Many travelers choose to travel to Peru their first trip to South America. Offering the perfect combination of factors, Peru can be proud of a cuisine of the world's finest. Its history and culture are an inexhaustible wealth. And to top it off, its landscapes are breathtaking!
Here's our pick of 10 attractions not to be missed on a trip to Peru. This list is of course subjective, and you are welcome to fill in the comments.
10. Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is the largest in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world. Altitude (the lake is 3,812 m above sea level) and low temperatures around 15 ° C make swimming in the lake rather difficult, especially if you are cautious. But rest assured, welcoming communities living on the banks will make your visit very warm! Viventura offers the opportunity of staying in these communities while traveling Peru-Bolivia-Chile 22 days and visit schools we support via the ViSocial Foundation.
9. Machu Picchu
The Inca Lost City is the most famous archaeological site on the continent. It attracts so many visitors that his attendance is closely monitored by local authorities. This site had never been revealed to the Spanish Conquistadors and was forgotten until about a century. Machu Picchu is greatly appreciated from its terraces, along walls or squares, or from Wayna Picchu or Intipunku offering a breathtaking view over the city. To access it we advise you to follow the Inca Trail, 4-day trek that takes you through many other sites such as the ruins of Llactapata, Runkurakay, Sayaqmarka and Winay Winay. Simply legendary!
8. Festivities and joy of living
Peruvian culture is rich in festivals, carnivals and festivals! So many opportunities to discover the joy of life and the richness of Peruvian identity. Have you ever heard of the Inti Raymi, the celebration in homage to the Sun straight from the Incas (read our article on the Inti Raymi)? Or of the most unusual as each other met when each New Year's Eve (read our article on the new year in Cusco) Peruvian traditions? Participate in a Peruvian party, you will not be disappointed!
7.The Ballestas Islands
The Ballestas Islands are home to abundant wildlife that are worth their comparison with the Galapagos Islands. Given their proximity to the Peruvian coast - the crossing takes about 90 minutes - and the beautiful natural setting, the Ballestas Islands are well worth a visit! Especially they are home to many species including sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, penguins, alligators, and blue-footed boobies, among many others. The luckiest of you may even be surprised pink dolphins and flamingos.
6.The Nazca Lines
Speaking of "giant figures etched in the sand", the Nazca Lines are a must see on a trip to Peru. Over 800 straight lines, 300 geometric figures, and about 70 performances, mostly of animals and plants, burned to the ground in the arid and rocky area of Pampa Colorada. They sometimes stretch for miles across the desert, and is most recognizable from the sky, and are to this day one of the greatest archaeological mysteries: nobody knows exactly who carved these lines, why, and how these illustrations were accomplished! Theories tributary, such as those presented at the Maria Reiche Museum. If all this seems too dry and theoretical, you can go cool ideas at the Oasis Huacachina, where you can either relax or you get into a race buggy, or experience sandboarding, so snowboarding on the dunes sand.
5.Cotahuasi and Colca Canyons
If you grew up thinking that the Grand Canyon in the United States was the deepest in the world, here's a scoop for you: Cotahuasi and Colca Canyons are at least twice as deep as their American counterpart, with dips more than 3,300 m, enough to make you dizzy! Both sites are also nest majestic Andean Condors (which are observable from the "Cruz of the Condor"), but also offer visitors many opportunities for activities such as hiking and mountain biking. If you want to relax after a long day, you can visit the famous hot springs of Chivay, loaded with minerals, and, it is said, with healing properties.
4.Lima
Lima by night
Although the Peruvian capital has much to offer, it is often overlooked by visitors and miss many activities with high potential such as cultural museums, pre-Inca ruins, and historical churches. Furthermore, the nightlife, the suburbs of San Isidro, Miraflores and Barranca, and ultra-modern shopping center Larcomar offer an extreme contrast to the traditional villages in the heart of the desert. The beaches of Costa Verde and Barranco, at the foot of the cliffs, on the other hand offer ideal conditions for surfers or paragliding (the spot is one of the famous Peruvian surfer Sofia Mulanovich) while runners, cyclists and skaters can enjoy cliff top.
3. The Peruvian Cuisine
Your visit to Peru will never be accomplished without tasting traditional cuisine, which many describe as the "finest on the continent." Although such an assumption is purely subjective, there is a good chance that you agree after your first taste ceviche (raw fish marinated in lemon juice) or your first Pisco Sour (the national cocktail) . Fish, seafood and potatoes are the backbone of Peruvian cuisine, and their combination guarantees delicious and surprising dishes such as the "Seafood Causa." Adventurous travelers will definitely want to taste the local dishes such as "Cui" and "Inca Kola".
To learn more, check out our article on the best of Peruvian cuisine!
2.Cuzco
The oldest inhabited city in the Americas was once the capital of the Inca Empire and is today the undisputed archaeological capital of the continent. Although the infrastructure of Cuzco was increasingly developed for the flow of visitors in recent decades, its historical past retains a powerful grip on the present: the narrow cobbled streets, ancient treasures kept in good colonial houses and churches, and massive Inca walls (as found in Calle Hatunrumiyoc), founding many buildings. The Plaza de Armas is considered one of the most beautiful places in South America, and many museums such as the Museo Inka provide all the essential information to visitors. Guests also have the opportunity to visit the sites of the Sacred Valley and Sacsayhuaman Fortress.
1.Huaraz
The Inca Trail, reaching an altitude of 4,000 meters, can be very physical. Anyway, the true "Mecca" for hiking and climbing happens to be in Huaraz. In the heart of one of the most impressive mountain range in the world, this Andean capital serves as a base camp in the exploration of hundreds of trails for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and ice and excursions high altitude in order to capture the beauty of the Cordillera Blanca. Distinguished climbers will attempt the ascent of the highest peaks in the country, Huascaran (6,768m) and Alpamayo (5,947m).
source:viventura.fr
