Peru

Lying to the west of South America, Peru offers a little bit of something for every visitor. If you’d like to trek the great Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or journey deep into the mystical Amazon or even fly over the infamous Nazca Lines, Peru truly has it all.

Peru borders Brazil in the east, Chile in the South and Ecuador and Colombia to the north.

In contrast to other equatorial countries, Peru does not particularly have a tropical climate but rather the Andes and Humboldt Current influence a rather erratic climate.

One part of the country experiences moderate temperatures with little rain and great humidity whereas the northern regions are wetter and somewhat warmer. The south is subject to harsh, cold winters and seasonal rainfall.

The culture of the colorful country essentially stems from Spain but there are many other influences too. Many Peruvians are still incredibly proud of their roots and you will find them extremely warm and welcoming. The Peruvian arts include incredible pottery, sculpture and jewelry and of course one of their greatest achievements is Machu Picchu. The delectable cuisine is a companionable mix of Spanish and Amerindian with influences from Italy, Africa, China and Arabic fares.

Whether you are an adrenalin addict, beach lounger, nature lover or cultural fundi, Peru has it all. The country promises one of the most exciting and scenic adventure holidays travelers will experience filled with incredible wildlife and a culture steeped in ancient roots and traditions.

Once upon a time home to the Incas, the influx of Spaniards attempted to rid the country of Inca traces but to date intact archaeological sites are still being discovered and Machu Picchu, undoubtedly the jewel of Peru, was only discovered in the last century. A journey to a land of sunshine and history will greatly reward visitors with incredible trekking trails, natural wonders and magical ruins and of course the enigmatic rainforest. Not to be missed are the delightful floating islands.

Adventurists will revel in tackling the Inca Trail. It may be incredibly demanding, but the accomplishment along with the magic of the ruins, beauty of the mountains and pure exoticness of the cloud forests make the trek well worthwhile. You’ll work your way along to the magnificent Machu Picchu. Once you reach the spectacular vista you can completely soak up the joy of a city that was hidden for hundreds of years in the Andean mountains. You really have to feel the scared atmosphere and will be hard-pressed to describe such a majestic place.

A great way to experience Peru is to go island hopping on Lake Titicaca. The clear blue waters, man-made floating islands and indigenous inhabitants greet you with the Peruvian warmth of centuries gone.

If you’re keener on archaeology and history, then fly over the Nazca Lines and try to solve the mystery of the massive paintings of animals, shapes and symbols that have been etched into the desert. The Lines span an amazing 500 sq km and are only visible from the sky and have baffled theorists for centuries. Still, nobody knows what the drawings were made for.

A trip to Peru is incomplete without a visit to Amazon Rainforest and the Andes. The rainforest is engulfed by massive towering trees and dense undergrowth and the incredible flora, mystical animal sounds and unbelievable wildlife make this possibly one of the best visits on the globe.

The Andes cater for numerous adventure treks, like the Moonstone Trek or little known Inca Trail to Choquequirao.

Peru truly offers a holiday to remember, with its cultural heritage, natural wonders and stunning beaches you can be sure to experience the trip of a lifetime.