Discover
Peru
Land of the Incas, from the highlands of Machu Picchu to the depths of the Amazon.
Top Destinations
Explore our curated selection of landmarks and cities you must visit.
Machu Picchu
A 15th-century Inca citadel situated on a mountain ridge 2,430 metres above sea level in the Andes. Built under Emperor Pachacuti, Machu Picchu is the most iconic symbol of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring dry-stone walls, agricultural terraces, and temples.
Best Time
May to October (dry Andean winter season) for clear skies and optimal hiking conditions.
Insider Tip
Book Huayna Picchu or Machu...
Cusco Historic City & Sacsayhuamán
The historic capital of the Inca Empire, built in the shape of a puma. Cusco features colonial Spanish churches and mansions constructed directly over massive Inca stone foundations, alongside the megalithic fortress of Sacsayhuamán.
Best Time
May to October. June features the vibrant Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) celebrations.
Insider Tip
Acclimatize to the 3,400-metre altitude...
Sacred Valley of the Incas
A fertile valley in the Andes fed by the Urubamba River, stretching between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The valley contains impressive Inca agricultural terraces at Pisac, the salt evaporation pans of Maras, and the circular agricultural laboratories of Moray.
Best Time
April to November for dry sunny weather in the Andean valleys.
Insider Tip
Visit Maras salt pans in...
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
A striking mountain in the Andes rising to 5,200 metres altitude, famed for vibrant turquoise, lavender, gold, and magenta striped mineral layers caused by trace weathering of marine sediments over millions of years.
Best Time
May to September (clear dry winter days). Avoid rainy months (December to March) when snow covers the colors.
Insider Tip
Rent a horse from local...
Lake Titicaca & Uros Floating Islands
The highest navigable body of water in the world at 3,812 metres altitude. Lake Titicaca is home to the indigenous Uros people, who build artificial floating islands entirely out of woven totora reeds, as well as Taquile Island's traditional weavers.
Best Time
May to October for crisp sunny days and clear mountain reflections.
Insider Tip
Take an overnight boat excursion...
Arequipa & Colca Canyon
Arequipa is Peru's 'White City', built from volcanic sillar stone under the shadow of Misti Volcano. Nearby Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world (3,270m)—twice as deep as the Grand Canyon—and a sanctuary for wild Andean condors.
Best Time
May to November for clear skies over the canyon rim and reliable morning condor flights.
Insider Tip
Arrive at Cruz del Cóndor...
Nazca Lines
Enigmatic ancient geoglyphs etched into the high arid Nazca Desert between 500 BC and 500 AD. The figures stretch across 500 km² and depict animals (monkey, hummingbird, spider), plants, and geometric shapes best viewed from the air.
Best Time
Year-round (the Nazca Desert receives virtually no rain). Morning flights offer smooth air and minimal turbulence.
Insider Tip
Take motion sickness medication 30...
Huacachina Desert Oasis
A tiny natural oasis village built around a palm-fringed lagoon, nestled deep within massive yellow sand dunes in the Ica Desert. Famed for high-speed dune buggy rides and sandboarding.
Best Time
Year-round. Late afternoon tours offer spectacular desert sunsets.
Insider Tip
Climb the high sand dune...
Lima Historic Centre & Gastronomy
The capital of Peru and the culinary capital of South America. Highlights include colonial wooden balconies along Plaza Mayor, San Francisco Monastery catacombs, and world-renowned gastronomy led by Central and Maido restaurants.
Best Time
December to April for sunny coastal weather in Lima.
Insider Tip
Book tables at Central (World's...
Amazon Rainforest (Puerto Maldonado & Tambopata)
The Peruvian Amazon in Tambopata Reserve holds some of the highest terrestrial biodiversity on Earth. Highlights include macaw clay licks (Colpa), oxbow lakes filled with giant river otters, and canopy walkways.
Best Time
May to October (dry season) for lower rain levels and optimal jungle trail walking.
Insider Tip
Stay at a jungle lodge...
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The most famous trekking route in South America—a classic 4-day 42 km stone paved trail built by the Incas, leading past ancient ruins, cloud forests, and Dead Woman's Pass (4,215m) to the Sun Gate entering Machu Picchu.
Best Time
May to September. Trail is closed every February for annual environmental maintenance.
Insider Tip
Inca Trail permits are strictly...
Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands
Known as the 'Galápagos of Peru', Ballestas Islands feature coastal rock arches teeming with sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and millions of seabirds. Paracas Reserve showcases dramatic red sand beaches meeting desert cliffs.
Best Time
December to April for sunny warm coastal weather and calm boat seas.
Insider Tip
Look out for the mysterious...
Cordillera Blanca & Huascarán National Park
The highest tropical mountain range in the world, featuring 27 peaks over 6,000 metres including Mount Huascarán (6,768m). Renowned for turquoise alpine glacial tarns like Laguna 69 and Santa Cruz trekking route.
Best Time
May to September (known as the 'Andean Summer' with crisp dry sunny days).
Insider Tip
Spend 2 days in Huaraz...
Kuélap Fortress
A monumental 6th-century walled city built by the Chachapoyas ('Warriors of the Clouds'). Perched on a mountain ridge at 3,000 metres, Kuélap features 20-metre-high massive limestone outer walls protecting over 400 circular stone dwellings.
Best Time
May to October (dry season in northern highlands).
Insider Tip
Ride the modern Kuélap Cable...
Gocta Waterfall
One of the tallest waterfalls in the world, plunging 771 metres in two dramatic drops through dense cloud forest near Chachapoyas. Kept secret by local villagers until 2005 due to legends of a protective mermaid.
Best Time
April to June (water flow is thunderous post-rainy season; skies clear).
Insider Tip
Hire a horse in Cocachimba...
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone
The largest adobe mud-brick city in the pre-Columbian Americas and former capital of the Chimú Empire (1000–1470 AD). Chan Chan covers 20 km² with intricate geometric adobe relief carvings of fish, birds, and nets.
Best Time
Year-round (coastal desert climate).
Insider Tip
Combine Chan Chan with the...
Choquequirao Ruins
Known as the 'Sister Citadel of Machu Picchu', Choquequirao is a massive Inca city perched above the Apurímac River canyon. Only 30% of the site has been excavated, and it is accessible strictly via a challenging 4-day trek.
Best Time
May to October (dry season).
Insider Tip
Prepare for steep descent and...
Iquitos & Upper Amazon River
The largest city in the world unreachable by road—accessible only by air or riverboat. Iquitos is the primary gateway for luxury Amazon river cruises, pink river dolphin spotting, and visiting Pacaya-Samiria Reserve.
Best Time
May to October (low water season for jungle hikes) or November to April (high water season for boat navigation).
Insider Tip
Take a pink dolphin swimming...
Ollantaytambo Fortress & Town
A living Inca town that retains its original 15th-century street grid and stone water channels. Famed for the massive Sun Temple fortress terrace where Emperor Manco Inca defeated Spanish forces in 1537.
Best Time
April to November.
Insider Tip
Walk up Pinkuylluna mountain across...
Pisac Market & Inca Ruins
Perched high above the Urubamba River, Pisac features spectacular curving agricultural terraces, stone ceremonial quarters, and an ancient Inca cemetery cliff face, alongside a world-famous Sunday artisan market below.
Best Time
April to November. Sundays feature the largest traditional Indigenous market.
Insider Tip
Take a taxi to the...
Travel Tips for Peru
- 1.
Acclimatise to altitude in Cusco before Machu Picchu
- 2.
Try ceviche and lomo saltado
- 3.
Boots are essential for Inca Trail