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Here are the 10 places you have to visit if you visit our beautiful country.
The old Incan Empire, conquered by the spanish in the 16th century, today is a popular tourist destination. Its Incan ruins, colonial architecture and incredible landscapes make Peru an essential place to visit if you plan to travel through South America. Below, we tell you which 10 places you have to see if you visit our beautiful country.
10. Puno’s Floating Islands
Located at 3.812 m.s.n.m in the Peruvian Altiplano, the city of Puno is the entry point for the mythical Lake Titicaca, the highest altitude navigable body body of water in the world. The principal tourist attraction of the area, the Uros floating islands, are approximately 80 islands made of totora, an aquatic plant that grows on the surface of Titicaca which are weaved together to form the “base” of each island.
9. Surf and Relax in Máncora
This relaxing beach is a must if you travel to Perú. Internationally known for the quality of its waves, a surf destination and parties, relax in the afternoon under the sun. It is the perfect place to visit in Perú if you are looking for guaranteed good weather.
8.The Chan Chan Ancient Ruins in Trujillo
Everyone knows Machu Picchu, but these aren’t the only ruins there are in Perú. Way before the Incas, the Chimúes and the Mochica existed; two civilizations that were conquered by the Incan Empire and had their center near Trujillo. Chan Chan is the largest city of adobe in the old world, a city of enormous walls built in the desert from the Chimú culture in 1534. From the Mochica culture remains the Huacas del Sol y Luna, sacred city centers that still haven’t been fully explored in totality by anthropologists. This culture is also known for la Señora de Cao, they mummy of an important ruler that dates from 400 a.c.
7. The Nazca Lines:
No one can actually say what the mysterious drawn figures in the Nazca desert symbolize . Created between 700 a.c. and 200 d.c., the time period in which the Nazca culture lived, is characterized by drawings of spiders, monkeys, lizards and humans that even today keep the archaeological world busy.
6. Iquitos, the Door to the Amazon
The door to the Amazon jungle in Perú frequented by explorers, scientific investigators, ayahuasca seekers and daring travelers. Located on the shore of the Amazon River, the city of Iquitos had its peak in the age of rubber when distinguished European women brought their architectural tendencies from their continent to the new world. When rubber stopped being imported, Iquitos remained stuck in time. Today it is possible to take boats to ecolodges, hotels and refuges located in the jungle with activities such as visits to animal refuges, walks in search of anacondas and trips to get to know the indigienous cultures of the area.
5. Lima
The capital of Perú mixes prehispánic architecture, colonial and modern in a desert backdrop with green cliffs that fall into the sea. The ideal panorama in Lima is to visit its old churches, monasteries, palaces and universities and go out and try one of the acclaimed restaurants of Barranco at night. The gastronomy of this city is renowned worldwide and the nightlife does not disappoint the night owls. Surf lovers will also find their place in the extreme northern and southern parts of the city.
4. The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas in the Andes mountains was the heart of the Incan Empire. Located near Cusco and Machu Picchu, this valley was chosen by this civilization for its climatic conditions and its perfect geography for agriculture. Here, there are many tourist attractions. From small towns that fuse Incan architecture with colonial, like Ollantaytambo and Pisac, to impressive ruins like Tipón and Moray.
3. Arequipa
Surrounded by three giant volcanoes, Arequipa is an architectural jewel that mixes the indigenous cultures with the spanish in a very harmonic way. The Santa Catalina Convent, the Cathedral y and the picture-esq cobblestone streets have made this place into one of the most-visited spots in Peru. Arequipa is also a gateway to Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world and a star tourist destination in the area.
2. Cusco
The capital of the Incan Empire, the city where everyone arrives if they plan to visit the spectacular ruins of Machu Picchu and the Incan Sacred Valley. Its small cobblestone streets, colonial churches, the sun temple and the main square, are living proof of the history of a country rich in culture. Visited all year by tourists from around the world, Cusco is known for excellent restaurants, world-class hotels and beautiful cafes perfect to rest after a visit to the surrounding tourist sites.
1.Machu Picchu
It is believed that this old city was a military fortress and later used as an estate for the Incan royalty. Located 2.100 meters above sea level in the Andes mountains, it is found in a zone named ceja de selva, a place between the mountain climate and the rainforest which resulted in a magnificent green mountainous landscape. This astonishing archeological treasure is one of the most famous wonders of the world and the most visited in all of South America.