Peru Destinations
Amazing Places to Visit in Peru
We have put together a list of some of the most amazing places to visit in Peru. Whether you are looking to immerse yourself in pre-Inca, Inca, or colonial history, to dive into an ecotourism experience, or challenge your limits in an adventure travel experience, Peru is a country that has it all!
Take a look around our website and check out our Peru Tours section on the top menu. From heart-pumping Treks through the Andes Mountains to luxurious lodges and cruises in the Amazon, there is a journey that is right for you. If, however, you have questions, please fill out our Contact Us form and we will gladly respond to you promptly.
Peru is a country of diverse grounds and abundant natural resources. The variety of climates has contributed to the development of singular ecosystems where thousands of species, some of them unique in the world, coexist.
Peru features a total of 60 protected natural areas, important for the conservation of the biological diversity and the sustainable development of the country.
Peru is part of a select group of eight “megadiverse” countries because it owns:
84 out of 104 life zones existing on Earth
close to 20% or 1,700 species of birds worldwide
10% total or 400 species of mammals and 300 species of reptiles of the planet
between 40.000 and 50.000 species of vascular plants (the most developed)
source: World Resources Institute
Department of Amazonas / Northeast of Peru / Amazon
Gocta is the fifth highest waterfall in the world with 771m/2,530ft of waterfall length. The Kuelap Fortress is located 3,000 msnm, belongs to the Chachapoyas culture. This is an amazing archeological site between the Andes and the Amazon basin. It is also famous for the height of its cut stone walls with anthropomorphous and animal motifs.
Department of Loreto / Northeast of Peru / Amazon
The Amazon river features the world’s longest river with 7,020km/4,362mi, the greatest flow-rate (over 170,000 cubic meters / 557,743 cubic feet per second), and the greatest diversity of fish species (over 2,000 species). Sailing through its waters within the heart of the rainforest is to live a trip full of adventures.
Department of Puno / South of Peru / Mountain
Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake worldwide, located at 3,809m/12,497ft above sea level, in the Plateau of Collao, the highest in the world. An old legend tells that Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo came out of its waters to found the Inca Empire.
During your trip, visit the islands of Uros and board the “Caballitos de Totora”, boats made by hand, to the beauty and serenity of its waters.
Department of Lima / Centereast of Peru / Coast
Caral is the oldest civilization. It was established around 2,750 years b.C. and its historic importance is comparable to Egipt’s. Walking through its archeological monuments is like transporting to a past full of history.
Department of Lima / Center of Peru / Mountain
Immersed in the majesty of the Andean mountain range, Ticlio is the world’s highest railway pass as it is 4,818m/15,807ft above sea level. This trip offers you beautiful Andean landscaping and numerous lagoons of different sizes and colors.
Department of Cusco / Southcenter of Peru / Mountain
Declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Cuzco in the ancient Quechua language means “navel of the world” or “belly button of the world”. It is also the capital of the Inca Empire and continues to fascinate travellers with its imposing stone constructions such as Koricancha or its mestizo churches like the Cathedral or the Compania which resulted from the cultural fusion during the Spanish conquest, its pintoresque artisan district, San Blas, and its cosmopolitan environment that one can live in its pubs and cafes.
Department of Cusco / Southcenter of Peru / Mountain
Declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The citadel of Machu Picchu was hidden at the end of the Andes and the beginning of the Amazon Basin until 1911 when the American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered it. In Quechua language, Machu Picchu means “old mountain”. Located at the top of a mountain, it is a colossal masterpiece of architecture and engineering, made of large polished stone bricks. It is one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Department of Ancash / Northcenter of Peru / Mountain
Declared World Heritage by UNESCO. This monumental masterpiece is located at 3,185m/10,449ft above sea level, near the city of Huaraz. Discovered in 1919 by Julio C. Tello, a Peruvian archeologist. The most impressive is its sophisticated underground galleries, the beauty of the stonework in Lazon Monolitico of 5m/16ft of heigh, and the Cabezas Clavas of its walls. Known as the “castle”, Chavin and its intricate passageways are believed to be one of the oldest constructions in the Americas.
Department of Ancash / Northcenter of Peru / Mountain
Declared World Heritage by UNESCO. This is a magnificent place because of the turquoise color of its lakes or “cochas” that contrast with the snow-capped peaks. It has over 600 glaciers, close to 300 lakes, and 27 snow-capped peaks such as the Huascaran which rises to 6,768m/22,205ft, the world’s third-highest peak. The Huascaran National Park belongs to the Andes mountain range in Callejon de Huaylas and is a paradise and a challenge to nature and adventure sports lovers alike.
Department of La Libertad / Norwest of Peru / Coast
Declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Legacy of the Chimu pre-Inca culture, Chan Chan means “Sun-Sun”. It is known as the oldest city of clay in pre-Columbian America. Chan Chan is texture, it is formed, it is desert sand made into art. The birds that decorate the walls of Chan Chan seem almost to fly in the strong breeze that blows through this ancient Chimu site.
Department of Madre de Dios / Southeast of Peru / Amazon
Declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Its surface reaches 1’532,806 has / 3’787,646 acres and indescribable place of natural beauty with unique flora and fauna. Manu is the feast of life and diversity, with more than 1,000 species of birds, 1,200 types of butterflies, over 20,000 varieties of plants, and an unknown quantity of reptiles, insects, and amphibians. This area posses the record of the largest number of bird species seen in one night. The best way to make long walks and navigate through its rivers or “cochas” is in the company of an expert guide.
Department of San Martin / Northeast of Peru / Amazon
Declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Its territory reaches 274,520has/678,354acres. There are 36 archeological registered sites out of which “El Gran Pajaten” is the most impressive monumental complex of architectonic design of Latinamerica. Scientists travel through the park to continue studying the flora and fauna and the remains of pre-Inca cultures.
Department of Ica / Southwest of Peru / Coast
Declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The Nazca lines are figures of different animals, drawn on the desert and seen properly only from the sky. They were considered a mystery for decades because it was not known if they were a calendar or a form of communication with outer space. Not far from it, we can find Cerro Blanco, the highest dune in South America with 2,080m/6,824ft above sea level, where sandboarding is practiced.
Department of Lima / Centerwest of Peru / Coast
Declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Lima is a sum of colors, textures, and sounds. Known as the gastronomy capital of Latinamerica, one can enjoy Peruvian seafood such as “cebiche” accompanied by a “Pisco Sour”, our flag drink. The taste is also acquired from the flavor offered by its street-side cooks frying anticuchos or soft picarones in syrup against a backdrop of colonial balconies, old houses, and churches with secret tunnels.
Department of Arequipa / Southeast of Peru / Mountain
Declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Arequipa, located near the slope of Misti volcano, known as the White City because of the volcanic rock, or “sillar”, with which its churches and homes are built. The Colca Canyon, near the city of Arequipa, is one of the deepest canyons in the world with 3,200m/10,499ft and is the habitat of the magnificent condor, the largest bird worldwide and the sacred symbol of the Incas. This is the ideal place to practice rafting, mountain bike, and trekking.
Potato
Is a tuber that grows in the “altiplano” or high plateau, and it is one of the main ingredients of Peruvian gastronomy. In our country, we know of 2,301 types of potatoes of different colors, textures, and favors. The “Carapulcra” for instance is a delicious typical dish made with fried potatoes.Lucuma
Is a round fruit with green peel and yellow pulp, sweet and doughy, delicious in desserts, cakes, and ice cream.Sauco
Is a Silvester fruit of very pleasant flavor. Try it in the form of a beverage, marmalade, and desserts.
