<< Return to AdventureTravelNews - June, 2005

Beyond Machu Picchu, Explorandes Exposes Tour Operators to Hidden Perú

By Chris Doyle

Managing expectations before visiting Machu Picchu was easy. Anticipating that the site might be over-touristed and presumably over-touted in the literature I had read over the past thirty years, I simply kept my expectations low. It was then our bus snaked through the dense canopy, switchback after switchback, until Machu Picchu became visible. Drawing closer, I could barely contain my genuine excitement – the sheer beauty and mystery of this destination became incredibly clear.

Despite the many tourists, there were plenty of places to escape the hustle and bustle. Within minutes and with imagination soaring, I’d hiked to the top of Huayna Picchu, then down its North side, to “get lost.” For two hours, I passed only two other souls along the trail, making my experience at the Temple of the Moon, all the more memorable. But, I could write about that three hour (not nearly enough time) experience at that World Heritage site for days, though I’ll spare you as many of you have already experienced its breathtaking grandeur.

Instead, hidden gems of Perú that see very few visitors are often overshadowed by Machu Picchu. What struck me even more about that mid-to-late April journey to Peru (land costs sponsored by Explorandes and PromPerú), is that Machu Picchu was just one of numerous unforgettable and very diverse experiences to be had. Planes, trains and automobiles carried us for about two weeks, criss-crossing parched deserts, traversing 14,000 foot passes – occasionally requiring oxygen for its lowland passengers, mixing it up with local cultures in each new valley, experiencing local foods, and so much more.

Our group managed to visit virtually every corner of Perú. Our stops went something like this: Nazca, Ollantaytambo, Q’ente, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Chachapoyas, Carajilla, Chillo, Kuelap, Revash, Leymebamba, Cajamarca and back to Lima. Each stop brought with it extraordinarily different peoples, archaeology sites, cultural events, wildlife, vistas, foods and experiences. The quality of experience was enhanced by the Explorandes team in terms of entirely sound logistics planning (transportation, meals, museum visits, etc.), to the incredible knowledge of our guides throughout the entire journey. It all started with the Explorandes team back in Lima far before the trip started – rest assured, their success of more than 30 years and the respect they’ve garnered from the industry’s best is no mistake. Aside from a few lengthy bus rides, there were surprisingly few hiccups.

In fact, just the opposite was true. In Q’ente, between towering peaks in the Sacred Valley, Explorandes graciously greeted our group and nearly two hundred other guests – Peruvians and visitors alike – to its 30th anniversary “thanksgiving” celebration – to give back to Mother Earth.  With dramatic, comedic and musical performances from Peruvians representing so many different and rich cultures from this colorful country, the truly meaningful event was capped off with “pachamanca,” (pacha = earth and manca = pot in quechua) or traditional in-ground cooking of local vegetables, game (cuy, or guinea pigs), and much more. No celebration is complete, of course, without local spirits which were plentiful too.

What struck me most, however, is that northern Perú seemed so untapped. There were so few “foreign” visitors, it seemed we were the only visitors at many of the (fairly) recently uncovered sites (e.g., Paramonga – Chimu people, Huaca del Sol and Sipan – Moche people, and others). The much desired “untouched” feeling seemed still pervasive throughout Perú, but especially in northern Perú, and offered an exploratory-style adventure that will surely intrigue first-time visitors to South America, as well as to veterans who might not yet have seen these remote areas. Such seldom trafficked areas bodes well for visiting tour operators. Infrastructure throughout northern Perú is acceptable and improving, as there’s a dedicated effort by PromPerú, Commission for the Promotion of Perú and other tourism organizations to call more attention to the region.

One immediate benefit arising out of this exploratory trip is that Explorandes now offers a 9 day / 8 night program for Chachapoyas called The Inca Trail from Kuelap and Beyond the Chachapoyas which is very similar to the trip described above.

More information about emerging areas for adventure in Perú is available by contacting Martin Romero, Marketing for Explorandes (), or visit www.explorandes.com. The following sites also offer great detail on travel to Perú: www.peru.info, www.peruviantreasuresexplorer.net, www.perudiscover.com, and www.canaturperu.org.