Where We Go: About the countries we visit

Please read below as we talk about the countries that we currently visit then visit our Schedule page to see our itinerary, descriptions, and how to register for our upcoming tours.

Peru

We have prepared a multimedia slideshow of our Peru tour. Click here to view the movie. (You will need Adobe Flash plugin 7 installed on your computer to view it).

Peru is a country of lost civilizations and magnificent ruins. Rich with cultural history, and splashed with Latin American flair, Peru was once the center of the mysterious and remarkable Incan Empire, which flourished around 500 years ago. This empire was the last of dozens of civilizations that have left their mark on the Peruvian landscape. From immense drawings on the desert floor to amazing rock structures that, to this day, defy our understanding, Peru’s magic and secrets, continue to draw a steady stream of curious travelers from around the world.

Peru is also a country of incredible natural diversity and beauty. From the world’s deepest canyon to the world’s highest tropical mountains; from deserts to lush rain forests, Peru boasts the greatest geographical and biological diversity on the planet. Our trips couldn’t possibly introduce you to all that Peru has to offer, but you will definitely gain an appreciation for this incredible, often overlooked country in South America. Read more about our guides...

Cusco, Peru

Excerpt from: CUSCO TALES by Richard Nisbet

Cusco is not just a town, it is a place of God and man-made beauty. It is a crossroad, an experience. It is even a time machine of sorts. It is the oldest inhabited city in the western hemisphere. They now call it the archeological capital of the Americas. In Inca times they called Cusco ¨the navel of the world¨. The town itself is like a village, but it is a fascinating, global village. The continuous traffic of short to long visitors offers a vast perspective of the peoples of our planet. It is also a repository of mystery. For how can you know a culture that has no writing?

In the short span of one century, we are told, the Incas created an empire that rivaled in extent and governance, that of the Romans. They supposedly built 20,000 miles of roads over rugged mountainous terrain. They built innumerous rope bridges spanning impossibly deep gorges. And they built stone walls of such magnitude and perfection that they defy our understanding, even in this day of such marvelous invention and construction.

They did all this without iron tools, without beasts of burden, without writing and without the wheel.

More about Cusco:

The city of Cusco sits at around 11,000 feet. Once the foremost city of the Incan Empire, it is now the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city.

Massive Incan walls line the city’s central streets, and form the foundations of many of the cities modern and colonial buildings. The cobbled streets are stepped and narrow, and thronged with the Quechua-speaking descendents of the Incas. The Churches and mansions are filled with colonial treasures of the conquistadors.

The city lies amidst the exceptionally beautiful Andean surroundings, filled with some of the most fascinating and accessible archeological sites on the continent. It is a place where Peru’s pagan past collides colorfully and vibrantly with solemn Catholic ritual and modern Latin America mayhem.

Nepal

We have prepared a multimedia slideshow of our Nepal tour. Click here to view the movie. (You will need Adobe Flash plugin 7 installed on your computer to view it).

In many ways, Nepal is a dream destination. It is the home of Mt. Everest, the birthplace of Buddha and one of the world's last remaining jungles, Chitwan National Park, a World Heritage Site.

Nepal's location between India and Tibet, the diversity of its ethnic groups, its isolating geography and myriad languages have resulted in a complex pattern of Nepal image customs and beliefs that make it hard to generalize Nepali people. The human geography of Nepal is a remarkable mosaic of peoples who coexist amongst this diversity. The ethnic groups of Nepal speak between 25 and 100 different languages and dialects. It is also home to around 12-15,000 Tibetans in exile so there is a large Tibetan influence alive in Nepal.

Officially Nepal is a Hindu country but in practice the blending of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs and deities, make it hard to separate the religions. Take the concepts of Hinduism and Buddhism, add some Indian and Tibetan influence, blend this with elements of animism, faith healing, and a pinch of Tantric practice, and you get a taste of Nepal's fabulous spiritual stew.

Puja, prayer and ritual, are the norm for most Nepalis and this is reflected in the Nepali greeting "Namaste" - "my spirit greets your spirit ". Tibet man

The political climate of Nepal has changed over the last 2 years, with the Maoist Revolutionaries coming out of the mountains and into the mainstream politics of Nepal. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) have been officially recognized as a legitimate political party in Nepal and representatives have been placed on the ballot along with the other parties during this interim government. As of December 2007 election dates are being proposed to institute a new democratic republic in Nepal to replace the old monarchial system of government. Religion plays no role in the politics of Nepal.

Because of these positive steps towards reducing violence and disruptions from insurgencies in Nepal, tourism took a huge jump in 2007. Tibet 3 Tourism figures were up 37%, and there is every reason to believe it will continue to grow as the Himalayan region beckons people from all walks of life and all countries worldwide.

We at Red Lotus Tours have traveled in Nepal several times over the last 11 years and have always found our experiences to be safe and extremely life-enriching. The country and its people are fascinating and beautiful beyond belief. The charm and allure of Nepal is legendary. People have been drawn to this magic kingdom for many reasons, and usually have found (and this is certainly true in our case!) that for Nepal, one visit is not enough.