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An update from Evaneos

Best places to visit in Peru

A trip to Peru is an opportunity to immerse yourself in indigenous South American culture by visiting legendary sites such as Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. Sample guinea pig meat, stay on floating islands, follow in the footsteps of the Incas, go for dune buggy rides in the sand dunes or horse rides through the canyons: there are lots of surprises waiting for you in the land of Pachamama, a popular tourist destination that is fully deserving of the enthusiasm it generates.

Though it is possible to race round and see all the essential things the country has to offer in the space of two weeks, you will undoubtedly want to get off the beaten track as well. Read what Evaneos' experts have to say for advice on how to do this. They have each spent a lot of time in the country and are able to provide personal anecdotes and practical tips in support of their reviews.

When you arrive in Lima, head first of all to the Pacific Coast to see and admire the famous Candelabra at Pisco, go sandboarding in Ica, and take a flight tour over the Nazca Lines. From there you can easily get to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, the highlight of which is of course Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. To reach it, either trek the Inca Trail or get from one archaeological site to the next using first the buses then the trains.

When visiting the city of Puno, spend some time on the islands of Isla Amantani and Isla Tauquile in Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Then head on to Arequipa, the White City, and go trekking in the Colca Canyon.

A visit to Iquitos, in the Peruvian Amazon region of the north of the country, offers the opportunity to meet and encounter native indigenous people and Peruvian shamans, and for mountain climbing afficionados there are the ascents of some of the highest summits in the Andes to tackle.

As you have no doubt now realised, visiting Peru is not at all about taking things easy and relaxing, and you will return from the country with a head full of amazing memories. Don't waste another second and start planning your itinerary right away by browsing the Evaneos website.

Julie Olagnol
An Andean village located between Cusco and Abancay, and the starting point for the Choquequirao trek.
A village in the Cordillera Blanca mainly known for being one of the stopping points on the Cedros and Santa Cruz treks.
An Inca site lying between Cusco and Abancay and often referred to as "Machu Pichu's sister city".
Mountain pass at 4850 metres up in the Cordillera Blanca and forming part of the Alpamayo trek .
A mountain range located in Peru's Ancash region and site of what is undoubtedly one of the world's most beautiful treks.
Welcome to the largest city in the world that cannot be reached by land! When you disembark at Iquitos, whether from a boat or a plane, you'll already feel as if you're in the jungle. An unforgettable Amazon rainforest adventure awaits you.
A superb lake in the Huayhuash Cordillera (in the Ancash region) and the last camping site of one of the most beautiful treks in Peru.
A superb lake in the Huayhuash Cordillera mountain range (Ancash region) and a great place to camp after an Andean-hued day's walking.
A large dammed lake in the Huayhuash Cordillera mountain range (Ancash region) with a campsite by the side.
Llachon, a peaceful village on Capachica Peninsula is starting to develop little by little to welcome tourists in search of authenticity.
The gorgeous lakes at Callejon de Hualayas and THE unmissable outing for everyone visiting the Cordillera Blanca during their holiday in Peru.
The very famous Machu Picchu, an unmissable sight, that in itself makes a trip to Peru worthwhile. It's a work or art, the pinnacle of artistic and human achievement and, overcrowded or not, it was the highlight of my holiday.
The capital of the Madre de Dios region in the south of Peru and gateway to many of the Amazon National Parks.
A mountain pass lying at an altitude of 4,900 metres in the Quebrada Utla, a less well-known area of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range.
Lake Sandoval is a beautiful stretch of water in the middle of the Madre de Dios river, which runs through Peru and the edge of the Amazon rainforest.
Suasi Island is the only private island in Lake Titicaca.
Wiñay Wayna is an Incan ruins site, located on the Inca Trail which leads to the legendary Machu Picchu.
Cusco, a typical stopping point, unmissable during your holiday in Peru. In the midst of the Andean mountains, this ancient Inca city is the gateway to the famous Machu Picchu. 
The highest navigable lake in the world is home to numerous treasures and it's sometimes difficult to chose which to explore first.
The Urumbamba valley in the Andes, full of history and culture, just a few miles from the equally famous town of Cusco.
A little crossroads town located in the Sacred Valley, between Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
A charming little village in the Sacred Valley built on Inca ruins and lying just thirty kilometres from Cusco.
Chiquisca is the departure point for the trek to Choquequirao, one of the last Incan cities.
Situated in the Cordillera Huayhuash, the San Antonio Pass sits at an altitude of 5,050 metres.
Hatun Cuyoc is a base camp in the Huayhuash Mountains.
Huaraz, the "international capital of friendship", is located right in the centre of the Cordillera in the Peruvian Andes, at an altitude of 3080m, or just over 10,000ft. A haven for sports-lovers of all types.
Huatiac is a base camp situated in the Cordillera Huayhuash.
Nicknamed "Little Cusco", Huchuy Qosqo is an Inca site located north of Cusco.
Lake Jurau is a high mountain lake in the Huayhuash mountains.
Maras is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, not far from Cusco and makes for a captivating visit for anyone touring this area of Peru.