With a population that has grown to over 20 million, São Paulo is predominantly a city of immigrants. Its ethnic diversity and industrial development has produced Brazil’s largest, most cultured and best educated middle class. Travelers to São Paulo will experience a dynamic city, with skyscrapers that spread across the city’s vast area; restaurants to suit every taste; and a nightlife that never stops. With so many options it can often be difficult for visitors to know where to start. Enter the experts:

The South American city that never sleeps, Sao Paulo, Brazil

FRIDAY

1pm: FIRST TASTE OF BAHIA

Start off your visit in the verdant Jardims district with a delicious and authentic lunch at Brazil a Gosto, a wonderful restaurant inspired by the various flavors and recipes that Brazil has to offer try the popular Bahian snack Miniacarajé which is a fried pasty made from bean flour filled with the unique combination of shrimp, cashew and peanut purée, bean flour and okra, plus an extra side of shrimps and a green tomato vinaigrette.

2pm: SWAN ALONG PAULISTA

A walk down Paulist Avenue, Sao Paulo, Brazil

After lunch, take a walk down Paulista Avenue. This is a must see for any traveler in São Paulo and is considered by locals to be the beating heart of the city. It is located in the northeastern section of Jardims, known as Cerqueira César. The avenue is lined with tall skyscrapers, shops, churches, restaurants, cafés, museums and hotels; there has been much commercial investment on the avenue to its centralized location. It has now become a symbol of the dynamic and entrepreneurial nature of the city’s economy making it well worth a visit.

While here, you can visit the excellent collection at The Museu de Arte de São Paulo. This has a fascinating collection of over 8,000 works by predominantly European artists of great fame (Rembrandt, Monet, Renoir, Picasso and Van Gogh to name but a few!) alongside a significant handful of Brazilian pieces as well.

7pm: UNDERNEATH THE FIG TREE

For a delectable local dinner, head over to Figueira Rubaiyat. This fabulous old restaurant is built around the branches of a fig tree giving a magical touch to any meal here. No less magical is the succulent flavor of the meat served, particularly the beef which is considered the specialty and is raised in the owner’s own personal ranch.

10pm: REACH FOR THE SKYE

Look up to Skye Bar for a clean and classy club experience – this smart venue is on top of the trendy Unique hotel (Av. Brigadeiro Luiz Antonio, 4700) and has a spectacular sweeping view of the city’s seemingly endless twinkling street lights. There is a very nice lounge and restaurant to share a drink with the eclectic group that converges here. Dress up smart, but not OTT.

SATURDAY

10am: CHILL IN THE PARK

In the morning, head down to Ibrupuera Park to freshen the head. This is one of the nicest spots in the city; the park is considered by Paulistanos as their equivalent of Central Park in New York. It is also a center of important museums and hosting cultural events. It is a picture of serenity containing pristine grassy areas, paths for running and cycling and a stage for outdoor theatre and concerts. There are also playgrounds, lakes and even a small wood for reading offering travelers a welcome break from the noise of the city. If you’re lucky, you might catch one of the free concerts organized by city hall at the weekends.

12pm: MUSE THE MODERN

While at Ibrupuera park, visit one or more of the three important museums here. The Museu de Arte Moderna is perhaps the best; a space for some of the more modern artwork produced in Brazil. Their mission is to “collect, study, encourage and diffuse contemporary and modern Brazilian Art, making it accessible to the greatest number of people possible”:  well worth a visit for travelers at Ibirapuera.

2pm: COOL OFF IN VILA MADALENA

In the afternoon, delve into the cultural and artistic heart of São Paulo, with an indispensable look around the district of Vila Madalena. It is here that artists, actors, musicians and designers converge into the numerous galleries and studios of modern and contemporary art. Not only in these conventional mediums can the artistic flair of Vila Madalena be discovered – winding streets and alleyways are adorned with fabulous graffiti created by the most famous of Brazilian artists. Amongst the most visited sites are a record store with 80,000 vinyl and a “green building” which is designed using entirely sustainable concepts – a life form in the midst of a metropolis.

6pm: A MEAL OF ETHNIC PROPORTIONS

After an afternoon of culture, head out for dinner in one of the many authentic ethnic restaurants that Vila Madalena and Pinheiros have to offer. You could try Japenese sushi at Kabuki, classic Italian food at Santa Gula, maybe some spicy Moroccan at Agadir or splash out on some Spanish cuisine at Don Curro. The sheer variety of restaurants here demonstrates the strong influence that the immigrant populations have had on the city.

The Sao Paulo skyline at night, Brazil

9pm: NIGHT ON THE TILES

As the night draws nearer, the famous nightlife of Vila Madalena and Pinheiros starts to heat up. Start out in one of the cozy traditional Brazilian bars with beer on tap before heading to whichever club takes your fancy. The district has something for everyone: from jumping dance clubs to sophisticated bars. The only problem here is deciding when to head to bed: the party here goes on all night.

SUNDAY

10am: IN THE CENTER OF A METROPOLIS

On Sunday morning after rush hour, drift over to explore the historical center of town. Although there are not many remains of colonial Brazil here, some sense can be grasped of the history and architectural development of the city. The Monastery of São Bento (Saint Benedict) is a mandatory stop, with 17^th century architecture restored in the early 1900′s in a more Germanic fashion. The monastary is now home to around 40 cloistered monks who follow the routine of work and prayer. For a truly sacred experience, visitors should attend one of the daily masses.

A few blocks away from São Bento is the Praça da Sé, which is a wide open plaza containing the magnificent Catedral Metropolitana. Although the current cathedral building only dates to 1954, the site has hosted various churches dating back to the foundation of the city.

A picture postcard of Sao Paulo often includes The Viaduto do Chá (the tea bridge). This is a wide and long viaduct that became the first to be built in the city after it was inaugurated in 1892. It is named for the large crop of Indian tea that was cultivated in the Vale do Anhangabaú district of the city’s central zone in which the viaduct is located. Today it is a key artery in the city center, linking what was previously considered to be downtown (Rua Directa) with the now more significant area of Rua Barão de Itapetininga. It is lined with street vendors selling various trinkets. Beneath the Viaduct is the Parque Anhangabaú, a pretty park in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the center.

12pm: REMEMBER THE ROOTS

Round off your 48 hours in Sao Paulo with a look at the oldest building in town, São Paulo Igreija de Sao Francisco de Assissi. Originally built in 1647 and renovated a century later, this is one of the few physical remnants of the Portuguese empire that remains standing. This baroque style church is actually home to two separate religious institutions; one is ran by the catholic church whereas the other is controlled strictly by laypeople. The churches play an important role in the community, organizing fundraising events to help to support poor people with food.

Nowhere is this more so than in the Brazilian city of Barretos during the Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro, held every year between 20 and 30 of August. The rodeo draws thousands of spectators and should be a definite feature during any Brazil travel experience.

Statue to the Brazilian cowboy celebrated at the Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro, Brazil

During the course of the rodeo, the city transforms itself into a buzzing festival of entertainment – sport, culture, folklore and art are centred on the shows of cowboys, horses and bulls.

The “Festival of Cowboys” began in 1955 and has now been organized for over 50 years by the Os Inpendentes Social Club. It is traditionally held around August 25, to coincide with the founding of Barretos, a country city some 440km from the metropolis of Sao Paulo.

The rodeo tradition originated from the historically significant cattle trade that passed through Barretos – cows were transported to slaughterhouses in the city from the neighboring ranching states of Goiás, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sol and Minas Gerais.

Those cowboys who were responsible for transporting the cattle would hold contests amongst one-another to see who could ride the most energetic and lively horses, and so the tradition began. Much in the same style of its North American counterparts, the rodeo has now incorporated the more difficult skill of bull riding.

Rodeo Arena, focus of the annual fiesta in Barretos, Brazil

Revelers dressed in Cowboy and Cowgirl paraphernalia fill the city’s 35,000 seat stadium to catch a glimpse of the shows. The stadium was designed by world famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and it replaced the central Paulo de Lima park as the main venue in 1985. It is surrounded by the 1,440.000 m² Park de Peão where shops, restaurants, theme parks, food markets, clubs and stalls of all description set up shop for the week.

There is now millions of dollars invested into the Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro, and prizes can range from anything a cowboy hat to a luxury car while cash prizes reach as much as 100,000 Brazilian Reales ($50,000) for the overall winner.

The immense popularity of the Inca Trail has meant that the daily quota of trekkers now has to be limited; an essential measure to ensure that damage is not caused by potentially thousands of trampling feet a day.

Thankfully the trail is just one of hundreds of spectacular trekking options that a Peru vacation has to offer. Below are some of the fabulous treks that are not only alternative options for those who aren’t able to book a place on the Inca Trail, but fantastic experiences in their own right:

Lares Trek, alternatives to the Inca Trail, Peru

Lares
Not far from the Sacred Valley is a wonderful multi-day trek: The Lares Trail. This trail runs through the Lares valley which is scattered with traditional rural settlements against the backdrop of spectacular mountain scenery. Herds of llamas and alpacas surround the thatched stone houses, the inhabitants of which don traditional ponchos in bright and vibrant colours and rear guinea pigs that scamper freely between houses.
As such, trekkers can experience a remote and rarely visited region that gives an insight into the real lives of the Andean farmer who continue their profession much in the same way as has been practiced for centuries.
The trek itself is rated at moderate difficulty- similar to the Inca Trail. There are, however, two passes over 4000 meters above sea level, so it is essential that you are well acclimatized to the altitude before starting the trek.
After completing the Lares trail, Machu Picchu is easily accessible by train and there are also several options to return to Cusco.

Choquequirao
Moving further away from the sacred valley area but still within reach of Cusco, a trek to the ruins of Choquequirao is another most invigorating experience for those enthused by Inca history.

The 5 day trek can be tough to complete but the effort is well worth it: it glides along ridges and bridges high above the raging Apurimac river, ventures through a variety of ecosystems yet remains far below the snow capped Vilcabamba mountain range.

The pinnacle of the hike lands on the second day when time can be taken to explore the ruins of Choquequiro. This is considered to be a sister site to Machu Picchu in that it appears to have built by the Incas for very similar religious, political and agricultural purposes. The ruins are complete with a central plaza and ritual temples while agricultural works such as terracing, aqueducts and canals are still in good condition. There is a big difference between the two sites in 2009 however – while MP is revelled by thousands of tourists a day, Choquequirao sees few visitors and can still be enjoyed in relative peace. This means that trekkers can get a sense of discovering and exploring a ruin still untouched by mass tourism.

Salkantay trek, alternatives to the Inca Trail alternative, Peru

Salkantay
For those who like adventure, the Salkantay trek could be considered the most exciting route leading to Machu Picchu. Making its way around the imperious Mount Salkantay, it is an absolute feast for the senses of natural wonder. The remote path winds through an amazing variety of landscapes and habitats varying from green, rich valleys full of blossoming forests and trees of different species, to highland fields and glacial moraines flanked by steep rocky and icy peaks of impressive beauty. The trek can be done anytime of the year, but the best time is from April to December. Machu Picchu is within easy reach after completing the trek.

Ausangate trek, alternatives to the Inca Trail, Peru

Ausangate
Another mountainous trek, the Ausangate loop begins an 8 hour truck ride away from Cusco in the village of Tinqui. From here, the 5 day route traverses through valleys and past mountains, even passing just metres from glacial lakes that range in colour from midnight to sky blue.  At one point the tongue of the glacier reaches to within walking distance of the route – an enticing opportunity to explore the extensive system of ice caves contained within. Llamas and alpacas roam free along the trail and even their rare Vicuña cousins can be spotted from a distance.
It is a good idea to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu before attempting this trek in order to acclimatise to the altitude.

Vilcabamba
When Hiram Bingham was first shown the way to Machu Picchu by locals he thought he had found the Inca stronghold of Vilcabamba, where for 40 years the Inca dynasty repelled the attempts of Spanish conquistadores to destroy them. His guess was inaccurate, however, and historians now believe that the real Vilcabamba is located deeper into the jungle at a site that Bingham had in fact dismissed months before he first visited Machu Picchu.

Treks to the ‘real’ Vilcabamba are now in operation and the seven day hike is something of an exotic adventure. The majority of the trail leads through humid and tropical rainforest that is animated with colourful plants and wildlife while at times it can venture out into lush green countryside beneath snow capped peaks. All along the way remnants of the Inca Empire can be noticed – an Inca Trail towards their last seat of power.

The ruins are mostly overgrown with vines but this only adds to an authentic experience of exploring a site that is still shrouded by the mystery of its past and engulfed by dark forest. Many Inca buildings such as temples and palaces lie amidst this wild jungle, and further inspection of the site reveals a much more extensive city. It remains unknown just how far this extends and the prospect of new discoveries attracts many an historian, archaeologist and adventurer.

Huaraz
Those who concentrate on the Cusco and Sacred Valley Area risk missing out on some of the best trekking routes in the country. From the northern town of Huaraz arguably the most outstanding views in the entire Andes can be accessed. 7 hours journey by bus from Lima, Huaraz is nestled deep in the Cordilleras Blancas and is surrounded by towering and precipitous peaks. Amongst these is the mighty Huascarán, the highest mountain in Peru.
Numerous trekking operators are based in Huaraz, and they offer breathtaking hikes through the mountain terrain. Route options include: El Mirador from where Huascarán can be spotted; the Pitec Trail to Laguna Churup which leads to a pristine and crystal clear lake with glimmering reflections; and the popular Llanganuco to Santa Cruz loop which passes underneath 12 peaks that reach over 19,000 feet.  Trekking in the region can be tough but panoramic views of crisp and isolated mountain peaks will be compensation enough for tired legs.

Colca Canyon, alternatives to the Inca Trail, Peru

Colca Canyon
Only a few hours from the city of Arequipa is one of the greatest natural treasures of southern Peru: The Colca Canyon.  Famous for its stunning views, relaxing hot springs and excellent Condor lookout platforms, the Colca Canyon is a special gem usually bypassed by many travellers to the Arequipa region. The massive variety available in a trek of just a few days is what makes this trail a hiker’s favourite.  Most guided trips offer the option of a 2 to 5 day trek, some trails of which take hikers from snow-capped mountain peaks that tower over two miles (16,000 ft) high to the base of the world’s deepest canyon and then through the magical Valley of Volcanoes, where more than 80 volcanoes can be found! Additionally, the less intensive trails are great altitude training for those continuing onto treks in far northern Cuzco, minus the trailhead bottleneck and crowded campsites.