Peru is a fascinating country because of its history, culture, and its marvelous landscape. You can wander around colonial cities, which have preserved the legacy of the Spanish conquistadors or you can visit the ancient INCA capital Cusco, as well as explore the lost city of Machupicchu.
Peru has some of the most spectacular and varied scenery in South America. The Peruvian Andes are the most beautiful on the continent and the mountains are home to millions of highland natives who still speak the ancient language Quechua and maintain a traditional way of life. The Amazon which occupies half of Peru is one of the world's top 10 biodiversity "hot spots", a species- rich area of tropical rainforest that will make your head spin when you start to learn about its ecology. The coastal deserts are beautiful with huge rolling dunes, farmland oases and fishing villages.
The citizens from the following areas will be issued a visa (30-90 days, usually 90) on arrival: North and South American, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and India. If in doubt, check in the nearest Peruvian consulate. Upon entering Peru, travelers must fill- out a double entry form. The original stays with immigration. The duplicate is given to the visitors and must be surrendered upon leaving. Do not lose it. It costs US$5 to replace.

Healh and Vaccination:
Before traveling to Peru especially if you want to go to the jungle, you must get a yellow fever vaccination, obtain adequate health insurance and consult your doctor about the necessary immunization regions in the Peruvian jungle. In the Manu, Tambopata, Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado area you should consider taking anti-malarial pills and a yellow fever shot is mandatory. Again, consult your personal physician. Cholera vaccinations are not necessary. Most cities have doctors who speak English and other European languages. There are also, many private clinics. Before your arrival, SUNRISE EXPEDITIONS needs to know about any medical restrictions or medications you may need. Travelers with bad heart conditions, respiratory problems or high blood pressure must consult their doctors before traveling, as the city of Cusco is situated at an altitude over 3,400 meters above sea level. We recommend that each traveler bring their own basic medical kit.

ABOUT CUSCO
Cusco, sacred city and the capitol of the Inca Empire was the government center of the four big administrative regions named Tahuantinsuyo. This fabulous empire extended to a great part of what today is Ecuador, Colombia, Perú, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile. The Inca Empire was a very well structured society. It stands out for having a great knowledge in architecture, hydraulic engineering, medicine and agriculture.

Population:
The population in Cusco city by the beginning of the XXI century is projected to be 300,000 inhabitants. The annual growth rate is approximately 4%. In 1821 after 3 centuries of Spanish colonial administration, this city had about 40,000 people. In the Tawantinsuyo's apogee it should had between 225 to 300 thousand inhabitants.

Altitude:
The altitude is 3,400 meters above sea level (11,150 feet). Some persons not used to the high altitude get problems as a consequence of the oxygen scarcity. Is necessary to be one day at least in city before to make trekking. The latitude is 13° 30' 45" it indicates that we should have a tropical or equatorial weather, but it is not like that. Sometimes  Cusco is cooler because of its high altitude. The Longitude is 71° 58' 33". We are 5 hours later than the Greenwich Mean Time.

Temperature:
It is relatively cool. The annual average in the city is between 10.3° to 11.3° Celsius (50.54° to 52.34° Fahrenheit). Over here there is some uniformity in temperature between summer and winter. Normally it is somewhat cold at nighttime and during the first hours in the early morning while that at midday temperature increases considerably. During the early mornings in June and July temperature frequently drops to 5° and 7°C below zero (23° and 19.4°F). There are just 2 well-defined seasons: a dry season and another rainy one. The dry season is from May to October and the rainy season from November to April.