Peru Overview
In Peru you'll surely notice, whether you are strolling down an ocean-side walkway in Lima or down a cobblestone street in Cusco, the waves of history alive in the language, dress, art and architecture of Peruvians throughout the varied landscapes of the country.
In the Peruvian capital city of Lima, located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, you can begin your journey by touring colonial architecture in churches, convents and mansions in the historical center, visiting the many excellent museums, checking out traditional artisan goods in shops and markets in Miraflores, and getting a taste of the Peruvian nightlife in Barranco. Or you may choose to escape from the chaos of the modern and dusty city by catching a movie at the mall by the ocean.
To mountain climbers and more conventional travelers alike, Huaraz offers spectacular views of snow-capped mountains like Huascarán, which is the highest snow-capped peak in Peru and the second highest in the Americas.
Another fantastic Peruvian view may be seen, not by looking up, but by actually boarding a plane and looking down in order to see the mysterious Nazca Lines etched into the desert floor by the Nazca people thousands of years ago.
The cultures of Peru and those of the international tourists mingle in Cusco, the former capital of the Incan Empire. In Quechua, a language still widely spoken by indigenous Peruvians, Cusco means navel, as the city was considered the navel of the world. Even more than in Lima, here you can read the countries history in its buildings by noting Incan architecture, Spanish architecture, and the influence of the contemporary tourist culture. During the day you can visit the archeological park Saqsaywaman, sip tea made from the coca leaf in a café overlooking the main plaza, or shop in the boutiques and markets. At night you can visit one of the many clubs and bars you'll receive flyers for as you walk about the plaza.
From Cusco you can easily visit the lost city of Machu Picchu high in the Andean mountains. Often hidden in clouds, this breath-taking stone city seated in velvet green mountaintops was only rediscovered in 1911. You may choose to travel there by train or you can trek up and down Incan mountain stairways on the Inca Trail. Once you reach Machu Picchu, you may take short, but challenging, hiking trips up to a mountain peak or down into a valley.
While Cusco was the capital of the Incan civilization, Puno, found in the Peruvian highlands, was where it all began. In Puno, you will be able to visit the famous and beautiful blue Lake Titicaca. According to legend, the First Incan rose from the waters of Lake Titicaca. It is the world's highest navigable lake, as well as the second largest lake on the continent. In Puno, you will find beautiful handcrafted work by local artisans and be able to view a performance of one of their many traditional dances.
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