The 20 most beautiful places to visit in Peru

An exceptional cultural heritage, enchanting landscapes and dream beaches... Welcome to Peru, discovering the most beautiful stopovers in the country!

In South America, discover a fascinating destination that speaks to the imagination of travellers: Peru! Berceau des Incas, the country is full of archaeological sites that we like to explore, imagining by piercing all the secrets. What about his landscapes? A true land of contrasts, Peru reveals as enchanting and varied panoramas, from sand dunes to snowy mountains of the Andes Cordillera, to the green jungle of Amazonia.

Here is an overview with our selection of the most beautiful places to visit in Peru. Good trip...

1. Machu Picchu

The question in Peru? One of the seven new wonders in the world will answer the Machu Picchu. This major Inca site joins by train from Cuzco or Ollantaytambo, in favor of a multi-day hike along the Inca Trail , or by a walk without difficulty from Hidroelectrica.

Very early in the morning, with your front lamp brush, climb the steps in the mist that dissipates and win the Porte du Soleil. Almost alone in the world, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of these majestic ruins. The emotion is guaranteed! The bravest will start the climb of the Huayna Picchu mountain to discover the site from another angle.

2. The colourful mountain Vinikunka

Those who come to visit Peru to discover its fantastic landscapes will make a detour through Vinikunka mountain , also known as "the mountain in seven colours". Of course, the trek requires to be in good physical shape and to bear the evil of altitude, but the show at the finish is really worth it. Ebahi·e travellers discover a fabulous bigarrated painting, resulting from the accumulation of several sediments of different colors in the rock.

3. Caral

Older city of the American continent, this immense complex Had been built more than 5,000 years ago! It brings together amphitheatres, pyramids and other structures in adobe, and is discovered in a day since Lima. Give yourself the services of a guide to learn more about Caral civilization.

4. Huascaran National Park

In the heart of the white cordillera, the Huascaran National Park was classified as a biosphere reserve by Unesco. It is dominated by the mountain of the same name, the highest in Peru, and has an invaluable number of glaciers, lagoons, canyons and other high peaks. It thus offers a range of outdoor activities tou·te·s, from hiking to horse riding, to skiing or mountaineering.

5. Lagoon 69

We stay in the Cordillera region to discover another natural gem of Peru, the lagune 69 , accessible in one day from Huaraz.

By public transport or by car chartered by a local agency, you reach Lake Llanganuco, blotti in the heart of Huascaran National Park. It’s gone for a 3-hour walk! At the very easy beginning, the path is gradually steeped, but the enchanting landscapes will divert your attention. On arrival you will discover a lagoon with turquoise waters, bordered by high snowy peaks.

6. Cuzco

It is impossible to visit Peru without passing through the city of Cuzco, starting point to a crowd of nearby Incas sites and which deserves to turn alone. Perched at approximately 3,400 metres altitude , in the heart of green mountains, it houses many architectural and historical wonders.

First stop, the Place d’Armes, a genuine Cuzco neuralgic centre where the inhabitants love to find themselves, and which is bordered by the beautiful church of the Society of Jesus. Push the doors of many museums to learn more about Peruvian city and culture.

7. Lake Titicaca

Horse between Peru and Peru Bolivia Lake Titicaca, the highest inland waterway in the world, extends over 8,000 square kilometres. Yes, the place is tourist, and yes, it is worth a visit if you decide to visit Peru. Swiping this vast expanse of water is already a journey, but the lake is also full of miles of wonders: here, the Uras floating islands, built in reeds; there, the village of the community of Paramis, where time seems to have stopped.

8. Canyon del Colca

Deep 3,400 meters, the Colca Canyon reveals enchanting landscapes, terraced cultures to typical villages, passing through lagoons and miradors. Stop at the Cross of Condor, which offers a breathtaking view of the valley below, and from which you may have the chance to admire the vertiginous flight of the raptors of the same name.

9. The Salines of Maras

Advising amateur photographers, Maras salines are probably one of the most beautiful landscapes in Peru. Located about 50 kilometers from Cuzco, in the heart of the sacred valley of the Incas, these ancient salt marshes built on the terrace form a camaieu of the most photogenic yellows. Guided tours are organized, they give you the opportunity to exchange a few words with the farmers who harvest the salt.

10. The beaches of Punta Sal

Visiting Peru for farniente on beaches is possible! All you have to do is join the village of Punta Sal , in the north of the country, which flew in the sand, by the Pacific Ocean. The program? Bronzette on long chairs in bamboo, bathing in waves and tasting of freshly fished fish. In the evening, don’t miss sitting at sunset while sipping coconut water.

11. The cataract of Gocta

Oral atmosphere for this next destination in Peru. Falling from a height of 771 meters, the cataract of Gocta , in the north of the country, deserves to be stopped. We walk in the heart of a lush jungle where orchids flourish, before joining a mirador, from where we contemplate the fabulous waterfall.

12. Lima

Those who plan to visit Peru most often arrive in Lima, the capital of the country. A former colonial town, it has a certain charm, and we like to stroll along its colorful streets, discovering its cultural heritage.

Raise your eyes, wooden balconies are one of Lima’s curiosities! Enjoy a relaxing break in the interior garden of the church of Santo Domingo, before joining the central market, where you will learn the treasures of Peruvian gastronomy.

13. The sacred valley of the Incas

With a tourist ticket, to you the visit of one of the most beautiful places in Peru, sacred valley of the Incas . Enamelled with archaeological remains, it offers many outdoor activities and treks to nature lovers and old stones. Sacsayhuaman (named "sexy woman" by the guides to make tourists laugh), with its perfectly nestled stone blocks, Moray and its terraces in concentric circles and Ollantaytambo, with ancient paved streets, deserve the detour.

14. Nazca lines

Those who wish to visit Peru have in mind the mysterious lines of Nazca only visible from the sky. Get on board a small plane to fly over the enigmatic drawings and geometric figures drawn over a period of 500 BC to the year 500 BC. Have fun recognizing the monkey, the spider or the astronaut!

15. The oasis of Huacachina

All in contrast, Peru houses a desert of dunes near the city of Ica, which is most often reached from Lima. You have the opportunity to have fun in the sand, sandboard on the feet or in a buggy handlebar. But the most beautiful remains to come! Stop in the village Huacachina nestled near an oasis with emerald waters, glittering under the generous sun.

16. The Ballestas Islands

Off the town of Pisco, an archipelago of islands stands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean: Ballestas . A true ornithological reserve, they are home to large colonies of marine birds, manchots and cormorants. From the boat, you will observe the sea lions that bake in the water or lizard on a rock, before setting foot to the ground and climbing on the cliffs to contemplate splendid views.

17. The market of Pisac

Rivalising in colours and scents, South American markets never leave passengers indifferent. One of the most beautiful of them is undoubtedly that of Pisac , to visit in priority on Sunday. Don’t forget your camera!

Equipped with their melon hats and dressed in bigarrated textiles, the Peruvians willingly lend themselves to a souvenir portrait. Gather between fruit and vegetable stalls to discover the impressive variety of maize and potatoes in Peru.

18. Mausolées de Revash

You will have to first reach the village San Bartolo to buy entry tickets on the site. Then, a small walk along the cliff awaits you, before discovering, amazed, the funeral complex engraved in the rock. He would have contained several mummies, all disappeared today.

19. Manú National Park

Treat yourself to a great bowl of pure air by visiting the Peruvian Amazon, which you discover from the Manú National Park .

Along with a guide, you will explore one of the world’s last wild territories, populated with swans, birds and other small mammals. And if you are lucky, you will cross the path of the lord of the place, the jaguar! At night, you're leaving the ants and coloured spiders to the light of your flashlight.

20. Chan

If you have decided to visit Peru for its archaeological riches, then do not miss a detour by the ancient capital of the Chimu kingdom, Chan , ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is in a remarkable state of conservation, and you will walk in the middle of the remains of buildings built on earth, which have managed to cross the centuries.