A boat ride to the Ballestas Island can be extremely rewarding for those who want to view the amazing marine life, one is most likely to spot a large variety of birds including Humboldt penguins as well as sea lions. It would be a pity to forget one’s camera while touring the small islands on a boat. Holiday packages in Southern Peru are often inclusive of boat rides to the Paracas reserve. Besides wild life, one can also view rather unique rock formations; the figure called El Candelaboro requires special mention. Paracas is an important site from the cultural point of view as well as it was the site of the Paracas culture.

While looking for holiday packages in southern Peru, keep the city of Ica in mind. Ica can be easily reached by Lima as well with a few hours via bus. A visit to Ica can be quite rewarding, it is the only place in South America where one can practice sand boarding because of the huge sand dunes surrounding the area. The only lagoon in South America is also located in the city of Ica. The Engraves Stones Museum in Ica is a must visit especially for those who like eerie things. There are some cheap hotels in Ica as well as a rather expensive resort downtown.

Nazca can be a tourist’s next stop after Ica; the two cities are a couple of hours apart. Nazca is extremely popular and famous because of the geometrical drawings on the sand which was discovered in the middle of the twentieth century. While at Naxaca, one must be careful not to get involved with the touts. The Nazca lines are spread over hundreds of kilometers between the Ingenio and NazcaRiver. These mysterious lines are over thousands of years old and its origins have led to much speculation including alien activity. Most holiday packages include flights over the region. If you are travelling on your own, it would be best to book a flight in advance especially if you are visiting it during the peak tourist season which stretches from December to March.

Machu Picchu is globally renowned as a mystery travel destination. Whether it’s the superb Inca city which was built strategically at a height of 2,450 m in Peruvian Andes, or the Urubamba valley or the Vilcanota River which flows partly and environs the Old Peak, is where the ruins are situated. For photographers, hikers, backpackers, archaeologist and families alike, Machu Picchu will be a dream destination to explore. For skilled photographers, some wonderful photos can be easily taken if the weather is nice and clear.

There is more than one way to reach Machu Pichu, one can travel by train or opt for the Inca trail trek route. There is more than one train route to Machu Pichu, one can opt for the Inca Route in which case the train departs from San Pedro station and reaches Cuzco or opt for the Ollanta route which is shorter and one has to board the train from Ollantaytambo, if you plan to spend some time in the sacred valley and then come to Machu Pichu then the Ollanta route is a better option. Two types of trains are available on both routes; the more expensive trains are more comfortable with big windows which are ideal for taking photographs of Machu Pichu as well as cheaper trains which are preferred by budget and backpackers.

The best way to reach the Machu Pichu site from Cuzco is the forty kilometer trek. The trek usually takes a minimum of two days and one night and is perhaps one of the most popular historical treks in the world. One can find plenty of guides as well as carriers for the trek. Besides the remains of the Inca architecture, the natural beauty of the place is also worth mentioning, it is a combination of both which attracts not just history buffs but all kinds of tourists to the Machu Pichu. The snow capped peaks look stunning during dawn as well as dusk and it performs the perfect mystical backdrop o the ancient Inca ruins. However, the trek is not a very easy one and it is significant to have a certain level of physical fitness to be able to do it.

Owing to the popularity of Machu Pichu, there are plenty of accommodations in Cuzco including deluxe as well as cheap hotels. Those who want a luxurious stay will not be disappointed by the deluxe hotels but those who want more affordable accommodations can opt for the bed and breakfasts in Cuzco.

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Rental Car Discount in Latin America and the Caribbean! Get up to 15% off with Europcar! – Expires – 3/31/2011

By lowering the cost of their volunteer programs by 25%, Voluntraveler hopes to attract more travelers to the remote north coast of Peru to assist with community programs.

In order to encourage more volunteer travel to Máncora in northern Peru, Voluntraveler is lowering their volunteer program fees by 25%. Voluntraveler recruits and manages volunteers for Para el Mundo (PaM) a small grassroots NGO based in Máncora that provides medical, education, and community programs that would otherwise not exist in the small coastal fishing town. The programs allow international volunteers with various abilities and skills to live with and work alongside local experts and professionals, contributing not only their time, but valuable funding through the volunteer fees.

While Peru is the most popular destination in the world for international volunteering, most of the work is concentrated around the capital city of Lima, and Cusco, the city considered the gateway to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Most public services, government funding and global attention is centred on Lima and Cusco in order to cater to tourists and sustain the country’s tourism industry. This leaves outlying areas and towns like Máncora lacking basic infrastructure and essential services.

Máncora has recently gained attention as a world-class surfing destination and is experiencing a boom in tourism, but the local community has benefited little from the influx of tourists and tourism dollars. Para el Mundo offers volunteers an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the exploited and impoverished community living in the shadow of new hotels and foreign wealth. Voluntraveler’s goal is to draw the attention of potential volunteers away from the lure of Lima and Cusco, and emphasize the need for volunteers in Mancora and their contribution to PaMs programs. Voluntraveler distinguishes itself by not offering “volunteer vacations” or catering to “voluntourists” but instead integrates volunteer travelers via PaM into the community to participate in sustainable programs managed by local experts and professionals and encouraging stays of more than 3 weeks.

With fees far lower than those charged by the larger volunteer vacation companies and providing greater local support, Voluntraveler hopes to draw more interest in Máncora from the growing number of international travelers seeking meaningful volunteer opportunities abroad or planning a trip to Peru.

For more information on Voluntraveler, Para el Mundo, or life in Máncora please contact Jason Kucherawy or visit www.voluntraveler.com.

About Voluntraveler:

Voluntraveler is a social enterprise that supports charities and non-profit organizations abroad with volunteer placement and funding. The primary charity Voluntraveler supports is Para el Mundo (PaM), located in Máncora on the north coast of Peru. The volunteer programs are all-inclusive destination packages and our “voluntravelers” work closely with local partner charities and NGOs (like PaM) and are managed by local experts and professionals.