Paracas, Titicaca, Inca & Amazon

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.