Title: Visit Peru: 2026 Travel Guide for Peru, South America | Expedia.com [Peru Hotels](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Peru.d144.Hotel-Destinations)[Vacation Rentals in Peru](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Peru.d144.Vacation-Rental-Destinations)[Peru Flights](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Peru.d144.Flight-Destinations)[Car Rentals in Peru](https://expedia.com/Destinations-In-Peru.d144.Car-Rental-Destinations)[Peru Vacations](https://expedia.com/Peru.d144.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Peru ## Travel Guide ![Cusco showing landscape views, mountains and a ruin](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/178042/d03179e9-ea25-4985-a37d-d7e66cf30687.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Cusco showing landscape views, mountains and a ruin](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/178042/d03179e9-ea25-4985-a37d-d7e66cf30687.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Peru which includes farmland and landscape views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/144/f097bc39-dca1-4ee9-94b2-973510e4e334.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Exposition Park featuring a fountain and a park as well as a large group of people](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6115248/8a178aa9-1b1d-4fba-9b1c-f50fe2bd9a34.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Cusco which includes cafe scenes and street scenes](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6242397/0639074f-f93f-4e8f-a698-896003f0b1fe.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) #### Experience fascinating ruins, bustlingcities, magnificent landscapes, wild rivers and the Amazon jungle in thebirthplace of the Inca Empire. Fromancient civilizations and colonial heritage to striking natural scenery, wildlifeand high-adrenalin sports, Peru has an astounding variety of attractions. Youcan retrace the footsteps of the Incas, cruise the world’s highest navigablelake, hike across the Andes and surf at glorious beaches. Peru sits on the west coast of South America, nestled between Amazonianrainforests and the Pacific Ocean. See astoundingremnants of Peru’s millennia-old civilizations. The most famous is the mysticalMachu Picchu, a mountain-top citadelthat was once the center of Incan culture. Arrive here by hiking along thesacred Inca Trail. Visit the archaeological ruins of Chan Chan, the former home of the Chimú Kingdom, or the pre-Incanadobe pyramids in the Lambayaque Valley,better known as Valley of the Pyramids. Gaze in wonder at the mysterious Nazca Lines geoglyphs in the southernPeruvian desert. Peru’stowns and cities showcase a fusion of colonial history, Peruvian heritage andmodernity. Peru’s capital, Lima, hasremarkable architecture, a dynamic nightlife and an excellent culinary scene.Wander the narrow streets of Cuzcoto find hidden Inca ruins and indigenous markets. Admire the legacy of Spanish-eramonuments in Arequipa. Don’t miss PuertoBelen, a floating village on the Amazon River. Visitsmall island communities while you cruise LakeTiticaca, the highest sailable lake on earth. Watch condors glide high upin the mountains that surround ColcaCanyon. See colorful butterflies, monkeys and jaguars in Manu National Park. Spot sea lions andflamingos at Paracas NationalReservation and the stunning Ballestas Islands. For adventurousvisitors, there’s excellent hiking in the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash. Join kayaking and white-water raftingexcursions on the Apurimac and Urubamba rivers. Try sand-boarding or ride in adune buggy over the huge dunes at HuacachinaOasis. Surf at palm-fringed beaches such as Puerto Chicama and Máncora Beach. Explorethis large country easily with Peru’s extensive network of cheap and reliable busesand affordable domestic flights. Peru’s fascinating culture, mesmerizingancient ruins, breathtaking landscapes and wildlife make it an excitingvacation destination. ### Popular cities in Peru [Lima Known for Dining, Shopping and Museums ](https://expedia.com/Lima.dx178277) Spanish colonial houses, exquisite food, musicians in traditional dress, oceanfront entertainment and fine museums make the Peruvian capital a feast for the senses. ## Reasons to visit - Plaza de Armas de Lima - Larcomar Shopping Center - Waikiki Beach [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Lima.dx178277)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Lima-Hotels.d178277.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Cusco Known for Shopping, Tours and Historical ](https://expedia.com/Cusco.dx941) Once the capital of the Inca Empire, this historic city is the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and one of the most important sites in indigenous Peruvian culture. ## Reasons to visit - Plaza de Armas - San Pedro Market - Sacsayhuaman [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Cusco.dx941)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Cusco-Hotels.d941.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Machu Picchu Known for Mountains, Hiking and Historical ](https://expedia.com/Machu-Picchu.dx178042) The sacred Inca city, built high in the Andes and hidden for centuries, is now one of Peru’s most spectacular and popular tourist destinations. ## Reasons to visit - Aguas Calientes Hot Springs - Inca Trail - Huayna Picchu [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Machu-Picchu.dx178042)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Machu-Picchu-Hotels.d178042.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Ollantaytambo Known for Historical, Ruins and Tours ](https://expedia.com/Ollantaytambo.dx6084546) Home to the ruins of a striking temple, this quaint village has changed little since it was inhabited by the Inca centuries ago. ## Reasons to visit - Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site - Pumamarca Ruins - Pinkuylluna Mountain Granaries [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Ollantaytambo.dx6084546)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Ollantaytambo-Hotels.d6084546.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Urubamba Known for Relaxing, Hiking and Historical ](https://expedia.com/Urubamba.dx602026) The Sacred Valley’s central transportation hub, this lively town has a well-functioning tourist infrastructure and makes an ideal base for exploring the region. [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Urubamba.dx602026)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Urubamba-Hotels.d602026.Travel-Guide-Hotels) [Paracas Known for Beaches, Sea and Relaxing ](https://expedia.com/Paracas.dx6122842) Explore relaxing Paracas: its beaches, natural setting, boating, and more! [Explore City](https://expedia.com/Paracas.dx6122842)[Find Hotels](https://expedia.com/Paracas-Hotels.d6122842.Travel-Guide-Hotels) ### Popular places to visit ![Plaza Mayor showing flowers and a garden](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6115218/67eb42ed-673e-4520-9977-2b19534eccbe.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Plaza de Armas de Lima Visit the birthplace of Lima. It has an antique fountain at its center surrounded by a majestic cathedral, a palace and colonial buildings. [](https://expedia.com/Plaza-De-Armas-De-Lima-Lima-Historic-Center.d6115218.Vacation-Attraction) ![Sacsayhuaman which includes a ruin and heritage elements as well as an individual child](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6116938/55afa65c-11b9-4d20-9ac5-7cc8e7b75be8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Sacsayhuaman The colossal stones of Cusco’s hilltop fortress are a powerful testimony to the ingenuity of Incan construction techniques. [](https://expedia.com/Sacsayhuaman-Cusco.d6116938.Vacation-Attraction) ![The Pre-Inca site of Huaca Pucllana, in Miraflores, Lima, Peru](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6116976/6b4d1a66-2a9b-4b1a-932d-5ec55952a541.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Huaca Pucllana Ruins This pyramid was the hub of activity for an ancient civilization. Now, it stands as an example of architectural ingenuity and a tribute to the Lima Culture. [](https://expedia.com/Huaca-Pucllana-Ruins-Miraflores.d6116976.Vacation-Attraction) ## Regions in Peru ![Exposition Park which includes a fountain](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6115248/597192e4-d586-4cee-a57a-dfc57e0fa76a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Lima Region Relax on beaches, tour desert ruins and see the colonial architecture of the country’s vibrant capital city in this region on the central coast. ![Cusco showing tranquil scenes, wildflowers and landscape views](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6235224/7e1ae5e6-4bad-439d-bf88-1f86d1c06087.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Cusco Region Get used to the altitude in the Belly Button of the World that serves as the gateway to the most iconic Incan landmark. - All areas in Peru [Amazonas Region](https://expedia.com/Amazonas-Region.dx6235152)[Ancash Region](https://expedia.com/Ancash-Region.dx6235887)[Apurímac Region](https://expedia.com/Apurimac-Region.dx6235223)[Arequipa Region](https://expedia.com/Arequipa-Region.dx6235846)[Ayacucho Region](https://expedia.com/Ayacucho-Region.dx6235222)[Cajamarca Region](https://expedia.com/Cajamarca-Region.dx6235176)[Callao Region](https://expedia.com/Callao-Region.dx553248635975177413)[Cusco Region](https://expedia.com/Cusco-Region.dx6235224)[Huancavelica Region](https://expedia.com/Huancavelica-Region.dx6235221)[Huánuco Region](https://expedia.com/Huanuco-Region.dx6235179)[Ica Region](https://expedia.com/Ica-Region.dx6235850)[Junín Region](https://expedia.com/Junin-Region.dx6235183)[La Libertad Region](https://expedia.com/La-Libertad-Region.dx6235892)[Lambayeque Region](https://expedia.com/Lambayeque-Region.dx6235896)[Lima Region](https://expedia.com/Lima-Region.dx6235880)[Loreto Region](https://expedia.com/Loreto-Region.dx6235145)[Madre de Dios Region](https://expedia.com/Madre-De-Dios-Region.dx6235175)[Moquegua Region](https://expedia.com/Moquegua-Region.dx6235841)[Pasco Region](https://expedia.com/Pasco-Region.dx6235180)[Piura Region](https://expedia.com/Piura-Region.dx6235901)[Puno Region](https://expedia.com/Puno-Region.dx6235225)[San Martin Region](https://expedia.com/San-Martin-Region.dx6235156)[Tacna Region](https://expedia.com/Tacna-Region.dx6235228)[Tumbes Region](https://expedia.com/Tumbes-Region.dx6235905)[Ucayali Region](https://expedia.com/Ucayali-Region.dx6235164) - [Packages](?pwaLob=wizard-package-pwa) - [Stays](?pwaLob=wizard-hotel-pwa-v2) - [Flights](?pwaLob=wizard-flight-pwa) - [Things to do](?pwaLob=wizard-lx-pwa) - [Cruises](?pwaLob=wizard-cruise-pwa) - [Cars](?pwaLob=wizard-car-pwa) # Peru