Everywhere I look, Peru is featured in the press ready to celebrate the centenary of Hiram Bingham's discovery of Machu Picchu in 2011.
In Wanderlust's feature of 50 best trips for 2011, Peru was certainly up there in the high stakes. I would rate our Espiritu Pampa - last lost city of the Incas led by Hugh Thomson as highly as any of Wanderlust's top choices - and rightly so, places are filling fast.
In the archaeolgical world, recent excavations at the foot of Huayna Picchu has discovered a series of new storage areas and Yale University have announced they shall return thousands of archaeological pieces taken from Machu Picchu nearly a century ago - fantastic news for the centenary. Machu Picchu was officially declared one of the seven wonders of the modern world on 7th July 2007. It is rumoured that a concert at Machu Picchu will mark this anniversary, making 2011 a busy year.
The Peru News it is declared that due to the the recent documentary distributed through the National Geographic magazine, Spanish edition, there has been, and is expected to be, a massive influx of European visitors to Lambayeque, North Peru. Especially to the Lord of Sipan Royal Tombs museum which I have recently been to and found incredibly fascinating.
I am so pleased Peru is attracting so much interest and since the floods earlier this year which devistated so many homes and had a huge impact on tourism, lets see 2011 bounce back - it is and always will be a real favourite of mine!
Call me for details upon joining our group trip, or tailor-making an itinerary for a once in a lifetime trip to Peru - 01285 885 333 or email emma@steppestravel.co.uk