Peru Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Machu Picchu
Ascend to Peru's top attraction, the awe-inspiring Inca city of Machu Picchu, perched atop a remote mountain northwest of Cusco. This World Heritage site, rediscovered in 1911, is arguably the most important archaeological site in South America, not to mention the most dramatically located.

City of Cusco
Don't miss a trip to capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco (www.inc-cusco.gob.pe). This World Heritage site, founded in AD1100, is a fascinating mix of Inca and colonial Spanish architecture. Murals depicting historical scenes splash across walls and local women still wear traditional dress.

Lima's Colonial Center
Trawl through five centuries of colonial history in Lima, admiring the handsome plazas and opulent mansions with their Moorish latticed wooden balconies. The main square, Plaza de Armas, is home to the impressive 18th-century cathedral and the lavish Government Palace.

Iglesia San Francisco
See one of the few buildings to withstand Lima's 1746 earthquake, UNESCO-listed Church of San Francisco. Inside are an extraordinary domed roof, a vast library, masterpieces by Jordeans, Rubens and Van Dyck, and catacombs complete with ghoulish circular displays of the bones of some 70,000 souls.

Lake Titicaca
Drift out upon Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, and visit the unique waterborne reed islands and boats of the native Uros people. Covering 8,379 sq km (3,235 sq miles), Lake Titicaca is surrounded by ancient ruins and is home to 19th-century steamship, the Yavari.

Manu National Park
Delve into Manu National Park, Peru's greatest treasure in biodiversity. Covering 20,000 sq km (7,722 sq miles) of tropical rainforest, this World Natural Heritage Site is home to around 2,000 plant species, 1,200 butterfly species, 800 bird types and 200 different mammals, including monkeys, tapirs, sloth, jaguar and capybaras.

Caral Complex
Visit the 5,000-year-old city of Caral (www.caralperu.gob.pe), near Lima. Caral was discovered in 1994 and has opened to tourists following years of excavation.

Moche Ruins
Discover more of Peru's countless archaeological treasures, including UNESCO-protected Chan Chan (www.chanchan.gob.pe), the largest pre-Inca adobe (mud) city (20 sq km/8 sq miles) and the nearby huacas (religious pyramids) of the Sun and the Moon. The beautifully restored Huaca Arco Iris is covered with pre-Inca hieroglyphics.
Tambopata-Candamo Reserve Zone
Venture into the Tambopata-Candamo Reserve Zone, 45km (28 miles) from Puerto Maldonado by river, which specialists say contains the largest and richest biodiversity of the world. The flora and fauna within includes more than 2,000 flower varieties, 1,000 birds and 900 butterflies and dragonflies.

Top Things to Do

Nazca Lines
Take a flight over the ancient Nazca Lines, vast and spectacular geoglyphs etched into the desert 420km (265 miles) south of Lima. The most notable designs represent animals (birds, felines and reptiles), and date back to between 200BC and AD600.

Inca Trail
Puff your way around one of the world's most famous mountain treks, the (literally) breathtaking Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This ancient trail passes through snow-capped mountains, cloud forest and a string of 12 Inca ceremonial centers, including Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Wayna.

Inca Ruins
Explore the magnificent Incan ceremonial center Sacsayhuamán on horseback. This is the most impressive of Cusco's four neighboring Inca ruins (the others are Puca Pucara, Qenko and Tambo Machay). On 24 June, thousands celebrate the Inti Raymi festival here.

Religious Processions
On 30 August, marvel at the religious processions honoring Lima's patron saint, Santa Rosa de Lima. Later, on 18 October, a purple haze descends upon the city as the faithful march in purple robes to praise El Señor de los Milagros.

Handicrafts
Browse for traditional crafts in areas such as Ayacucho (specializing in pottery, leatherwork, textiles and jewelry) or Cajamarca. There is also a colorful daily market in Lima's Chinatown district that should not be missed.

Cajamarca Carnival
Go to Cajamarca's Carnival, famous throughout Peru for its annual celebrations that last for an entire month. One word of warning - the traditional Cajamarca Carnival greeting is to be soaked with water!

Central Andes
Tramp around glacial lakes and over spectacular snow-capped peaks near Huaraz in the central Andes. It is also possible to ski on the Pastoruri Glacier, see giant bromeliads (up to 15m/49ft high) and wildlife like the viscacha, puma, vicuña and the rare spectacled bear.

Cordillera Blanca
Trek along the extraordinarily beautiful Cordillera Blanca trail, a 180km- (112.5-mile-) long paradise of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, emerald-green lakes and archaeological sites, containing a wide variety of flora and fauna.

World-class Trails
Take your pick of other world-famous hiking routes, including the Olleros-Chavín Llama Trek to the impressive archaeological site Chavín de Huántar; the Cordillera Huayhuash (Huaraz); the deep Colca Valley; and the demanding Mount Ausangate trek.