PERU
Peru is a fabulous destination - combining historic sites and spectacular landscapes with vibrant local culture. It's a great first time holiday to South America, as it's a microcosm of the continent as a whole. And of course this is where you'll be able to visit the amazing Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
Lake Titicaca
The world's highest navigable lake, Titicaca is a must-see on any Peru itinerary. Visit some of its floating islands where the Uros people still live a traditional life. For me, one of the amazing things about Titicaca is that the night sky is so clear that you can see more stars than you can shake a stick at!
Arequipa
Dubbed the White City, the attractive colonial city of Arequipa with its backdrop of volcanoes is a lovely place to spend a couple of days. It's a good base if you’re interested in white-water rafting or mountain biking in the Andes.
Cuzco
The lively and historic city of Cuzco has a unique ambiance - I really loved its warren of bustling streets. It's from here that you'll start your journey to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. The city has a reputation for its cuisine and there are numerous restaurants where you'll be able to sample local specialities.
Colca Canyon
One of the deepest canyons in the world, the steep green canyon walls are home to Andean condors and you will hopefully see families of these majestic birds nesting, scavenging and soaring on the thermals above and below you.
Machu Picchu
You’ll have seen photos of this Inca citadel, but viewing it in person is another thing altogether. With its amazing mountain setting it will take your breath away! One of the first things that you’ll wonder is how the Incas managed to move all the stones up the mountain to construct the site. Even though you’ll be sharing the site with other visitors, you can still feel like you have the place to yourself. Book your tailor made trip well in advance, as the Government issues a limited number of permits to protect the site.
LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS
TRAVEL GURU SUMMARY
There's a huge amount to see in Peru, and the places featured above are just a sample of what can be incorporated into a tailor-made holiday. You can visit the Amazon in Southern Peru, the Nature Reserve in Paracas or explore pre-Incan archaeological sites in the country's North.
DONT MISS...
Make sure your itinerary includes the colourful Sunday market in Pisac. Quechua communities from the surrounding highlands come here to sell their produce and stock up on supplies for the week. I absolutely loved it here.