Peru Destination Guide

Peru is the third largest country in South America and one of its most diverse. Divided into three regions – coast, jungle, and highlands – it has dramatic and exciting changes from one region to the next. From beautiful beaches and deserts to mountainous Andes areas and abundant tropical jungle surrounding the mighty Amazon River, Peru has something for everyone.

Peru has a wealth of natural, cultural and archaeological treasures together with a  rich and almost magical history.

Use this Peru destination guide to plan what you want to see and do during your holiday. Taking an authentic Peru tour is the perfect way to get to know the real Peru and meet the locals. Also check out some further Peru travel information, or some of the local highlights of Peru's destination sites:

- Cusco
- Arequipa
- Sacred Valley
- Lima
- Colca Canyon

Things to See & Do in Peru

Follow the links to the right or scroll further down the page for details on some of the many interesting tourist attractions in Peru:

With buildings made almost entirely of ashlar (white volcanic rock) from the neighbouring quarries, it is little wonder that Arequipa should have earned itself the reputation of ‘white city.' The second biggest city in Peru, Arequipa is a thorough blend of Andalusian and Spanish influences.

The spectacular Santa Catalina Convent, with its ‘city within a city' effect, is an especially striking sight. Other places you'll love visiting are the Casa del Moral and the Casa de la Moneda. The latter was once a mint; the Casa del Moral, which means the House of the Mulberry Tree, is a scenic edifice, complete with a sculptured portico and elegant windows of wrought-iron.

Arequipa is also a wonderful place for those in pursuit of adventure. Every day, there are hiking and mountaineering expeditions to Cotahuasi and to the deep Colca Canyons. El Misti is also a popular climb as it is comparatively easy. Yet another diversion that has an increasing number of takers is river rafting.

The Blanquillo Ecological Reserve lies outside the Reserve Zone. Spread over almost 34,595 acres of land (14,000 hectares), this private reserve affords the tourist quite a ‘wild' getaway.

The floating catamaran hide owned by the Tambo Blanquillo Lodge allows one to get a good view of hundreds of brilliantly coloured parrots and macaws alighting to feed off the high cliff (collpa). From this lodge, you can hire a motor canoe and ride off for a little tête-à-tête with the giant river otters at Cocha Camunga. Looking for more opportunities to enjoy wildlife? Try the splendid 40m high vantage point of a carefully constructed platform built in the boughs of a magnificent Kapok tree.

The town of Cajamarca is of crucial historical importance. It has the gory reputation of being the site where the Spanish Conquistadors executed Atahualpa, the Inca Emperor. Every year, visitors flock in droves to see the Ransom Room, which is supposedly filled with the booty that Atahualpa's followers paid his Spanish jailers to buy his ransom.

The town is replete with ancient churches and colonial Spanish edifices, dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Yet another noteworthy tourist hub is the Anthropology Museum housed in the Belen Complex.

With such a colourful past, it is little wonder that the Organization of American States (OAS) recognised Cajamarca as a site depicting the Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Americas in 1986. Cajamarca is also a bustling commercial hub - the central market is a busy place where vendors trade in a variety of goods. Cajamarca is also famed for hosting one of the hugest Carnival celebrations - held about four days after Ash Wednesday.

Capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco was founded in AD 1100. A heady mix of colonial Spanish and Inca architecture, Cusco was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Along almost every main street, you'll find the remnants of Inca doorways, walls and arches. These original patterns have formed a foundation for much of the colonial buildings that came up later, as well as for some of the contemporary buildings. In the neighbouring towns, you'll find even more archaeological sites.

On the whole, Cusco, with its meandering alleys lined with whitewashed houses, bottle-green and sky-blue shutters, carved fountains, posh squares and classy restaurants and inns (posadas), makes for a picturesque getaway. Round every other corner you'll find a quaint reminder of a bygone era, be it the walls covered with colourful murals portraying historical scenes or the native women with their long braided hair and embroidered shawls selling their pretty wares in makeshift stalls.

Some items that you can shop for in Cusco are handmade crafts, jewellery and woven blankets. Most shops around the central square stay open all through the week - from the break of dawn to late at night - excepting for a couple of hours when they shut for lunch.

When it comes to accommodation and lodging, you'll have plenty of options. Depending on your budget, you can choose from a variety of hostels, hotels, family houses and pensions. For those in search of good times, Cusco's umpteen restaurants and vivacious night life could well fit the bill!

It is with good reason that Huaraz has won itself the epithet of the ‘Peruvian Switzerland'. With its expanse of frozen lakes and snow-capped mountains, Huaraz has been the starting point of many an exciting trek and expedition, most of which head off to Callejón de Huaylas. The town is also famous for the international ski events that it hosts on the Pastoruri Glacier. Every year, it also celebrates the acclaimed Semana del Andinismo.

The town is also famous for its exciting flora and fauna. The Huascarán National Park has a remarkable collection of huge, indigenous plants. Especially famous are the giant bromeliads, the Puya Raymondi, which grow up to 15m high and live for over 40 years. It is also home to a number of rare animal species like the puma, viscacha, vicuña and the spectacled bear.

Huaraz is also an exciting treasure trove of archaeological wonders. Lying 28 km to the north of Huaraz, the Chancos thermal baths, with their reputation for being the ‘Fountain of Youth' are a favourite among tourists. About 69 miles (110 km) from Huaraz is the Chavín de Huántar, a pre-Inca stone complex from 1200 BC.

The charming colonial town of Ica lies en route to the Nazca lines. Its wineries and Pisco distilleries, which are open to the public all through the year, are well worth a visit. The Adolfo Bermúdez Jenkins has a large collection of Nazca, Paracas and Inca artefacts. Especially intriguing is a ghoulish collection of mummies dating back to the pre-Inca days.

The biggest ‘jungle city' in Peru, Iquitos is the starting point of numerous tours to the Amazon Basin. It has a large number of hotels offering a range of comforts as well as a numerous camps and lodges. Many tourists also travel down the river to Brazil and Colombia.

Currently, the major industries in Iquitos are the oil and tourism industry. In the late nineteenth century, however, Iquitos was well-known for its commerce in rubber.

The valley of Lima is located between the ocean and the desert, almost midway down the desert coastline. Once teeming with scores of pre-Inca palaces and temples, Lima has still managed to retain its quaint, impressive charm.

Its colonial heritage dates back to the time when Pizzaro decided to set up base at the palace of Tauri Chusko, the local chieftain. Inaugurated on January 6, 1535, the vestiges of Lima's colonial heyday can still be traced in the magnificent mansions and Moorish latticework wooden balconies that dot Lima's plazas.

One of the most prominent squares is the picturesque Plaza de Armas, with its meandering little pathways, beautiful gardens and elegant bronze fountain. Earmarked as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is surrounded by the Town Hall, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno).

Yet another landmark is the Church of San Francisco, which was one of the very few buildings spared by the earthquake that struck Lima in 1746. Recent renovations by the UNESCO have helped restore some of its initial charm. Above a broad staircase is an arched cedar wood roof - an exquisite piece of wood work leading to the cloisters - hearkening back to the seventeenth century.

The Church is also reputed for its library - a rectangular, two-storeyed salon, complete with two delicate, wooden spiral staircases - stocking over 20,000 volumes and a number of magnum opuses by Jordeans, Van Dyck and Rubens. Beneath the church are the famous catacombs. With its macabre display of skulls and bones, it is believed that more than 70,000 people have been buried here.

Down town are the colonial mansions, boasting of antecedents going back to the original Spanish families that occupied them. The 1735 palace of Torre Tagle with its strong Moorish influence has today been taken over by the Foreign Ministry. The balconies and tiles (azulejos) are a distinct example of the fusion of North American and European styles.

Very close to the Palace, you'll find another outstanding edifice - a stuccoed pink and white post office dating back to the 1920s. If you're a philatelist, you'll be delighted with the Correo. With its curved iron gates and arched roof, it is a pretty little place where you can buy and sell Peruvian stamps.

Also testifying to Peru's rich legacy is a large number of museums. Art lovers will be delighted with the National Art Museum and the etchings of Goya at the Museo Taurino, while history buffs will find plenty to interest them at the Gold Museum (Museo de Oro del Peru), the Museum of Peruvian Culture (Museo de Cultura Peruana), the Museo Larco, showcasing about 3000 years of Peruvian history and the creepy dungeons of the Museum of Inquisition (Museo de la Inquisición y del Congreso).

For a large number of tourists, Machu Picchu, the erstwhile Inca city, is the climax of their Peruvian tour. It was an American by the name of Hiram Bigham who first drew the attention of the Western world towards Machu Picchu on 24 July 1911. One of the most outstanding archaeological locales in South America, you'll need at least a day to explore it fully. When it was discovered, it had already been buried under dense vegetation for centuries. With further explorations a multitude of temples, terraces, staircases, palaces, fountains and towers came to light.

Some of the most remarkable places you'll want to spend time in are the Temple of the Sun, the ceremonial baths, the Temple of the Three Windows and the carved rock pillar of Intihuatana, which was used by astronomers to determine the solstices. A 30-minute ramble to the south of the main complex would take you to the Inca Bridge, which has been etched into the cliff.

To get a better view of the city, you may like to attempt the climb up the Huayna Picchu peak. From the summit, you get a spectacular view of the Inca citadel - clouds of mist roll back slowly to unveil the architectural wonders of the citadel. If you're visiting for the first time, it would be a good idea to invest in a guide who will regale you with tales about the lost city.

Many visitors like trekking along the Inca trail. If you are interested, it would be wise to arrange all the details of your trip while you are at home, as self-serving local tour operators care little for the environmental damage they cause.

The Manu National Park is probably Peru's biggest asset in biodiversity. Spread over 7722 sq miles (about 20,000 sq km) of tropical rainforest in the Madre de Dios and Cusco regions, it is inhabited by native tribes like the Matiguenka, Arahuaca, Yine, Piro, and Yora. In 1973, the park was first set aside for special protection. Later, in 1977, it was declared a Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO. In 1987, it became a World Natural Heritage Site.

The park is divided into three distinct areas - the Parque Nacional Manu, the Zona Reservada and the Zona Cultural. The first section has been completely cordoned off to visitors and can be accessed only by researchers and scientists with special permits.

The Zona Reservada, however, is open to a licensed company operating group tours. As part of its tourist infrastructure, this area has quite a few ‘sustainable,' eco-friendly lodges made from woven palm fronds and local timber. Some of these lodges even boast of modern amenities like hot water and electricity. On the whole, they adhere to strict environmental guidelines.

The third section, the Zona Cultural, comprises of a few villages lying outside the restricted zones.

Lying about 12,464 ft (3827m) above sea level, Puno is a hub of Peruvian folklore. Puno is also reputed for the many festivals that it hosts. Especially important are the festivals of Virgen de la Candelaria and Puno Day, which are celebrated on February 2 and November 5, respectively.

What first lured the Spanish conquerors into the region was the vast resource of minerals. The area also abounds with pre-Columbian ruins and colonial churches. The ruins of the Chullpas de Sillustani are found along the banks of Lake Titicaca. Comprising a cluster of tombs built in the model of a tower, the Chullpas de Sillustani has been designed and constructed by the Tiahuanaco people.

Lake Titicaca, reputedly the highest navigable one in the world, has been home to the Uros tribe. For centuries, these people have been building their boats and homes around the lake with Totora weeds. Lake Titicaca is about 112 miles (180 km) long and 43 miles (69 km) wide and acts as a natural border separating Peru from Bolivia. The indigenous people around this area are predominantly Aymara rather than Quechua speakers.

All around the lake are the vestiges of the pre-AD 1000 Tiahuanaco and Pucara cultures. One of the most memorable sites is the Yavari project, which is supposed to be Lake Titicaca's oldest steamship.

Lying outside the town of Cusco are the Inca ruins of Puca Pucara, Tambo Machay, Qenko and Sacsayhuamán. The most remarkable of these is the Sacsayhuamán, a splendid ceremonial centre, which has become famous for being the spot of the historic battle between Francisco's younger brother, Juan Pizarro and Manco Inca in 1536.

Three large ramparts run side by side for over 1148 ft (350 m). Each boulder that has been used to construct the wall weighs over 360 tons. 33 ft (10 m) high and almost 13 ft thick (4m), these walls once formed an impenetrable defence against enemies.

Every year, on the 24 June, locals flock by the thousands to enjoy the lively pageant that marks the Inti Raymi festival.

The Salineras de Maras, meaning salt pans of the Maras, are salt pools belonging to pre-Inca times. They came into being some time between AD 200-300 and AD 900 during the Chanapata culture; their source is a natural salt spring. Through a natural system of gravity and irrigation, water is made to course along a channel into a pool.

The channel was usually a result of the terraces that were manually carved into the hillside. Once the water reached the pool, it was allowed to evaporate. Since the original water source had a high salt content, the evaporation would result in salt deposits being left behind.

What is most amazing is that the pools are still in use today - more than 400 families make use of the 3000 plus pools. The salt is usually scraped from the pool, loaded into sacks and carried along the hillside using mules. The co-owners of these pools have mutually agreed upon the days when the water will be channelised into a particular group of pools.

 About 28 miles (45 km) down the river from Puerto Maldonando, the Tambopata-Candamo Reserved Zone is famed for its rich and varied biodiversity. A veritable haven to over 1000 birds, 2000 species of flowers and 900 dragonflies and butterflies, it is a botanist's true paradise!

Once regarded as a Sacred Valley by the Incas, Urubamba has a number of exciting sites to visit. There are the Inca ruins, which attract droves of visitors, especially the vast collection of ruins at Ollantaytambo. If you're in the mood for some shopping, do drop in to the market at Pisac on Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday or another lovely Sunday market in Chinchero. The main town in the valley, Urubamba makes an excellent base from which you can make some interesting forays into the neighbouring towns. If you have a taste for the artistic, enjoy the experience of discovering the exquisite pre-conquest pottery work of Pablo Seminario.

A city abounding with archaeological treasures - Trujillo, the "City of the Eternal Spring" is famed for its gaily painted mansions like the Casa del Almirante del Risco and the Casa Bracamonte. Chan Chan, the biggest pre-Inca city to be built with mud, was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1986 by the UNESCO. The huacas or religious centres of the Sun and Moon too are famous among tourists - the latter in particular is famed for its painted mud walls portraying one of the chief divinities of the Moche culture.

If you're interested in history, you don't want to miss the Huaco Arco Iris. Recently restored, it is situated within city limits and is famed for its pre-Inca hieroglyphics.

You may also want to visit the Church of El Carmen with its art museum and the splendid Palacio Iturregui. Also worth visiting is Casinelli's Museum with its exquisite collection of pre-Inca artefacts and pottery belonging to the native priests (huaqueros). Food lovers will love consorting at Trujillo's exceptional seafood restaurants, bars and coffee shops.