Peru Vacations | Independent Travel to Peru | Flexible Multi-City Trips to Peru

Peru destinations:

Machu Picchu

UNESCO designated Machu Picchu a World Heritage Site in 1983 and the world has recently voted it as one of the New Seven Wonders. Machu Picchu is an impressive sight as it rises out of the midst of a group of green mountains in Southern Peru, in a steamy, semi-tropical region. Its beauty touches the senses and the mysteries surrounding it make people hunting for answers. This Historic Sanctuary is located 75 miles from Cuzco, covers an area of 95,000 acres, and protects 34 archaeological sites, including the citadel of Machu Picchu, all of which are connected via the Inca Trail and shelters and incredible variety of plants and animals. The citadel is situated on the eastern slope of Machu Picchu in two separate areas: Farming - agricultural terraces and grain storehouses - and Urban - structures for religious and residential purposes.

Cuzco

Stand in awe of the Center of the World, gateway to the lost city of Machu Picchu and the extraordinary Inca Trails, with its one of a kind architecture plus a profound feeling of history that equals one of the most seductive cities of the planet: Cuzco. Radiant by day, Cuzco's main square dresses itself up for a party at night, soft yellow lights illuminating lovely arcades and the head turning facades of the Cathedral and the Church of the Company of Jesus. Massive Inca's stone walls line most of Cuzco's central streets and form foundations of colonial and modern buildings. This is a great city to spend a few days with plenty to do. Leaving the city limits one comes face to face with Sacsayhuaman, a little farther along there are other sacred sites like Qenko or Tambomachay.

Sacred Valley

A few kilometers north of Cuzco, stretches out the beautiful valley of Urubamba river - the Sacred Valley of the Incas, an overcharged natural setting with eye pleasing agricultural terraces descending down the mountains, like giant stair steps. The air is filled with the scent of baking bread, prepared in mud ovens, and endless fields of corn dance with the wind. It was a sacred place for the Incas and the place that gave birth to the Inca civilization. The valley is still a sacred place for the local people who respect the valley and its history, and for the visitors who will be overwhelmed by the atmospheric touch and the unique mixture of culture and nature. Under its intense blue sky sit picturesque villages like Pisac, Yucay and Ollantaytambo, and on their outskirts lie noteworthy Incan Palaces.

Puno - Lake Titicaca

Puno and the surrounding countryside are the cradle of the Aymara civilization and the legendary birthplace of the founders of the Inca empire. Puno serves as the perfect stopover for passengers heading to La Paz since it is located on the banks of Lake Titicaca, the natural border with Bolivia. The most important archaeological site in the area is the burial ground of Sillustani (17 miles from Puno), once the tombs of high-ranking Aymara Lords.

Tambopata Reserve - Amazon

Being part of the audience to this show of natural wealth in all its glory in this area in a unique experience, the tangible beauty seems to have no end and more excitement awaits for you just a few minutes away from Puerto Maldonado, in Tambopata National Reserve. This reserve is located between the river basins of the Tambopata River and the Heath River. As you go into the depths of this paradise, you will discover the overwhelming biodiversity of of the reserve, which is simply immeasurable. On record are 632 species of birds, 1,200 of butterflies, 169 mammals, 205 of fish, 103 of amphibians and 67 of reptiles. The reserve also has the Macaw Licks that extend 1,500 feet along the Tambopata River.

Lima City

The once-called City of Kings, founded in 1535, is the gateway to Peru's main tourist attractions. It is a city of fine museums and magnificent pre-Columbian collections, such as the Gold Museum, the National Archaeology and Anthropology Museum, the Amaro Museum, Museo de la Nacion etc. It is the gastronomic capital of South America with outstanding restaurants. Peruvian cuisine is world-renowned. Shopping for locally crafted textle items such as sweaters, rugs, etc is a pleasure.

Amazon River - Amazon

Located on the banks of the Amazon River, Iquitos is now the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon and the starting point for cruises down the Amazon River and trips to Jungle Lodges, for you to lose yourself amidst palm trees and exotic fruits and marvel at the biodiverstiy of the surrounding forests. There are few roads here and the Amazon and its tributaries is the region's lifeline. As it happens in other jungle areas, tourist packages normally include hikes in the rainforest, fishing for piranha, bird watching, visits to native farmers and Indian communities, and night canoe trips in search of alligators.

Nazca Lines - Paracas

South of Lima, the area encompassing the cities of Ica, Nazca, and Paracas offers a wealth of historical and natural wonders. Some 2,500 years ago, Nazca was the site of a highly advanced pre-Inca civilization in both astronomy and ceramic art. The famous Nazca lines can only be fully appreciated from the air, and a similar mysterious drawing can be found in Paracas. Just offshore, the Ballestas islands harbor penguins and sea-lions, however strange this may seem at this latitude.

Arequipa

Located in the south of the country, the so-called 'White City' abounds with colonial mansions and churches made of with white volcanic stone, which have been perfectly preserved throughout the centuries. A good example is the Santa Catalina Convent, a must for any visitor. A popular visit in Arequipa is the Colca Canyon, the deepest in the world, where one can still see condors in their original habitat.

Colca Canyon

A destination that never runs out of experiences, gathering together natural wealth, living history and adventure sports. Colca started out as fertile, terraced and pleasant valley that later taper and plunge into dizzying canyon. This is one of the deepest places found on the planet, yet a place where kind people live, the wind blows strongly and shrimp abound. There are 14 villages from the Colonial era spread throughout the canyon, each with extraordinary specimens of civil and religious architecture, stone houses that thatched with ichu grass and wheat stalks, we well as ancient churches.

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