Located on the Pacific coast, Peru is a beautiful South American country which is renowned for being the home of one of the greatest centers of ancient civilization. This country spans over an area of 1,285,216 square kilometers and blessed with rich & diverse geography that range from the soaring peaks of the Andes Mountains to the arid plains of the Pacific coast and to the tropical forest stretch of the Amazon Basin. With so much on offer, Peru is an incredible tourist destination. If you are planning a visit to Peru and wondering which destinations to visit, the read on to this write-up!

Machu Picchu

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is an enigmatic tourist destination that is situated in the Cusco region of Peru. In fact, this destination is the most popular and visited tourist attraction in the South America. It is located 2430 meters above the sea level, Machu Picchu is an archeological site that is known to be built during the time of the Inca Empire (1438-1472). Constructed in a typical Inca style of architecture, the relics of this city confirm that the entire settlement was very intelligently planned while establishing perfect interaction between human and his natural environment. Machu Picchu is also known as the ‘City of Incas’, which is a famous symbol of the long lost civilization.

Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon is a beautiful canyon of the Colca River in the Andes mountain range in southern Peru. It is more than double as deep as the Grand Canyon, but the canyon’s walls are quite steep. The big attraction here, in addition to the awesome sights is the Andean condors. These condors can be seen at fairly close range as they float on the rising thermals.

Nazca Lines

Another exotic and the unique evidence of the native culture of Peru, the Nazca lines are an incredible piece of art. These lines are believed to be produced thousands of years ago. Nazca lines are naturally shaped into huge animal shapes as well as several other statistical designs. The lines sprawl over an area of more than 280 square miles, these lines are simply an onlooker’s delight. Being a one-of-its kind natural feature, Nazca lines are listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Archeology list.

Santa Catalina Monastery

Established on October 2, 1580, the Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa covers a walled area of 20,000 square meters, including walkways, streets, small squares and stairways. The monastery is primarily by the Mudéjar style and is characterized by the vibrantly painted walls. Santa Catalina Monastery is one of the most important monasteries of Latin America and colonial Peru.

Uros Islands

Uros Islands are made of dried totora reeds, these artificial islands are the top attraction of Lake Titicaca. It is believed that the lives of the Uros, the pre-Incan people are linked with. The reeds are a prime source of food and are also used to make their homes, even a reed flower tea and their boats. Some of the other places to visit here include, Iquitos (Amazon River), Mancora, Huacachina and Chan Chan.