Peru
Land of the Inc as
Peru has much of what travellers find great and good about South America. Fine beaches, soaring peaks, ancient ruins, remote jungles, colonial towns, and traditional cultures all feature, and incredible cuisine. Adventure lovers can hike to the ‘Lost City of the Incas’, Machu Picchu, or sail the world’s highest navigable body of water, Lake Titicaca. They can also venture to the lush and steamy Peruvian Amazon, which is home to an incredible amount of biodiversity. Visitors can expect to see anything from tropical flowers to howler monkeys, to majestic jaguars. Travellers can arrange tours to eco-friendly jungle cabins from Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado.
On the sightseeing front, visitors should include the mysterious Nazca Lines, the impressive Colca Canyon and the wildlife rich Ballestas Islands on their lists. The capital, Lima, boasts some fine Spanish-colonial architecture and a restaurant scene of international repute.
What to see and do in Peru
- Manu National Park, located in the isolated Amazonian region of Madre de Dios, is the best place to see tropical wildlife in Peru.
- Huacachina is an increasingly popular desert resort village. Built around a natural lake, it offers fun, dune-related activities like buggy rides and sandboarding.
- Manorca boasts fine beaches and good surfing conditions.
- Lima is home to some great museums and awe-inspiring cathedrals. Its restaurant scene is to be savoured, with amazing street food and many Michelin star restaurants.
- The Inca Trail, a rewarding hike to the legendary ancient city of Machu Picchu, is an absolute must for first-time visitors to Peru.
- Cruise the waters of Lake Titicaca.
- Nazca Lines, a series of ancient geoglyphs whose origin and purpose are a mystery.
- Hike through Colca Canyon, a spectacular gorge where enormous Andean condors soar.