Peru is a truly beautiful South American nation. With gorgeous natural scenery, a vibrant culture, bustling cities and traditional villages, historical landmarks and plenty of ecological tours, the area is ideal for all kinds of holidays. Whether your interests are historical or if hiking is your passion, Peru offers something for everyone. A company that offers the best experiences around are based in the UK. Peru tours with Virgin Holidays Worldwide Journeys will give you one of the best escorted tour experiences you could imagine.
One of the best ways to explore the country is on a tour, where a local guide can explain to you more about the language and heritage as you stop at some of the top destinations in the country. Try to include as many of these incredible destinations on your own tour of Peru.
1. Lima: There can be no denying that the capital city of Peru is the most visited urban area in the nation. The largest international airport in Peru is in Lima, making it both the start and end of many tours for international visitors. The city is over five hundred years old and was founded by the Spanish explorers to the New World, meaning that much of the city’s older architecture was built in the colonial Spanish style. Most of the historical landmarks are concentrated in the Centro Historico, but Lima is also known for the stunning beaches nearby in places like Barranco.
2. Lake Titicaca: This large lake is found at an incredibly high elevation, making it one of the highest lakes on Earth. It is situated between Peru and Bolivia at a staggering height of three thousand meters. There are several islands directly in the lake which are wonderful to visit and provide meals, shopping and even accommodation. The Uro Islands are known as the floating islands are amazingly made from reeds woven together, and many locals sleep on them and live on these floating structures every day.
3. Paracas National Reserve: Those with an interest in Peruvian ecology won’t want to miss the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Paracas National Reserve. Along with dense jungles, Paracas is home to beautiful beaches which are ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling, wind surfing and even chartered tour boats for deep sea fishing. While you’re there, see all the boobies, seals and penguins on a Ballestas Islands tour.
4. Nazca Lines: For a glimpse into something mystical and not fully explained, head on a tour of the mysterious Nazca Lines, found along the southern coast of Peru. The incredible city was once home to the ancient Nazca people who were famed for creating beautiful pottery. Oddly, the dessert in the area is inexplicably covered in deep geometric lines that have not yet been explained to modern society. You can view the lines from small aircraft tours that fly above the dessert, or you can take a tour to the nearby observation towers that offer breathtaking views of the land below.