THE AMAZING
AMAZON
Often overlooked on the tourist trail, Peruvian
Amazonia is arguably the country’s most
fascinating natural wonder. The sights and
sounds ambush the senses, fostering a
palpable excitement as scarlet macaws light
up the sky, sacred pink river dolphins splash
through fast-flowing waters, caimans prowl on
the riverbanks and sloths and monkeys watch
the action from overhead.
The best wildlife encounters are found deep
within Amazonia, far from the footprints of
humans, and require time and an adventurous
spirit to explore. While river cruises can safely
shuttle your family through this region in style,
eco-lodges near Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado
may offer a better experience to Amazonia first-
timers. Fishing for piranhas? Climbing up into a
jungle canopy? Waking up to a cacophony of wild
animal calls? This is a kid’s dream come true.
THE PERUVIAN
GALAPAGOS
As far back as the 1940s, Paracas — some
150 miles south of Lima — was branded as
the “Hamptons of Peru,” a place where Lima’s
socialites gathered to escape the bustle of
the capital. Nowadays, the beachfront city
maintains its importance in Limeño society,
but also serves as the gateway to one of Peru’s
hidden gems.
We’re talking about Islas Ballestas,
affectionately known as the Peruvian
Galapagos, just a 30-minute boat ride off the
coast. This rocky island teems with Humboldt
penguins, sea lions and blue-footed boobies.
Once back on land, you and your family hit
the coastal sand dunes, driving over them in a
4x4 or sliding down them on a sandboard. For
a unique experience, board a small Cessna
plane and fly deeper into the desert, where
you’ll glide over the mysterious and mind-
boggling Nazca Lines, thought to be a pre-
Inca astronomical calendar.
Sea lions on Islas Ballestas
CO N TAC T US TO DAY TO R E CEIVE YO U R FR EE VI P AM EN I T I E S | 5 5