Peru is one of South America’s most beautiful countries and most popular vacation spots. It offers the spectacular Inca ruins of Machu Picchu high in the Andes, colorful handicrafts at Indian markets, the mysterious Nazca lines in the desert and access to adventure in the Amazon jungle.

A visit to Peru starts in Lima, the capital city and Peru’s business and cultural center. Perhaps because of the garua—a mist that settles over the city between May and October—Lima seems more dreamlike and relaxed than other South American cities. Its residents get together at penas (bars offering folk music), shop at the open marketplaces and dine in Lima’s celebrated restaurants. Peru’s golden history is preserved in several museums, most notably the National Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology. From Lima, most visitors travel to Cuzco, capital of the Inca Empire in the 15th and 16th centuries, which sits high in the Andes at 11,300 feet. Although heavily damaged by the Spanish conquest, Cuzco still has many important Inca sites, including the Temples of the Moon and the Sun. An overnight stay there is strongly recommended to acclimate yourself to the high altitude before proceeding to Machu Picchu. Cuzco's fascinating Indian markets and strong Andean culture make it a rewarding place to visit.

Machu Picchu, the fabled “lost city of the Incas,” awaits you. It’s a one-day trip from Cuzco if you take the Hiram Bingham Express tour, which includes sightseeing, lunch at Sanctuary Lodge and a half-day tour of the ruins. The train departs Cuzco at 9 a.m. and returns at 10:15 p.m. However, many travelers prefer to stay overnight at or near Machu Picchu, to spend more time exploring this impressive site. More adventurous types can select from a variety of hiking trips, ranging from strenuous hikes that include camping out to more moderate ones with hotel accommodations each night.

Amazon Basin jungle lodges, accessible from either Iquitos or Cuzco, allow you to experience the rich wildlife of the Amazon rainforest. A 30-minute to two-hour boat ride upriver is required to reach most lodges—part of the adventure!

Farther south, Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable body of water at 12,500 feet, is where you’ll find Puno, the birthplace of the Inca Empire, as well as the famous floating reed islands, home for centuries to the Uro Indians.

South of Lima on the coastal desert, you can visit the mysterious Nazca Lines, huge symbols carved on the rocky hillsides of the desert. No one knows who carved them, or when or why. They remain mysterious and are best seen from the air. A visit here is easily combined with a visit to the Ballestas Islands Wildlife Sanctuary, which is Peru’s largest.

If time permits, visit spectacular Colca Canyon, reputedly the deepest canyon in the world and home to a flock of condors whose 10-foot wingspans allow them to soar for long periods of time. The easiest access to Colca is from the city of Arequipa, itself worth a visit for its 16th-century monastery and numerous buildings of white volcanic stone.

Peru remains one of the best places to discover authentic Andean culture—half of its people are Indian and another third are mestizo (people of mixed native and European origins). With its dramatic scenery, fabulous archeological ruins, and Indian markets full of traditional handicrafts, Peru is an unforgettable vacation destination.

To plan your Peruvian adventure, call or visit your local AAA Travel Counselor.

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