Huaraz is the perfect departure point for excursions into both the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Negra. It's in the heights of the Sierra that you will truly discover all the fantastic features that the Ancash region has to offer.

Huarez: a jewel nestled between snow-covered peaks

It's at Lima that the great numbers of Peruvians found themselves in the 50s, when the rural exodus was at its peak. The capital has seen a tenfold increase in its population and it's this mixture of people and cultures from all over the country that gives it all its variety today.

Visiting Lima's various neighbourhoods

A visit to the heart of the various pre-Incan civilisations in the land of the Lambayeque. The region is brimming with important archaeological remains, so let's follow the tracks of this impressive historical heritage...

Lambayeque: follow in the footsteps of ancient civilisations

Located between the Selva and the Cordillera of the Andes, the Huancavélica and Cerro Pasco region will put you under its spell, with its incredible landscapes, the welcoming nature of the local inhabitants and the old traditions that are still very much alive

Pasco and Huancavélica: a voyage combining nature and tradition

The huge capital of Peru sprung up out the desert. Lima is a noisy town, an easy going place where clouds cover the sky for 8 months of the year.

South America

On these pages you will find ideas for a trip to Peru to help you prepare for your trip. All these ideas are there just to get your imagination going; you can alter, mix and match them as you please. Your local agent will help you create a unique and unforgettable trip, just for you! Peru has three distinct parts, each with its own character: the Pacific coast, which is the most densely populated; the Andes range, with the highest mountain being the towering Huascarán at 6,768 metres; and the Amazon, which covers the largest part of the country. If you’re going, start with the must-see: Machu Picchu – fortunately not found by the Conquistadors – rediscovered in 1911. You should visit it at dawn to see the ruins shrouded in mist. This extraordinary site still clasps a few secrets to its bosom. Not far away, the Andes range draw ramblers and trekkers to magnificent landscapes. The ultimate rambling experience is the Inca Trail through exceptional archaeological sites. During your stay in Peru, you must stop in Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. The Spanish erected their buildings, especially religious ones, over Inca constructions which they systematically destroyed, only sparing their characteristic foundations, which are still visible today with their large, perfectly cut and fitted stones. A voyage out of time awaits you in Cusco.

Peru

Lima

 Pisac: a wonderful site that remains still very well preserved today and where you can see and appreciate the ingenious system of terraces developed during the pre-Inca era in all its splendour.

Pisac

 The town of Ollantaytambo and it's archaeological site are situated between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Take the time to visit this charming, little Inca town.

Ollantaytambo

Andahuaylillas, a small village in the Andes mountains is still protected from the many tourist buses roaming all around Cusco.

Andahuayillas

The first camping stop on the Choquequirao Trek, between Cusco and Abancay.

Chiquisca

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Peru is a country which lends itself perfectly to hiking. The most famous is the Inca Trail trek, which leads to the legendary <a href="/peru/">Machu Picchu</a>, but there are also other treks which are worth discovering, like the Ausangate trek, the Colca Canyon trek or the Choquequirao. trek.
This pretty 4-day hike leaves from the base camp at Chiquisca finishing at the beautiful Incan city of Choquequirao, Machu Picchu's little sister. All along this trek, you'll walk in the steps of Incan civilisation, in the heart of the valley of the Apurimac River, in the Salkantay mountain range. On the agenda: green valleys, snow-capped summits (including the impressive Salkantay peak), as well as diverse fauna.
Please be aware that the Choquequirao trek is fairly demanding, with lots of differences in altitude, but amazing scenery upon arrival!

Chiquisca is the departure point for the trek to Choquequirao, one of the last Incan cities.

The first day's walking provides a good introduction to the rest of the trek: off you go, and straight away you're faced with a 1,300 metre height difference to tackle ; OK, it is a descent rather than a climb, but it's still seriously hard on the legs. For this reason alone, it's a quite wonderful moment when you finally get to the campsite. To be honest, the first time I did this hike I actually wondered whether I'd make it to the end. I should point out, however, that I didn't have a mule-driver with me, which made things more difficult (I don't actually know whether this was down to a lack of concern, for the additional challenge it presented, or because I was just being stingy). But whatever the case, this is a brilliant walk, and recommended for all adventurous tourists who've taken the decision to introduce their walking boots to the lands of the Incas.   Chiquisca Campsite is an extremely quiet and peaceful place (though it has to be said that this is a little less true in the high season), and the subtropical surroundings are quite wonderful. From your tent, you'll have a direct view of the mountain on which the famous archaeological site is located. There's also a bamboo shelter at the site that you can use as an improvised kitchen area. The two makeshift showers constructed from canvas sheets and linked straight to the mountain stream by pipes come as something of a shock. But even though the water is freezing cold, you'll really savour the experience of using them!

Chiquisca Vacations

Chiquisca: How to get there?

Chiquisca: See when to go ?

Chiquisca: For how long?

Chiquisca: What to see nearby?

Peru: our articles for your vacations