Country Overview:

The land of gold and of the sun-worshipping Incas, Peru was sixteenth-century Europe's major source of treasure, and once the home of the largest empire the world had ever seen. An immense desert coastline, tracks of tropical rain forest, and soaring mountain peaks fuse together to create one of the most diverse landscapes in the world. The beauty of its various landscapes, the abundance of its wildlife, its rich and diverse cuisine, and the strong and colorful character of its people make Peru arguably the most exciting of all South American nations.

Perched 11,000 feet high in the southwestern Andes, Cusco is known as the archeological capital of the Americas. The city has long made a name for itself as the gateway to nearby Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, both national treasures and remnants of Peru's ancient past. Every narrow street and lane resonates with history and tradition, as traces of ancient Incan culture and the town's colonial past provide a captivating backdrop for the contemporary buildings and modern conveniences of an international metropolis.

Despite its proximity to the equator, Peru spans three disparate climates -- coastal, mountain, and jungle. Due to its high elevation, nights in Cusco can be chilly while the days are sunny but relatively cool all year round. It experiences two major seasons - a dry summer from May through September, and a more humid, rainy winter from October through April. The average annual high and low temperatures for the city are 68°F (20°C) and 41°F (5°C), with average precipitation of 2.5 in (6.4 cm) during the rainy season.