Top Banana’s ultimate events guide to Peru
Peru is still relatively undiscovered as far as the world of events and incentives go. Undeveloped in most parts, it’s the perfect destination to see more of an ‘un-touched world’ that still has great transportation links and incredible activities (not forgetting one of the wonders of the world). Here’s Top Banana’s guide on taking delegates to this South American Country…
Lima
Lima, Peru’s capital, is a cultural hub full of artefacts and stories about the country. For events, the Westin Lima Hotel and Convention Centre is a great venue choice featuring luxurious amenities and excellent services. The convention centre can hold from 10 to 2000 people and boasts itself as the most sustainable venue in South America! Perfect for large conferences or a stop over during an incentive trip.
Whilst you’re in the city – take a look into one of Lima’s fantastic museums. You can choose from the Larco Museum, Casa Luna, Pre Inca temple of Pachacamac and the Pedro de Osma Museum to submerge delegates into Peruvian culture. All will set the scene for your South America adventure and give some context to the renowned, Machu Pichu.
Cusco
We’d recommend 2 full days here (easily combined with the day of landing and the day of flying home) and then moving your group to the incredible Cusco – the doorway to the Sacred Valley. Though Machu Pichu is the big dog in all of this, Peru has some incredible activities that are best seen here. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, you can now spend your time here learning about the Inca culture by visiting the local Andean community of Misminay. Here, groups can participate in village activities such as mud brick building, tapestry and cooking and interact with local villagers in a way that an average tourist would never be able to.
Machu Pichu
These experiences all lead up to the main attraction, Machu Pichu. Though you’ll need to spend a couple of days in the sacred valley acclimatising to the altitude (approx. 3399miles above sea level) – you can do this in style at the Tambo del Inka Resort and Spa. With everything you need on site, this remote hotel offers panoramic views of rural Peru and prepares you for the climb to Machu Pichu.
It’s a four-day hike to the top, with donkey carts and camping included. However if you’re short on time and looking for a high-end alternative, you can simply take the train! The Hiram Bingham train offers an unlimited open bar, four-course meal and live entertainment so can be made into a real, luxury experience that ultimately, gets you to one of the seven wonders of the world with views you’re unlikely to forget.
Four days in the region should be enough for delegates to immerse themselves in the Inca culture and see Machu Pichu (should you get the train). After this head on back to Lima to fly home, or consider viewing some other wonders such as Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountains, or Iquitos – a Peruvian city that’s a gateway to the Amazon Jungle.
Top Tips
Spanish is the local language and although there are lots of fantastic English speakers – there are rural places where you could meet a language barrier. Have some fun and get your delegates speaking the basics before you go, and you’ll be shocked to see how quickly they pick it up when they land!
With regular flights from Delta, Virgin Atlantic, KLM and British Airways, you can fly out of London to Peru in as little as 16 hours with one European stop. However when you land, you’ve got a -6-hour time difference to adjust to so consider giving delegates time to adjust before starting the adventure.
From December – March, Peru experiences its wettest season. With frequent, heavy showers expected – we’d recommend traveling in the dry, winter months of May – September for the perfect climate for adventures!