Peru is a majestic country located in South America. It's home to the world-famous, ancient city Machu Picchu and many other historic ruins from the Inca Empire. Visitors will get a fascinating peek into the many attractions that make this part of the world so unique. From the beautiful Amazon rainforest to the modern cities, Peru is definitely a country filled with amazing and unique experiences. Housing includes beach resorts, mountain dwellings, and contemporary hotels. Access to a good travel guide is a great resource to sort through the myriad of sightseeing opportunities. A reputable travel tour should provide complete itineraries of the best attractions the country has to offer. The ideal vacation package should include professional tour guides with intimate knowledge of sightseeing excursions.
The Very Best Places to Stay in Peru
Many travelers visit Peru to tour the various historical landmarks that comprise the Incan ruins. Machu Picchu is probably the most popular and well-known of them. Nearby accommodations include the Casa Cartagena, which is located in Cuzco. This hotel has a colonial design and feel but is very modern. The cozy Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel is about 20 minutes away from the Machu Picchu site and has large, comfortable rooms with great mountain and river views in select rooms. The luxurious Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo is situated near the Machu Picchu train station and features five-star services and two restaurants with views of local rivers.
Visitors to the Sacred Valley of the Incas have a number of interesting choices in that area. The Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel is a peaceful and quaint hacienda and wellness spa located on the banks of the Río Vilcanota in Urumba. This hotel offers four bars on the premises, an art gallery, museum, movie theater, swimming pools, and incredible views. The Tambo del Inka is a stylish resort and spa with awesome views of the Ch’iqun Mountain and Vilcanota River. It's walking distance to the Plaza de Armas. There’s an Andean restaurant conveniently located onsite that serves delicious Peruvian cuisine. For the ultimate adventure, stay in one of the suites at the Skylodge Adventure Suites. They're transparent capsules built into the side of a cliff.
To experience the best of city life in Peru, book a room at the Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel in Lima. This hotel is home to many international fine dining establishments and boasts truly amazing views of the city and the Pacific ocean. The eco-friendly Inkaterra Reserva in Puerto Maldonado offers wooden cabanas and many luxurious amenities. Guests are afforded the opportunity to walk among the trees and wildlife on the built-in tree canopy bridge.
Exciting Activities to Try
There’s so much to do and see in this fascinating country; it's really hard to narrow it down to just a few attractions. The main attraction for most visitors is the ancient city of Machu Picchu. This lost city was hidden away from civilization until the early 20th century. Hiking the Inca Trail is the best way to see the stunning views, which include towering mountains on both sides. A licensed tour operator is needed to acquire permits for the hikes, so a travel guide company and bookings are required well in advance of a trip.
Exploration of the Amazon rainforest is another exciting activity that shouldn’t be missed while visiting Peru. The Amazon covers more than half of the country and is second in size only to the Brazilian Amazon. Some of the most diverse ecosystems can be seen in this amazing rainforest, and it's home to the same amount of wildlife as the Brazilian Amazon. Open cabins are available for overnight stays for those who want a more genuine jungle experience.
The Sights You Can’t Miss
The Colca Canyon is a must-see destination in Peru. Located in Arequipa, the canyon is estimated to be twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and is truly spectacular! It's known to be the best trekking destination in the country, and the scenery is awe-inspiring. Some visitors take a trip to the canyon to get a glimpse of the rare Andean Condor, which is a very large bird.
The Nazca Lines is another of Peru's unexplainable mysteries. The giant lines and designs can only be seen from high above in an airplane because of their magnitude. These drawings in the coastal desert of people, animals, and shapes were created long before airplanes were even conceivable, so their very existence is thought-provoking and curious to say the least.
Peru's cities also have much to offer for those who are interested in seeing architecture and the historic landmarks located within. Cusco and Arequipa are both very popular with tourists, but Lima is less crowded and has some of the best restaurants in the world. Walking and bus tours are available to view major attractions like the Larco Museum with its collection of exhibits featuring almost 4000 years of pre-Columbian history.
