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.

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 wonderful lake in the Cordillera Huayhuash mountain range (located in the Ancash region), and often the first camping stop for those doing the trek.
A large dammed lake in the Huayhuash Cordillera mountain range (Ancash region) with a campsite by the side.
Small archaeological site left behind by the Huari civilisation and located in the Callejón de Huaylas, seven kilometres from the city of Huaraz.
One of the starting points of the most beautiful treks in Peru, the Huayhuash, in the Ancash region.
Campsite on the Huayhuash trek in the mountain range that shares its name, a few hours from Huaraz.
The pass at Cordillera Huayhuash, at 16,500ft in altitude and a stage on the trek of the same name.
The splendid lake in the Cordillera Huayhuash (in the Ancash region) that is reached after a steep descent.
Campsite on the Huayhuash trek, located in the mountain range of the same name and just a few hours from Huaraz.
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.
Chiquian is a little village in the Ancash region, situated between the town of Huarez and the splendid Huayhuash Cordillera.
Palomani Pass is located in the Cordillera Vilcanota, you can cross it during the Ausangate trek.
Urubamba is definitely a place you should stop during a tour of the Sacred Valley if you are interested in Inca history. 
A village in the Cordillera Blanca mainly known for being one of the stopping points on the Cedros and Santa Cruz treks.
A campsite located along the most famous hiking route through the Cordillera Blanca mountain range (Ancash region), the Santa Cruz trek.
Campsite located along the very famous Santa Cruz trek in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range (Ancash region).
The campsite is a stopping point on various treks in the Cordillera Blanca, in the Ancash region.
Puno is the principal port on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. It serves as the point of departure for all the excursions that operate to the lake's islands. 
The city of Ica tends to serve just as a place to stop and see on the way to the Huacachina oasis or Paracas National Reserve. Its colonial architecture does lend it a certain charm, but that's not enough to make you want to spend much time here.   
Cuzco is an amazing town! For tourists fascinated by Inca history, Cuzco, the former Inca capital, is a must-see that has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site.