Peru is one of very few countries whose inventory of tourism resources includes every type recognized by world tourism specialists
Natural locations, with a variety of eco-systems and a high degree of biodiversity in world terms; it is one the few countries in the world that can offer the traveler sun and beaches, snow sports, and adventure in the tropical jungle at any time of year.
Historical structures show the signs of civilization from Paleolithic times through various stages of Andean cultures until they reached their prime in the grand buildings of the Incas.
Folklore, with expressions of dance, music, gastronomy and crafts that are unique to each one of the regions.
Remarkable human achievements such as the temples and fortresses built at high altitudes (Chavin, Kuelap, Machu Picchu), the mysterious Nasca Lines, and colonial churches.
Programmed events in which visitors can participate, such as the case of many popular festivals –Corpus Christi in Cusco or the Virgen de la Candelaria in Puno– which are held throughout the year.
The 10 Top Attractions
1. Cusco – Machu Picchu
Inca walls, colorful costumes, churches built on top of palaces, citadels lost in the Andean heights, legendary roads-all the beauty of a glorious past that enfolds the visitors who arrives in Cuzco, the sacred city of the Incas and archaeological capital of the Americas. Ever since US archaeologist Hiram Bingham discovered the citadel of Machu Picchu for the world, Cusco has fired the imagination of millions of travelers from all over the world who venture down the Inca Trail every year, headed for the summit of one of the world’s most extraordinary monuments.
The city of Cuzco, however, features many other attractions which by themselves would be enough to attract visitors. The main square, which the Incas called Huacaypata, the artisans quarter of San Blas, the Convent of Santo Domingo, built on top of the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha and the palaces of the Inca and his court are part of a long list of archaeological wonders.
Machu Picchu (“old mountain” in Quechua, the ancient language of the Incas) nestles on top of a mountain saddle high above the Urubamba River in the middle of the cloud forest. It was both a center of worship and astronomic observatory as well as the private retreat of the family of Inca ruler Pachacutec. It is split into two major areas: the agriculture zone, made up of terracing and food storehouses; and the urban zone, featuring the sacred sector, with temples, squares and royal tombs which have been carved to an extraordinary degree of perfection. The stone staircases and canals are found throughout this unique archaeological site.
In 2007 Machu Picchu was elected one of the new seven wonders of the world along with the Chinese Great Wall, Rome’s Coliseum and Taj Mahal.
2. NAZCA: The Age-Old Mystery of the Lines
Centuries ago, 50 square kms of desert floor were covered by vast drawings, figures of mammals, insects and deities, just two hours from Ica. The Nazca Lines, discovered in 1927, are the most extraordinary legacy left by a culture that flourished in 300 BC. These lines are a series of complex designs up to 300 meters (984 feet) long which can only be seen in their true dimension at an altitude of at least 1500 feet.
The Nazca culture is believed to be incapable of manned flight. Still the question remains as to how they crafted the drawings, what technology they used, and what purpose the lines served. Theories abound regarding these mysterious etchings, ranging from landing strips for aliens to a giant seismograph. The most probable theory is that of María Reiche, a German researcher who dedicated her life to studying the lines. Ms Reiche believed that the lines were part of a vast astronomic calendar whose figures marked different solar phases. Ms Reiche. affectionately nicknamed the Angel of the Plains by the local inhabitants. was the first to discover the ancient technique of digging into the tough and dry desert floor and covering the track with stones brought from distant sites. The component of natural plaster existing in the area helped to preserve the drawings for thousands of years. The hummingbird, the spider. the condor and the monkey, are among the more than 30 figures etched into the plain.
The Nazca Plains (four areas in total: Palpa, Ingenio, Nazca and Socos) lie in the department of Ica, some 460 km (285 miles) south of Lima. The lines that decorate the desert floor like an embroidery of the gods have been declared a Mankind Heritage Site by UNESCO and the ancient mystery of the figures still waits to be unraveled.
3. The Koricancha Temple
Koricancha is a classic example of the fusion of Inca and Western cultures. It was one of the most important temples in the Tahuantinsuyu. Its finely polished stone walls were used as the foundations of the Convent of Santo Domingo.
The temple, whose walls were said to have been sheathed in gold and silver, was dedicated to sun worship, as well as containing images of the gods of thunder and Wiracocha, deities brought from various regions and the mummified bodies of Inca rulers.
Worship within the temple was reserved for the highest-ranking figures of the era, and for representatives of distant, non-Inca communities all over the empire who would render homage to the goods of the Thahuantinsuyu.
4. Arequipa-Colca’s Canyon
The Misti volcano may be dormant, but Arequipa wakens every morning amidst a flurry of activity. And although the summit of the volcano is often wreathed by small clouds of smoke, the Arequipa townsfolk proud of their land, do not fail to invite visitors to stroll through the streets of white stone and traditional squares. The lordly city of Arequipa owes the characteristic hue of its houses and other constructions to the white sillar stone a quarried in the region
Founded as the Villa Hermosa de Nuestra Señora de Asunta (the Beautiful Villa of Our Lady of Asunta), Arequipa was recognized as a city in 1541. Throughout its history, Arequipa has also been the cradle of leading thinkers and politicians. Today, the visitor can take in the spectacular neo-Reanissance Cathedral, the impressive Santa Catalina Convent and colonial mansions and museums, all of which are reason enough to visit Arequipa. On the outskirts of the city one can find many other attractions. The Colca Valley is without a doubt the best-known both in Peru and abroad. Just four hours northeast of the city, the Colca boasts some of the most breath-taking landscapes in Peru: superb terracing, snow-capped peaks, dizzying canyons and towns dating back to the sixteenth century. There are 14 villages that have been preserved in the valley since those early colonial times, which the Spaniards used to settle the ancient Collagua and Cabana tribes, who had previously been scattered around the region. The visitors to the Colca Valley will surely be fascinated by the narrow streets and richly decorated churches. The Colca is also a haven for adventure sports fans.
The Colca Valley
Located in the department of Arequipa, the Colca Valley covers a series of beautiful trekking circuits which have been recently discovered for adventure tourism. The area features a network of practically endless trails that wind through the mountains, linking lovely colonial villages. The area is also studded with beautiful lakes, bizarre stone formations formed by wind erosion and unique flora and fauna such as Andean condors, vicuñas, queñual forests and clumps of yareta plants. The main attraction of the area is without a doubt the chain of snow-capped volcanoes, some of which are active. Mount Hualca Hualca 6,025 meters (19,762 feet), Sabancaya 5,976 meters (19,601 feet) and Ampato 6,288 meters (20,624 feet), among others.
One of the most popular trekking routes in the Colca is the trail that links the town of Cabanaconde and Tapay in a circuit that takes two to three days and gives hikers views of impressive landscapes, Cabanatowns such as Cosnihua and Malata, and many pre-Hispanic ruins.
Santa Catalina
The rustle of the long habits of the nuns seems to be impregnated into the walls in Santa Catalina. The alleys that run through the monastery – a city within a city – reveal its past, trapped between the sillar stone blocks and colonial oil paintings and between the high vaults and granite plazas. Santa Catalina located in the center of Arequipa covering an area of more than 29,426 square meters, is the pride of its townspeople. It is a masterpiece of colonial architecture, and houses some of the finest example of Spanish American religious art.
5. Puno – Titicaca Lake
Puno is one of Peru’s foremost tourist destinations and one of the most interesting spots on the continent. Few cities lie by the shores of such a extraordinary body of water as Lake Titicaca, the worlds highest navigable lake.
The Spaniards founded the city of Puno in 1668. It is a city rich in local mestizo art, the fusion of native and Spanish styles in its colonial balconies, weaving and pottery. A greater attraction lies a bare 10 blocks from the main square: Lake Titicaca, which covers an area of 8,560 square kilometers (5,307 square miles) and which local fishermen row across on rafts made from totora, a type of reed that grows along the shore. There are also motorboats for hire to visitors.
The lake is also dotted with dozens of islands, each of them with their own characteristics and peculiarities. The floating islands of the Uros, whose inhabitants descend from one of the oldest known tribes in the Americas, feature typical native huts made from reeds. The inhabitants of Taquile island, meanwhile, still use traditional weaving techniques that tourists can learn if they decide to stay the night there and accept the traditional hospitality of the locals. Other cities around the department like Pucará, stand out for their superb pottery, while visitors can explore the chullpa stone burial towers at Sillustani, built by the Tiahuanaco culture. The area is also famous, for its traditional festivals such as the Virgen de la Candelaria and dances like the Diablada, celebrated in February, an ideal time to visit the area.
6. Chan Chan: The World’s Largest Pre-Hispanic Mud-Brick Citadel
The ancient Chimú kingdom (700-1400 AD) founded their capital by the banks of the Moche River in the department of La Libertad and called it Jang-Jang, which in the ancient Mochica language means sun-sun.
Chan Chan, which spans an area of 20 square km, is the largest mud-brick citadel dating back to the pre-Hispanic era. The Chimú architects used materials which enable the citadel to blend in with the sandy coasts such as mud, clay, pebbles,wood,reeds,straw and cane to built it.
The complex is made of many cities within a city. Each one has its own single entrance and leads down a corridor that opens into other passageways lining walls and buildings. Featuring some marvelous rectangular architecture: such as inner patios, residences, administrative buildings, temples, platforms and storehouses. The walls are decorated with haut-relief friezes done in geometric and animal figures. The T-shaped platform that houses the king´s burial chamber is the most important construction in the complex. The citadel is surrounded by outlying quarters which houses the kingdom’s producers and servants.
7. Iquitos – Amazon River
Iquitos, capital of the department of Loreto, is Peru’s main port along the Amazon River. The city founded in 1757 began to boom from 1881 onwards as a result of the rubber tapping industry. One can still see signs of that economic bonanza in biuldings such as the old Hotel Palace built in Art Nouveau style with materials brought from Europe, and Casa de Fierro, designed by French architect Gustave Eiffel. These constructions contrast with rustic homes that line the Belen quarter, where all constructions rest on pilings due to the fact of the river rising several meters during the rain season. A boatride, along the major rivers and lakes around Iquitos, is particularly bewitching for visitors. Native tribes mainly live along the banks of the Amazon, Napo, Ucayali, Marañon and Nanay Rivers
The most popular beaches are Tunchi Playa, on Lake Quistococha, and Santa Clara and Santo Tomás along the Nanay River, which are ideal for water sports.
8. Huascaran National Park
The park is located in the department of Ancash, in the Cordillera Blanca which is, the world’s highest tropical mountain chain. It was established as a national park in 1975 with an area of 340,000 hectares, and it was declared Mankind Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
The park is home to one of the most extraordinary high-mountain eco-systems on Earth: 663 glaciers, 269 lakes and 41 rivers, as well as hundreds of mountain peaks, 26 of which top 6,000 meters (19680 feet). The park teems with an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna, including 800 plant species and dozens of kinds of animals. It is also the site of 33 pre-Inca archaeological complexes (such as Wilcahuain) and dozens of Quechua-speaking peasant farming communities who use traditional farming and livestock herding techniques.
The Cordillera Blanca
Located in the department of Ancash, the Cordillera Blanca, held to be the Peruvian mountain climbing capital, rears up on the eastern flank of the Santa River Valley, in the Callejón de Huaylas valley. This mountain chain features the largest number of spectacularly beautiful peaks in the country, including Mount Huascarán 6,768 masl (22,200 feet); Huandoy, with three peaks, all over 6,000 meters (19,680 feet); Chopicalqui 6,354 meters (20,841 feet);Chacraraju 6,112 meters (20,047 feet); Alpamayo 5,947 meters (19,506 feet) and Copa 6,118 meters (20,067 feet).
9. Chiclayo – Lord of Sipan
Chiclayo is a part of Peru where the tropical sun, desert oases and fresh sea breeze come together. Legend has it that the god Naylamp sailed here with a vast retinue thousands of years ago to find his empire. In fact, many ancient civilizations saw the strategic advantage of controlling this region. Today, it is a major business hub in northern Peru, where routes come together from the coast, highlands and jungle. Chiclayo is the capital of the department of Lambayeque, which gave rise to the Mochica culture from the first to the seventh century AD.
Near the town of Sipán, 35 km (22 miles) from Chiclayo, lies Huaca Rajada, a complex where archaeologists discovered the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, a high-ranking leader whose body was accompanied by gold relics and jewelry. The treasure trove is on exhibition at the brand new museum: Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipan.
Another major complex is that of Túcume, also known as the Valley of the pyramids, because there are 26 of them. Visitors can take in archaeological sites and the natural landscape, as well as experience folk healing and a culture interchange in general, thanks to the active participation of the community in the preservation of their natural and cultural heritage.
10. Lima
The territory of Lima, capital of Peru and of the department of Lima, was inhabited by civilizations that had gauged its wealth and strategic location centuries before it was founded as the City of Kings. Proof of that can be seen in the countless huacas or temples that dotted the valley, particularly the Pachacamac shrine, a major pilgrimage center during the Inca empire. This spurred Spanish Conqueror Francisco Pizarro to chose the Rimac River Valley for the capital in 1535 as its location by the sea provided a link with sailing routes.
Lima, the main gateway to Perú, is a major city bustling with living history and movement. It is an ethnic melting pot, featuring pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern elements. The metropolis is also surrounded by every aspect of Nature: the sea, islands, mountains, desert and plant life. Its various quarters feature a city of more than 8 millions souls with an active nightlife and well-endowed cultural scene, as well as plentiful public transport and non-stop activities.
Useful Tips
1 – Pack lightly, and only pack what you’re willing to carry.
2 – Book Reservations Early for Machu Picchu, Inka Trail.
3- Check Your Documents, Passports should be renewed or obtained early. Your passport must be valid for (6) months from the date of travel. If it is about to expire you will not be granted entrance to Peru. Check the visa requirements for your destination. Travelers from the USA, UK, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are automatically granted a visa upon entrance to Peru. Make two copies of your travel documents including air and land itineraries and your passports, and leave one copy with friends or family at home, along with the telephone numbers for contacting you in Peru. Keep a copy separate from your other documents. Carry your money, passport, and credit card with you in a money belt, inside your clothing, unless locked in a hotel safe.
5 – Don’t exchange money in the street.
6 – NEVER drink tap water or use ice cubes made from tap water, as they contain harmful bacteria. Do NOT eat food purchased from street vendors.
7 – The Trouble with Taxis, whenever possible use a licensed taxi company, or ask your hotel to guarantee a cab. Notify someone where you are going and when you will be expected back.
