The Best Websites

www.peru.info: The most comprehensive official Peru site, recently revamped, is the website of PromPerú. It has detailed sections on Peruvian history, festivals, trip-planning, and outdoor "adrenaline rushes," all with extensive pull-down menus, as well as a stock of photo and video images and audio files.

www.saexplorers.org: The website of the rightly famous South American Explorers (based in Ithaca, New York, with clubhouses in Lima, Cusco, and Quito, Ecuador) has vital information such as travel advisories, insurance providers, and links to websites on specific Peruvian destinations. You can also order the club's "Information Packet" of fact sheets and member tips.

http://gci275.com/peru: "Peruvian Graffiti," a website by an American journalist and former resident of Peru, is an engaging compendium of Peruvian history, politics, media, and culture, as well as the latest news, from a very personal perspective. It's an interesting place to start to get a handle on a complicated nation.

www.andeantravelweb.com/peru: The Andean Travel Web, a private website run by gringos in Peru, is a miniguide to the country, with information on all the major destinations and activities, transportation, the latest in Inca Trail regulations, local tour operators, and helpful things such as ecotourism links. It doesn't cover northern Peru, however, sticking to the most well trodden regions.

http://gorp.away.com/gorp/location/latamer/peru.htm: The travel wholesaler GORP features an entire page of personal essays on the great outdoors and adventure sports in Peru, including pieces on running the Amazon and birding, and a Top 20 of adventure activities.

www.livinginperu.com: An English-language site directed toward foreign residents of Peru, this is the best place to get the latest news on Peru, including transportation issues, strikes, political developments, and other practical matters that affect not only residents but visitors. It also contains up-to-date cultural and event information.

www.traficoperu.com: This online travel agent has details on practical matters -- domestic airlines, bus transportation, and hotels -- plus a few cheap domestic packages, and a good selection of regional and city maps.

Surfing For Hotels

In addition to Travelocity, Expedia, Orbitz, Priceline, and Hotwire , the following websites will help you with booking hotel rooms online:

www.hotels.com

www.quickbook.com

www.travelaxe.net

www.travelweb.com

www.tripadvisor.com

It's a good idea to get a confirmation number and make a printout of any online booking transaction. Remember to check individual hotel websites for deals, as well as Peru-based brokers and discounters such as www.peruhotel.com, www.perudiscover.com, www.hotelsperu.com, www.enjoyperu.com, and www.peru-hotels.com.