Must-see destinations in Peru
Peru is a country that offers something for everyone. It's one of the most popular destinations in South America and for good reason. The weather is moderate, the food is amazing and it has plenty of ancient ruins and beautiful landscapes to explore. There are also plenty of activities you can do during your trip like rafting down the Amazon River or hiking through Machu Picchu mountain range. Check out some must-see destinations in Peru below!
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is the most famous archaeological site in Peru and one of the greatest wonders of the world. It was built around 1450, abandoned in 1572, rediscovered in 1911 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
The ruins are located on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley at 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level. They consist of buildings made with stones that were transported from nearby quarries on steep paths or by using an extensive network of ramps and staircases built into hillsides.
Several types of terraces were used for agriculture purposes as well as for defense purposes against invaders such as Incas' enemies from other tribes who raided their lands during times when food was scarce due to drought conditions caused by El Nino weather patterns affecting crops growth cycles during certain seasons each year causing famine among farmers living off land owned by landlords who controlled everything including resources needed to exist such as water sources which often ran dry due to poor planning decisions made by those same landlords based on greed rather than compassion towards fellow humans beings sharing same space together peacefully without conflict between them.
Colca Canyon
Colca Canyon is the deepest canyon in the world, located in southern Peru. It's known for its biodiversity, including vicuñas, alpacas and condors. The Colca River runs through this dramatic canyon before flowing into Lake Titicaca.
The best place to see all these animals is Chivay town at an altitude of 3100 meters (10 000 feet). You can hike or ride horses through the valley where they live; there are plenty of options for both short hikes and multi-day treks across mountainsides covered with grasses or cactus plants. If you're feeling adventurous enough--or just want something different from your usual vacation--consider taking a hot air balloon ride over this stunning landscape!
This city is known as the "White City" because of its beautiful colonial architecture. It's located in southern Peru, and it's the second largest city in that country after Lima. Arequipa has some of the best food in all of South America--you'll want to try some ceviche here!
Cusco
Cusco is the capital of Peru and a UNESCO world heritage site. It's a great place to learn about Inca culture, with many museums, galleries and other cultural attractions. If you're looking for some delicious food, Cusco has you covered: there are plenty of restaurants and cafes serving local cuisine.
Chachapoyas
Chachapoyas is a city in the Amazonas Region of Peru. It is the capital of the Chachapoyas Province. The city was founded by Francisco Pizarro on November 12, 1538 and was named San Juan de la Frontera de los Chachapoyas (Saint John of the Frontier of the Chachapoyas).
The city is located in high Andes at 2,800 metres (9,186 ft) above sea level and has been nicknamed "La Ciudad Blanca" ("White City") because its houses are painted white with mortar made from limestone powder mixed with water and mud; this gives them a unique look compared to other rural villages found throughout Peru's mountainside regions such as Cajamarca or Huaraz where most buildings are constructed using adobe bricks instead.
Puno
Puno is a city in Peru, capital of the Puno region and located at an elevation of 3,827 meters (12,582 ft) above sea level. The city was founded by Spanish conquistadors led by Juan Pardo in 1572 as a silver mining outpost during their quest for Inca gold.
The local indigenous people were forcibly relocated to other areas by the Spanish colonists and today only about 3% of Puno's population remains indigenous; however there are still many sacred sites around Puno which are well worth visiting if you have time on your trip!
Lima
Lima is the capital of Peru and has a population of 9 million people. It's also the largest city in South America, as well as one of the most important ports in the world. Lima is known for being both a cultural and historic center, with many museums, art galleries and historical sites located throughout its districts.
You should visit Lima if you want to see some interesting architecture from different eras or learn more about Peruvian culture and history through its museums or monuments like Choco Museo de Chocolate (Chocolate Museum), Museo de Oro del Banco, Central de Reserva del Perón (Central Bank Gold Reserve Museum), Museo Naval del Callao (Callao Naval Museum), Museo Historico Nacional del Peru(Peru National History Museum).
We hope you enjoyed learning about the must-see destinations in Peru. We know that these places are amazing, but there are many more to discover! If you're looking for more ideas on where to go and what to see in this beautiful country, check out our other articles on Peru travel.