Peru Top Ten Tourist Destinations


		Arequipa - Colca Valley

		Widely known as the "Ciudad Blanca" (White City) for its beautiful colonial homes, churches and monasteries constructed of a white volcanic stone - sillar - that is unique to the zone. The city center, which was recognized by the UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, is surrounded by a beautiful countryside. You may also visit the nearby Colca Valley and Colca Canyon, Valley of the Volcanoes, natural areas as Salinas and Aguada Blanca, and the Mejia Lagoons. Arequipa is an ideal destination for those interested in colonial architecture, living culture and in spectacular outdoor natural beauty, biodiversity and adventure.

		Chiclayo

		Chiclayo was a simple village of Indians and mestizos in the road between Lambayeque and Zaña in colonial times. It had the good fortune, however, of being in the center of an important Pre-Incan archaeological area, the site of recent spectacular archaeological discoveries such as The Lord of Sipán in Huaca Rajada, The Lord of Sicán in Batán Grande and the pyramids of Túcume. The recently inaugurated Museo de Tumbas Reales de Sipán (Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum) and Sicán National Museum, housing a collection of incalculable worth, has made these discoveries accessible to all. Chiclayo has thus become Peru’s second destination, after Cuzco, in terms of archaeological and historical interest. Chiclayo, also known for its highly-regarded sorcerers and healers, is located on Peru’s northern coast .

		Cuzco - Machu Picchu - Inca Trail

		"The Archaeological Capital of America"; it constitutes the biggest tourist attractiveness in Peru, and the most visited one. Cuzco, was the biggest city and capital of the Inca Empire and then taken by the Spanish conquerors; today it has an architecture that fuses the Inca with the Spanish style. Their town conserves with pride its customs and traditions. It is also the forced step to know the mystic and enigmatic sacred citadel of the Inca Machu Picchu that the Spaniards never knew and was discovered by the occidental culture in 1911. Cuzco, as Machu Picchu, for its historical value, and for its beauty is considered Cultural World Heritage Sites. The Sacred Valley of the Incas, beautiful places and the Inca Trail are waiting for you.

		Huaraz & the Cordilleras

		The Callejón de Huaylas - sometimes called “the Switzerland of South America” - offers spectacular Andean landscapes, snow-capped summits and turquoise blue lagoons in the beautiful Cordillera Blanca (White Mountain Range). Both the nearby Chavín de Huántar - the cradle of Peru’s oldest civilization - and the magnificent Huascarán National Park have been named World Heritage Sites. This gorgeous region, only a short drive north of Lima, is also a paradise for adventure sports.

		Iquitos - Amazon River

		An ideal place for those lovers of the nature & biodiversity tourism and the ones who want to feel an intimate contact with the virgin nature of the Amazon forests; from the city you will be able to go into housings located in full jungle, and for the most adventurous and fearless you can arrive to the Reservations and National Parks as Pacaya Samiria or Allpahuayo Mishana, with exuberant flora and fauna, and you can take contact with Amazonian aborigines.

		Lima

		The capital of Peru is a great metropolis; in general it is the entrance door to the country. You will be able to enjoy and know its historical center with beautiful colonial constructions declared Cultural World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the best museums in Peru, some pre-Hispanic archaeological locations as Caral the new Cultural World Heritage Site (June 2009), and a great variety of cultural shows, folkloric, centers of amusement, luxurious casinos and game houses, and rich culinary tradition.

		Nazca - Nazca Lines

		A unique place in the world, full with mystery and mysticism, wonderful forms of immense figures and lines, of spectacular perfection, work of a very old Peruvian civilization, the Nazca Lines, Cultural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Also you can visit the pre-Inca archaeological complex as Cahuachi, Estaqueria, Chauchilla and the aqueducts.

		Paracas

		An excellent ecological destination for the nature lovers and birdwatchers, the Paracas National Reserve declared Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it also offers cultural historical attractiveness and it is a good alternative to pass relaxed moments excellent for the nautical sports as windsurf, scuba diving, deep sea fishing and more, visit the Ballestas Islands.

		Puno and Lake Titicaca

		Located in the Andean highland and beside the Titicaca the highest navigable lake in the world inhabited by the Uros, Taquile and Amantani Islands. Earth of the legendary Aymara town, and the Tiahuanaco Culture. It is the folkloric capital of Peru. It offers excellent alternatives for the archaeological, living culture and nature & biodiversity tourism.

		Trujillo

		The capital of the spring, city of old colonial lineage, very near Chan Chan, capital of the Chimú nation (XII Century), one of the biggest cities build with mud in the world, declared Cultural World Heritage Site by UNESCO, archaeological pre-Inca locations as Huaca La Luna and Huaca El Sol, and new discoveries in El Brujo and the Lady of Cao. An excellent destination for the archaeological historical tourism.