When it comes to tourism attractions, Peru is truly blessed. First of all, the country has the Inca citadel Machu Picchu, the most popular site in South America. That popularity can be a curse too, of course, since the ever-increasing crowds are putting a strain on the fragile eco-system of the area and may be damaging the site itself. Fortunately Peru is not a one-trick pony: there is plenty to see beyond one mysterious lost city in the mountains.
The jumping off point of Cusco (sometimes spelled Cuzco) is one of the most enchanting and attractive cities in Latin America. Located at a height of 11,000 feet/3,500 meters in the Andes, it is a mix of ancient Incan walls and colonial architecture, with surprises at the end of every cobblestone alley. In the Sacred Valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu are dozens of other sites worth visiting, all backed up by spectacular mountain scenery.
The colonial city of Arequipa is another highlight, with white-capped mountains in the background of the main plaza and a rambling monastery that is a photographer's delight. Travelers with more time can tour nearby Colca Canyon, where the condors fly and the scenery changes completely.
Visitors can also fly over the mysterious Nazca desert drawings, take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca, or visit the "poor man's Galapagos" of Ballestas Islands. And that's just the south. There's plenty more to see and do off this main tourist route in the rest of the country and more interesting ruins up north. The eastern part of the country leaves the mountains behind: it's the thick and hot jungle of the Amazon. The newest adventure to open up in Peru is a trek to the remote Gocta Falls, kept secret by the locals until recently, but now presumed to be the third-highest in the world.
Some of the finest trekking in South America is in Peru, especially around the area near Haurez, in the northern half of the country. The massive mountains reach to 18,000 feet and are permanently topped with snow.
Almost ten percent of the country is in some kind of protected zone, be it national park, national forest, or sanctuary of some kind. Some of these zones are as large as a small country. The Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve and a few others along the Amazon boast some of the greatest diversity of flora and fauna on the planet.
Peru also sits next to Ecuador and Bolivia, making an add-on trip an easy affair. Many travelers go to Bolivia as a side trip from Peru: Lake Titicaca straddles the two nations.
Peru has really stepped up its game in recent years when it comes to hotels, so high-end travelers can find lodging here that is truly a delight, especially in Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu.
Luxury Hotels in Peru
Arriving at Machu Picchu in Style on the Hiram Bingham Express Train
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