Lima, Peru

Francisco Pizarro founded the capital of the vice-royalty of Peru at a strategic location composed of a broad, fertile valley nourished by the clear waters of the Rímac River, with good anchorage on the Pacific coast at the port of Callao, where ships from Panama could arrive. Pizarro founded the City of Kings on January 18th 1535 in the Rímac Valley, and over time it became better known by its indigenous name, Limac, as it grew to become the political, economic and cultural centre of the viceroyalty of Peru and most of Spanish America.  Read more

Rainbow Mountain, Peru

One of the most magnificent geologic features in the world is the Ausangate Mountain of the Peruvian Andes. The mountain is striped with colors ranging from turquoise to lavender to maroon and gold. However, this “painted mountain” is notoriously difficult to find and get to, requiring several days of hiking to reach its peak deep within the Andes by way of Cusco.  Read more