PERU
Peru is the third largest country in South America, stretching from the parched desert on the Pacific coastline to the lush Amazonian rainforest to the east. The sheer variety of landscapes in the country is quite staggering, encompassing soaring mountain ranges and vast tropical jungle, with beautiful beaches and picturesque islands along the coastline.
This wondrous geography gave rise to ancient empires, origins of which can be traced back thousands of years. As one of the birthplaces of civilisation, Peru has an extremely rich cultural history and archaeological heritage, which document the development of early society from early Palaeolithic villages to the magnificent cities of the Incan empire.
The most popular of these historical marvels is the 'Lost City of the Incas' Machu Picchu. Over half of all visits to Peru include a visit to this ancient city, and with its dramatic setting and magnificent old structures, it is easy to see why. Of course, the country has plenty of other heritage sites of equal beauty and grandeur, including the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco and the mysterious Nazca Lines.
For more active pursuits, the dramatic Peruvian landscape lends itself to a wide variety of sports and activities. From skiing on the snowy peaks of the Andes to white water rafting along the Amazon River to sand boarding on the desert dunes, the opportunities for adventure are virtually endless. Various tours can take travellers through rainforests overflowing with wildlife to take in the views of some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth.
Within all this natural beauty and historic splendour lie cosmopolitan cities with charming colonial architecture, world-class restaurants and booming bars and nightclubs.
