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An update from Evaneos

Best places to visit in Peru

A trip to Peru is an opportunity to immerse yourself in indigenous South American culture by visiting legendary sites such as Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. Sample guinea pig meat, stay on floating islands, follow in the footsteps of the Incas, go for dune buggy rides in the sand dunes or horse rides through the canyons: there are lots of surprises waiting for you in the land of Pachamama, a popular tourist destination that is fully deserving of the enthusiasm it generates.

Though it is possible to race round and see all the essential things the country has to offer in the space of two weeks, you will undoubtedly want to get off the beaten track as well. Read what Evaneos' experts have to say for advice on how to do this. They have each spent a lot of time in the country and are able to provide personal anecdotes and practical tips in support of their reviews.

When you arrive in Lima, head first of all to the Pacific Coast to see and admire the famous Candelabra at Pisco, go sandboarding in Ica, and take a flight tour over the Nazca Lines. From there you can easily get to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, the highlight of which is of course Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. To reach it, either trek the Inca Trail or get from one archaeological site to the next using first the buses then the trains.

When visiting the city of Puno, spend some time on the islands of Isla Amantani and Isla Tauquile in Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Then head on to Arequipa, the White City, and go trekking in the Colca Canyon.

A visit to Iquitos, in the Peruvian Amazon region of the north of the country, offers the opportunity to meet and encounter native indigenous people and Peruvian shamans, and for mountain climbing afficionados there are the ascents of some of the highest summits in the Andes to tackle.

As you have no doubt now realised, visiting Peru is not at all about taking things easy and relaxing, and you will return from the country with a head full of amazing memories. Don't waste another second and start planning your itinerary right away by browsing the Evaneos website.

Julie Olagnol
A pre-Inca site situated at 30km from Lima.       
Paracas (Peru)
Paracas
3.5/5
The town of Paracas isn't much in itself but the Paracas desert makes it worth a little detour. 
Urubamba (Peru)
Urubamba
3.5/5
A little crossroads town located in the Sacred Valley, between Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
Alto de Pucaraju is a pass which joins up the Taulliraju and Pucaraju ranges.
Andahuaylillas, a small village in the Andes mountains is still protected from the many tourist buses roaming all around Cusco.
A crossroads town lying between the mountains and the coast north of Lima and from where you can reach the archaeological site of Caral.
Cabanaconde is a charming little village above the Colca Canyon, 56 km from Chivay and 3,300 metres above sea level.
The Canocota Canyon is located in the Colca Valley, not far from the Colca Canyon, the second longest canyon in the world.
Capachica is a peninsula situated in the region of Puno, on the edge of Lake Titicaca.
Chilca (Peru)
Chilca
3/5
Chilca is a seaside resort situated in the Cañete province, around two hours from the Peruvian capital by road.
Chilca Tambo is a base camp for hikers in the Vilcanota Mountains, not far from Mount Ausangate.
Chiquian is a hamlet situated in the Ancash region, at the heart of the Cordillera Huayhuash.
Fure (Peru)
Fure
3/5
Located on a cliff, Fure is a remote Andean village in the Colca Valley.
Hualcayan is a village in the Cordillera Blanca where there are some architectural ruins.
Huasao (Peru)
Huasao
3/5
Huasao is nicknamed a "village of sorcery" and is about 12 miles away from Cusco.
Llahuar is located near the Colca Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world.
Llatica is a small hamlet in the Colca Canyon, the second largest canyon in the world.
It's at Mahuayani that the Ausangate trek starts
Malata (Peru)
Malata
3/5
Malata is a hamlet situated in Colca Valley , not far from the canyon of the same name.
Mancos (Peru)
Mancos
3/5
Mancos is a tourist centre in Peru's Callejón de Huaylas valley that serves as the departure point for treks in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range and Huascarán National Park.
Palomani Pass is located in the Cordillera Vilcanota, you can cross it during the Ausangate trek.
Tumbes (Peru)
Tumbes
3/5
A town on the northern coast of Peru, near to the border with Ecuador.
Upis (Peru)
Upis
3/5
Upis is an Andean village located in the Vilcanota Mountains, not far from Mount Ausangate.
Aguas Clientes,  a village below Machu Picchu, is somewhere you have to stay on your way to the famous Inca city. It's very touristy and not really worth visiting in itself.
Lima (Peru)
Lima
2.7/5
Lima, the capital of Peru, has a population of 10 million and lots going for it! The town is considered in particular as the culinary capital of South America. Advice for fans of good food!
Puno (Peru)
Puno
2.7/5
Puno is a town in the south of Peru that is visited by numerous tourists wanting to visit the Lake Titicaca area. Puno is therefore an almost obligatory stop for all travellers passing through the south of Peru.
Ica (Peru)
Ica
2.5/5
The main wine-producing city in Peru, lying 300 km south of Lima.
The mythical, artificial islands made from plants and reeds, and the most famous tourist attraction on Lake Titicaca.
Situated on the edge of the Ventilla River, Molinopampa is a village in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.
The Laguna Pacacocha is situated in the Huanuco region.