Major Tourist Attractions In Peru

Cusco is one of the most famous cities in South America, because of being the oldest continuously inhabited metropolis on this Continent. The city was probably founded by 1000 BC, but in 1534 the Spanish Conquerors rebuilt it the European way. 

The capital of the Incas, Cusco is the place where most of their superb works are and is considered as the Archaeological Capital of South America, declared by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of Mankind. Wherever you stop in Cusco you will find remains of ancient civilizations.

 Machu Picchu, the ruined sacred Inca city in Peru, built about 1500 AD, lies northwest of Cusco. The city escaped detection for 400 years and was discovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham. It stands at the top of cliffs 300-m/1,000 ft high and contains several thousand stone-cut steps, numerous high retaining walls, tunnels, and other feats of classical engineering. 

You hike the Inca trail or take the train that traverses the 88km site. At Machu Picchu there is a hotel with a restaurant, and thermal baths are at the nearby village of Aguas Calientes. A forest fire damaged the Inca Bridge and other parts of Machu Picchu in August 1997, but restoration was begun immediately afterward.

The Inca Trail is one of the shortest and most accessible treks you can take while in Cusco. It is a really exciting experience when you get to Machupicchu after 3 or 4 days of hiking in the High Andean Mountains. You will be crossing ancient Incan Towns and walking over the original cobbled paths. This is also a great opportunity for appreciating the natural environment of the Inca Trail. 

In Lima, the main attractions are Plaza de Armas (Main Square), where the most representative samples of colonial architecture in Lima are located: the Cathedral, the Government Palace and the City Hall. In the surroundings are the Torre Tagle Palace and the Casa del Oidor. 

A city tour of Lima includes a visit to the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and a ride towards the modern areas of Lima near the coastline. Museum of Anthropology exhibits pottery, textiles and handicrafts of most of the old Peruvian cultures, including Chavin de Huantar, Tiawanako, Paracas, Nazca, Mochica, Chimu and Inka. Larco Herrera Museum; it is located in a Colonial House and exhibits mainly artifacts of the Mochica and Chimu civilizations, including thousands of pieces of ceramic, textiles, wood, stone etc. Worth looking for is  the famous collection of erotic Moche pottery. 

 Also a ‘must see’ is Chan-Chan the 2500 year old Chavin ruins near Huaraz. If you love wildlife you simply must go to the Islas Ballestas near Pisco to see huge sea lion and sea bird colonies.