Peru - Lonely Planet Publications [459]
Africa
A combination of international air carriers and at least one connection is needed to fly from any point in Africa to Peru. If flying from northern Africa, a stop in Europe will generally be required (usually in Amsterdam or Paris). Flights from southern Africa are most likely to connect in South American gateway cities such as São Paulo or Buenos Aires.
Asia
Flights from Asia require at least one connection in the US; expect to travel on multiple international carriers. Some of the most common transfer points are Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Newark and San Francisco. Flights from India generally travel through various European capitals.
Australia & New Zealand
Santiago, Chile tends to be the most common gateway city from Australia and New Zealand, though some carriers connect through the US as well.
In Australia, Destination Holidays (03-9725-4655, 800-337-050; www.south-america.com.au) and South American Travel Centre (03-9642-5353; www.satc.com.au) are agencies specializing in travel to Latin America.
Canada
There are direct flights to Lima from Toronto, but most trips require a connection in the US (see right) or Mexico City.
Continental Europe
There are direct flights from Amsterdam and Madrid, but connections through the USA, Central America or Colombia are often cheaper.
Latin America
There are direct flights from a large number of Latin American cities to Peru, including Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Guayaquil, La Paz, Mexico City, Panama City, Quito, Rio de Janeiro, San José (Costa Rica), Santiago (Chile) and São Paulo. LAN, Copa and TACA are the principal Latin American airlines that fly to Lima.
Recommended agencies in Latin America:
ASATEJ Viajes (www.asatej.com, in Spanish) In Mexico, Argentina and Uruguay.
IVI Venezuela (0212-993-6082; www.ivivenezuela.com) In Venezuela.
Latin America for Less (11-5199-2517 ext 25; latinamericaforless.com) In Argentina.
Student Travel Bureau (STB; 11-3038-1555; www.stb.com.br) In Brazil.
UK & Ireland
Flights from the UK or Ireland connect through gateway cities in continental Europe, North America and Brazil.
In the UK, the following agencies specialize in travel to Latin America:
Austral Tours (020-7233-5384; www.latinamerica.co.uk)
Journey Latin America (JLA; 020-8747-3108; www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk)
North-South Travel (0125-608-291; www.northsouthtravel.co.uk) Donates a portion of its profits to projects all over the developing world.
South American Experience (0845-277-3366; www.southamericanexperience.co.uk)
USA
There are direct (nonstop) flights to Lima from Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. In other cases, flights will connect either in the US or in Latin American gateway cities such as Mexico City and Bogota.
US travel agencies that specialize in travel to Latin America:
Ana Travel (800-643-6606; www.anatravel.com)
Exito Travel (800-655-4053; www.exitotravel.com)
Latin America for Less (877-269-0309; latinamericaforless.com)
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CLIMATE CHANGE & TRAVEL
Climate change is a serious threat to the ecosystems that humans rely upon, and air travel is the fastest-growing contributor to the problem. Lonely Planet regards travel, overall, as a global benefit, but believes we all have a responsibility to limit our personal impact on global warming.
Flying & Climate Change
Pretty much every form of motor travel generates CO2 (the main cause of human-induced climate change) but planes are far and away the worst offenders, not just because of the sheer distances they allow us to travel, but because they release greenhouse gases high into the atmosphere. The statistics are frightening: two people taking a return flight between Europe and the US will contribute as much to climate change as an average household’s gas