Welcome to...
… one of world’s driest deserts, highest mountain ranges, remotest rainforests, most famous cultures, most dramatic histories and new wonders! Peru is a haven for every traveller, whether you like culture, adventure, history, outdoor sports, or just a little bit of everything. A land of amazing varieties, an unforgettable experience.
Our goal? To share our love for Peru with you. To help you explore this fascinating country. And to do that in a personal way. Service is very important, and not necessarily expensive. We want our clients to have a dream come true, whatever the budget is!
Please have a look at our selection of Peru’s attractions. See also the site of our travel agency: www.mundoantiguotours.com.

A beautiful flight (or an exhausting bus ride) will take you from Lima to the heart of the Andes and of one of world's greatest cultures. But Cusco, meaning ‘navel of the world’, in the native language Quechua, is not only the old capital of the Incas. It’s a fascinating mixture of indigenous and western culture. The beautiful colonial centre, with the 16th century churches built on the ruins of Inca palaces, still reminds us of a dramatic twist in history.
There are two ways to discover Cusco: in the classic City Tour, or in our specially developed 'Cusco de los Cusqueños' Tour. Cusco is also the place for those interested in our special workshops, Spanish classes, or in doing volunteer work.

Close to Cusco lies the lovely Sacred Valley of the Incas. Those in for some action will love the green mountains, the fast running river and the snow covered mountain peaks. Whether you like hiking, mountain biking, white water rafting, horse back riding or paragliding: you'll have your fun!
But the Sacred Valley is first of all famous for its charming villages with colourful markets and impressive Inca ruins. Time seems to have stood still as you find yourself in another world just outside of Cusco. Indigenous women sell all kinds of exotic fruits, self-woven cloths and artefacts; while an elder couple sits in the warmth of the sun, contemplating about times long passed.
You can discover the Sacred Valley in our Sacred Valley Tour, in which we visit Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chincheros. Other places worth visiting are the salt mines of Maras, the Inca agricultural laboratory of Moray, and the 'forgotten' ruins of Puma Marca.

Rediscovered in 1911 and chosen 'new world wonder' in 2007, Machu Picchu is without any doubt the most famous and most stunning archaeological site of the Americas. Rising up high above the wild Urubamba River, the peak of Wayna Picchu often surrounded by mystical clouds, this 'citadel' amazes every visitor. Much is said and written about Machu Picchu, but its construction date and purpose are still riddles.
The Inca Trail, probably - and with reason - world's most famous trail, leads over high mountains and through upper rainforest to Machu Picchu. This trail formed part of an extensive network of trails named Qhapaq Ñan, about 23000 kilometres throughout Tahuantinsuyo, the Inca-empire covering most of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia; and parts of Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Chasquis, special runners using these trails, could deliver messages from Quito to Cusco (a distance of 1980 kilometres) in 5 days!
Please keep in mind that you have to reserve the Inca Trail a long time in advance, because of strict entrance regulations. We advise you to reserve the trail at least 4 months in advance! There are several alternatives for those who prefer less tourist routes: for example the just as beautiful Salkantay Trek. You can also reach Machu Picchu by train - or cheaper but less comfortable - by car.

For those wanting to avoid crowds of tourists, the region of Cusco still offers a lot of possibilities. For example the 4- or 5-day trek to Choquequirao, another 'lost' Inca city, still unknown to most travellers; or the Vilcabamba region, where the Incas, after their disastrous rebellion against the Spaniards in 1537, started a new, hidden kingdom that survived for more than 30 years.
Just want to relax a couple of days in a beautiful nature? Visit our hacienda, on a 47-hectares private terrain, just a 1-hour drive from Cusco where you can camp, fish, enjoy traditional Peruvian food and our workshops. And what do you think of relaxing a couple of days in the hot springs of Lares?!

Travelling trough South-Peru, you'll have the feeling that you're visiting several continents instead of just a part of a country. East of the impressive Andes you'll find the western part of the Amazon Rain-forest. Manu National Park is the place with the most bird species in the world. Other, cheaper alternatives to visit the rainforest, are Iquitos in North-Peru and Rurrenabaque in Bolivia.
In the west, between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, tourists visit the huge desert to see the famous Nazca lines, sand board near the oasis of Ica, see penguins near Pisco and of course to visit Lima.
High above the waters of the Pacific, on the border of Peru and Bolivia lay the world's highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca (3800 metres). Here you'll find the floating islands of Uros, and the islands of Taquile and Amantaní. The habitants of these islands still live in a traditional environment without luxuries such as electricity.
Arequipa is a friendly and prosperous university city. You should visit the impressive Monasterio de Santa Catalina. Several volcanos look out over the biggest city of South-Peru. El Misti (5825 metres) and Chachani (6075) can be climbed. Travellers often visit the Colca Canyon, said to be deeper than the Grand Canyon. In an amazing 2-days, you can hike down to the canyon-river and climb up again. Also, this is the best place to spot condors. With a maximum height of 1.10 meters and a span wide of 3.30 meters, the condor is the world's largest flying bird!

Many tourists and travel agencies have forgotten the northern part of Peru. A shame, because it's definitely worth a visit.
At 200 kilometres north of Lima, archaeologists discovered Caral, the oldest city of the Americas. They prooved that in America there had been a highly developed culture around 2500 BC. That's as old as the Egyptian cultures, and 1500 years older than first thought!
The region of Huaraz is the world's highest area apart from the Himalayas, and an absolute haven for outdoor sportsmen!
Near Trujillo you'll find the world's largest adobe city, Chan Chan, made by the Chimú culture, later overthrown by the Inca's. Possibly 60000 persons lived in this still impressive city of 20 square kilometres made out of mud.
Ten minutes away from Chan Chan you'll enjoy the beach of Huanchaco, where fishermen still use boats of tortora reed, as did the Chimú. Another beach you'll enjoy is that of Máncora, close to the border of Ecuador. Learn how to surf, while dolphins are playing around you! Don't forget though, to visit Chiclayo and Cajamarca first. Close to Chiclayo archaeologists found what was named the 'Lord of Sipán', the tomb of a Moche ruler, buried with his servants around 250 AD. The discovery was world news in 1987. At a 20 minutes drive from Chiclayo, in Lambayeque, two first-class museums will tell you everything about the Moches. After another 15 minutes drive you wander through the pyramid-constructions of Túcume. Building of this widespread complex started around 1000 AD, and the complex was still in use in the era of the Incas.
Cajamarca, a small, quiet town in the highlands, is the place where the Spanish discoverer Francisco Pizarro captured Inca-ruler Atahualpa. You can still visit the 'Cuarto del Rescate', the room of 88 cubic metres that Atahualpa promised to fill one time with gold and two times with silver in exchange for his release. Also, starting from Cajamarca you can visit the fortified city of Kuelap, a reminder of the Chachapoyas. The Incas overthrew this culture, like the Chimú, around 1470. Far to the northeast, Iquitos might be world's largest city that isn't reachable over land. A nice alternative to the expensive National Park of Manu!

Just south of Puno, Bolivia awaits you to discover its beauty. La Paz, at an altitude of around 4000 metres is a fascinating site, with the slums looking over the rich city centre in the valley. Two of our favourite tours begin here. Bike 67 kilometres down from 4700 metres to 1200 on the world's deadliest road. Starting from the misty high Andes, through waterfalls, landslides and awesome scenery, bumping from rock to rock you'll finally reach the subtropical village of Coroico. From there you can go by bus to the rainforest near Rurrenabaque, a cheap and beautiful alternative to Manú. Most travellers prefer to fly from La Paz though, because of the tricky roads, and because it's probably the most beautiful flight you'll ever have. Scenery of snow covered Andes-peaks, followed by the green rainforest with a brown river below you.
Everyone should visit the salt flat of Uyuni. On an altitude of 3700 metres this 12000 square kilometres salt lake is one of the most impressive sites in South-America. The 3-day tour by four-wheeled drive is beautiful, with the lake followed up by desert with beautiful coloured lagoons filled with flamingos and impressive geysers.
No less impressive: the city of Potosí. In the 16th century the world's biggest silver mine was discovered here. Europe's economy was based for a long time on the silver from Potosí; the city grew to an enormous splendour and it was around the year 1625 with 160000 inhabitants that it was the world's largest.
Because of its beautiful colonial centre Potosí has been declared as World Heritage. But the history as well has its dark side: thousands and thousands of slaves died in 'Cerro Rico'. Visit the mine as the sad story continues until today: almost every week deadly incidents take place, as miners risk their lives for 3 dollars per day. Life expectancy for those working in the worst parts is less then 10 years.
Not nice at all, but sometimes it's good to see a different world.