|
Peru Description: Peru's native religious fiestas act as a fascinating window into both contemporary Andean culture and ancient traditions. Wildland Adventures has a tour that focuses on the Festival of the Virgin of Carmen, one of the most colorful and authentic fetes in the Americas. To get there, visitors trek through beautiful Andean mountains and valleys. They encounter native Quechua and local dance troupes on their way to the festival. The festival itself consists of days of dance, music, food, and drink. There are processions through town, with costumed demons dancing on balconies and rooftops who cringe and retreat in a powerful symbolic re-enactment of the eternal battle between the forces of good and evil. Other points of interest: The lost city of the Incas, Machu Pichu, the ancient city of Cuzco, and the white city of Arequipa, with its peerless setting amidst spectacular mountains. Cost: Prices start at $2,095 (land only) for an 11-day trek. For more information: wildland.com |