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.
Paracas is a coastal town in Peru's Ica region, where the Pacific Ocean meets a stark coastal desert. It is a nature and adventure destination centred on the Paracas National Reserve, a vast protected area of desert landscapes, dramatic cliffs, beaches and rich marine ecosystems. Travellers can take boat trips around the Ballestas Islands to see sea lions, Humboldt penguins and abundant seabirds, while the reserve offers spectacular viewpoints, the red-sand shores of Playa Roja, and opportunities for hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, kitesurfing and windsurfing. The mysterious Candelabra geoglyph adds a cultural dimension and is visible from the sea en route to the islands. Paracas' striking combination of desert scenery, marine wildlife, watersports and rugged coastline gives it a distinctive character on Peru's southern coast.
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).
Arequipa lies in southern Peru, set in the Andes beneath the imposing Misti volcano. Known as the "White City", it is a cultural destination celebrated for its colonial architecture, distinctive cuisine and dramatic volcanic landscapes. Its UNESCO-listed historic centre features elegant buildings crafted from white volcanic stone, atmospheric plazas and the remarkable Santa Catalina Monastery, a colourful complex of narrow streets and peaceful cloisters. Visitors can admire panoramic views from the Yanahuara viewpoint, explore traditional neighbourhoods and sample regional specialities such as rocoto relleno at local picanterías. Arequipa also serves as a gateway to the spectacular Colca Canyon, where travellers can hike through Andean scenery and look out for Andean condors soaring above the valley. Its blend of history, gastronomy and outdoor adventure makes it a memorable Peruvian destination.
The town of Chivay is located in southern Peru. This popular destination is one of the most accessible within the world-renowned trekking area of Canon del Colca (the Colca Canyon), and offers some excellent cultural sights and outdoor activities. Begin at the stone Inca Bridge, which spans the Colca Ravine, and then visit the attractive Temple Santiago Apostol de Coporaque, before relaxing in the cafe-lined Plaza de Armas de Chivay. Nature lovers will relish the Astronomical Observatory, with brilliant views of the Milky Way available in the pollution-free valley, as well as the Andean condor-spotting area of Cruz del Condor. Finally, Hot Springs La Calera offers rejuvenating waters and a range of spa treatments, and further expeditions into the Colca Canyon (such as Tuti, Sibay and Callalli) are easily arranged from Chivay.
Set on the shores of glistening Lake Titicaca, on the Altiplano of Peru, this large city is dubbed the ‘folklore capital' of the country, well known for its traditional music and dance. It is also famous for its incredible collection of floating islands - man-made islands created from reeds, which exhibit the unique survivalist culture that has been alive here since pre-Incan times. Other highlights include visits to the atmospheric, historical Church of San Pedro, the gorgeous Sistine Chapel of the Americas, and a stroll along the boardwalk on the shoreline of Lake Titicaca. Active types should take on the challenge to climb up the 700 steps to the Kuntur Wasi viewpoint, which is presided over by a massive metal condor sculpture, for the reward of breathtaking vistas across the city and Lake Titicaca beyond.
Surrounded by the peaks of the Andean Plateau and overlooked by the 6402m Mt. Illimani, La Paz is a truly breathtaking city whose buildings sprawl across the surrounding canyon, reaching altitudes of up to 4100m. While the sight of the city is reason enough to visit, La Paz holds a number of attractions sure to keep tourists fascinated. Take a walk along Calle Jaen, a colonial street lined with museums, explore the city's cathedrals or wander through some of the colourful markets, including the 'Witches' Market' where llama foetuses and dried frogs can be found for sale.
Situated in the Bolivian province of Daniel Campos, the town of Tahua and the surrounding eponymous municipality is home to some of the most spectacular landscapes in South America. The area is dotted with tiny Bolivian villages, blanketed with an endless white salt plain and covered with mountains rising from a lunar-like landscape. Resting at the foot of the sacred Tunupa Volcano, the little village of Tahua sits on the edge of the world’s largest high altitude salt flat, the Salar de Uyuni, which is undoubtedly the main highlight in the province. This vast salt desert is one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles in the country. Visitors will find a variety of wildlife living in and around this area including flamingos, rheas, vicunas, and foxes. Don’t miss the fascinating Fish Island, featuring a rocky island outcrop comprised entirely of fossilized coral and scattered with giant prehistoric cacti.
The Siloli Desert is the world’s highest desert, resting at an altitude of 4550 metres above sea level. It is located close to Bolivia’s border with Chile and considered to be an extension of the neighbouring Atacama Desert. Visitors to this remote part of the world can look forward to dramatic views of geometrically cracked salt pans and rust-coloured hills. The desert’s most iconic feature is the Árbol de Piedra, a seven-metre high sandstone formation that resembles a gnarled tree and was shaped by the region’s harsh winds over thousands of years. The tiny settlement of Ojo de Perdiz has a spattering of guesthouses and a fascinating community, while the nearby Pastos Grandes Lagoon is a shallow salt lake set below a volcanic mountain where you can see flocks of flamingos and revel in the breathtaking scenery.
Uyuni is a small, high-altitude town in southwestern Bolivia's Potosí Department and the main gateway to the extraordinary Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat. Situated at roughly 3,650 metres above sea level, Uyuni serves as a base for exploring some of the Altiplano's most spectacular landscapes. Travellers can take 4x4 excursions across the vast white expanse, where geometric salt patterns dominate in the dry season and seasonal rains can create a remarkable mirror effect. Highlights include cactus-covered Incahuasi Island, vividly coloured high-altitude lagoons and the surrounding desert scenery. Closer to town, the atmospheric Train Cemetery recalls Uyuni's railway and mining heritage, while nearby Colchani offers an insight into traditional salt production. Together, these experiences showcase Bolivia's dramatic landscapes and distinctive Andean culture.
As previously described
Once called the ‘Navel of the World’ by the Incas, Cusco rises in the southern Andes of Peru, where colonial grandeur meets the enduring stonework of the Inca Empire. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it serves as the main gateway to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and surrounding ruins. At its centre, the Plaza de Armas—once Huacaypata—remains alive with cafés, arcades, and the 16th-century Cusco Cathedral, built from Sacsayhuamán’s stones. Nearby, the San Blas district unfolds with whitewashed adobe houses, blue balconies, and workshops where artisans craft metalwork, woodcarvings, and sacred art. Across the city, layers of history reveal themselves in landmarks such as the Korikancha, the Inca street of Hatun Rumiyoc with its twelve-angled stone, the Museum of Colonial Art, and the ancient shrines and water temples scattered through the surrounding hills.
As previously described
Perched high up in the Andes, Machu Picchu Pueblo is a riverside town known for its proximity to the famous Machu Picchu ruins. This cloud-forest town is encircled by towering forested cliffs and boasts an endless array of hotels, restaurants, markets and labyrinthine streets. Machu Picchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes, serves as an excellent base to explore the renowned ancient archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Visitors can enjoy various other activities, including having a relaxing massage after a long day of exploring, taking a stroll through lush rainforest to the Mandor Waterfalls, embarking on an adventurous hike up the Putucusi Mountain or soaking in the relaxing thermal baths with the Andes as your backdrop. Don’t miss the Machu Picchu Museum and Botanical Gardens, displaying the area’s history and diversity of indigenous flora.
As previously described
