Places to discover

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.

Llatica is a small hamlet in the Colca Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world.
Located on a cliff, Fure is a remote Andean village in the Colca Valley.
Llahuar is located near the Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world.
Sangalle is an oasis situated at the bottom of the Cañon del Colca (3,400m deep!). It is a must-see for all trekking lovers, and it's a well-deserved stop!
It's at Mahuayani that the Ausangate trek starts
Suasi Island is the only private island in Lake Titicaca.
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.
Chilca is a seaside resort situated in the Cañete province, around two hours from the Peruvian capital by road.
Chilca Tambo is a base camp for hikers in the Vilcanota Mountains, not far from Mount Ausangate.
The large circular terraces in the Cuzco region were most probably used as a centre of agricultural research during the Inca era.
Situated in the sacred Inca valley, around 50km from Cuzco, the Salt Flats of Maras are a must-see. It is an unbelievable view of the landscape, with large pools of salt water arranged in waterfalls. The site is always used by the locals.
Malata is a hamlet situated in Colca Valley , not far from the canyon of the same name.
Capachica is a peninsula situated in the region of Puno, on the edge of Lake Titicaca.
Huasao is nicknamed a "village of sorcery" and is about 12 miles away from Cusco.
An Andean village located between Cusco and Abancay, and the starting point for the Choquequirao trek.
The first camping stop on the Choquequirao Trek, between Cusco and Abancay.
An Inca site still little visited, Choquequirao is considered a second Machu Picchu.
A little village in the Sacred Valley, known best as being a stopping point on the very famous Inca Trail leading to Machu Picchu.
Not far from the Runkurakay ruins is Pakaymayu, a valley that is crossed during the famous Inca Trail trek.
A mountain range located in Peru's Ancash region and site of what is undoubtedly one of the world's most beautiful treks.