Page Importance:
Read All
In Quechua, the language closest to that of the Inca, Peru means the ‘land of abundance.’ Peru is full of extremes: from lush, towering Andean peaks to rolling sand dunes on the coast to the largest, most diverse rainforest in the world, the Amazon jungle. Peru is also rich in pre-Columbian culture with millions of citizens in the Andes mountains who still live, speak and work the way their ancestors did thousands of years ago.
On the Pacific coast of South America, between Ecuador and Bolivia and west of Brazil, Peru ranks among the world’s top producers of silver, copper, lead and zinc. The Amazon makes up half of the Peru, the Andes mountains occupy a third and the rest is coastal desert.
Some things not to miss on your trip to Peru:
Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail offer a glimpse into the mysterious and fascinating history of the Incas.
Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake spanning from Peru to the border with Bolivia with over 30 islands, some inhabited with cultures dating back to the pre-Colombian era.
The Nazca Lines on the Pacific coast are an unexplained world wonder. Lines etched into the landscape in the form of animals, geometric figures and a pair of hands.
The Amazon Basin is home to a plethora of diverse flora and fauna. Tourism is just starting to catch on in this area; you can take a boat tour or stay in a lodge.
The Cordillera Blanca and Huascaran National Park are some of the world's premier trekking and mountain climbing destinations, loaded with dozens of spectacular towering white peaks.
Booking a tour is highly recommendable to make the most of your time, see:
All Peru Tours
Machu Picchu Tours
Sacred Valley Tours
Cordillera Blanca Trekking and Tours
Cusco Tours
Close
Chan Chan
Chan Chan, five kilometers (three mi) west of Trujillo, the largest pre-Columbian city in South America, was the capital of the Chimú kingdom. It dates from around 1300 AD. Some archaeologists
...Trujillo, Peru
Sacsayhuamán
Perched forebodingly in the hillsides rising above Cusco, the fortress ruins of Sacsayhuamán are some of the most impressive and closest ruins in the area. Though few structures now remain inside,
...Cusco, Peru
Cumbe Mayo
In the indigenous language Quechua, Cumbe Mayo means fine river, which is a quite fitting name for this ancient aqueduct. It is located about 12 miles southwest of Cajamarca, and stretches on for
...Cajamarca , Peru
Mirador and Cerro
The Nasca Lines can be viewed from a plane weaving the sky above them, or from other, more down-to-earth vantage points. The cerro is a solitary hill in the midst of this vast desert. Climbing to the
...Nasca, Peru
Candelabro De Los Andes
An image carved into the sandstone cliffs along the Pisco Bay is said to be one of the most mysterious archeological sights in South America. It is often called the Candelabra de los Andes, which
...Pisco, Peru
Karajía
From a cliff ledge, six white figures dressed in red peer across the river valley. Two sport human skulls atop their pointed hats. Each three-meter-tall mud, wood and straw purunmachu (sarcophagus) ...Lámud, Peru
Óllape
Up on Cerro Ushparán, near Jalca Grande, lie more Chachapoya ruins. The walls of Óllape's circular once-homes peek from beneath blackberry bushes. They exhibit these ancient peoples' typical ...Jalca Grande, Peru
Salapunco
Salapunco is a group of small caves that housed the mummies of Inca priests and other Inca elite. Inside the caves, the walls and altars are decorated with pumas, snakes and other important cultural ...Cusco, Peru
San Cristóbal del Olto
Leaving the relative modernity of Lámud behind, you begin traversing the Luya countryside. You pass the chapel of El Señor de Gualamita, Lámud’s patron saint. Another hour beyond, you arrive ...Lámud, Peru
Revash
High up on an escarpment, you can see Revash, a group of white and red buildings. Some have likened them to dwellings of the U.S. Southwest town Pueblos. But these were no apartment houses for the ...Yerbabuena, Peru
Pueblo de los Muertos
Pueblo de los Muertos (Village of the Dead) lies 30 kilometers north of Chachapoyas, near Lámud. The stout purunmachus sarcophagi have suffered extensively at the hands of looters. Be advised not ...Lámud, Peru
Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
In Southern Peru, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon offer plenty to keep travelers occupied for several days, with spectacular scenery, fascinating history and a large number of outdoor activities to
...Peru
The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is the valley west of the sloping edges of the mountain town of Cusco. This area is rich, not only in fields, farms and views, but also in ancient Inca ruins. The famous ruins at
...Peru
Pacific Coast South of Lima
The southern Peruvian Pacific coast is mostly desert. If you just want to lay on a beach, stay to the north. For archaeological travel on the coast, sand boarding on sand dunes and close access to ...Peru
The Mantaro Valley
The scenic Mantaro Valley is located not too far to the east of Lima, and is easily reached from Huancayo. This fertile valley is known for its potatoes, corn, quinoa, artichokes, barley and a ...Peru
Peruvian Andes -- Southern
One of the best parts about the Southern Peruvian Highlands is the town has not thrown all its eggs in the tourism basket. Sure, there is reliable tourism infrastructure but the towns and ...Peru
Peruvian Andes -- Central
The Central Peruvian Andes are home to the famous Cordillera Blanca, or White Mountain Range. The region is known for excellent hiking, trekking and mountain climbing. It is also where you will find
...Peru
Peruvian Andes -- Northern
The Northern Peruvian Highlands are one of Peru’s least traveled areas, but not for lack of attractions. The Andes climb up from the coast and descend into the Amazon and in the middle lay the ...Peru
Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
Nestled among spectacular snow-capped mountains and decorated with quaint Andean villages and Inca Ruins, the Sacred Valley and Cusco area tempt visitors with their cultural charm and natural
...Peru
Pacific Coast North of Lima
Because of its location, the Pacific Coast north of Lima does not get as many visitors as the rest of the country — it is simply too far away from Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred ...Peru
The Peruvian Amazon Basin
Machu Picchu and the Inca ruins may claim most of Peru's popularity, but the Amazon Basin boasts most of Peru's land space. Much of the Peruvian Amazon Basin is untouched, but tourism is beginning to
...Peru
Lake Titicaca
Sitting at an astounding 3,821 meters above sea level, Lake Titicaca is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world. With a surface area of approximately 8,300 square kilometers, it
...Peru
The Inca Trail
Characterized by rugged ascents boasting magnificent views of Andean scenery and trails that wind their way through the cloud forest and past ancient archaeological sites, the Inca Trail is perhaps
...Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Salcantay
In terms of trekking opportunities in the Sacred Valley, this one requires a bit more physical and logistical preparation. The crowning jewel of the Salcantay trek is Nevado Salcantay (6,271 meters),
...Peru
4 Day Inca Trail Trek
To give you a better sense of what the four-day trek involves, we've put together a brief day-by-day summary of the trip. Day 1 Total Distance: 10 to 11 kilometers Arrive by train from Cusco, ...Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Short Inca Trail
If you do not have the time or youthfulness (we are both 65 and my husband has had a knee replacement), the short Inca trail can be a most rewarding way to travel to Machu Picchu. About 11 km, a
...Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Salcantay alternative route
The alternative trek takes in three more unusual, quieter campsites along the route, largely away from other tourists. On the alternative Salcantay trek, many choose to take transport further along
...Peru
El Misti
El Misti, the closest volcano to Arequipa, offers a fairly straightforward opportunity to summit a high peak. Trekkers should start their journey from the hydroelectric plant, after first registering ...Arequipa, Peru
Pinculluna
If you are not up for a full-day's journey, Mt. Pinculluna, rising up behind Ollantaytambo, is an excellent choice among short trekking opportunities in the Sacred Valley. The trail offers a ...Peru
Olleros-Chavin Trek
This visually astounding and physically accessible trek starts from Olleros, a small village located a few kilometers south of Huaraz. The three-day hike to the spectacular fortress temple of Chavín ...Huaraz, Peru
Santa Cruz-Llanganuco Trek
The four-to-five-day, 45-kilometer Santa Cruz trek is a very popular hike near Huaraz. Weaving its way past massive Huascarán and the azure lakes at Llanganuco, the trail encompasses some of the ...Huaraz, Peru
Huaraz Hiking Routes
The mountains surrounding Huaraz boast a seemingly infinite number of trekking and mountaineering routes to suit adventurers of all levels and abilities. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of planning ...Huaraz, Peru
Huaraz Hiking Safety
Every year climbers of all skill levels perish after failing to take weather conditions seriously in this region. The intense sun makes mountain snow more porous and causes glaciers to move more ...Huaraz, Peru
La Cholita
Why this little chocolate manufacturer, after 50 years, has not attained the global clout commensurate with such continental competitors as Toblerone may be one of the biggest mysteries of Cusco yet.
...Cusco, Peru
Seminario Ceramics
The artist Pablo Seminario is a local legend amongst cusqueños. He virtually invented a new form of ceramic artwork that integrates abstract modern styles with traditional Incan and pre-Incan
...Cusco, Peru
Vendors on the Puno Docks
One advantage of walking as you head east towards Lake Titicaca and the main port of departure in Puno, Puerta Lacustre, is that it provides an ample opportunity to check out the scores of local
...Puno, Peru
Tatoo Adventure Gear
Tatoo Adventure Gear is a top source for brand-name sportswear, trekking and camping equipment, biking accessories and more. Tatoo Huaraz also stocks guidebooks and maps. The knowledgeable staff ...Huaraz, Peru
Artesanías Pachacútec
With the large number of vendors all claiming to sell 100 percent alpaca, it’s often difficult to determine which sweaters are real and which are synthetic. But Artesanías Pachacútec sells the ...Cusco, Peru
Tesoros del Ande
del Ande offers high-quality, hand-made silver jewelry. They also sell fancy alpaca scarves, wool caps, shirts and skirts, not to mention hand-made leather handcrafts. There is a choice selection of
...Cusco, Peru
Tatoo Adventure Gear
Tatoo Adventure Gear is a top source for brand-name sportswear, trekking and camping equipment, biking accessories and more. There are two stores in Cusco near the Plaza de Armas. The adventure gear ...Cusco, Peru
Shopping
As the center of Peru’s thriving wool industry, Arequipa offers a number of wool and fine clothing shops. One of the best places to start any shopping adventure is Pasaje Catedral, an inviting ...Arequipa, Peru
Bodega Santiago Queirolo
There are two huge wooden wine barrels on the right, and antique model car on the right, which is how you will know you are in the Santiago Queirolo Winery, one of the largest manufacturers of
...Lima, Peru
Sidrik's Peruvian Handicraft
Sidrik’s is one of the leading alpaca wool retail outlets in Peru, and it is worth going out to Pueblo Libre in order to take advantage of dazzling array of native clothing items, includingbut not
...Pueblo Libre, Lima, Peru
Lima, Cuzco, Sacred Valley
I spent only two weeks in Peru and saw mostly the tourist sites (We are tourists, after all.). The Lima traffic is crazy, and the pollution is awful compared to the northeast US, where I live. Staying with a relative in Barranco allowed me to visit great local restaurants small museums and art galleries, as well as walking neighborhoods and dealing with the local stores for household items. The neighborhoods on the coast have much cleaner air, and are more upscale than some of the inland/ downtown areas.In Cuzco and the Sacred Valley our tour operator took good care of us and we had a great, hassle free experience.
Huanchaco
This was a small, calm beach town with friendly, helpful locals, miles of beautiful sand, and rich cultural traditions that combine pre-Incan civilizations with ceviche, and fishing in reed boats. It had a fun but relaxing atmosphere; it was close to the big city of Trujillo and to a number of important archaeological sites. A great place to learn to surf or for professionals to practice.
Wow! Amazing and sad
I love the fact that the culture is so mixed up between the Spanish and the indigenous cultures, with a dash of others mixed in! It's sad because of the poverty levels... But it has a beauty to it that makes you feel alive.
Peru is beautiful
Peru is really stunning, especially the Sacred Valley area.
Awesome trip
The people were warm and friendly.
Visit
They'll take your money... in any possible way, be careful.
Activities | Popular Peru Destinations | Peru HotelsTop Peru Hotels | Other Peru pages
|
Advertise | Anúnciese | Jobs | Alliances | Alianzas | Terms of Use | Contact Us | About Us | Blog | Dueños |