According to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics, INEI, in 2019 Perú received 656,991 visitors from the US, 108,873 from France, 94,475 from Canada, 86,307 from Germany, and 71,322 from the UK. Due to the pandemic, these results decreased in 2020 and 2021, however, this year is projected to recover part of the previous tourism and from 2023, surpassing the number of visitors of 2019.
This record gives the rise of Peruvian gastronomy that has been verified in recent years, due, of course, to the attractions mainly that this country offers to its population and travelers from all over the world.
Therefore, Viagens Machu Picchu comes to show you 7 unmissable destinations for you to discover in this very rich country, both historically and culturally.
Paracas
Paracas is a small village located 260 kilometers from the capital of Peru, Lima. It is in a very privileged geographical position for having both desert and beach landscapes.
And, because it is bathed by the cold waters of the Pacific, it holds spectacular biological reserves such as the Paracas National Reserve, an incredibly protected area, and the Ballestas Islands, a place of rich marine life and birds of various species.
And if you want to know a real oasis, Paracas offers the Oasis of Huacachina, an exotic place, amidst the desert dunes that, from afar, seems more like a mirage for such beauty. With a lake in the center, its surroundings have hotels, shops, and restaurants for tourists who want to enjoy the local tranquility. It is still possible to take boat rides or pedal boats on the green water lake.
Huaraz
Situated in the province of Ancash, Huaraz is one of those cities which shows how the Andean chain of mountains works in South America, the most majestic of those are located in the Huascaran National Park, which is in “la Cordillera Blanca” or white mountains range, a dream for trekking lovers with that beautiful sightseeing, a great tip is to prepare before doing this trail cause due to the location is easy to fall in altitude sickness.
There is also one of the most beautiful lakes, with those turquoise waters and the background, it is easy to understand why this place for the landscapes is called Peruvian Switzerland.
Arequipa
Arequipa is a city with many historical points of beautifully architectural buildings but surrounded by volcanoes that make its landscapes even more beautiful. It is known as the White City because most of its constructions are made with a type of white volcanic stone, the Silla, giving the city a bright air.
Very elegant, Arequipa’s Main Square is very tree-lined and ornate. Facing it is the main Cathedral, also made of Silla, beautifully formed of 12 marble columns, which are the representation of the 12 apostles of Jesus.
Other very fascinating religious buildings in Arequipa are the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a huge complex of mixed architecture between Spanish art from the colonization period and indigenous art; and the Society of Jesus, whose façade is decorated with Peruvian flora and fauna motifs.
Iquitos
The biggest Peruvian city located in the amazon forest, Iquitos is one of those places hard to forget. Isn’t possible to get there by land, just there are 2 ways, by air and by the river. Sincerely I recommend doing it by the river because makes the experience beyond words, everything belongs to schedules or/and preferences.
Somehow, there are plenty of people who put this destination above others, especially for honeymoons and family trips, this is probably because there are some itineraries that bring you through the amazon river with connections to the wildlife and local communities, these options are totally eco-friendly tourism.
For wildlife lovers, there are some unforgettable choices as well, don’t miss the chance to have contact with nature, get involved with the experiences to swim with pink dolphins, try local’s community dishes, and more! Part of the money invested will help to preserve these heritages.
If you are interested in what Peru can offer, don’t hesitate to write us on our website Viagens Machu Picchu. We will be glad to support you in what you need ASAP.
Lima
This is the capital, the city that every tourist passes through to go to any other destination in Peru, and therefore, include a period in your itinerary to get to know it. Its Historic Center and Plaza de Armas are attractive for those who like to see beautiful colonial buildings.
The Miraflores neighborhood is one of the most famous for having the best hotels, parks, and restaurants in the city. In addition, it is possible to visit the ruins of Huaca Pucllana, an imposing 25-meter high pyramid in the middle of the city; and also beautiful parks such as the Parque Central de Miraflores and Parque del Amor.
The Barranco neighborhood also has many hotels and restaurants, but being a charming bohemian neighborhood, its biggest attractions are the bars and clubs with lots of music and typical Peruvian dances, and don’t forget that Lima is considered the capital of gastronomy in Latino America.
Cusco
Cusco is named by the Unesco world heritage site and was the capital of the Inca empire at the time. Very historical, guard points that present the entire history of this civilization are so remarkable in this country.
The tourist attractions can be divided between those in the city and the ancient ruins further away. In the city, buildings of great historical-religious importance cannot be left out of your itinerary, such as the Main Cathedral, which inside has 12 chapels that follow a mixed style between Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance. You can also see other religious constructions, but older, the Qoricancha, all made of embedded stones; and Sacsayhuaman, surrounded by a polished wall.
The most distant attractions, in the Sacred Valley, since they tell even more about the Inca culture, are the archaeological sites of Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Moray, Qenqo, Tambomachay, and others that are open-air museums, for the enjoyment of all the curious. . They are places of extraordinary beauty and energy.
Machu Picchu
As the main point of Peru, the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu very well support its title as one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Very well preserved, this place attracts the beauty and energetic mystery that emanates from these lands. It is at 2,400 meters altitude, guarding a wonderful contemplative view.
It is impressive for being a city built entirely on stones, perfectly fitted on top of the mountains of the famous Andes Mountains. They are constructions of houses and temples for the dwelling and worship of deities deified by the Inca civilization. There are the main temples of the Incas, the Temple of the Sun, dedicated to the greatest God, the Sun, and the Temple of the Condor, dedicated to this huge bird that is the representative figure of the gods of the sky, to attract rainwater. There is also the Temple of the Moon and the Intihuatana, which are impressive for their ingenious construction.
In Machu Picchu, it is possible to visit the Manuel Chávez Ballon Museum, also known as the Machu Picchu Museum, a place very close to the entrance to the citadel, where many objects are exposed that tell the story of the Incas and the old mountain. They are original Incan pieces, including jewelry, tools, and even mummies.
And like these places, are more in Peru, add the lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, Puerto Maldonado, with those virgins amazon rainforests, Nazca lanes, which still keep in uncertainty to the scientists, the Colca Canyon, which is even deeper than the Grand Canyon, etc.
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Viagens Machu Picchu is concerned with ensuring that you have quality services and always have a team ready to assist you in any situation. If you are interested, contact us and get to know our packages to Machu Picchu and many other destinations in Peru, or come build a tailor-made and quality itinerary for you!