Peru provides a heady mix of geographical contrasts, from arid desert to the high snow-capped peaks of the Andes; and from the deep dark waters of Lake Titicaca to the lush rainforests of the Amazon Basin, interspersed with beautiful colonial towns, fascinating archaeological sites and hidden temples.

The land is littered with evidence of ancient tribes and civilisations from the mysterious Nazca Lines, to the ancient fortress of Kuelap, and extensive citadel of Chan Chan. The most magical is of course Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. The ruins disappeared from human knowledge for centuries only to be rediscovered in the early 20th century by an inquisitive missionary’s son, Hiram Bingham.

Cuzco, once the capital of the Incas, displays some intriguing examples of Inca architecture with thick stone Inca walls lining many of its streets. Meanwhile the desert coast is studded with monumental temples and adobe ruins from several pre-Inca civilisations.

Peru is also a land of incredible beauty, with the sprawling waters of Lake Titicaca to the south; the snow capped peaks of the Andes to the west, soaring to over 6,000 metres; and the world’s deepest canyons, Cotahuasi and Colca Canyon.

Travellers seeking adventure and outdoor activity in Peru will find ideal conditions for mountain climbing, trekking, white water rafting, surfing, fishing and a host of Amazon jungle experiences.

Southern Peru is a treasure trove of Inca ruins, mystical lakes, beautiful colonial towns and deep canyons, fringed by the Amazon Basin to the east and the arid coastline of the Atacama Desert to the south.

Known as the ‘White City’, the colonial town of Arequipa lies surrounded by spectacular mountains, including the volcano ‘El Misti’. This region has wild terrain, deserts, thermal hot springs and deep canyons and therefore makes the perfect base for outdoor activity. The town itself contains countless beautiful monasteries, colonial churches and the remarkable Santa Catalina Convent.

North of Arequipa is the extraordinary Colca Canyon and the mysterious Nazca Lines. The spectacular geometric designs drawn in the desert are only visible from the air. Some represent animals such as a lizard, monkey and a condor while others are simple but perfect geometric figures.

Lake Titicaca straddles the Peru-Bolivian border lying on a popular route to Cusco and La Paz in Bolivia. At 3820 metres, it is the highest navigable lake in the world and also the largest lake in South America. With its big open skies and dark glistening waters it feels like it should be the site of great mystical things. Small islands dot the lake, providing great views of the lake and some interesting Inca ruins.

Off the coast of Puno are the floating reef islands of the Uros people, who have spent their entire lives on the waters of the lake using the Totora reeds to make everything including the canoe-shaped boats.

Further north is the fascinating city of Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire. At the heart of Cusco is the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by colonnade arches but dominated by the 16th century cathedral. Cobbled streets lined with thick Inca stone walls lead off in all directions housing fascinating museums, and crammed with shops, crafts and markets.

Cusco is also the entry point for those heading to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail, a three to four day trek from the Sacred Valley to the Sun Gate. Machu Picchu can also be reached by a beautiful train journey through the Urumbamba Valley. A trip to Machu Picchu is truly a magical experience. Surrounded by spectacular mountainous scenery with just a few wisps of white cloud hanging overhead the Lost City is an awesome sight.

There are also numerous archaeological sites dotted around Cusco including the ruins at Choquequirao, and Pisaq.

Peru’s capital Lima lies on the coast, with a sprawling mix of modern day architecture and old colonial charm. The old town comprises of stunning examples of Spanish New World architecture with elaborate stonework, verandas and balconies and some fascinating museums.

The coast of Peru, in and to the south of Lima, is a great area for exploring wildlife, Pisco, natural oases, beaches and ancient ruins. On the deserted coastline to the south is the imposing fortress-temple complex of Pachamac, which sits on a sandstone cliff overlooking the ocean.

Pisco is home to the Peruvian grape liquor of the same name but it is also the base for visiting Paracas National Reserve, the only nature reserve on the Peruvian coast. Established mainly to protect the marine wildlife, it attracts migratory birds and many endangered species. Schools of dolphins can be spotted offshore alongside hundreds of sea lions and marine cats.

The lush Amazon River basin covers 60% of Peru, stretching from the north to the south of the country. The Peruvian share is considered to be one of the best preserved in its virgin state, making it particularly bio diverse, holding around 70% of living species on the planet.

The Manu National Park is situated within the Amazon Basin, protecting almost all the Manu River and most of the tributaries of the Alto Madre de Dios River. It is the most biologically diverse region of the Amazon with 1,000 species of birds, more than 200 species of mammals, 13 species of monkey and 15,000 species of flowering plants. Manu National Park is also inhabited by a number of indigenous tribes, the best known of which, and the largest, being the Machiguenga, who live throughout the area.

Further south and close to Bolivian borders is the Tambopata National Reserve, protecting a diversity of landscapes and wildlife. A vast array of activities are available including jungle treks, boat trips, enchanting rainforest trails, plant study and bird watching.

The northern half of Peru does not match the popularity of the central and southern regions of the country but still has plenty of worthy attractions.

The northern coast is lined with beautiful beaches, wide open plains and towering mountains make up a diverse terrain, where several eco-systems are formed such as mangroves, equatorial forest, tropical forest and estuaries. More than 30% of the Tumbes territory has been declared natural protected areas. The Mangrove Sanctuary of Tumbes, an extensive aquatic forest is a refuge for many bird species including egrets, black hawks and the rare American crocodile.

The Ancash province located on a hilly coastal strip gradually ascends to the highest snow-capped mountains in Peru. The spectacular snow-capped mountains are visible throughout the entire region and include among them Mount Huascaran, the tallest peak in Peru. You will also find hot springs and lakes scattered through the province making ideal conditions for adventure sports such as white water rafting, mountain biking and trekking.

The northern deserts are home to an incredible collection of archaeological sites. Five kilometres east of the beautiful colonial town of Trujillo is the largest Pre-Columbian city in South America, Chan Chan covering an area measuring approximately 20sq km. The city comprises of ten walled citadel which housed burial chambers, ceremonial rooms, temples and residences, and is constructed entirely out of mud.

Located around 2000 metres on the eastern slopes of the Andes, is the city of Chachapoyas, who takes its name from the Chachapoya civilisation, called the Cloud People by the Incas. Nearby are many little known archaeological sites. One of the most accessible is the magnificent ruins of Kuélap. This immense oval shaped pre-Inca city sits at 3,100 metres on a ridge above the Río Utcubamba. One of over 500 archaeological sites left by the Chachapoya civilisation, it is by far the largest and most impressive.

Peru’s climate varies according to the area. Generally from May to October is the dry season; November through to April is the rainy season. The wettest months are from January to April and roads and trek paths in mountain area’s can become impassable.

From June to September in the highlands, days are clear and often sunny with cold nights. For trekking in the mountains, including the Inca Trail, these are by far the best months.

On the coast December to April (summer) is hot and dry and from May to October temperatures are much milder but with high humidity. Much of the coast including Lima is shrouded in low lying mist.

The Amazon is consistently hot and humid with rainfall year-round but it does have two clear seasons. The dry season falls from May to October and from November to April there are frequent rain showers.

Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima is Peru’s main international airport and domestic airport. There are also some international flights to Cuzco and Iquitos. Star Perú, Taca Peru and LAN are the main domestic airlines in Peru.

Entering Peru by bus from neighbouring Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador is a cheap and reliable option. Bus routes from La Paz in Bolivia to Cusco in Peru are popular bus routes on the gringo trail.