subject: To See Some Incredible Places Take A Trip To Peru [print this page] You should take a trip to Peru if you are interested in diverse cultures, archaeology or ecotourism. Peru trips have something for everyone. Whatever a person's preference in the way of vacations, this intriguing destination has something to offer.
Some of it's historic sites are very ancient indeed. The age-old civilization of the Incas can be seen and explored at Machu Picchu, often called the Lost City of the Incas. The ancient city was built around 1450 and is now regarded as one of the New Wonders of the World. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It receives the most visitors of any tourist site in the country and is one of the most visited in Latin America.
Machu Picchu stands guard over the Urubamba Valley and is about 8,000 feet above sea level. It is located on a mountain ridge about 50 miles northwest of Cusco. Fortunately, it was not found by the invading Spaniards and lay undisturbed for hundreds of years. Its buildings are now being gradually restored to their former glory.
Because Machu Picchu is so popular, limits have been put in place on the number of tourists allowed access to the site. At the moment, several thousand per day are permitted onto the grounds. The Inca Trail leads from Cusco to Machu Picchu and is a popular trek for tourists.
Lake Titicaca is another popular destination. It lies in the Andes on the border between Bolivia and Peru. The alpine climate stays cool to cold year round.
As the country becomes better able to cope with tourists, accessing the spectacular rain forest is becoming easier. The Amazon Basin has some unique wildlife. Ecotourism is gaining in popularity with tourists.
There are more national parks in Peru than in any of the other South American countries. Riverboats regularly take tourists down the Amazon. Often a motorized skiff will run excursions up the smaller tributaries. By seeking out the local wildlife in this area, you might be lucky enough to see a sloth or toucan. Pink dolphins are also found in the area as is the jaguar. The Amazon basin has a huge diversity of flora and fauna.
Because of Peru's diversity of geographical features, there is a variety of adventure sports available to the tourist. Surfing is very popular and national and international surfing events are regularly held on its beaches. Mountain climbing, rappelling, sand-boarding, skiing and kayaking are other options. Dune buggy driving and 4 x 4 driving are also popular. There are packages designed for both amateurs and professionals in most sports including river rafting and trekking.
Two other popular tourist destinations are Cusco and the capital, Lima. Lima is a melting pot of cultures and its historic centre is another UNESCO World Heritage Site as is the town of Cusco. The city has restaurants, hotels and clubs to cater for the tourist trade. There is also a vibrant theatre life. There are many noteworthy examples of Spanish architecture in the town with many plazas, buildings and streets dating from pre-Columbian times. The town is also renowned for its cuisine.
Cusco is another major tourist destination and welcomes almost two million visitors a year. It was once the capital of the Inca Empire and has a subtropical highland climate. The weather is generally dry and temperate. Peru trips should be on the top of your list of tourist destinations.
