Machu Picchu
Historical Significance
The majestic Machu Picchu, perched high in the Andes, stands as a testament to the Incan Empire’s architectural prowess. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this iconic citadel was forgotten for centuries until Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911.
Hiking the Inca Trail
For the intrepid traveler, the Inca Trail offers a four-day trek that is as breathtaking as it is calf-crushing. The reward? A sunrise view of Machu Picchu that’s worth more than the blisters. For the less masochistic, trains from Cusco are available—less adventure, but also less sweat.
Cusco
Colonial Architecture
Welcome to Cusco, the bellybutton of the world if you trust Incan mythology. The city is a showcase of colonial architecture built atop Incan stone foundations. The Plaza de Armas is so photogenic, it’s almost indecent.
Nearby Sacred Valley
A stone’s throw away from Cusco is the Sacred Valley. With ruins like Ollantaytambo and Pisac, you’ll feel like you’re in an Indiana Jones flick—minus the rolling boulders and the need for a whip.
Lima
Culinary Scene
Lima—the city where the cuisine has more layers than a well-prepared causa rellena. It’s the gastronomic titan of South America, so come hungry and leave your belt at home.
Museums and Culture
If you fancy a side of culture with your ceviche, Lima’s museums, like the Larco Museum, are brimming with pre-Columbian art that’s older than your grandmother’s cast iron skillet but twice as shiny.
Arequipa
The White City
Arequipa, affectionately known as the ‘White City’, is a vision in volcanic stone. Surrounded by dramatic volcanoes, the city’s buildings are made from sillar—a pearly white volcanic rock that sparkles like the eyes of a cuy before it becomes dinner.
Colca Canyon
Nearby, the Colca Canyon makes the Grand Canyon look like a crack in the sidewalk. Watch the majestic Andean condors soar overhead; they’re the real kings of the sky, not those pretenders at 30,000 feet.
Nazca Lines
Mysterious Geoglyphs
The Nazca Lines are a series of giant doodles in the desert so perplexing that even aliens deny making them. These geoglyphs have everything from monkeys to spacemen, and they’re best viewed from a tiny plane where your knuckles will match the white of Arequipa’s architecture.
Viewing Options
For those preferring terra firma, viewing towers offer a less nausea-inducing glimpse into these ancient enigmas. Prepare to squint; you’re going to need the eyesight of a hawk.
Lake Titicaca
Floating Islands of Uros
Behold Lake Titicaca, where the reed islands of the Uros float like oversized lily pads. The locals will show you how to build an island with nothing but reeds and sheer willpower—a handy skill for when you miss the last boat back.
Taquile and Amantaní Islands
The neighboring islands of Taquile and Amantaní are where time moves at the pace of a leisurely rowboat. Their terraced landscapes are a green thumbs-up to traditional farming techniques.
Amazon Rainforest
Iquitos and River Tours
Iquitos is your gateway to the ‘less-cuddly-than-it-sounds’ Amazon Rainforest. Here, river tours come with a side of pink dolphins and anaconda-sized mosquitoes—bring your bug spray and sense of wonder.
Biodiversity Hotspots
Tucked within the verdant embrace of the Amazon, biodiversity hotspots like the Tambopata National Reserve and Manu National Park are where creatures great and small vie for the title of "Most Likely to End Up in a David Attenborough Documentary."
Huacachina Oasis
Sandboarding and Dune Buggies
Huacachina is a literal oasis in the desert and the poster child for ‘unexpected travel destinations’. Sandboard down dunes that dwarf buildings, or hop in a dune buggy and pretend you’re in a Mad Max film—apocalyptic adrenaline rush included.
Lagoon Legends
The lagoon at the heart of Huacachina is said to be home to a mermaid with a penchant for seducing hapless travelers. Dip your toes in the water, but keep your wits about you—she’s not above using the old ‘look at my tail’ trick.
Paracas National Reserve
Wildlife and Beaches
Paracas National Reserve is where the desert meets the sea and the birds are so numerous they could form their own country. The beaches are perfect for those who like their sand with a side of flamingo.
Ballestas Islands Tours
The Ballestas Islands are a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Known as the ‘Poor Man’s Galapagos’, you can get up close and personal with more sea lions and penguins than at a zookeeper’s convention.
The Cordillera Blanca
Huaraz and Adventure Tourism
Huaraz is the rough-and-ready base camp for adventure tourism in the Cordillera Blanca. It’s so rugged, even the llamas wear leather jackets. Just try not to look too out of breath—the locals climb these mountains before breakfast.
Trekking and Mountaineering
Grab your hiking boots for some of the world’s best trekking and mountaineering. The Santa Cruz Trek is a four-day mini-epic that serves up sky-high peaks and azure lakes like they’re going out of fashion.