Cusco
Set high in the Andes Mountains around 700 km southeast of Lima, Cusco is the historic capital of the Inca Empire, a fascinating place to explore, with a remarkable range of historic hotels. It’s also the main point of access for the Valle Sagrado, Machu Picchu and the trekking areas.
Machu Picchu
Set high in the Andes Mountains to the west of the Valle Sagrado and Cusco, Machu Picchu is an iconic Inca citadel and arguably the most important archaeological site in South America. Of course it can get very busy during high season but there are still a few smart ways to visit.
Valle Sagrado
Set between the Inca capital of Cusco and its primary religious centre at Machu Picchu, Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley) was the agricultural engine room of the great mountain empire. It’s a lovely place to relax and acclimatise, offering a wide range of historical, cultural and outdoor activities.
Tambopata Amazon
Tambopata is the section of the Amazon Basin which lies in the southeast of Peru and is most commonly combined with areas like Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lago Titicaca. It forms the heart of the largest uninhabited unhunted section of rainforest in the world and offers some remarkable wildlife viewing.
Lima
Set on the central coast of Peru, Lima is the capital city and the main port of entry for the country. Virtually all travellers end up spending at least one night here. There are some good hotels in the upmarket southern suburbs, some impressive colonial architecture, several superb museums and a seriously trendy food scene.
Lago Titicaca
Set in the far southeast of Peru, Titicaca is a very large, deep and scenic lake, the highest navigable body of water in the world, sacred amongst the Inca, with some beautiful islands, fascinating archaeological sites and attractive cultures to explore.
Arequipa
Set in the south of Peru, Arequipa is an historic Spanish town which is renowned for its fabulous white-stone colonial architecture and is encircled by three impressive volcanoes. Commonly combined with the dramatic Colca Canyon, there are onward road and rail links from here up Lago Titicaca and Cusco.
Iquitos Amazon
Set in the remote northeast of Peru, Iquitos is the gateway to the Amazon River and the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, an area which is largely explored on small, high quality live-aboard cruise boats. Certainly a much easier experience than the Tambopata area further south, but with a lesser focus on major wildlife sightings.
Chachapoyas
Set high in the Andes Mountains to the northeast of Peru, Chachapoyas is the historic capital of the Cloud People and is in easy reach of the historic citadel of Kuelap, the cliff-side mausoleums of Revash and the world’s third highest waterfall at Gocta.
Colca
Set amidst the dramatic landscapes of the Andes Mountains to the north of Arequipa, the Colca Canyon is the second deepest in the world, a famous location for viewing Andean condors and a lovely rural area to explore and relax.
Chiclayo
Set just back from the coast around 400 km from Lima, Chiclayo is the fourth largest city in Peru, with some impressive colonial architecture, the interesting archaeological sites of Túcume and Sipan, as well as the spectacled bear stronghold of the Chaparri Reserve.
Trujillo
Set on the coast around 500 km north of Lima, Trujillo is an attractive colonial city which is home to the incredibly impressive archaeological sites of Chan Chan (the largest adobe city in the ancient world) and the twin temples of Los Huacas, as well as the beaches of Huanchaco.
Mancora
Set on the coast around 100km short of the border with Ecuador, 800 km north of Lima, Mancora is the main beach resort in Peru, with year-round sunshine and activities including surfing, kite-surfing and diving. There are some very high quality resorts to the south of the busy main town.
Paracas
Set on the Pacific Coast around 200 km south of Lima, Paracas is a small beach resort which provides access to the Islas Ballestas, commonly known as ‘The Poor Man’s Galapagos’, with some very impressive marine life. This is also the place from which to undertake flying safaris over the remarkable Nazca lines.
Cajamarca
Set high in the Andes Mountains around 700 km north of Lima, Cajamarca is an important cultural and commercial town, famous for being the place where the last Inca emperor, Atahualpa, was captured, ransomed and killed by the Spanish conquistadors in 1532.
