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What to See and Do
Lima & The Southern Coast
Lima, Peru's capital, lies on the coast and has a historic city centre along with more modern residential suburbs. The city is home to some of Peru's biggest and best museums, as well as a host of shops, bars and restaurants. Further south, you can take flights over the desert to view the mysterious Nazca Lines and visit the Ballestas Islands wildlife sanctuary, home to birds such as cormorants and penguins, along with sea lions and fur seals.
Arequipa & the Colca Canyon
The city of Arequipa, a colonial city built from distinctive white volcanic stone, enjoys a beautiful climate and has an array of colonial churches and mansions. The Colca Canyon, a few hours' drive to the north, is one of the world's deepest and its rugged walls are covered in agricultural terraces. The Canyon is home to traditional farming communities and huge condors, best seen in the mornings as they soar on the warm air currents.
Lake Titicaca
Straddling the border with Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is South America's largest lake, and the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire. Remote islands on the lake are home to communities whose way of life has changed little since the Spanish conquest, and the scenery is stunning, with distant snow-capped mountains offering a backdrop to the sparkling blue waters.
Cuzco & The Sacred Valley
Best visited in the dry season (Apr-Oct), the highland region around Cuzco is the heartland of the Inca Empire. Cuzco was once the Inca capital, and the buildings in the city centre mix colonial and Inca stonework. The region is dotted with forts and temples, most notably in the Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley, which at several hundred metres lower than Cuzco, allows a slower and more gentle acclimatisation to the high altitudes.
Machu Picchu
The ruins at Machu Picchu, spectacularly located on a spur high above the river, are the highlight of any trip to Peru. Forgotten for centuries, they were brought to international attention in 1911 after they were explored by the archaeologist Hiram Bingham. They can be reached either by train from Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, or on foot along ancient Inca roads, but however you get there you will be rewarded with stunning views and amazing photographic opportunities. We recommend booking with us well in advance if you wish to trek the Inca Trail.
The Amazon Basin
Peru accounts for around 15% of the Amazonian jungle, the most bio-diverse region on earth, and the Amazon Basin extends to cover the whole eastern part of the country. Peru's Amazon Basin is best visited from the relaxed jungle town of Puerto Maldonado, just a short flight from Cuzco. There is a great variety of plant and animal life, which is best seen from one of our featured jungle lodges - the Sandoval Lake Lodge or the Reserva Amazonica.
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