Peru is a destination that will amaze and inspire you and it's no wonder, given it's achieved World Heritage status on many fronts.
Did you know Machu Picchu took out the prize of Traveller's Choice award for 2013 on Trip Advisor? The spectacular site has been inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and must be not only seen but experienced. Steeped in ancient history, it is a place guaranteed to entertain your sense of adventure and discovery. The ancient Incan Citadel of Machu Picchu, is an archaeological wonder unlike any other destination in the world, hidden between the mountains that mark the beginning and the end of the Andes mountains and the Amazon basin. Seeing the Citadel for the first time is a memory which will stay with you forever.
Immerse yourself in the Indigenous Andean communities of Misminay and Chequerec. Trek to these villages by travelling along the same paths which natives used for centuries. The people here are just gorgeous. They are very friendly, welcome you wearing colourful attire and their children peek out curiously from behind them.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is the mysterious Nazca Lines, spanning an area of around 350 kilometers . From a bird's eye view, you realise these markings are in fact in the shape of different animals, each carefully engraved into the Peruvian desert. These lines have been considered a mystery for decades and the origins remain unexplained to this day. See a hummingbird, monkey, spider and fish, from the sky with a memorable flight over the area.
The city of Cusco has also been declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. An important hub in Inca times that connected all of South America, from Columbia to Argentina, the city represents the centre of indigenous Quechua culture in the Andes.
Today, the beautiful city of Cusco boasts well-preserved colonial architecture, reflective of its rich and complex history. The city is surrounded by ruins from Inca times and its narrow cobble-stone streets still attract locals and tourists alike. There are many bargains to be had in Cusco, from beautiful silver jewellery to gorgeous woollen garments. Here you will find something really special and unique and it's great for buying presents for loved ones back home.
Lima’s Historical Centre was declared a World Cultural Heritage in 1991. Today it is a cosmopolitan capital of excellence; rich with bright colours, different textures and interesting sounds with gorgeous colonial balconies, old houses and churches with secret tunnels.
There is so much to see and experience in Peru, and we haven’t even mentioned the Amazon Jungle yet...
For more information about holidays in Peru, contact Catherine Baker at Press & James Travel Associates.