Top 10 Tourist place in Peru
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan citadel located in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It is believed to have been built in the 15th century and was abandoned shortly after the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The site was rediscovered in 1911 by the American archaeologist Hiram Bingham. Machu Picchu is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. It is known for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar, terracing, and its astronomical significance.
Cusco
Cusco, also spelled Cuzco, is a city located in southeastern Peru. It is the capital of the Cusco Region and the Cusco Province. The city is located at an altitude of 3,400 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains. Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in South America. The city is known for its well-preserved Incan and Spanish colonial architecture, as well as its rich cultural heritage. Many tourists visit Cusco as a base for exploring the nearby Inca ruins, including the Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is a large, deep lake in the Andes Mountains on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It is the highest navigable lake in the world, with an elevation of 3,812 meters above sea level. The lake is considered sacred by the indigenous people of the area, including the Aymara and the Quechua. The lake is home to several indigenous communities, including the Uros, who live on floating islands made of reeds. The lake is also known for the ancient ruins of the Tiahuanaco culture, which are located on the Bolivian side of the lake. Visitors to Lake Titicaca can take boat tours to see the floating islands, visit indigenous communities and explore the ruins.
The Nazca Lines
The Nazca Lines are a group of large ancient geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert of southern Peru. They were created by the Nazca culture between 500 BC and 500 AD. The lines are made by removing the dark iron oxide-coated pebbles that cover the surface of the desert, revealing the light-colored earth beneath. The lines depict a variety of designs including animals, plants, and geometric shapes. Some of the figures are over 200 meters long.
The purpose of the Nazca lines is still a mystery, however, some theories suggest that the lines were used for ritual, astronomical or agricultural purposes. The lines can only be seen from the air, and the best way to see them is by taking a flight over the desert. The Nazca lines are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are considered one of the most important archaeological sites in South America.
Colca Canyon
Colca Canyon is a deep canyon located in southern Peru, in the Andes mountain range. It is located about 100 miles northwest of Arequipa, and it's considered one of the deepest canyons in the world. It is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States and measures over 10,000 feet from its rim to the Colca River at the bottom. The canyon is home to several indigenous communities, including the Collagua and the Cabana, and is known for its picturesque villages, pre-Inca terracing, and traditional customs. The canyon is also home to many Andean Condors and it is one of the best places in the world to see this spectacular bird. Visitors can explore the canyon by hiking, horseback riding or taking a scenic drive.
Lima
Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the central coastal region of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The city has a population of over 10 million people and it is the political, cultural and economic center of Peru. Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and it is known for its rich history and colonial architecture. The city has many museums, galleries, and churches that showcase the country's cultural heritage.
Lima is also known for its vibrant culinary scene, with a fusion of traditional Peruvian and international cuisine. Visitors can enjoy traditional Peruvian dishes such as ceviche, lomo saltado and ají de gallina. The city is also home to many shopping centers, parks and beach resorts. Lima is also a popular starting point for travelers heading to other destinations in Peru such as Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon rainforest.
The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a region located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, near the city of Cusco. It was an important agricultural and religious center for the Inca Empire and contains many important archaeological sites. The valley is known for its stunning natural beauty, with a mix of mountains, rivers, and terraced fields. The valley is home to several Inca ruins including Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. These sites were used for religious ceremonies, agricultural terracing, and defense.
The valley is also home to many traditional Andean villages where visitors can learn about the local culture and customs, such as weaving and pottery making. The valley is also popular for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking and white-water rafting. Many visitors to the valley choose to take a guided tour to get the most out of their visit and learn more about the history and culture of the Inca civilization.
Puno
Puno is a city located in southern Peru, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. The city is the capital of the Puno Region and is known as the "folkloric capital of Peru" due to its rich cultural heritage. Puno is home to a large indigenous population and is known for its traditional festivals and dances, such as the "Virgen de la Candelaria" festival which attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The city is also an important starting point for tours to the Uros floating islands on Lake Titicaca, where visitors can learn about the culture and customs of the Uros people. Puno is also home to several colonial-era churches and the Puno Regional Museum, which showcases the history and culture of the region. Visitors can also take a boat tour to the Taquile and Amantani islands on Lake Titicaca to visit ancient Inca ruins, and see the traditional way of life of the islanders.
Chan Chan
Chan Chan is an archaeological site located in the Peruvian coastal plain, in the region of La Libertad, near the city of Trujillo. It is considered the largest pre-Columbian city in South America and was the capital of the Chimu civilization. The site was built by the Chimu people, who were skilled metal workers and weavers, between 900 AD and 1470 AD.
The city is divided into nine architectural units, called "citadels" or "palaces" each one of them with a specific function. The citadels were built using mud-brick and are decorated with intricate geometric patterns and friezes depicting animals, birds and other designs. The city was also known for its advanced irrigation systems that allowed for agriculture in the desert region.
Chan Chan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is open to visitors, but it is not as well known as other Inca sites like Machu Picchu, and therefore less visited. Visitors can take guided tours of the site to learn more about the Chimu civilization and their way of life.
The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest, also known as Amazonia, is a vast tropical rainforest that covers an area of over 5.5 million square kilometers, spanning across nine countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, and it is home to an estimated 400 billion individual trees belonging to over 16,000 species. It also holds an incredibly rich biodiversity, with an estimated 2.5 million different species of plants, animals, and insects.
The Amazon rainforest is also home to many indigenous communities who have lived in harmony with the forest for thousands of years, many of them still maintain their traditional way of life. The forest also plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate and weather patterns.
The Amazon rainforest is a popular destination for ecotourism, where visitors can experience the diversity of the rainforest and its inhabitants through activities such as jungle trekking, river cruises, and wildlife watching. But also, this region is facing a lot of environmental and social challenges, such as deforestation, illegal mining, and exploitation of resources, it's important to be mindful of these issues when planning a trip to the Amazon.