National Geographic Traveler Peru

2nd edition. Photography by Vance Jacobs.

For those who dream of exploring the magnificent Pacific coast, contemplating the infinite beauty of the Andes and immersing themselves in the boundless Amazonian jungle--Peru awaits. This South American gem offers an enviable wealth of different landscapes and climates--and more than 5,000 archaeological sites hidden in the heart of its forests, mountains, and deserts. The country's natural bounty is unique and extreme, from the arid deserts on the Pacific coast to the highest navigable lake on the planet to the imposing tropical mountain ranges. Of course, no visit to Peru is complete without a stop at Machu Picchu, and this guide does not disappoint with an itinerary just for visiting this ancient wonder. But beyond those historic walls, expert National Geographic writers provide thousands of other suggestions to immerse yourself in the colonial streets of Lima, taste the regional food, and explore Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire at 11,155 (3,400 m) above sea level. In this richly illustrated guide, find excursions to rarely-visited sites including the red sand beaches of Paracas Reserve--the first UNESCO protected natural area--and insider tips on popular destinations such as Lake Titicaca and its floating villages. Plus, follow our guides through the Peruvian Amazon--the best kept secret of South America and the last virgin forests on Earth. Comprehensive, practical, and inspiring, this is the ultimate guide to well-known and hidden Peru.

For those who dream of exploring the magnificent Pacific coast, contemplating the infinite beauty of the Andes and immersing themselves in the boundless Amazonian jungle--Peru awaits. This South American gem offers an enviable wealth of different landscapes and climates--and more than 5,000 archaeological sites hidden in the heart of its forests, mountains, and deserts. The country's natural bounty is unique and extreme, from the arid deserts on the Pacific coast to the highest navigable lake on the planet to the imposing tropical mountain ranges. Of course, no visit to Peru is complete without a stop at Machu Picchu, and this guide does not disappoint with an itinerary just for visiting this ancient wonder. But beyond those historic walls, expert National Geographic writers provide thousands of other suggestions to immerse yourself in the colonial streets of Lima, taste the regional food, and explore Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire at 11,155 (3,400 m) above sea level. In this richly illustrated guide, find excursions to rarely-visited sites including the red sand beaches of Paracas Reserve--the first UNESCO protected natural area--and insider tips on popular destinations such as Lake Titicaca and its floating villages. Plus, follow our guides through the Peruvian Amazon--the best kept secret of South America and the last virgin forests on Earth. Comprehensive, practical, and inspiring, this is the ultimate guide to well-known and hidden Peru.

The world is open for travel and people are looking for new ways to experience a destination. This title makes Brazil accessible to every traveller. It provides a game plan for visitors interested in taking in the best sites around the country, with a focus on active experiences that give travellers behind-the-scenes possibilities.

Visitor information. Eating dim sum, shopping street markets, teahouses, learning fengshui from local masters, Colonial Hong Kong, Nathan Road, Stanley Village, Saikung Peninsula, Excursions off the beaten path: Mai Po Nature Preserve, Cheung Chau Island, Clear Water Bay, Guangzhou.

From bustling Zurich to the Swiss capital of Bern, from the Matterhorn in Zermatt to the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino in the south, National Geographic Traveler: Switzerland guides you to the better- and lesser-known sights of this pristine European country. In between, you'll discover the cultural and natural treasures--including hundreds of museums, architectural masterpieces, parks, and lakes--Switzerland has to offer. Among the special features of National Geographic Traveler: Switzerland are sidebars detailing experiences throughout the country, to make sure that you get to know the culture, and the people, inside and out. You can learn about Swiss watchmaking in Biel, for example, make your own Swiss chocolate at a culinary workshop, and find the best local designers' clothing in Zurich. Insider tips, in addition, provided by an array of National Geographic experts--photographers, writers, and grantees who have spent significant time in Switzerland--direct you to favorite restaurants, festivals, and other information that only locals know. Guided walks and drives are always a popular feature in our guides, and in National Geographic Traveler: Switzerland, these include a drive across the famous Great St. Bernard Pass, a hike through Appenzellerland and the Lake Constance region, and a walk from Sugiez to M tier through the countryside during grape harvest. To top it off, an extensive Travelwise section at the back of the guide provides hand-picked hotels and restaurants, tour recommendations, and a glossary that covers must-know words.

First published in the 1950s, this is a classic account of the discovery in 1911 of the lost city of Machu Picchu. In 1911 Hiram Bingham, a pre-historian with a love of exotic destinations, set out to Peru in search of the legendary city of Vilcabamba, capital city of the last Inca ruler, Manco Inca. With a combination of doggedness and good fortune he stumbled on the perfectly preserved ruins of Machu Picchu perched on a cloud-capped ledge 2000 feet above the torrent of the Urubamba River. The buildings were of white granite, exquisitely carved blocks each higher than a man. Bingham had not, as it turned out, found Vilcabamba, but he had nevertheless made an astonishing and memorable discovery, which he describes in his bestselling book LOST CITY OF THE INCAS.

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING TRAVEL MEMOIR What happens when an unadventurous adventure writer tries to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu? In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and “discovered” Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer’s perilous path in search of the truth—except he’d written about adventure far more than he’d actually lived it. In fact, he’d never even slept in a tent. Turn Right at Machu Picchu is Adams’ fascinating and funny account of his journey through some of the world’s most majestic, historic, and remote landscapes guided only by a hard-as-nails Australian survivalist and one nagging question: Just what was Machu Picchu?

Written by the founders of HoneyTrek.com, this inspiring book reveals hidden-gem destinations and insider tips for unforgettable couples travel. In these informative pages, Mike and Anne Howard--officially the World's Longest Honeymooners and founders of the acclaimed travel blog HoneyTrek--whisk you away to journeys of a lifetime. Drawing on their experience traveling together across seven continents, they curate the globe and offer tested-and-approved recommendations for intrepid couples, bringing culture, adventure, and romance to any couple--no matter their age or budget. Chapters are organized by type of destination (for example, beaches, mountains, and deserts) to help travelers discover new places and experiences based on their interests. Each entry focuses on a specific region, getting to the essence of each locale and its one-of-a-kind offerings. The authors reveal the best time to visit, the best places to stay, and recommended activities--each with their own adventure rating to illustrate level of intensity. Special features include funny and insightful stories from the Howards' own adventures, expert advice from other renowned traveling couples, and tips to increase the romance and excitement at each destination. A large map shows every location covered in the book, and each entry has a locator map depicting the city and country. Both entertaining and informative, this book is an invaluable resource and inspiration for a lifetime of travel.

Speaking at a 1913 National Geographic Society gala, Hiram Bingham III, the American explorer celebrated for finding the "lost city" of the Andes two years earlier, suggested that Machu Picchu "is an awful name, but it is well worth remembering." Millions of travelers have since followed Bingham's advice. When Bingham first encountered Machu Picchu, the site was an obscure ruin. Now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu is the focus of Peru's tourism economy. Mark Rice's history of Machu Picchu in the twentieth century—from its "discovery" to today's travel boom—reveals how Machu Picchu was transformed into both a global travel destination and a powerful symbol of the Peruvian nation. Rice shows how the growth of tourism at Machu Picchu swayed Peruvian leaders to celebrate Andean culture as compatible with their vision of a modernizing nation. Encompassing debates about nationalism, Indigenous peoples' experiences, and cultural policy—as well as development and globalization—the book explores the contradictions and ironies of Machu Picchu's transformation. On a broader level, it calls attention to the importance of tourism in the creation of national identity in Peru and Latin America as a whole.