Anywhere you go in the world, there tends to be a well trodden path created by many tourists who have visited the most famous landmarks over the years. This is no different in Peru. People who take Peru holidays usually start off in Lima, which is a fascinating and culturally rich city in itself, before heading to Cusco, which is also an extremely appealing destination. Then it is on to Machu Picchu, either by train or via the Inca Trail. While this is undoubtedly a fantastic itinerary for a holiday of a lifetime, I found that taking a slightly different route to this proved to be a shrewd decision. Instead of heading directly for Cusco, I opted to take the lengthy journey from Lima to Puno. I had heard that few people explore this region of the South American country, but those who do tend to rave about the experience. This was a chance to see the real Peru and interact with some of its people. Having reached Puno, I made the short journey to the amazing Lake Titicaca, which is one of the most picturesque settings I have ever come across. Although it takes a little while to acclimatise to the high altitude and wildly fluctuating temperatures, the opportunity to communicate with villagers in the area was priceless. The welcome we received was warm and friendly and the Luquina Peninsula - which is one of the more remote parts of the region - provided ample opportunity for some great countryside walks. Heading to Llachon the following day proved to be a bizarre, yet exhilarating experience. The communities that inhabit the area have maintained traditional values and even dress in clothes that would not have looked out of place in the 15th Century. The whole simplicity of the agriculture was
Anywhere you go in the world, there tends to be a well trodden path created by many tourists who have visited the most famous landmarks over the years. This is no different in Peru. People who take Peru holidays usually start off in Lima, which is a fascinating and culturally rich city in itself, before
