From the colonial elegance of Lima and the colorful traditional communities of Lake Titicaca, to the haunting beauty of Machu Picchu the mindboggling mystery of the Nazca Lines, Peru never fails to stun and amaze. Here are six unique sites that you simply have to visit in the Land of the Incas…
Nestled on a mountaintop high above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was a center of worship and astronomy, as well as the private retreat for the Inca ruler Pachacutec. Visiting this sprawling Inca citadel of lives up to every expectation, so much so that in 2007 it was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World along with Italy’s Coliseum and India’s Taj Mahal.
Few sights fill travelers with as much mystery as the Nazca Lines. Sometime around 300BC, the local people decorated 50 square kilometers of the desert floor with incredible drawings of monkeys, condors, hummingbirds, spiders, and gods—some of them are up to 300 meters long and are only visible from a height of 1,500 feet.
The largest lake in South America is a place of floating islands, Andean peaks, friendly lamas, and traditional, colorful communities. Local myths also say that it’s where the sun was born. Ancient and sacred, the deep-blue beauty of Lake Titicaca will stay with you forever.
If you’re looking for laid-back elegance on the jungle’s doorstep, don’t miss Puerto Maldonado. Meet the monkeys on Monkey Island, take Instagram-worthy photos at the confluence of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers, watch the world go by in the beautiful Plaza de Armas, and take a tour of the Amazon.
Perched high on a hill on the outskirts of Cusco, the huge Sacsayhuaman Ruins consist of an amazing series of walls built by the Incas for both defensive and religious reasons. The workmanship is mindboggling and you can also enjoy the incredible views over Cusco from this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visiting the floating islands of Uros just seven kilometers east of Puno is an experience you’ll never forget. The local people not only build their islands on totora reeds of Lake Titicaca but their homes and boats too. Alternatively, visiting nearby Taquile Island is like stepping back in time. The locals wear traditional clothing and create some of the most beautiful handicrafts.
Do you dream of being awe-inspired in Machu Picchu? Of diving deep into the jungle from Puerto Maldonado? Of spotting ancient artworks on the desert floor? Yes? Then come with us to Peru. Not only will you have the experience of a lifetime, but you will have a sophisticated itinerary that has been lovingly created by Indus’ South America experts. To find out more about our tours to Peru, please feel free to contact us at any time.
About the Writer: Vickie Sam Paget
Vickie is a freelance writer and editor based in Vancouver, BC. When she’s not creating dynamic travel or tech content, globetrotting or gazing at the North Shore Mountains, you can usually find her curled up with a good book or sipping a pint of the good stuff in her local Irish bar.