Places to visit in Peru

Arequipa, Peru’s White City, lies beneath volcanic peaks, its pearl-coloured colonial architecture glowing in the sunshine. Nearby, the vast Colca Canyon offers spectacular scenery and soaring Andean condors, making Arequipa holidays a rewarding part of southern Peru.

Cusco gets the crowds, Titicaca the postcards, and the Cordillera Blanca hikers, but north and west of Cusco sits a stretch of the Peruvian Andes recently opened to visitors. This is Ayacucho holidays territory, colonial cities, pre-Inca ruins and mountain scenery that rewards the traveller willing to go further off the beaten track.

Surrounded by the Andean mountains, the former capital of the Inca Empire boasts intricate temples and golden-hued colonial architecture. Explore rugged landscapes and fascinating architecture with a Cusco holiday from Journey Latin America.

The busy little city of Huaraz, set at 3,052m in the Callejón de Huaylas valley, is the base for trekkers and climbers eager to explore the jagged ice peaks and turquoise lagoons of the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash. Huaraz, Peru’s adventure capital, and the gateway to some of the finest mountain scenery.

Deep blue waters stretch towards snow-capped mountains at one of Latin America’s most iconic destinations, where traditional island communities preserve centuries-old ways of life. Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake and one of the Andes’ most remarkable cultural landscapes.

Peru’s capital doesn’t get the credit it deserves. In Lima, colonial grandeur, world-class gastronomy and Pacific Ocean views combine to make it one of South America’s most exciting cities. Known as the City of Kings, Lima blends rich colonial heritage with contemporary culture, outstanding museums and some of the best food on the continent.

Few archaeological sites in the world compare to Machu Picchu, where ancient Inca stonework clings to a mountain ridge high above a jungle-clad valley. Nestled among cloud-wreathed Andean peaks at 2,430m, this corner of Machu Picchu Peru combines spectacular scenery, remarkable architecture and fascinating history to create one of South America’s most unforgettable travel experiences.

Golden beaches, warm Pacific waters and laid-back coastal towns make Peru’s north coast the country’s premier beach destination – and its sunniest coastline too. Centred around the vibrant surf town of Máncora, Peru, this spot offers year-round sunshine, excellent seafood, marine wildlife and some of South America’s best beach escapes.

Discover one of Peru’s best-kept secrets, where ancient civilisations, dramatic mountain scenery and beautifully preserved colonial towns reveal a different side of the country. Home to remarkable Northern Peru archaeology, remote cloud forests and cultures that pre-date the Inca Empire, Northern Peru holidays are among our top recommendations.