Peru is most famous for the sacred archaeological site of Machu Picchu – visited each year by scores of intrepid hikers who brave the Inca Trail’s arduous slopes to explore the age-old ruins. The country’s attractions extend far beyond the mystical allure of this legendary location and include palm-fringed beaches, quaint Andean villages and archaeological treasures that predate Machu Picchu by hundreds of years – all imbued with the nation’s rich melange of indigenous and colonial cultures. Equally enticing are the exotic reaches of Peru’s Amazon rainforest; Lima’s superb eateries, exquisite architecture and effervescent nightlife; the glittering, mountain-ringed waters of Lake Titicaca; and the vibrant city of Cusco, referred to by the Incas as ‘the centre of the world’.
Peru’s capital is a fantastic city to tour, dotted with a multitude of cultural sites and beautifully preserved architecture. Founded by the conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima was first named ‘City of Kings’ – a biblical reference to the ‘Three Wise Men of the East’ – before its name was changed by the Spanish colonialists. The most significant historical buildings are located around the Plaza Mayor, the most notable being the Government Palace, where one can still observe the changing of the guard performed by the Húsares de Junín. The beautiful Cathedral and the various small palaces and colonial balconies also play also their part in the beauty of the city. Another highlight is the famed Larco Herrera Museum, documenting the millennial cultures that preceded the Inca civilization and containing a priceless collection of pre-Columbian artifacts, including some of South America's finest pre-Inca erotic pottery.
A lunar-like landscape meets the ocean at Paracas, a small beach town on the Paracas peninsula in southern Peru. Stark cliffs drop into the ocean and rugged promontories jut out to sea, offering a beachfront residence to the flocks of marine birds in the area. Many visitors travel to Paracas to enjoy the beaches and the perks of a resort town, however it’s the adjacent marine reserve and outlying islands that most intrigue travellers, offering the chance to view penguins, sea lions, dolphins and seals in their natural habitat. Don’t miss the Paracas Candelabra, a mystic geoglyph etched into the rock and dating back to 200 BCE.
The hamlet of Huacachina is located in southwestern Peru, about five kilometers from the city of Ica. Set on a small lagoon surrounded by desert dunes, it seems almost otherworldly - a tiny spot of paradise amidst a rolling sea of sand. Lore has it that the oasis was created when a beautiful princess was discovered by a young hunter while having her bath there. She fled in alarm, leaving behind a pool of bathwater. Travellers can visit the lakeshore statue that commemorates the legend, enjoy a tranquil row boat ride on the lagoon, sample the local eateries, or go sandboarding or dune buggying. The town of Paracas lies roughly an hour’s drive away on Peru’s west coast and is the launching point for trips to the Ballestas Islands, where you can see rare Humboldt penguins and the mysterious ‘Candelabra’ carving - a vast, ancient geoglyph etched into a cliff face.
The gorgeous city of Arequipa is a perfect blend of ancient architectural treasures and modern buildings, blessed with an average of 300 days of sunny weather a year. It is also known as ‘The White City’ – a nickname that stems from its numerous white buildings, which form a striking contrast with the green surroundings. It is Peru’s most elegant city and the best place to visit if you’re a foodie on the hunt for fine dining opportunities, with an array of fabulous restaurants offering spicy local specialities such as rocoto relleno, chupe de Camarones and ocopa. This city has an illustrious history and its distinctive traditions make it a truly unique Peruvian destination.
Deze grote stad, gelegen aan de oevers van het glinsterende Titicacameer, aan de Altiplano van Peru, wordt genoemd de 'folklorekapitaal' van het land, bekend om zijn traditionele muziek en dans. Het staat ook bekend om zijn ongelooflijke collectie drijvende eilanden - door de mens gemaakte eilanden gemaakt van riet, die de unieke survivalistische cultuur vertonen die hier al sinds de pre-Incaanse tijd leeft. Andere hoogtepunten zijn een bezoek aan de sfeervolle, historische kerk van San Pedro, de prachtige Sixtijnse Kapel van Amerika en een wandeling langs de promenade aan de kust van het Titicacameer. Actieve types moeten de uitdaging aangaan om de 700 treden op te klimmen naar het uitkijkpunt Kuntur Wasi, dat wordt geleid door een massief metalen condorsculptuur, voor de beloning van adembenemende vergezichten over de stad en het Titicacameer erachter.
Once called the ‘Navel of the World’ by the Incas, Cuzco remains a city that blends colonial Spanish charm with older, more austere remains of pre-Columbian glory – one can still see the foundations of Inca structures on many of its city streets today. Cuzco’s most important landmarks include sites from both Inca and colonial times, such as the Korikancha (the ancient Temple of the Sun), the Inca street of Loreto with its 12-cornered stones, the cathedral, the Museum of Colonial Art, the archaeological park of Saqsaywaman (the fortress-temple), the nearby funerary shrines of Kenqo, and the water-worship site of Tambomachay.
