Peru is such a diverse country that a tour from one end to the other is like a tour of the world. For every desire and every lifestyle, there's a part of this glorious country that will satisfy the wandering soul.
The quintessential trip to Peru always includes a trek to the Incan ruins atop Machu Picchu. A quick flight from Lima to Cusco is the portal for this and many other landmarks of the Inca empire, such as Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo, that dot the high peaks of the Andes.
Lima, the country's capital, offers not only a few traces of Incan culture and signs of the Spanish colonialists who ruled two centuries ago, but also an urbane and sophisticated nightlife. The best Peruvian cuisine, all-night discos, art galleries and gorgeous Spanish colonial architecture dot this bustling city of 7.8 million people. All flights from the United States will drop you in Lima to begin your journey.
The northern coast of Peru offers some of the best surfing in the world, rivaling that of Hawaii and Australia. The small coastal town of Mancora is a hidden gem, drawing more and more surfers every year. Even for those who don't surf, the white sandy beaches and coconut palms provide the resort feel of any Caribbean island. This area is accessible only via 16-hour bus trips from Lima or a short flight and long shuttle through Piura.
For those who don't mind getting up close with nature--the unique and sometimes slimy or scary kind of nature--a stay in the Amazon jungle offers a phenomenal experience. From Iquitos, travelers can find their way to eco-friendly treehouses around which thousands of species continually crawl, creep, slither and sneak.
Straddling the Peru-Bolivia border, Lake Titicaca, at 12,500 feet above sea level, is where Incan mythology claims the god Viracocha created the world. The lake's Uros Islands, home to many fishermen, are floating man-made islands made out of reeds. To reach the lake, voyagers can fly to Juliaca, and take a short bus or taxi into the main lake town of Puno.
Trips to Peru will usually cost less during Peru's winter off-season, which runs from June to August. Because of the various environments, tourists should present their itineraries to their local health departments to determine which, if any, immunizations are needed. The most established domestic air routes in Peru are available through LAN and Star airlines.
