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

Mountain pass at 4850 metres up in the Cordillera Blanca and forming part of the Alpamayo trek .

col de Cullicocha

Uruguay

The Galapagos Islands

Patagonia

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

Asia

Middle East

Oceania

For mountain lovers, a trek around the high terrain of the Ancash region when <a href="/peru/">visiting Peru</a> is pretty much obligatory. With several mountain ranges located in the area, there is a large number of hiking trails, summits and glaciers to explore. One option is the Alpamayo trek, which gives you the chance to explore the northern part of the Cordillera Blanca (white mountain range). The route takes you on a tour around the mountain with which it shares its name, which some say is the most beautiful in the world. This high mountain trek, with turquoise coloured lakes at various points along the way, is quite magical. My starting point was Hualcayan, which meant I traversed the wonderful Cullicocha pass the second day (allow eight to ten days to complete the trip, depending on your itinerary). At the beginning you'll pass along the side of a lake of the same name, from where you'll be able to enjoy a fantastic view of Santa Cruz. So that's the trip off to a rather good start then, and you even have the option of finishing it off with an ascension of the summit of Nevado Pisco (as long as you arrange it beforehand with your tour operator). I "settled" for the basic tour and was lucky enough to have fine weather; suffice to say, I had a really great time! Quick tip: in theory it's prohibited to do the walk without a guide. However, the forest rangers are normally quite relaxed about this.

col de Cullicocha Vacations

col de Cullicocha: How to get there?

col de Cullicocha: See when to go ?

col de Cullicocha: For how long?

col de Cullicocha: What to see nearby?

Peru: our articles for your vacations