Peru is among the most important centers of early civilization. Norte Chico civilization already flourished along the Pacific coast around 3000 BC. Numerous other civilizations, including those of Moche, Chavin, Chimu and Nazca followed, leaving amazing artifacts and ruins. The most well-known ancient ruins of Peru have been constructed by sun-worshiping Incas who came into existence around 15th-century and became the biggest empire of pre-Columbian America.
There is no need to be an expert on history to appreciate Peru. However, other well-known tourist destinations in Peru include some amazing natural beauty spots. The Andes are the whole length of Peru, climbing to 7,000 meters and segregating the deserted coast in the lush Amazon rainforest that offers a broad variety of experiences for travelers.
Machu Pichu
Amidst the top ten most stunning and breathtaking ancient places in the world, Machu Picchu is the undisputed number one of the most popular tourist destinations in Peru. It is the “Lost City of the Incas”. It is inaccessible by its location in the Urubamba Valley below and completely isolated, surrounded by agriculture terraces and fed with natural springs. While it is known to locals, Machu Picchu was largely unnoticed by the world until it was discovered in 1911 by the historian Hiram.
Paracas National Reserve
Paracas National Reserve, on the southern coast of Peru is a reserve for desert that covers the entire Peninsula de Paracas. Nature Conservancy says it’s a fantastic illustration of Pacific subtropical coastal desert with desert stretching all the way up to beaches. The area is home to various species, including sea-lions dolphins and 215 kinds of birds. The reserve also houses dozens of remains of Paracas. Those Paracas inhabitants who lived in the area in the past times.
Huacachina
The town is situated close to Ica. Huacachina is a tiny town surrounded by an oasis that surrounds the lake, which is small in size and its own dunes of sand. The town was once a popular playground to those of the Peruvian elite. Nowadays, Huacachina most often draws international visitors. The most popular attraction here is the possibility to sandboard and take Dune Buggy rides on the dunes made of sand.
Kuelap
Kuelap blends ancient ruins with clouds as well as an Amazon River. This is an old city with a wall built by the Chachapoyans who were also known by the name of Cloud People, who lived near the point where the Amazon cut a valley more than Grand Canyon in the Andes. The fortress in Kuelap is the biggest fortress located in South America and pre-dates the Incas. Bromeliads and orchids flourish within the fortress.
Colca Canyon
People who believe that they think the U.S. Grand Canyon is deep may change their mind when they visit Colca Canyon in southern Peru. With a height of 4,160 meters, Colca Canyon is twice deeper than it is the Grand Canyon, though the walls of the canyon are not as steep. The most notable thing about Colca Canyon apart from the stunning views, are those Andean condors. They can be observed in close proximity when they are floating on the rising thermals.
Mancora
Located on the northern coast, Mancora is a small town that has Peru’s most pristine sandy beach. This town stretches over several kilometers across the Pacific. Mancora is also home to an abundance of beaches, luxurious restaurants and nightclubs in tiny town. The Pan-American Highway serves as the town’s main avenue. The consistent good waves make Mancora an increasingly sought-after surfing spot and a lively nightlife attracts visitors when the sun goes down.
Cordillera Blanca
Cordillera Blanca is a mountain adventurer’s dream with its climbing, hiking as well as mountain bike. The region is located in the northern part of Peru. It boasts 16 peaks over 6000 meters high, which has earned it the title as “the highest tropical mountain range in the world.” It is part of the Andes the highest mountain in Peru, Huascaran, is located there. Cordillera Blanca also is an excellent place to view remnants of the pre-Inca culture.
Chan Chan
The sprawling adobe city in Chan Chan in Peru was at one time the biggest urban area in Pre-Columbian America. It is believed that approximately 60,000 people resided in Chan Chan. It was established by the Chimu around 850 AD. Chan Chan continued to exist until it was conquered by the Inca Empire in 1470 AD. While Chan Chan must have been an impressive scene at the time, massive floods and heavy rains have seriously damaged the walls of mud of the city. Today, the most impressive feature of the place is its dimensions.
Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman is an old walled city that overlooks Cusco. The Incas constructed Cusco in the form of a puma. This represented one of their gods with Sacsayhuaman as its head. Sacsayhuaman is thought to be as one of the greatest human construction feats. The walls of the fortress were constructed with massive stones that dwarfed humankind. The pieces were cut to size so that mortar was not required. The foundations are visible today.
Inca Pisac
In the mountains over the bustling colonial town of Pisac are numerous stunning Inca ruins, known in the region of Inca Pisac. The ruins contain a citadel for military along with religious temples, as well as private dwellings. They also overlook an area known as the Sacred Valley. It is believed it was Inca Pisac who defended the southern entrance to the valley and was the master of a route that connected to the Inca Empire to the boundary to the forest.
