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TitleHistorical Peru |
Pages115 |
PriceFree |
About this guide
While most visitors come for the legendary Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, this admittedly awesome fortress represents a mere moment in Peru’s 5,000 year history of settlements. From the stone-fortified city of Kuélap in the mountain forests to the feline deities of Chavín de Huántar, Peru is awash with the preserved remnants of its lost civilisations.
It’s not just about the history of course. Lima provides a welcome juxtaposition, with sophisticated museums and restaurants offering fiery ceviche, lip-smacking pisco sours and smooth Amazonian chocolate.
So come to Peru and immerse yourself in both its past and present — you won’t regret it.
 Authors |
Mike Gasparovic, Hugh Thomson, Dr Jane Carnaffan, Guido Van Es and John Hurd |
|---|---|
 Editors |
Karam Filfilan |
 Format |
|
 Published |
2019 |
 No. of Pages |
115 |
Historical Peru
Alternatives to Machu Picchu
Mysterious archaeological sites, Amazonian cloud forests, desert coastlines and the world’s tallest tropical mountains — Peru is a complex and diverse place full of surprises.
Get the guideIf you're coming to Peru you'll almost certainly visit the ruins that have come to define the entire country. Despite now drawing millions of visitors a year, the crowds can't dent the ruins' sheer scale and undeniable magnificence.
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Lima
Peru's unfairly overlooked capital
Peru's sprawling capital city is often overlooked by time-poor visitors en route to more photogenic locations, but dwell a while and you'll find a complex city with onionskin layers of history and excellent museums, a proud contemporary culture, genuinely diverse neighbourhoods, and a world-leading food scene...Read more -
Cusco
Capital of the Inca
Seat of the Inca Empire, Cusco is the epicentre for Peru's tourism industry, drawing millions of visitors en route to Machu Picchu and adventures in the Sacred Valley...Read more -
Sacred Valley
Peru's spiritual heartland
As the Urubamba River descends from Cusco, eventually connecting with tributaries of the mighty Amazon, it has carved out a sweep of valley whose beauty defies imagination...Read more -
Arequipa
Peru's elegant White City
Peru's second city is an elegant, refined counterweight to Lima's unbridled freneticism...Read more -
Colca Canyon
Flight of the condor
Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon but a fraction of the width, the Colca Canyon cuts a dramatic scar across Peru's southern Andes...Read more -
Lake Titicaca
Shimmering heart of the Andean universe
A tranquil expanse of turquoise water seemingly at the roof of the world, Lake Titicaca was revered as the birthplace of Peru's original civilisations and the centre of the indigenous cosmos...Read more -
Puerto Maldonado
Accessible Amazonian adventures
Puerto Maldonado, in Peru's southern Amazon, is the most accessible entrance to the jungle...Read more -
Iquitos
The jungle city
Famous for being accessible only by air or boat, Iquitos lies in Peru's distant north-eastern Amazon with a distinct frontier vibe to match...Read more -
Chavín de Huántar
"Birthplace of South American culture”
If you have an interest in Andean civilisation, Chavín de Huántar is vastly more significant than the famed Machu Picchu, but with a fraction of the crowds...Read more -
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Chiclayo
...Read more -
Chachapoyas & Kuelap
...Read more -
Huaraz
...Read more -
Arica
...Read more -
Manú National Park
...Read more -
Choquechaca
...Read more
Classic Peru & Machu Picchu
The classic route to Peru's most popular highlights
Approx. 6 days
Lima (1 days) → Cusco (2) → Sacred Valley (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Lima (1)
View route
Lima (1 days) → Cusco (2) → Sacred Valley (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Lima (1)
Machu Picchu & Amazon Cruise
Small-ship luxury cruise with Machu Picchu
Approx. 9 days
Lima (1 days) → Iquitos (3) → Cusco (2) → Sacred Valley (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Lima (1)
View route
Lima (1 days) → Iquitos (3) → Cusco (2) → Sacred Valley (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Lima (1)
Machu Picchu & Amazon Lodge
See Peru from rainforest eco-lodge to mountain empires
Approx. 9 days
Lima (1 days) → Puerto Maldonado (3) → Cusco (2) → Sacred Valley (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Lima (1)
View route
Lima (1 days) → Puerto Maldonado (3) → Cusco (2) → Sacred Valley (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Lima (1)
Highlights of Peru
A grand tour of Peru's mountain civilisation
Approx. 12 days
Lima (1 days) → Arequipa (2) → Colca Canyon (1) → Lake Titicaca (2) → Cusco (2) → Sacred Valley (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Lima (1)
View route
Lima (1 days) → Arequipa (2) → Colca Canyon (1) → Lake Titicaca (2) → Cusco (2) → Sacred Valley (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Lima (1)
Qhapaq Ñan Trek to Huanuco Pampa
Explore Peru's grand route of the Incas
Approx. 12 days
Lima (1 days) → Cusco (1) → Sacred Valley (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Cusco (1) → Huaraz (5) → Huaraz (1) → Lima (1)
View route
Lima (1 days) → Cusco (1) → Sacred Valley (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Cusco (1) → Huaraz (5) → Huaraz (1) → Lima (1)
Active Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Trek
Explore Peru's grand route of the Incas
Approx. 8 days
Lima (1 days) → Sacred Valley (1) → Sacred Valley (1) → Choquechaca (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Cusco (1) → Lima (1)
View route
Lima (1 days) → Sacred Valley (1) → Sacred Valley (1) → Choquechaca (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Machu Picchu (1) → Cusco (1) → Lima (1)
Iguazu Falls & Andean Highlights
A grand tour of Peru and Brazil
Approx. 15 days
Lima (1 days) → Puerto Maldonado (3) → Sacred Valley (2) → Machu Picchu (1) → Cusco (2) → Iguazu Falls (2) → Rio de Janeiro (3)
View route
Lima (1 days) → Puerto Maldonado (3) → Sacred Valley (2) → Machu Picchu (1) → Cusco (2) → Iguazu Falls (2) → Rio de Janeiro (3)
Things to do in Machu Picchu
Our recommended experiences and activities
Machu Picchu
Take a guided visit of Machu Picchu
Yes it’s famous and busy, but for a perfectly valid reason: Machu Picchu remains one of the world’s preeminent archaeological sites. In spite of the crowds, an expert guide will bring the place to life and help you make sense of the Inca’s incredible ingenuity. You’ll have the option of climbing the adjacent Huayna Picchu for spectacular views, and can return for a second day exploring if you wish.
Machu Picchu
See another side to Machu Picchu
For a different perspective of the ruins and a bird’s eye view of the surrounding mountains and valleys, try the moderate hike up adjacent Huayna Picchu. Additional permit is required, our recommended tour operators will be happy to assist.
Where to go in Peru
Our recommended places
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