Hikers walking in the Salineras de Maras, region of Cusco

Peru Travel Guide

09° 11′ 24″ S, 75° 00′ 55″ O

Peru in a few words...

Think of Peru and the first word that springs to mind is ‘Inca’ – the best-known and most-studied of South America’s civilizations – and the associated images of forgotten temples entangled in jungle vines. But away from the hordes at Machu Picchu, this is a country of diversity and superlatives: the deepest canyon, the highest navigable lake and the third largest area of rain forest.

Peru is divided into three distinct geographical regions: the Pacific coastal strip, the Andes mountains and the Amazonian lowlands. The desert coastline is the site of the Nazca Lines, one of the world’s great archaeological mysteries, while off-shore the Islas Ballestas are a wildlife paradise that is home to colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins and flamingos. Within 100km of the coast, the Andes rise to spectacular heights of over 6000m, where a multitude of trekking trails take in ancient ruins, remote villages and herds of alpaca. The eastern slopes of the Andes drop into the fabled rainforests of the Amazon basin, a treasure trove of vibrant tropical colour, where jaguars hide in the forest while flocks of macaws feed on the salt licks.

01:32 GMT -5

local time

Lima

capital city

1,285,220

area in km²

Spanish

main language(s)

Our local team

We look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful Andes Mountains and introducing you to the unique geography and culture of this very special part of our planet. Whether you are looking for a quick 1 day visit to the ruins of Machu Picchu or a remote, high altitude expedition, our team of expert guides are ready to turn your aspirations into reality.

Highlights in Peru

Hikers enjoying the city of Cusco

Cuzco

Capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco (or Cuzco) is a must-see city in Peru. The word Qusqu means navel in Quechua. Nestled in the Andes at an altitude of 3,400 meters, the ancient Inca capital was the center of the world for the Incas: the heart of Tahuantinsuyu (the Inca empire).

Panorama of the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

Perched on a rocky promontory that unites the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains (“the Young Peak” in Quechua) on the eastern slope of the central Andes. Abandoned during the collapse of the Inca Empire and before its construction was completed, Machu Picchu, the sacred city forgotten for centuries, is considered a masterpiece of Inca architecture.

Peruvian woman navigating on Titicaca lake

Lake Titicaca

The natural border between Peru and Bolivia, Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, nestled at an altitude of 3,810 meters. It is also the largest lake in South America. It covers more than 8,000 km² and is surrounded by mountains. The main cities bordering it are Puno in Peru and Copacabana in Bolivia.

Flying condor in the Colca Canyon

The Colca Canyon

With its 3,300 meter vertical drop, the Colca Canyon stretches over 100 km. To the north of this immense fault stand numerous peaks of more than 5,200 meters in altitude such as Seprigina (5,450m). The Colca Canyon is also one of the best places in Peru to observe the majestic condor.

Your destination in pictures

Our blog