Peru is a beautiful country that, in addition to a beautiful and varied landscape, has many attractions. The most popular is undoubtedly the very high ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu. Also because of the impressive Andes mountains, Peru is a popular country among hikers. Many tours are offered. But Peru has more to offer.
About Peru
Peru is a huge and vast country. It is over 30 times the size of the Netherlands. It is located on the South American west coast of the Pacific Ocean. The country borders Colombia and Ecuador to the north. To the east and southeast are Brazil and Bolivia respectively. In the south the country borders Chile.
The capital of Peru is Lima. Not a very special city, but there is enough to do to recover from the trip. From our country it is a 12.5 hour flight. Keep in mind how busy the airport is. If your flight is unexpectedly delayed or canceled, you are usually entitled to compensation.
From Lima the best way to discover the country is by bus. These are very comfortable and often have luxury facilities and Wifi. You can easily book these buses online.
Popular Treks
As mentioned, Peru is a popular destination among hikers. You can choose from dozens of multi-day treks that lead you through spectacular scenery. Almost all tracks are doable for everyone with a good condition. You do not have to be a real climber, but you certainly do not need to be afraid of heights.
One of the most popular treks to the ruins of the Inca city of Machu Picchu, is the Inca Trail. In the high season this route is very busy and the number of trekkers is limited. You have to buy tickets. With an organized trek these are included. A quieter but spectacular alternative is the Salkantay trek where you pass the Salkantay Pass at 4,600 meters.
If you go trekking, then good preparation is very important. Always take the time to get used to the altitude. The cozy colonial city of Cusco is the ideal place for this.
Other interesting treks include the Colca Canyon trek or the fabulous treks in the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash.
Wildlife of the Amazon
If you like to spot wildlife, the Amazon region near the border with neighboring Brazil is the place to be. Here you can take several short walks, accompanied by a guide. You will encounter monkeys, tapirs, giant river otters, parakeets and macaws.
Places of interest
Some examples of interesting places to visit in Peru include Nazca, where you can witness the mysterious Nazca lines on the nearby plateaus. Arequipa is a historic city popular among backpackers. Iquitos is a large bustling jungle metropolis that can only be reached by boat or plane.
