Peru is easily one of the world's most popular countries to visit. Many travelers spend months traveling throughout Peru. Visitors often flock to Peru to see Machu Picchu and hike the Inca Trail. Even more fascinating visitors devour their way around the beautiful, culinary land of Lima. No matter what your holiday type may be, there is a Peru travel guide that will have it covered.
One of the first things you should know before visiting Peru is that it is a country filled with rainforest. The Andes mountain range, running from the north of Peru up through Central America, is the home to one of the last great jungles on the planet: the Machu Picchu volcano. On every journey to Machu Picchu, tourists must trek through a region of jungle that is reserved for scientists and researchers. If you are a nature lover who wants to see the beauty of Peru in the jungle, you will not be disappointed by this unique destination.
One of the most treasured sights that you can see in Peru are the Inca Trail (or the Way of the Sun). For the adventurous traveler, the journey up the Inca Trail is an unforgettable experience. The main trail takes visitors on a nine-day trek through beautiful, high-elevated terrain that is difficult to navigate by foot. It begins in the city of Cusco and heads up to the treeline of the Inca Trail. Along the way, you will view some amazing scenery: vast fields of rice grassy terraces, spectacular clouded vistas over the treeline, and ancient ruins like the Lhotal observatory.
Another highlight is the Machu Picchu tour. Travelers to Peru should also try the exciting and popular trekking treks up the Inca Trail. The landscape and culture of Peru are best seen in the pristine mountain trails of Peru. There are many treks available, but the famous and well-loved Machu Picchu is the best known and visited of all. It is located in the region of Ollantaytambo and is accessible by taking a flight to Cusco or a bus from Cusco.
If you want to trek to Machu Picchu, there are several ways to get there. The easiest way to get to the ancient site is to take a train from Cusco to Cusco or from Cusco to Peru itself. The main train stations in Cusco are Los Molinos and San Mochras, both of which offer a long-distance journey on beautiful high-class trains. Alternatively, you can take a walk from your hotel to the colca canyon. The colca canyon is a spectacular region, where magnificent scenery, breathtaking waterfalls, spectacular lagoons and colca pyramids are easily seen.
The third type of trip you should consider for Cusco would be the treks or colca cruises. The treks take several days and will give you the opportunity to trek to the top of Mount Etna and view the stunning views from there. You will also experience white water rafting, and the breathtaking view of the Andean range. If you like the sound of white water rafting but do not have your heart in it, there is always the option of camping. In this way, you can camp at night in a beautiful region with your own stove and cook your own food. Another great thing about camping is that it allows you to save money on your accommodation costs.
When you are done with your treks, you may decide to stay a night in a local bed and breakfast. There are many bed and breakfast hotels and camping grounds available throughout Cusco, and you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation. Your Peru Travel Guide will tell you where to find them. The most important thing, however, is to try and get the real feel for Cusco through the local people.
While you are there, you should try to visit some of the colca or Machu Picchu landmarks. The ruins of these two important Inca temples are some of the best on the entire continent. Other sites worth visiting while you are in Cusco include the Sacred Valley, the Museum of Ancient Things, the Chinchero Historic Site, and the Picut restaurant. If you do not want to camp, you can also visit the colca Canyon, where you can hike to the treks above. To get the real Peru Travel Guide, you will need the book, Peru Travel Guide An Introduction by Douglas K. Smith.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Peru are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Peru
The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, between May and October.
You don't need a visa to travel if the purpose of the visit is tourism. If you're travelling for any other purpose, check entry clearance requirements with the Peruvian Consulate-General in London.For more information, please contact the Peruvian Immigration Office or the Peruvian Consulate-General in London.
See which forms you may need for entry into Peru.
The official currency of Peru is the Sol (PEN). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Peru you can grab amazing Sol deals via Wise.com (GBP to PEN).
Andean Cock-of-the-rock. Andean Condor. Jaguar. Humboldt Penguin. Amazon River Dolphin. Llamas and alpacas. Spectacled Bear. Peruvian Hairless Dog.
Spanish food? Ceviche. It's Peru's national dish, the best versions of this marinated fish dish are in Lima and it's the freshest, zestiest and healthiest dish you will ever have.
You can typically expect to pay around £1.40p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
Spanish is the official language of Peru and, in areas where they are common, Quechua, Aymara, and some other indigenous languages are also the official language. You can learn some basic Spanish before you travel to Peru and really impress the locals!
The currency in Peru is the Sol (For a guided tour, you should tip your guide about 10-30 soles (about $4-$10) per person for a half day tour and 20-60 soles ($7-$20) for a full day tour.).