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.
Nazca is situated in the Southern Coast region of Peru. The town is famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nazca Lines: enormous zoomorphic drawings created in the desert by scratching away the top layer of rock and sediment to reveal lighter sand beneath. These mysterious, larger-than-life etchings are an unforgettable sight and should feature on any Peruvian travel itinerary. Other key attractions include the Nazca Channels (or Puquios) at Cantalloc – ancient underground aqueducts found near the Inca ruins of Paredones – and the interesting Museo Arqueologico Antonini, which provides great context and information about these archaeological sites. It also houses an excellent collection of Nazca ceramics and textiles (which are known for their vibrant colours and patterns).
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.
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Within the quaint streets of present-day Ollantaytambo is an Inca fortress that was built to guard the entrance to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasion from the jungle tribes. Later the Citadel of Ollantaytambo, was the scene of the Inca resistance against the troops of Hernando Pizarro. This gigantic agricultural, administrative, religious and social complex is located 97 km from Cusco and includes a temple, platforms and an urban area. We can distinguish two areas: one called "Araqama Ayllu", an area linked to ritual and sacred activities, and the second "Qosqo Ayllu", dedicated to housing. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center, which probably also fulfilled military functions, as indicated by its walls and towers. There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a "Living Inca Town", because its people maintain ancient customs and traditions.
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.
Quito, the capital of Ecuador, lies on the slopes of the Andes’ mighty Pichincha volcano in the Guayllabamba river basin. The city’s Old Town is its main attraction - one of the most well preserved in Latin America and the first-ever UNESCO heritage site. Wander among ancient, colourful streets; pop into glorious historic churches; or spend an afternoon browsing the vibrant Mercado (markets) and learning about the unique, traditional Ecuadorian Sierra culture. Other bucket list items in Quito include a visit to the impressive Casa Museo Guayasamín; the Museo de la Presidencia which provides insight into Ecuador’s history; and a climb up the iconic towers of the Basilica. Numerous gorgeous public parks and a thriving and exciting culinary scene complete the package.
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