Peru
The heart of the Inca world — lost cities high in the Andes, a living Quechua culture and one of the planet's great cuisines.
The heart of the Inca empire
Peru is a country of extraordinary range — geographically, historically and culturally. It was the seat of the Inca empire, the largest the Americas ever knew, and the legacy of that civilization is everywhere: in the precision-cut stone walls of Cusco, in the terraced hillsides of the Sacred Valley, and above all in Machu Picchu, the cloud-wrapped citadel that remains one of the most breathtaking sights on Earth.
But Inca history is only one layer. Quechua and Aymara cultures are very much alive today, woven into the language, dress, markets and festivals of the Andes. Brightly patterned textiles, age-old farming traditions and a deep reverence for Pachamama, Mother Earth, give the highlands a richness that goes far beyond their ruins. In a single country you can travel from the high Andes to the steaming Amazon rainforest to the Pacific coast and the cosmopolitan capital of Lima.
Then there is the food. Peru is widely celebrated as one of the world's great culinary destinations, blending indigenous ingredients with Spanish, Japanese, Chinese and African influences. From fresh ceviche on the coast to hearty stews in the mountains, every region has its specialties — and Lima's restaurants regularly rank among the very best on the planet.
A word on altitude: much of highland Peru sits well above 10,000 feet, so it pays to acclimatize for a day or two in Cusco or, gentler still, the slightly lower Sacred Valley before tackling the big sites. The best time to visit is the dry season, May through September, when skies are clear over the mountains and trails are at their best.
Scenes from Peru
Tap any image to take in the lost cities, colonial towns and Pacific coast that define a journey through Peru.
Things to do, places to see & what to eat
A starting point for your Peruvian adventure — we'll shape it around the history, landscapes and flavours you love most.
Things to Do
- Visit Machu PicchuStand among the terraces of the Inca citadel as morning mist lifts off the peaks.
- Ride the Sacred Valley trainGlide alongside the Urubamba River through dramatic Andean scenery.
- Explore Cusco's old townWander cobbled streets where Inca stonework meets colonial cathedrals.
- Shop Pisac marketBrowse textiles, ceramics and produce at a vibrant Andean market.
- Take an Amazon excursionStay at a jungle lodge and spot wildlife from the river and canopy.
- Join a Lima food tourTaste your way through one of the world's most exciting food cities.
Places to Go & See
- Machu PicchuThe legendary cloud-forest citadel — the crown jewel of any Peru trip.
- CuscoThe Inca capital, a UNESCO-listed city humming with history and life.
- The Sacred ValleyPisac and Ollantaytambo — terraced ruins, villages and gateway towns.
- Lake TiticacaThe highest navigable lake, home to the floating reed islands of the Uros.
- Rainbow MountainVivid mineral-striped slopes high in the Andes near Cusco.
- LimaThe historic centre and the breezy clifftop neighbourhood of Miraflores.
Local Dining Musts
- CevicheFresh fish "cooked" in lime juice with chili, onion and corn — Peru's signature dish.
- Lomo saltadoStir-fried beef with onions, tomatoes and fries — a Peruvian-Chinese classic.
- Ají de gallinaShredded chicken in a creamy, gently spiced yellow chili sauce.
- AnticuchosMarinated, char-grilled skewers — a beloved street-food staple.
- CausaChilled layers of seasoned yellow potato filled with chicken or seafood.
- Pisco sourThe national cocktail — pisco, lime, egg white and a dash of bitters.
Let's plan your Peru journey
From Cusco and the Sacred Valley to sunrise at Machu Picchu and the tastes of Lima, we'll craft a Peru itinerary — paced for the altitude — that's all your own.