Riots in Peru's Amazon

Rioting broke out in northern Peru on Friday after two months of fuel and transport blockades, and at least 30 indigenous protesters and 24 police officers have been killed. The indigenous tribes want to force Congress to repeal laws that encourage foreign mining in the rainforest.

According to the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8088350.stm): "The violence erupted on Friday after 2,500 Indians - many of them carrying spears and machetes - protested over government plans to drill for gas and oil in what they consider their ancestral lands."

While the situation remains serious in this region, it is not affecting other regions of Peru and tourism has not been disrupted in any way.

We'll try to follow up with more information on the issues behind this violence as we learn more.

Multi-Activity Peru Holiday Trip Available!

There is still space available at the holidays on a classic Peruvian multisport adventure, The Multi-Activity Peru, December 21-January 3!

The Multi-Activity Peru is an awesome 14-day all inclusive trip that includes horseback riding around the ruins near Cusco, whitewater rafting on the Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, mountain biking through the Saltpans of Maras, a 5-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu trek, and 3 days in the Amazon Rainforest. The trip can also be shortened to 12 days by skipping the jungle portion.

The former Inca Capital and Spanish Colonial city of Cusco is our base for this great multisport adventure. Cusco is a wonderful place full of culture, history, good restaurants and fun nightlife. From Cusco, explore nearby ruins on horseback, raft the fun Class III-IV rapids of the upper Urubamba river, visit the Pisac artisan market, descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas by mountain bike, and hike the famous Inca Trail to the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. A rest day in Cusco is followed by a short flight to an Amazonian jungle lodge to enjoy hikes, canoe rides and rainforest exploration before returning to Lima.

$2735 per person (optional single supplement $330). www.detourdestinations.com