Peru Highlights
10 good reason to visit Peru
1. Machu Picchu
The breathtaking LOST CITY OF THE INCAS is one of the most dramatic and enchanting sites in the world and is without doubt the greatest tourist attraction in South America. Expertly constructed on a narrow saddle between two peaks, the Inca citadel’s natural setting defies description. Steep terraced slopes fall away to the Urubamba river, which snakes its way through a range of dark-green forested mountains and jagged peaks. Accessible by train from Cusco, or on foot by trekking the fabulous 4-day Inca Trail.
2. Cusco
Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is now firmly established as the tourist capital of South America. Located at 3,300 metres above sea level, it is an atmospheric, vibrant city that is steeped in both Inca and colonial history. The Spanish built their churches and mansions on top of the Inca capital, in many places utilizing the original foundations of the Inca palaces and temples. Today, these buildings house the city’s many hotels, bars, restaurants, shops and markets. Strategically located on a hill overlooking Cusco’s red-tiled roofs, is the impressive Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán.
3. The Sacred Valley
Following the course of the Urubamba river and set against the backdrop of the snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba range, is the beautiful Sacred Valley. Once of great strategic and agricultural importance to the Incas, the valley is dotted with attractions, including a host of impressive Inca sites and terracing (Pisac and Ollantaytambo), colourful markets (Pisac and Chinchero), quaint mountain villages and colourful local fiestas. Further afield, beyond Machu Picchu, is the jungle town of Quillabamba and the lesser-known but spectacular Inca sites of Espritu Pampa and Choquequirao.
4. Arequipa & the Colca Canyon
Framed by snow-capped mountains and the smouldering El Misti volcano, Peru’s ‘White City’ Arequipa is an excellent place to visit en route to Cusco or Lake Titicaca. Located at 2300 metres above sea level, you can acclimatise to the altitude while marvelling at the fabulous colonial architecture (the 16th century Santa Catalina convent), and take a side trip to the spectacular Colca Canyon.
5. Adventure Holidays
As a result of Peru’s incredible geographical diversity, the outdoors enthusiast is quite literally spoilt for choice in Peru. The options are endless and range from trekking and mountaineering among some of the Andes’ highest peaks in the Cordillera Blanca, hiking the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, white-water rafting the source of the Amazon, mountain biking or horse-riding in the Sacred Valley and sand-boarding the desert dunes in Ica. For more on trekking the Cordillera Blanca and the Inca Trail.
6. Amazon Basin
With over half the country covered in tropical rainforest, Peru’s vast Amazon Basin can be accessed from both Iquitos (1.5 hour’s flight from Lima) and Puerto Maldonado (1 hour’s flight from Cusco). Both places offer a good range of lodges, with English speaking guides and excellent wildlife and bird watching possibilities. For the ultimate Amazon experience, visit the Manú Biosphere Reserve, near Puerto Maldonado - Peru’s largest protected area and home to fantastic wildlife such as giant river otters, tapir and jaguar.
7. Lake Titicaca
Located at 3,856 metres above sea level, this is the highest navigable lake in the world. Bordering Peru and Bolivia, the lake offers stunning scenery and traditional villages. To experience the region’s local culture, stay with family on Taquile Island or visit the Uros Islands, where the people’s homes and boats are made out of reeds.
8. Pre-Inca Sites
Visiting Peru without seeing the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu is a bit like going to Egypt and missing the pyramids. Before the Incas however, came many other fascinating ancient cultures, each one justifying a place on Peru’s list of archaeological treasures. Along the coast north of Lima lie the adobe cities and pyramids of the Chimu and Moche people, such as Chan Chan (Trujillo), Túcume, and Sipán (Chiclayo). Inland, hidden in the mountains, are the remote citadel of Kuelap Chachapoyas) and the oldest major ruins in Peru, Chavín de Huantár (1000BC) near Huaraz. South of Lima, in the heart of the coastal desert are the mysterious Nasca Lines - vast geometric and animal drawings in the sand, best viewed from the air. Further east, near Lake Titicaca, are the pre-Inca funerary towers (chullpas) of Sillustani.
9. Festivals
Peru celebrates some 3000 festivals a year, most of which are Catholic and held in homage to a patron saint. Major dates include Semana Santa (Easter Week), especially colourful in Ayacucho; Corpus Christi (Thursday after Trinity Sunday - June 25), with processions and festivities in Cusco and Virgen de Carmen (15-17 July), at its most colourful in Paucartambo, near Cusco. Other pre-hispanic, pagan celebrations have been incorporated into the Catholic Calendar such as Quoyllur Rit’i (Holy Trinity, May/June), a traditional ritual pilgrimage associated with the worship of the Apus (mountains) on Ausangate mountain, near Cusco and Inti Raymi (June 24), a re-enaction of the Inca Festival of the Sun, held inside the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, near Cusco.
10. Train Journeys
With the Spanish conquest of Peru came the plunder of its mineral resources, which for the most part were found in the mountainous interior. Tracks were laid to provide a link between the coast and the sierra. For travellers today, Peru boasts three of the world’s most spectacular train journeys: Lima to Huancayo, the world’s highest railway and only just re-opened in 2003; Puno to Cusco, linking Lake Titicaca with the Inca heartland, and Cusco to Aguas Calientes, linking Cusco with Machu Picchu.