Alaska
Super-sized wilderness
Albania
Europe’s best-kept secret
Antarctica
Expeditions to the ultimate frontier
Argentina
A seductive mix of tango, treks and history
Armenia
Medieval monasteries and forest hikes
Australia
Iconic cities, awe-inspiring outback and everything in between
Azerbaijan
Land of fire
Balkans
Europe’s forgotten wonderland
Borneo
Untamed nature
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The lesser-visited, more-beautiful Balkans
Brazil
Samba rhythms and wild landscapes
Caucasus
Where Asia meets Europe
Central Asia
Magical landscapes and Silk Road cities
Chile
The land of extremes
China
Beautiful chaos and ancient history
Costa Rica
The most biodiverse country on earth
Croatia
Dazzling coastlines
Cuba
An old girl with a new heart
Ethiopia
Epic landscapes and divine history
Europe
A journey through classic history
Georgia
Rolling hills and centuries-old villages
Iceland
Dramatic landscapes and beautiful glaciers
India
A dazzling kaleidoscope of colour
Japan
Ancient culture and futuristic cities
Jordan
Forgotten cities and nomadic deserts
Kenya
More than just safaris
Kerala
Exploring God’s own country
Kosovo
A new dawn in the Balkans
Machu Picchu
Peru's archaeological rock star
Mexico
Fiestas, Frida and Maya mystery
Montenegro
Ancient towns cut into majestic mountains
Morocco
The hospitable gateway to Africa
Nepal
The country at the top of the world
New Zealand
Adventures at the end of the earth
Ontario
Embrace the Canadian wilderness
Patagonia
The wilderness at the end of the earth
Peru
Hidden treasures for those that look
Rajasthan
The Land of Kings
Rwanda
Everything in one perfect package
South Africa
Safari and beyond in the Rainbow Nation
Sri Lanka
Ancient civilisation and endless beaches
Tanzania
Mountains, safaris and spice islands
Thailand
Tropical beaches and beautiful temples
The Galapagos Islands
The islands that changed the world
Uganda
Unforgettable encounters
Uzbekistan
Mosques, mausoleums and madrasahs
Vietnam
Head-spinning contradictions and character
Western USA
Landscapes and legends
Zambia
Download the guide in full
Enter your email address below to get your guide
|
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.
Planning a trip to Machu Picchu?
Get a custom itinerary with specialist advice from Machu Picchu experts
- Describe your ideal trip
- We connect you with a top Machu Picchu tour company
- Get a custom itinerary with no pressure to book
6 days
Classic Peru & Machu Picchu
The classic route to Peru's most popular highlights
Lima (1 days) →
Cusco (2) →
Sacred Valley (1) →
Machu Picchu (1) →
Lima (1)
View route
9 days
Machu Picchu & Amazon Cruise
Small-ship luxury cruise with Machu Picchu
Lima (1 days) →
Iquitos (3) →
Cusco (2) →
Sacred Valley (1) →
Machu Picchu (1) →
Lima (1)
View route
9 days
Machu Picchu & Amazon Lodge
See Peru from rainforest eco-lodge to mountain empires
Lima (1 days) →
Puerto Maldonado (3) →
Cusco (2) →
Sacred Valley (1) →
Machu Picchu (1) →
Lima (1)
View route
12 days
Highlights of Peru
A grand tour of Peru's mountain civilisation
Lima (1 days) →
Arequipa (2) →
Colca Canyon (1) →
Lake Titicaca (2) →
Cusco (2) →
Sacred Valley (1) →
Machu Picchu (1) →
Lima (1)
View route
12 days
Qhapaq Ñan Trek to Huanuco Pampa
Explore Peru's grand route of the Incas
Lima (1 days) →
Cusco (1) →
Sacred Valley (1) →
Machu Picchu (1) →
Cusco (1) →
Huaraz (5) →
Huaraz (1) →
Lima (1)
View route
8 days
Active Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Trek
Explore Peru's grand route of the Incas
Lima (1 days) →
Sacred Valley (1) →
Sacred Valley (1) →
Choquechaca (1) →
Machu Picchu (1) →
Machu Picchu (1) →
Cusco (1) →
Lima (1)
View route
15 days
Iguazu Falls & Andean Highlights
A grand tour of Peru and Brazil
Lima (1 days) →
Puerto Maldonado (3) →
Sacred Valley (2) →
Machu Picchu (1) →
Cusco (2) →
Iguazu Falls (2) →
Rio de Janeiro (3)
View route
-
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... -
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... -
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... -
Arequipa
Peru's elegant White City
Peru's second city is an elegant, refined counterweight to Lima's unbridled freneticism... -
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... -
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... -
Puerto Maldonado
Accessible Amazonian adventures
Puerto Maldonado, in Peru's southern Amazon, is the most accessible entrance to the jungle... -
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... -
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... -
Choquequirao
Machu Picchu without the crowds (for now)
Machu Picchu 2... -
Trujillo
Northern historical heartlands
... -
Chiclayo
... -
Chachapoyas & Kuelap
... -
Huaraz
... -
Arica
... -
Manú National Park
... -
Choquechaca
...
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
Request a custom itinerary
Get a tailored itinerary from one of our specialist tour operators
Prefer to talk by phone?
Speak to a travel expert now
+1 (888) 535 8827
Members of
Your details are safe and will not be used for any other purpose. By clicking 'Send' you agree to us sharing your details with our partner tour operator according to our Privacy Policy
Instant, expert advice
Tailor-made itineraries
No commitment to book
Why Horizon Guides?
Expert travel guides
Our guides are written by the leading experts in their destinations. We never take payment for positive coverage so you can count on us for reliable and impartial travel advice.
Authentic experiences
We curate exceptional trips in underrated places, organised by the very best tour operators who live and breathe their destinations and are passionate about authentic, responsible tourism.
Give back to mother nature
We'll plant 50 trees for every trip booked via the Horizon Guides site in partnership with the International Tree Foundation, who carry out sustainable community forestry projects in Africa.