Peru Travel Guide

Use this online Peru travel guide to plan your trip to the land of Incas, glacial lakes and ancient festivals.

Since Hiram Bingham, the American explorer, described Machu Picchu as a "wonderland", the fabled Inca city has become perhaps the single image that says 'Peru'. But it's not even half the story. Peru has more ancient archaeological sites than any other country in South America, with more being discovered all the time.

There is much more to Peru than old stones, however. Peru has life zones from mangroves to cloudforest, mist-fuelled oases in the desert to glacial lakes. Jungle covers 60% of the country, and while less than 6% of its population lives there, the forest provides a home for the greatest diversity of plants and wildlife on the planet.

It would be an unusual visit to Peru that did not encounter at least one fiesta. Pachamama - Mother Earth - is offered a drop of every drink, animal spirits and old combats come alive in masquerades and Christian saints are carried through the streets as if they were the Inca emperors' sacred remains. Peru is a wonderland, indeed, with the uncanny knack of springing new surprises at every turn.

Peru Travel Guide Highlights
Lima Peru's vibrant and grimy capital has many fine colonial buildings and also excellent restaurants.	The Cordillera Blanca Home to many of Peru's most stunning peaks and finest treks.
Cuzco Naval of the ancient Inca world, Cuzco is Peru's Tourism Central and deservedly so.	Chavín de Huantar One of the country's most spectacularly sited ancient ruins.
Machu Picchu No amount of hype can dilute the sheer awe on first seeing Machu Picchu.	Huaca de la Luna The mysteries of the Huaca de la Luna pyramid, near Trujillo, are still being revealed.
Lake Titicaca The sapphire-blue waters of Lake Titicaca are home to many ancient cultures.	Máncora The coastal resort of Máncora, in the far north, is a surfer's paradise.
Colca Canyon Come face to face with the giant Andean condor in the depths of Colca Canyon.	Kuélap The enigmatic site of Kuélap was home to the mysterious 'Cloud People'.
Nazca Lines The sheer scale and wonder of the Nazca Lines can only be appreciated from the air.	Tambopata In the steamy southern jungles, Tambopata hosts an amazing diversity of flora and fauna.