The mere mention of Peru evokes images of lost civilisations, snow capped mountains and adventure. This mountainous nation is one of outstanding natural beauty and fascinating history. The countries famous Inca Trail and the lost city of Machu Picchu are renowned the world over. They have inspired generations of budding adventurers and it’s rightly considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. While Machu Picchu is undoubtedly Peru’s star attraction, there’s no shortage of other amazing things to see in this spectacular country. From hiking to history and culture to cuisine, Peru is an amazing and diverse country to visit.
Aside from Machu Picchu, some of the other excellent archaeological sites to visit in Peru include Chan Chan and Kuélap. They both have more than their fair share of intrigue and mystery and are well worth seeing. The old town of Cusco should also be high on your list of attractions to see. It’s winding lanes, historic buildings and cobbled streets are truly enchanting.
However Peru isn’t just about it’s archaeological sites and the past. The country’s two dominant geographical characteristics are the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Basin, which present plenty of opportunities for mountain hiking or jungle trekking. There’s also a number of majestic lakes, which includes Lake Titicaca and the much smaller Laguna Parón. Peru’s combination of history and natural beauty is complimented by a unique culture and a fine cuisine. It all adds up to make Peru a very special and memorable destination to visit.
Peru is the 3rd largest country in South America by land mass and the 4th largest by population. Situated along the western flank of the continent, it is positioned between the Equator to the north and the Tropic of Capricorn to the south. Peru shares borders with 5 other South American countries; Ecuador and Colombia to the North, Brazil and Bolivia to the east and Chile to the south. To the west of Peru is the vast Pacific Ocean.
Undoubtedly the best time to visit Peru for it’s mountains is during the countries dry season. Running from May through October, days are warm and clear, the perfect conditions for hiking. As this period falls over Peru’s winter months and as much of the country is at altitude, the evenings and nights can get very cool.
The wet and hot season in Peru falls between November and March/April. While this definitely isn’t the best conditions for hiking or a visit to Machu Picchu, it’s a good time to visit the coast. Rainfall on the coast is much lower and the warmer temperatures during the day and evenings make it a better all round experience.
Peru’s big draws are its spectacular landscape and natural world, as well as the countries rich collection of historical sites. The country also has a number of fine towns to visit, although these often get overlooked given the other stellar attractions.
Peru has a fascinating mix of different towns and cities. They vary from the sprawling capital of Lima to the ancient city of Cusco, which dates back over 3000 years.
Here’s our top 5 towns and cities in Peru:
This is a category where Peru excels and where it stands head and shoulders above other South American nations. The sites range from the relatively recent Inca period all the way back to the Nasca period, over 2 millennium ago.
Here’s our top 5 historical sites in Peru:
From rainbow mountains, to canyons, lakes and jungle, Peru’s landscape is incredibly diverse. To see the real Peru, you’ll need to experience at least a few of these landscapes.
Here’s our top 5 natural attractions in Peru:
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