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- ABOUT US TRAVEL IN 2021
written by
Rough Guides Editors
updated 5/10/2021
If you are looking for inspiration or just to get a feel of the country, check out these top experiences when travelling in Peru.
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01 Pisac Market
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.
02 Kuelap
The ruined citadel of Kuelap is one of the most fascinating archeological sites in the Andes.
© Ludmila Ruzickova/Shutterstock
03 Lagunas de Llanganuco
The deep blue of these lakes in the Cordillera Blanca changes with the weather.
© Peto Laszlo/Shutterstock
04 Huacachina
The sacred healing lagoon Huacachina, ringed by palm trees and hidden among massive sand dunes, draws sandboarders and dune-buggy riders from all over the world.
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05 Uros islands
One of Lake Titicaca’s many treasures, the man-and-woman-made floating villages on the Uros islands have existed in the lake since Inca times.
© Rafal Cichawa/Shutterstock
#06 Andean agricultural terraces
These mountainside terraces in the magnificent Cotahuasi and Colca canyons give evidence of the impressive organization of pre-Conquest native societies.
#07 Trujillo
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Though it doesn’t attract the hype of Lima or Cusco, Peru’s third city charms with its colonial architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
© Christian Vinces/Shutterstock
#08 Ballestas Islands
Often called the Peruvian Galapagos, these islands located off the coast of Pisco are teeming with bird and marine life.
© Don Mammoser/Shutterstock
#09 Ceviche
Peru’s national dish is a refreshing treat – fresh fish soaked in lime juice and chillies.
© Christian Vinces/Shutterstock
#10 Rainforest canopy walkway
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.
© Christian Vinces/Shutterstock
#11 Reserva Nacional Paracas
Just a few hours out of Lima, Paracas is a coastal wildlife haven, boasting some fantastic beaches alongside archeological sites.
#12 Cordillera Blanca
The glacial scenery of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range is among the finest and most accessible on the planet.
#13 Arequipa
This white stone city, beautiful and intriguing, is watched over by the awesome, ice-capped volcano of El Misti.
#14 Ayacucho
Bustling streets, impressive churches, passionate religious processions and unique artesanía make this Andean city a standout.
© Jess Kraft/Shutterstock
#15 Sacsayhuaman
The zigzag megalithic defensive walls of this Inca temple-fortress are home to the annual Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun.
© SL-Photography/Shutterstock
#16 Chavín de Huantar
Dating back over 2500 years, this large temple has many striking stone carvings and gargoyles, both externally and within its subterranean chambers.
#17 Puerto Belén
A frenetic, floating jungle port that has been called the Venice of the Peruvian jungle.
#18 Máncora
Peru’s most popular surfer hangout features gorgeous beaches and buzzing nightlife.
#19 Valley of the Pyramids
Over twenty adobe pyramids built by a pre-Inca civilization surround a sacred mountain at Túcume in the northern deserts.
#20 Nasca Lines
Take a helicopter tour to get the full impact of these intricate symbols, etched into the deserts of southern Peru.
#21 Colca Canyon
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.
#22 Machu Picchu
With mysterious temples and palaces nestling among hundreds of terraces, this fabulous Inca citadel is awe-inspiring.
© tsuchi/Shutterstock
Travel advice for Peru
written by
Rough Guides Editors
created 7/5/2012
updated 5/10/2021
