Peru is a country filled with contrasts because of the various layers of great ancient civilizations which make up this country. In Peru you have everything from colonial cities that have preserved the legacy of the Spanish conquerors, to tiny villages where you can really get a feel of the country and its people. Peru has numerous places for you to visit, explore and enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere.

1. Places to visit at and around Lima

Lima is the capital city of Peru. It is a major city that sparkles with living history and progress. It is a mixture of pre-Hispanic, colonial and modern elements. This city is surrounded by the sea, by islands, mountains, desert and plant life. Some very interesting places to visit while at Lima are

• Pantanos De Villa is a natural wetland which is a reserved zone for more than 150 bird species.

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• The Lunahuana valley is a hotspot for adventure sports. It lies in the Canete highlands and is 180 kms from Lima.

• The Lomas de Lachay is a national reserve in the foothills which is 105 kms from Lima to the north and features a unique fog-fed eco system of wild plant and variety of animal species.

• The temples of metropolitant Lima: Lima has left untouched dozens of ancient temples and archaeological sites which stand out against the full of life metropolis. These ancient monuments have been preserved, thanks to the efforts of archaeologists and the residents.

• Lima’s Cathedral: Built in 1625 in a very stylish way with splendid altars and is definitely the first stop on the tour around Lima.

• The real felipe Port: In 1747, Viceroy Conde de Superunda, tired of continual looting by some of the most famous pirates of the era, ordered the construction of an indestructible fort in the port of Callao, near the city of Lima. The fort was to be the fortress that would defend the Vice-regency of Peru from pirates and other invaders.

2. Machu Picchu:

Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain” in Quechua. (Quechua is a native language of South America; it was the primary language of the Inca Empire) The civilization at Mahu Picchu is an existing proof of the last remains of the Incan tribes. It has been elected as the Seven Wonders of the World in July 2007. The Spaniards had heard of this mountain but never found it. It was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Machu Picchu was used as a place of worship and also as a private retreat for the family of the Inca rulers. Machu Picchu is divided into two zones

The agriculture zone: has terraces for farming and the food store houses.

The Urban zone: contains the sacred temples and royal tombs.

It is worth mentioning that throughout this archaeological site one can find the stone staircases and canals flowing.

3. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca trail to Machu Picchu is Peru`s most popular trekking route and one of the most spectacular walks in South America. It is a part of the 23,000 Km of roads built by the Incas across South America. Each year, some 25,000 hikers from all over the globe walk the 43 km stone-paved trail, built by the Incas to reach to the unconquerable citadel of Machu Picchu in the city of Cuzco.

4. Lake Titicaca in Puno

Puno is one of Peru’s primary tourist destinations and it is also one of the most interesting spots on the South American continent. There are very few cities in the world like Puno, that lie by the shores of such an amazing body of water as Lake Titicaca. It is the world’s highest traversable lake. Scattered on the lake are dozens of islands, each of them with their own uniqueness and peculiarity. Legend has it that from the waters of Lake Titicaca emerged Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the legendary founders of the Inca empire.

5. The Nazca Lines at Ica

Ica is an area of sea, sand, valleys and oases. It is the cradle to Peru’s Creole culture.

The Nazca Lines, which were discovered in 1927, is the most astonishing legacy left by a culture that flourished in 300 BC. These lines are a series of difficult to draw designs up to 300 meters long which can only be seen in their true dimension from an altitude of at least 1500 feet. What confuses many archaeologists till date is how the ancient people crafted these lines, what technology was used and what purpose did these lines serve to them.

Apart from the above interesting places to visit in Peru, you have ample opportunities to enjoy and relax. From Mountaineering in the Peruvian Andes, mountain biking, varieties of water sports, freshwater fishing, hot air ballooning. The list is endless. Peru is very well interconnected by roads and air. Hotels and food in restaurants are quite cheap when compared to other countries. You have every reason to pack your bags and land in Peru for your next vacation.

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