Peru is located on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean in South America. The country has a very varied landscape. The country is known for its rugged Andes Mountains. If you head northeast, you’ll come across the Amazon jungle near the Brazilian border. But also the northern part of the country has plenty to offer. Make sure you have good walking shoes if you go to Peru, because the country is best discovered on foot.
Beautiful Sunset at Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is located high in the mountains of the beautiful region of Cusco. Here at 2,430 meters you will find the relatively well-preserved ruins of the ancient Inca city, which is one of Peru’s top attractions. The best time of day to visit the ruins is during sunset. It is breathtakingly beautiful from this location.
If you travel on your own, you can travel from the airport of Lima to the old Inca capital Cusco. From here you can take the bus or train to Aguas Calientes and then travel by bus to Machu Picchu.
Much more convenient is to book an organized trek. You can choose from the very popular Inca Trail, the shortened version, the very adventurous Salkantay Trek or the relatively quiet Lares Trek. Most things like the Machu Picchu tickets will be arranged for you.
The region of Cusco is for many hikers the walhalla. Most of them skip the northern part of the country. Peru is indeed a big country and in a few weeks you cannot see everything. Still, the area is more than worth the effort. It was the habitat of various cultures like the Chimú, the Moche and the Chachapoya. You can still find several excavations of these cultures, the most beautiful are at Kuelap.
You can also make great walks here. The most visited region is Huaraz, where during your hike through the Andes, you have great views of the snowy peaks of the mountains. The cloud forests are also beautiful and are perfect for multi-day treks. You will pass beautiful waterfalls but also various ancient ruins. If you want to go hiking in Peru, deviate from the standard routes and visit not only the Cusco region, but also the peaceful north.
How to Get to Peru
If you want to go to Peru, you basically always fly to Lima. Remember that it is still busy at the airports. If your flight is canceled or delayed, always file a claim, even if you fly with a non-Dutch airline. For example, even if your American Airlines flight is canceled, you are usually entitled to compensation.
