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  • South America
    • Introduction
    • Argentina
    • Bolivia
    • Brazil
    • Chile
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    • Peru
  • Peru
    Overview
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    Explore
    • Lima and around
    • Nasca and the south coast
    • Arequipa and Lake Titicaca
    • Cusco and around
    • The Central Sierra
    • Huaraz, the cordilleras and the Ancash coast
    • Trujillo and the north
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  • Things not to miss
Andean markets serve as true community hubs – not to mention excellent places to sample local goods and produce – and Pisac’s thriving morning market is one of the best. The ruined citadel of Kuelap is one of the most fascinating archeological sites in the Andes. The deep blue of these lakes in the Cordillera Blanca changes with the weather. This sacred healing lagoon, ringed by palm trees and hidden among massive sand dunes, draws sandboarders and dune-buggy riders from all over the world. One of Lake Titicaca’s many treasures, these man-and-woman-made floating villages have existed in the lake since Inca times. These mountainside terraces in the magnificent Cotahuasi and Colca canyons give evidence of the impressive organization of pre-Conquest native societies. Though it doesn’t attract the hype of Lima or Cusco, Peru’s third city charms with its colonial architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Often called the Peruvian Galapagos, these islands located off the coast of Pisco are teeming with bird and marine life. Peru’s national dish is a refreshing treat – fresh fish soaked in lime juice and chillies. Peru’s jungle can be viewed at its best from the Amazon’s longest tree-top canopy walkway, reaching 35m above ground at the Amazon Explorama Field Station. Just a few hours out of Lima, Paracas is a coastal wildlife haven, boasting some fantastic beaches alongside archeological sites. The glacial scenery of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range is among the finest and most accessible on the planet. This white stone city, beautiful and intriguing, is watched over by the awesome, ice-capped volcano of El Misti. Bustling streets, impressive churches, passionate religious processions and unique artesanía make this Andean city a standout. The zigzag megalithic defensive walls of this Inca temple-fortress are home to the annual Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun. Dating back over 2500 years, this large temple has many striking stone carvings and gargoyles, both externally and within its subterranean chambers. A frenetic, floating jungle port that has been called the Venice of the Peruvian jungle. Peru’s most popular surfer hangout features gorgeous beaches and buzzing nightlife. Over twenty adobe pyramids built by a pre-Inca civilization surround a sacred mountain at Túcume in the northern deserts. Take a helicopter tour to get the full impact of these intricate symbols, etched into the deserts of southern Peru. Twice the size of the Grand Canyon, the enormous Colca, one of the deepest canyons in the world, is also one of Peru’s biggest destinations. With mysterious temples and palaces nestling among hundreds of terraces, this fabulous Inca citadel is awe-inspiring.