safety of tourists and the population in general.”

There were 417 visitors stuck at Machu Picchu and unable to get out, more than 300 of them foreigners, Tourism Minister Luis Fernando Helguero said at a news conference.

The closure of the Incan citadel that dates to the 15th century and is often referred to as one of the new seven wonders of the world comes as protesters have descended on Lima, many of them traveling to the capital from remote Andean regions, to demand the resignation of President Dina Boluarte.

Also Saturday, police raided Peru’s most important public university in Lima to evict protesters who were being housed at the campus while participating in big demonstrations. More than 100 people were detained, Interior Minister Vicente Romero said.

Until recently, the protests had been concentrated in the country’s south. They began last month after then-President Pedro Castillo, Peru’s first leader with a rural Andean background, was impeached and imprisoned for trying to dissolve Congress.

Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Boluarte, the former vice president sworn into office Dec. 7 to replace Castillo. They also want Congress dissolved and new elections held. Castillo is currently detained on charges of rebellion.

More than 55 people have died in the ensuing unrest, most recently on Friday night when a protester was killed and at least nine others injured in clashes with police in Puno. A total of 21 protesters and one police officer have died in the southern region.

On Saturday morning, police used a small tank to burst into the National University of San Marcos in the morning.

Javier Cutipa, 39, who traveled by bus from Puno, had been sleeping on the floor there since Thursday but left for breakfast right before the police arrived. He described the police action as “practically an assault,” with helicopters, tear gas and small tanks.

“This outrages us. The only thing the government is doing with these detentions is worsen tensions,” Cutipa said. He added that “when the population finds out about this they’re going to react in a more radical fashion.”

Hundreds of protesters congregated outside the law enforcement offices where the detainees were being held Saturday evening chanting “Freedom” and “We’re students, not terrorists.” More congregated at other points of downtown Lima.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights expressed “concern over the police incursion, eviction and massive detentions” at the university and urged the state to “guarantee the integrity and due process of all people.”

The university issued a news release saying the police raid took place after protesters “assaulted” security personnel.

Cusco, where Machu Picchu is located, has been the site of some of the most intense clashes, leading to significant loss of tourism revenue. The Cusco airport was briefly shut down this week after protesters tired to storm it.

Train service to Machu Picchu has been closed since Thursday due to damage to the tracks.

Some stranded tourists have chosen to leave by walking to Piscacucho, the nearest village, Helguero said, “but that involves a walk of six, seven hours or more and only a few people are able to do it.”
Tourists who had already bought tickets for Machu Picchu from Saturday until one month after whenever the protests end will be able to obtain a full refund, the Culture Ministry said.

By DANIEL POLITI

Machu Picchu Has Been Called The Wrong Name For Over 100 Years. Historians Reveal Its True Name

(CNN) — Some mistakes are hard to shake.

For over 100 years, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, Machu Picchu, has been known by the wrong name, according to a report published in Ñawpa Pacha: Journal of the Institute of Andean Studies.

The Incas who built the ancient city likely called it Huayna Picchu, the report said.

Huayna translates to "new or young," while Picchu means "mountain peak" in the Indigenous Quechua language, said Emily Dean, professor of anthropology at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. She was not involved in the report. Machu means "old," so we've been calling it old mountain peak, she added.

The Incan settlement was believed to have been built around 1420 as an estate for royal Incas living in Cuzco, the capital of the Incan empire, according to report author Brian Bauer, professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

When the Spaniards later conquered the Incas, Huayna Picchu was abandoned, the report said. It was hidden for centuries deep in the Andes mountains until American explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911.

In his field notes, Bingham decided to call the ancient city Machu Picchu, based on information provided to him by his guide Melchor Arteaga, a farmer who lived in the area, Bauer said.

During Bauer's research into Machu Picchu, he found evidence that its original name had been something else. Report author Donato Amado Gonzales -- a historian at the Ministry of Culture in Peru -- independently discovered the same pattern, so they decided to team up and unearth the real name together.

The researchers began by looking at Bingham's notes, where he stated he was uncertain of the name of the ruins when he first visited them. From there, Bauer and Amado Gonzales reviewed maps and atlases printed before and after Bingham's visit.

One of the most stunning documents was a report from 1588 stating the Indigenous people of the Vilcabamba region were considering returning to Huayna Picchu, Bauer said.

The name error isn't surprising, Dean said, because many non-Peruvian archaeologists did not put much effort into researching the names of places and didn't fully understand Quechua. "More broadly, this finding challenges the popular narrative that Hiram Bingham discovered Machu Picchu," she said. Locals knew about the site long before Bingham arrived.

A name change is unlikely
Despite the discovery of the area's original name, it's likely to remain Machu Picchu, Bauer said.

"We would not suggest that the name be changed since Machu Picchu is known worldwide," he added.

Machu Picchu is also published in thousands of books, articles, advertisements and legal documents, Dean said.

The Peruvian people and their government have embraced the new name, so while it's an interesting addition to the history of the site, it won't change the modern name, she noted.

Peru’s Machu Picchu Has Reopened After Pandemic Closure

MACHU PICCHU, Peru (AP) — Except workers repairing roads and signs, Peru’s majestic Incan citadel of Machu Picchu is eerily empty ahead of its reopening Sunday after seven months of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The long closure of Peru’s No. 1 tourist draw, which has hammered the local economy, marks the second time it has been shut down since it opened its doors to tourism in 1948. The first time was in 2010 when torrential and prolonged rains forced it to close. The stone complex built in the 15th century will receive 675 visitors a day starting November 1, the director of Machu Picchu archaeological park, José Bastante, told The Associated Press during an exclusive visit to the near-empty ruin ahead of its reopening.

“We have a limited 30% admission capacity in compliance with biosafety measures and protocols,” Bastante said while supervising final preparations to open the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is accustomed to receiving 3,000 tourists a day, though it recently passed regulations limiting visitors to 2,244 visitors a day to protect the ruins. Still a large number given experts belief that in the 15th century a maximum of 410 people lived in the citadel on the limits of the Andes mountains and the Amazon. Before entering, visitors will have their temperatures taken and will be required to wear masks and stand at least 2 meters apart. Groups, including a guide, cannot be larger than eight people, and children under 12 will not be allowed. To avoid crowding, visitors will travel on four circuits. Tour operators are offering packages costing $250 to visit Machu Picchu, which before the pandemic would have cost at least $750.

Peru’s tourism revenues have been frozen since it decreed a general lockdown March 16 to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. So far, 34,197 people have died from COVID-19 in the country. Machu Picchu is Peru’s tourism jewel and in 2018 drew 1.5 million visitors. The citadel was built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary for the Incas at an altitude of 2,490 meters (8,170 feet).

The Top UNESCO World Heritage Sites To See When Traveling To South America

Machu Picchu

The Top UNESCO World Heritage Sites to See When Traveling to South America with SouthAmerica.travel

Interested in visiting South America's most beloved World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) SouthAmerica.travel—the ultimate travel planning service specializing in handcrafted tours—provides travelers with visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites unlike any other, showcasing various cultural, historical, and unique significance of each landmark through customized tours, all tailored to fit the traveler's style, mind, and pace.

With 59 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South America, history enthusiasts are in for a treat when booking with South America.travel. From colonial Ouro Preto, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, to the ruinous San Agustín Archaeological Park in the western highlands of Colombia, below is a list of experiences showcasing South America's UNESCO World Heritage Sites guests of SouthAmerica.travel will have the opportunity to participate in:

Brazil: 

• Colonial Gems & Historic Cities in Brazil Tour – Starting in Brazil's sixth largest city, Belo Horizonte, guests will make their way to Ouro Preto, a city designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Due to its rich gold mining history and spectacular baroque architecture, guests will traverse the town's quaint streets lined with boutique shops, restaurants, art galleries, cafes and bars. The city breathes Brazil's rich Portuguese colonial heritage, and features sites such as São Francisco de Assis, a church showcasing the work of one of the country's most revered artists, Antonio Francisco Lisboa. Outside of visiting other picturesque colonial towns such as Paraty and Petropolis, travelers will make their way to one of the world's most iconic destinations, Rio de Janeiro, where they will see the emblematic "Christ the Redeemer" as well as breathtaking, panoramic views of the city from the statue's home, Corcovado Mountain.

Peru: 

• Classic Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu Tour – Adventurers can head to the Peruvian Andes where they will explore UNESCO World Heritage city, Cuzco. Cuzco houses famous landmarks including the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and the main square, Plaza de Armas. Following Cuzco, guests will take a three-hour scenic train ride to the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu – built by the Incas, the region demonstrates the power and skill of the Inca Empire – where they will enjoy a guided tour from a local expert of the ruins. Also known as "the lost city of the Incas," explorers will marvel at the well-preserved Inca stonework and ancient structures that make it one of the world's most enchanting sites.

Colombia: 

• Colombia Archaeology Tour to San Agustín Ruins – History-buffs will love visiting UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Agustín Archaeological Park, in Colombia, which is home to more than 35 statues that make up South America's largest group of religious monuments and megalithic sculptures. Within the park, visitors will travel by horseback to El Tablón and La Chaquira, which features divinities carved into a punctuated mountain face and a view of the stunning Río Magdalena. Later, relaxation awaits in the Spanish colonial town of Popayán, where travelers will enjoy thermal baths made possible by the nearby Puracé Snow Volcano. Having found zen and rejuvenation in the hot springs, guests can then ponder through a colorful indigenous market, highlighting local Guimiano culture, in nearby Silvia.

About SouthAmerica.travel
SouthAmerica.travel is a tour operator specialized in custom South America tour planning for travelers worldwide from its offices in Seattle, Lima, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Stuttgart. The website offers hundreds of sample itineraries as well as local phone numbers in 88 countries. SouthAmerica.travel offers 4-star & 5-star South America tours to Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and more. Licensed and bonded in the U.S., SouthAmerica.travel has been sharing its love of travel to South America since 1999 and is proud of its A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau and ASTA affiliation. SouthAmerica.travel - Our name is our passion™

SOURCE SouthAmerica.Travel

Cusco Beyond Machu Picchu

PHOTO: Lobby of the Palacio del Inka in Cusco, Peru. (Courtesy Libertador Hotels, Resorts & Spas)

Cusco is well known as the jumping-off point for tours to Machu Picchu, but the city itself, and its surrounding areas, have a lot more to offer travelers than just this one iconic site. Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the capital of the Tawantinsuyu Inca Empire and was developed as a complex urban center. When the Spanish invaded in the 16th century, the Inca city was preserved and baroque-style temples, monasteries and manor houses were built on top of the existing city.

Therefore, Cusco and its surrounding areas are definitely worthy of further exploration. Here are several diverse offerings for those looking to spend more time in the area.

Trekking

The Sacred Valley is a mecca for those looking to get their hike on. The options are varied from high-intensity exploration to casual, shorter walks. A unique offering is trekking with llamas, which can be arranged by Tambo del Inka and Palacio del Inka hotels through the Llama Pack Project. One of the walks begins in the gorge of Pumahuanca and lasts for approximately four hours. Another option explores the area known as Quebrada de Loros, in Urquillo. This trek is three hours long and promises views of Sawasiray and of the Urubamba Valley.

Gastronomy

The city of Cusco offers a wide range of gastronomic experiences. There is always a new restaurant or bar opening, offering a fresh take on modern and traditional cuisines. One of the most popular dining experiences is at Marcelo Batata. Chicha gives visitors the chance to experience the cuisine of one of the country’s most celebrated chefs, Gaston Acurio. Incanto offers a variety of fusion dishes with a menu that has something for the adventurous as well as the more traditional diner. Cicciolina is another of the city’s most well known establishments in the chic San Blas neighborhood, using hand-selected local ingredients, and Papacho’s and Uchu are other well known restaurants.

Organic Experiences

Continuing the culinary theme in Cusco is the farm-to-table trend which really caught on in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Tambo del Inka Luxury Collection Resort & Spa offers a culinary experience with fruits and vegetables from its own garden. The hotel, which is also one of the few LEED-certified properties in the area and operates its own train station to Machu Picchu, works on achieving sustainable practices. One of these practices is in its kitchen. The garden at Tambo del Inka grows high-quality seasonal vegetables, and offers guests a cooking station along with tables that seat up to eight people for guests who would like to harvest their own vegetables, cook and eat there, surrounded by nature.
 
Fair Trade Purchases

The farm-to-table trend is not the only movement that brings out Cusco’s local traditions. There is also an interest in making authentic purchases and promoting fair trade. For visitors who are looking for quality gifts at affordable prices in Cusco, shopping at Palacio del Inka is another way to give back to the community. When you buy there, you help Mantay, a shelter home for teenage mothers who have no one to protect them and help them raise their babies.

Girls living in Mantay facilities are encouraged to finish high school and learn some skills that allow them to support themselves. One of the skills they can learn is leatherworking, and the store features high-quality leather items made by these women, including wallets, briefcases, purses, key ring and more in the store.

For more information, visit www.libertador.com.pe.

By  JANEEN CHRISTOFF, www.travelpulse.com

Alcatraz Island Named Only US. Destination In TripAdvisor's Top 25 World Attractions For 2015

 TripAdvisor recently revealed the winners of its 2015 Travelers' Choice Awards for Landmarks for both the U.S. and the world. Number 1 on the list for the United States is Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, which ranks number 8 on the international spectrum. 

The Top Ten Landmarks in the world, according to TripAdvisor’s 2015 awards are as follows:

1.    Angkor Wat

2.    Machu Picchu

3.    Taj Mahal

4.    Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

5.    La Sagrada Familia

6.    St. Peter's Basilica

7.    Milan Cathedral

8.    Alcatraz Island

9.    Cristo Redentor

10. Golden Gate Bridge

According to TripAdvisor’s description of Alcatraz Island, “For almost 150 years, Alcatraz has given chills to the innocent and cold sweats to the guilty. Having once been a forbidding maximum-security penitentiary, Alcatraz is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area [one of America's 407 National Park sites] and is this year’s #8 Travelers’ Choice Landmark. The roster of former Alcatraz inmates includes A-list criminals such as crime boss Al Capone and kidnapper George Kelly. Though it was considered escape-proof, in 1962 the Anglin brothers and Frank Morris infamously floated away on a makeshift raft and were never seen again.”

Visit www.alcatrazcruises.com for more information about Alcatraz tours

and to purchase tickets, up to ninety days in advance

Alcatraz Cruises is the National Park Service concessioner of ferry service to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, one of America's 407 National Park sites. Alcatraz Cruises hosts nearly 1.5 million visitors annually.  Alcatraz Cruises designed, built and operates the first hybrid ferry in the United States.  The Hornblower Hybrid’s revolutionary design has reduced fuel consumption by 75% and has already begun to be implemented in other parts of the country.  For more information visit:www.alcatrazcruises.com.

TripAdvisor Shows Off The World's Most Spectacular Sights With Travelers' Choice Landmarks

TripAdvisor™, the world's largest travel site*has announced its Travellers' Choice™ awards for Landmarks. This year's awards honor more than 700 landmarks worldwide including lists for Asia, Africa, Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, the U.K., and the U.S. The annual awards are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers across the globe. Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for landmarks worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.

Angkor Wat in Cambodia topped the world list, followed by Machu Picchu in Peru and India's Taj Mahal. Southeast Asia made up six of the top ten spots on the Asia list. Travellers' Choice Landmarks also honour the top ten landmarks in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, with Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), Petronas Twin Towers, Borobudur Temple and the Singapore Flyer ranked top landmark in each country respectively.

"The Travellers' Choice Landmarks highlight some of the world's most iconic, must-see attractions that have won over the TripAdvisor community," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "Travellers can experience colourful history and culture at these award-winning sights."

Top 10 Travellers' Choice Landmarks World

1. Angkor Wat -- Siem Reap, Cambodia
2. Machu Picchu -- Machu Picchu, Peru
3. Taj Mahal -- Agra, India
4. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center -- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
5. Basilica of the Sagrada Familia -- Barcelona, Spain
6. St. Peter's Basilica -- Vatican City, Italy
7. Milan Cathedral (Duomo) -- Milan, Italy
8. Alcatraz -- San Francisco, USA
9. Corcovado -- Cristo Redentor -- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
10. Golden Gate Bridge -- San Francisco, USA

Top 10 Travellers' Choice Landmarks Asia

1. Angkor Wat -- Siem Reap, Cambodia
2. Taj Mahal -- Agra, India
3. Great Wall at Mutianyu -- Beijing, China
4. Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) -- Bangkok, Thailand
5. Petronas Twin Towers -- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
6. The Grand Palace -- Bangkok, Thailand
7. Shwedagon Pagoda -- Yangon, Myanmar
8. Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) -- Bangkok, Thailand
9. Amber Fort -- Jaipur, India
10. Fushima Inari Shrine -- Kyoto, Japan

Exploring Peru's Many Wonders & Cultures Beyond Machu Picchu

Vaya Adventures (http://www.vayaadventures.com), an expert in designing premier bespoke vacations in South America, goes off the tourist path in Peru to explore those ancient cultures and natural wonders that are much less commonly visited than Machu Picchu.

“While we tend to think of Machu Picchu as the main reason to visit Peru, anyone with a thirst for ancient cultures and wilderness will be exhilarated by what else we can show them,” says Jim Lutz, Vaya Adventuresfounder and director.  (For more details please seehttp://www.vayaadventures.com/peru-beyond-machu-picchu-pt-2/)

In southern Peru, he suggests that tours begin in Arequipa, (est.1540) in an area previously settled by the Inca. Known as the White City because it is composed of a volcanic stone with a white cast, Arequipa is Peru’s third-largest city and considered to be the most beautiful. The city is a masterpiece of colonial architecture, and its historic center has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Arequipa also has the advantage of being near to Colca Canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and surrounded by towering volcanoes and mountain peaks. Here guests may enjoy mountain biking, hiking, relaxing in hot springs, visiting Andean villages and spotting massive Andean Condors soaring overhead.  Ancient agricultural terracing stretches out as far as the eye can see, still used by the descendants of the many traditional communities that have inhabited this area for thousands of years.

On the coast to the west lies the former home of the Paracas culture, active from 800 BCE to 100 BCE, which predated and heavily influenced the better known (and nearby) Nazca culture. Here travelers can visit the Regional Museum of Ica, housing an impressive collection of locally excavated artifacts, as well as the beautiful Paracas National Reserve, the only marine reserve in Peru. For families, adventurous activities such as sand boarding and dune buggy riding are options in the massive sand dunes in and around the town of Ica and the oasis at Huacachina.

The nearby Nazca region is best known for the Nazca Lines, a series of ancient, enigmatic geoglyphs drawn in Peru’s Nazca Desert between 400 and 650 CE. The lines, which were designated as aUNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, compose hundreds of individual figures and are best seen from a flight in a small plane over the desert landscape.  The largest figures are over 600 feet across and include monkeys, hummingbirds, insects, and a variety of mysterious shapes.

For a sample itinerary covering Machu Picchu, Nazca, and Arequipa, please see:http://www.vayaadventures.com/itineraries/machu-picchu-nazca-arequipa/

Peru’s Amazon is another often overlooked destination of significant wonder. Many people think of Brazil when they consider a visit to the Amazon, but Peru offers the highest quality lodging and cruise options in the entire Amazon basin.  One of the most biologically diverse places on the planet, the Peruvian Amazon covers nearly 60 percent of the country’s territory, extending from east of the Andes to the borders of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador. The area is home to an incredible array of wildlife, from colorful orchids and butterflies to wild caiman and monkeys.

Peru’s Amazon offers a variety of travel options including a luxury cruise out of Iquitos, on the Delfin or Aqua, exploring the jungle while traveling on mighty rivers. Guests may also stay in a first class jungle lodge near Puerto Maldonado, such as Posada Amazonas or Refugio Amazonas. There are also options even farther off the beaten path, such as the remarkable Manu Wildlife Center, one of the premier wildlife viewing reserves in South America. For a sample itinerary see: http://www.vayaadventures.com/itineraries/machu-picchu-amazon-2/

These regions of Peru can be explored year round. Per person rates including lodging (double occupancy), meals, ground transportation, private guide services and entrance fees starts at around $2,900 for eight days. For more information, trip planning, availability and reservations please visit: http://www.vayaadventures.com or call 800-342-1796.

About Vaya Adventures
Jim Lutz founded Vaya Adventures in 2004 out of a desire to share his passion for South America with others. This private custom-travel company leaves no stone unturned when it comes to understanding the history and culture of the regions its guests visit, thanks to extensive first-hand research and an expansive network of contacts in each destination, including the finest private guides. Vaya Adventures emphasizes accommodations, restaurants, and neighborhoods that reflect the best of the local culture, studiously avoiding the generic, the touristy, and the corporate.  Through low-impact tourism and a sustainable supply chain, Vaya Adventures strives to create a strong positive incentive for the preservation of both historic and natural environments in South America.  Lutz is also President of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, an organization of over 40 companies working to promote conservation and sustainable tourism in the Galapagos Islands.  

Follow Vaya Adventures
Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vaya-Adventures/110245805740812
Twitter:          https://twitter.com/VayaAdventures
You Tube:     http://www.youtube.com/user/vayaadventures
Linked In:      http://www.linkedin.com/company/vaya-adventures

Ultra-Luxe $108,000 Trip Takes You To Nine Countries On A Private Jet

When choosing one exotic vacation destination is too tough, why not do them all? For $108,000 per person, luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent’s Wonders of the World by Private Jet journey spans nine countries. 

The twenty-four day trip, beginning and culminating in Miami, will run from September 17 – October 10, 2015, accommodating fifty guests. The company’s founder and CEO Geoffrey Kent will join in as host in the last leg of the trip. His passion for travel stems from growing up in Kenya, and by age sixteen he was the first person to travel by motorbike from Nairobi to Cape Town, over 5000 miles. A globetrotter at heart, Kent is excited to get to know his clients through the one-of-a-kind experiences they will share. “This is the first time we've offered this unique itinerary, featuring many of the world’s greatest wonders all in one journey,” he told Forbes.

Here’s what the agenda looks like:

After a brief stay at the Four Seasons in Miami, passengers will board Abercrombie & Kent’s chartered Icelandair Boeing BA +5.99% 757-200ER private jet, which is so luxurious, that getting there may actually be half the fun. It has lie-flat massage seats, privacy screens, social seating areas, and gourmet cuisine. But deboarding the aircraft won’t be too hard, considering the destinations.

Private Jet Interior. Photo: A&K

An In-Flight Meal. Photo: A&K

The Crew Aboard The Jet. Photo: A&K

First Stop: Peru. A private tour of the Larco Herrera Museum will kick off the adventure, followed by musical performances and private meals at iconic spaces such a the Convent of San Francisco. To close off the Peru portion of the journey, a privately chartered Hiram Bingham train will take the group to Machu Picchu.

Chile’s ever enchanting Easter Island is next up, with an itinerary including trips to the villages of Hangaroa and Orongo, where “birdman” rituals originated, and a demonstration of Haka Pei, a form of sledding. The final dinner on Easter Island will be a traditional umu “earth-cooked” meal, during which travelers will have the chance to socialize with local dignitaries.

Machu Piccu. Photo: A&K

Easter Island. Photo: A&K

In Samoa, highlights include being greeted by a dance troupe, lodging at a beach resort, partaking in various water activities, eating Polynesian meals, and touring the village of Vailima.

And what better way to ease from the shores of Samoa into Australian culture than with a dinner on Sydney Harbor? The two days in Australia that follow will feature a tour of Shark Island by private yacht, and a chartered helicopter ride to a wildlife conservation and spa that offers nature tours with kangaroos and wallabies. As for the last adventure in the land Down Under? How about a private show and dinner at the Sydney Opera House.

After crossing the equator and touching down in Cambodia, travelers will indulge in a champagne breakfast, tour Angkor Wat and a nearby Buddhist monastery, helicopter over the temple Banteay Srei, and take in a sunset cruise on Tonle Sap Lake.

Sydney. Photo: A&K

Cambodia. Photo: A&K

In India, all rooms in the Oberoi Amarvilas hotel face the Taj Mahal, of which the group will get a private tour the following day. But first, a play about Shah Jahan, builder of the iconic palace, welcomes everyone to India. After a traditional Mughal meal and Kathak dance performance, the jet takes off for the place where East and West converge: Istanbul. Private tours of the Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, and Topkapi Palace will give the lucky fifty a broad sense of Turkish culture. After two days and nights of adventure, dinner inside an Ottoman palace caps off this portion of the trip.

The Taj Mahal. Photo: A&K

Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace. Photo: A&K

The last stop on this globe trek is Morocco, where Geoffrey Kent will tag on as host. Upon landing in Rissani, a car will transport passengers through the city and into the desert, where camel rides, stargazing, and a welcoming by members of the Gnaoua tribe await. A flight to Marrakech the next day will provide the group with the shopping experience of a lifetime at Souk Smarine, and tours of the Bahia Palace and Majorelle Gardens.

Marrakech. Photo: A&K

Logistically, how does Abercrombie & Kent pull off such a full and unique itinerary? We asked Kent just that, and here’s what he had to say: “Through our deep roots and long-established relationships — we have 52 offices around the world — we can offer exclusive insider access, unique encounters and inspiring experiences not available to others. We have perfected the art of delivering unexpected luxury in even the most remote places.” And as host of the Morocco portion, Kent will have the luxury of travelling with his clients, which reflects his hands-on, highly personal approach to running the business. “Having just returned from another private jet journey around the world, I can attest to the value of being able to get to know our guests personally, and see firsthand their reactions to the experiences we arrange, hearing their opinions about the plane and the lie-flat seats, and bouncing ideas off them for future trips.”

Originally from www.forbes.com/

Follow us on Twitter: @TraveloreReport

5 Great Ways To Explore Peru, The "Land Of The Incas" In 2015

 Peru is popping up everywhere on the latest “best places to travel to in 2015” lists. According to Business Insider, Peru is one of 23 places one should visit this year, while National Geographic Traveler lists the country in its list of Top 20 destinations to visit in 2015 and the Los Angeles Times includes it on its list of 15 destinations for travelers to set their sights on in 2015. But months before these lists were created, the award-winning adventure travel company, Austin Adventures, decided to kick off the new year by dedicating the entire month of January to the “Land of the Incas.”

“We send guests all over the world, but in the past few months we’ve seen a substantial uptick in interest in our Peru packages,” said Dan Austin, President and founder of Austin Adventures (www.austinadventures.com). “And it’s not just from adult adventurers with Machu Picchu on their bucket lists. We noticed such a strong increase in demand from families with young children that we were inspired to create a new family-friendly itinerary that explores Machu Picchu from a kid’s perspective.”

“Peru Month” will run through the end of January, and one of the biggest components of the campaign will be a free webinar hosted by Dan Austin and his daughter Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations and an award-winning guide who will be returning to Peru in March to train local guides.  The webinar, “Five Ways to Do Peru” which will take place on Jan.14 at 6 p.m. EST, will give attendees a crash course on adventure travel to Peru and will highlight the differences between Austin Adventures’ distinctive itineraries that visit the country. Click HERE for more details and to register.

Austin Adventures currently offers five Peru adventure tour packages includingInca Trail Glamping—a 10-day luxury trek to “The Lost City,” Salkantay Lodge-to-Lodge—a 7-day journey that explores the “back way” of getting to Machu Picchu,Machu Picchu—a 9-day vacation package for adults that involves hiking and rafting, and an all-new Machu Picchu Familypackage that  allows families with kids as young as seven to experience the Andes mountains, Incan mummies and chocolate-making in Cusco. Finally, the company offers a 5-day Amazon River Luxury Cruise that takes travelers deep into the jungle to float the Ucayali River, fish for red-bellied piranha and even savor a 5-star Peruvian dinner.

Starting in 2016, the company will also offer the “Sacred Valley of the Incas” tour which was designed by Mountain Lodges of Peru and will allow travelers to experience the Lares Trail, an alternative to the Inca Trail. Guests will stay at brand new lodges and a deluxe base camp scheduled to open in early 2015.

The 2015 scheduled departures range in price from $3,000 to $4,800 or $444/day to $844/day, per person, double. Austin Adventures’ adventure travel consultants can also create custom trips for a variety of budgets that accommodate all ages and depart at any time.

In honor of Peru Month, the company is also sponsoring a Facebook contest where the public is encouraged to enter for a chance to win an exclusive Austin Adventures gift pack including a copy of Mark Adams’ best-selling book, Turn Right at Machu Picchu.

As of 2015, Austin Adventures takes guests to all seven continents and offers several small ship cruises in addition to its extensive lineup of traditional multisport adventures. All of the 2015 scheduled trips can be found in the Austin Adventures award-winning adventure vacation catalogs. Custom vacations can be arranged by calling (800) 575-1540 or emailinginfo@austinadventures.com.

About Austin Adventures
Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin-Lehman Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2014, Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations, was named the World’s Top Family Guide by Outside Magazine. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the Grand Canyon, including Grand Canyon Railway andThe Grand Hotel; Yellowstone; Zion; Crater Lake; Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., Windstar Cruises, and VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations.

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