From the sun-scorched desert to the snow-tipped peaks in the Andes, there are not many places with more natural beauty than Peru. These beautiful works of nature are accompanied by temples and fortresses that display the history and magic of the Inca and pre-Columbian civilisations. The weather is the best between May and September so it’s a great time to visit some of my favourite places in this beautiful country.
With that in mind, here are some reminders of the best places to visit in this beautiful country:
Machu Picchu
Perched high upon a ridge, 300 meters above the Urubamba River, the majestic Inca City of Machu Picchu is one of the most dramatic settings of a ruined city anywhere in the world.
The Inca Trail
The famous Inca Trail is a four-day hike, which terminates at Machu Picchu, and is regarded by many as the highlight of their trip to Peru.
Cusco’s Architectural Treasures
Walking through the streets of Cusco is like wandering through a museum, with history built upon history in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Lake Titicaca
The sparkling blue water of Lake Titicaca is surrounded by rolling hills and traditional small villages.
Nazca Lines
The mysterious Nazca lines are an unusual sight that will leave you with a sense of awe. These huge images on the desert floor formed distinct patterns and images.
Here is part one of our favourite wildlife locations:
Colca Canyon
Located close to the city of Arequipa, Colca Canyon was once considered the deepest canyon in the world.
This canyon also attracts many tourists who seek to watch the flight of the Condor Real, a sacred Peruvian figure that’s the biggest bird in the world.
It’s no wonder, as the Condor can measure more than 2 metres from one wing to the other. In the Peruvian culture and based on the local religion, it is considered the symbol of the Above World.
Colca Canyon is one of the best places to watch the Condor Real, and the best time of the day is during the morning when the birds fly over the canyon searching for food.
For those looking for adventure, it is also possible to trek it. Some say that the Colca Canyon trail is even harder than the Inca Trail as it is a high-altitude trail. If you should decide to go with this option, be sure to spend one or two days in Arequipa first to acclimatize.
Amazon forest
Similar to the Manu Park tour, this trail starts right in the middle of the Amazon forest.
The Amazon Forest tour allows you to observe the Peruvian side of the biggest forest in the world, home to numerous animals and plants.
You can admire colourful birds, different monkey species and other mammals. If that’s not enough, drive in a river and say hello to the crocodiles and the giant river otters.
If you are lucky, you may be able to spot a jaguar. They are so shy it usually doesn’t show itself, making it really challenging to locate.
In the Amazon Forest tour, you can also see the famous pink river dolphin, the biggest subspecies of river dolphins. Unsurprisingly, it is famous for its unique pink colour.
