Summary
Growing in popularity with travellers of all budgets and ages, Peru is a magical destination with one of the richest cultures of any country in South America. With a quarter of the country’s 34 million people identifying as being from the Quechua indigenous people, and more than half of mixed heritage, this culture isn’t hidden in tourist sites such as the mighty Machu Picchu mountain-top citadel alone, but on display on every street across the country. Discover it all, from the bustling heart of Lima to the dramatic Sacred Valley, with our Peru guided tours.
Explore Peru
Peru
Description
Situated among a natural theatre of mountain peaks, the Incan city of Machu Picchu was lost to the world until it was rediscovered by explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Now the centrepiece of Peru’s ever-improving tourist infrastructure, to step among the perfectly bonded stones of stores, homes and temples that have survived for centuries is to realise the immense skill and knowledge of its Inca residents.
Although the ruins can be reached by a magnificent train ride from Cuzco or Ollantaytambo, there’s no doubting that hikers and the adventurous of spirit will look to link their Peru guided tour to Machu Picchu with the trek along the one to four-day Inca Trail. Much of the original ‘classic’ trail route comprises stones laid down by the Inca themselves, creating a sense of connection and making the approach to the citadel all the more rewarding.
Much of the trail leads through the Sacred Valley which runs between Cuzco, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, following the flow of the Urubamba River. And while the desire to reach South America’s most impressive ruins is strong, those who linger in the Sacred Valley will find a wealth of sights and paths beyond the Inca Trail and with just a fraction of the visitor numbers.
By contrast, cosmopolitan Cuzco is rich in the architecture of the Spanish conquistadors who ended the Inca’s rule over the region. At its heart lies Plaza de Armas Square and the city’s grand catholic cathedral, which contains a statue to the Lord of Earthquakes, the city’s protective patron saint. Elsewhere, the Museo Machu Picchu is the place to head to see the treasures of the Incan city, from elegant ceramics to the elongated skulls of the Inca nobility.
Boasting some of the best restaurants anywhere in the country, the ChocoMuseo has interactive displays detailing the importance of cacao to the region’s people long before it became an international commodity.
Lima is the last destination included on many escorted tours of Peru. The national capital since independence from Spain in 1821, Lima is something of a hotch-potch of different neighbourhoods. But it is ultimately difficult to argue against a city which is able to combine vistas of the Pacific Ocean and a rich artistic pedigree within a few minutes of each other.
Join us on our Peru Guided Tour to discover just why we love this gem of South America so much!
