Peru

Peru

Peru stretches south from the Equator for 1,300 miles, bordering Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil and Bolivia to the east, and Chile to the south, with much of the country’s west looking out over the South Pacific Ocean. The Andes run the full length of the country, rising to almost 7,000 metres, and separate the arid coastal strip from the lush Amazon Rainforest. Over 80% of the world’s different ecosystems are represented in Peru, more than in any other country.

For many, Machu Picchu is the first thing that springs to mind when thinking about Peru, and for good reason. It is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, and it combines perfectly with the Andean scenery that surrounds it to create an iconic site. The Inca Citadel was never discovered by the Spanish, which seems remarkable given their ability to discover just about every other important Inca site. The Inca Trail is one of the world’s great mountain treks, with fabulous views across the Andes, stunning Inca ruins en route and an awe-inspiring end destination that makes the long days of walking all the more worthwhile. The classic four-day trek involves challenging ascents and high altitudes, but it is a popular choice.

The Amazon spreads over 50% of Peru, and contains the most biodiverse areas in the world. Staying in a lodge is a great way to see the rainforest, with daily excursions and activities where you can spot sloths, monkeys, caiman and prolific birdlife. The inaccessibility of most of the jungle means that much of it is still intact, making it all the more special.

Renowned for being the highest navigable lake in the world, at over 3,800 metres above sea level, Lake Titicaca is said to be the birthplace of the Incas. The lake has become one of Peru’s most popular attractions, and most visitors will spend some time visiting the floating reed islands as well as Taquile and Amantaní.

Paracas is a small town on the Pacific Coast, about 240 kilometres south of Lima. Thanks to the nearby National Reserve and Ballestas Islands, this is a paradise for nature lovers. The islands are home to a vast number of animals and birdlife including sea lions, condors, dolphins, penguins, boobies, cormorants and more.

Sitting in the lower Andes in the far south of the country, Peru’s second largest city is another popular location. Arequipa has the ambience of a small town, with a compact centre brimming with colonial architecture. The city sits in the shadow of El Misti volcano, a stunning reminder of the region’s tectonic past. Further afield is the Colca Canyon, one of the best places to see condors. 

The only way to admire the mysterious Nazca Lines is from above. The desert artworks comprise various geometric and zoomorphic lines of whales, spiders, condors and more. Scientists are still baffled by exactly how these drawings were created, but it is believed that the Nazca people began to etch them over 2,500 years ago.

Flying from the UK to Peru requires a layover, often in the USA. Depending on the layover location and duration, the journey tends to take between 14 and 18 hours, including connections. During the UK winter, Peru is 5 hours behind, and during the UK summer, Peru is 6 hours behind. Our itineraries include a stay in Lima upon arrival to acclimatise to the new time zone.

Our Peru FAQs answer the most common queries we hear from customers considering a holiday to Peru. If you are ready to explore our small group, great value tours of Peru, you can do so here. We have sold Peru holidays since 2002, and offer a vast number of extensions and excursions, so you can mix and match to build your dream holiday.