Places to Visit in Peru

If you only have time to visit one country in South America, taking a travel package to Peru should be at the top of your list. Peru fascinates even the youngest travelers. There are plenty of fantastic places to visit in Peru, as every region is full of diverse cultures, exquisite cuisine, impressive Incan and pre-Colombian ruins, complex history, and an absolute abundance of wildlife.

Consider traveling from the highlands of Arequipa to the Colca canyon – the world’s deepest – to spot the Andean Condor, or fly just 30 minutes from Cuzco down to the Amazon Rainforest, where you can explore dense jungles on tributaries of the Amazon River. Lima, the capital of Peru, is a great starting point for any trip to South America, with a vast history as Spain’s outpost of its Western empire, with plenty of international flights arriving and departing daily.

Machu Picchu

It’s no surprise that Machu Picchu is one of the most popular destinations on our Peruvian vacations. The ancient stone-city in the sky receives over half a million visitors a year, and for good reason. One of the seven wonders of the world, the Lost City of Machu Picchu ranks among Peru’s most impressive and awe-inspiring destinations, and is the heart of Peru tourism.

On any of our customized Peru tours, you really should include a visit to Machu Picchu! Our popular Machu Picchu tours feature three options to travel to the ancient city – by train from Cusco, by hiking the spectacular 4-day Inca Trail through the Sacred Valley camping along the way, or by trekking just the final day of the Inca Trail – arriving at Machu Picchu on foot, but without the camping.

Lima

A tour to Peru from the US and elsewhere will often begin in Lima, the “city of kings”. This city is a dream for surfers, foodies, historians, and cultural enthusiasts. Surfing competitions are held in Lima, as the city’s sweet spot on the Pacific Ocean enjoys ideal waves and watersport conditions. For foodies, Lima has emerged as one of the most sought after culinary capitals with Michelin starred restaurants such as Central Restaurante and Astrid y Gastón. History buffs will be fascinated by the centuries of ancient Pre-Colombian cultures and nearly 500 years of Spanish political influence and rule, as Lima became the western outpost of the Spanish empire and the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and site of a Real Audiencia in 1543. For those looking for a cultural experience, enjoy a historical tour of the many churches, museums, and colonial buildings here.

Ballestas Islands & The Nazca Lines

South of Lima, the Ballestas Islands, known as the “poor man’s Galapagos”, consist of arches and caves which serve as shelters to over 1500 species of marine birds and thousands of sea lions. The Nazca Lines, a series of inexplicable, ancient geoglyphs created between 400 and 650AD, with peculiar motifs created by removing the red pebbles and exposing a whiter ground beneath, continue to baffle scientists. The figures are best seen from a plane as an aerial view can show the size of these geoglyphs. Some are several hundred feet long, such as the hummingbird, monkey, condor and even an “astronaut”.

Colca Canyon & Arequipa

On any of our Peru travel packages, add a visit to Arequipa, the city at the foot of El Misti Volcano in the southern deserts of Peru. Arequipa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site complete with beautiful colonial architecture, a cathedral, and the Monasterio de Santa Catalina. Here you will find old world charm with colorful buildings and Spanish-style plazas. A three-hour drive away is the Colca Canyon where the giant Andean condors soar just a few meters above your head.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is in Peru’s Andean highlands and is an integral part of Peru’s agricultural history. It is here where the Inca Empire was formed, along with Cusco and Machu Picchu. This beautiful land spans roughly 60 kilometers (37 miles) and acts as fertile farmland for all kinds of crops. Follow the Urubamba River to the charming market town of Pisac and massive Incan terraces of Ollantaytambo while exploring the Sacred Valley.

The Peruvian Amazon Rainforest

It’s a fantastic idea to add the Peruvian Amazon to any of our Peru tour packages. The Peruvian Amazon Rainforest is home to some of the most varied wildlife in the world. While in the jungle or one of our recommended Peru cruises, you’ll stay in a fantastic rainforest lodge and have the chance to embark on nighttime safaris where you’ll discover the wondrous, thumping nightlife of the Amazon Rainforest. Consider lodging at the Posada Amazonas Peru Amazon lodge, perfect for honeymooners, families, and avid bird watchers. Or maybe you’d prefer the Reserva Amazonica, close to the Madre de Dios River, surrounded by rare flora and fauna. A trip to Peru’s Amazon will surely introduce you to some of the best wildlife the Amazon rainforest has to offer.

Kuelap

Peru vacation packages often include Machu Picchu, but what about Kuelap? Older than Machu Picchu and far less visited, Kuelap was built by the Chachapoyas, known as the Cloud Warriors, in the 6th century AD. Kuelap is a fortress with massive stone walls on a ridge high above the Utcubamba valley. Within the fortress, remains of roundhouses decorated with carvings of animals in the walls can be seen. The ruins are 3,000 meters above sea level and have commanding views over the surrounding mountains. The Spanish coerced the Chachapoyas to conquer the rival Incas, before dominating their culture themselves.