Why Peru?
Peru is the third largest country in South America
Peru is one of the world's most varied countries. It is a multicultural nation, filled with traditions, a unique gastronomy and vast natural reserves. It is home to 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 84 of the planet's 117 life zones. Peru is situated in the western part of South America and shares borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile. Its enormous territory, covering more than 1.2 million square kilometers, is composed of three regions: Coast, Highlands and Jungle. Its current population exceeds 31.5 million inhabitants.
Spanish is the official language of Peru; however, 47 indigenous languages are also spoken in the country, including Quechua and Aymara.
PLACES
My favourite places in Peru
Cusco
Formerly the capital of the extensive Inca empire, it retains much of its highly crafted early stone architecture, which is typically preserved in the foundations and lower stories of Spanish colonial structures. Cuzco was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.
What I like about it
One of my favorite things about Cusco and the rest of Peru is the amazing food they have on offer. In recent years the gastronomy is starting to be recognized more and more around the world, and it’s gaining a well-deserved reputation. The food is abundant and full of flavors, some specific to the country. Whether it’s street food or fine dining, it all tastes so good. My favorite foods from Cusco have to be chicharron and lechon, two different ways to prepare pork. I’m also a huge fan of ceviche, from the coast.
Nazca Lines
The Nazca lines are a group of geoglyphs made in the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were created between 500 BC and 500 AD by people making depressions or shallow incisions in the desert floor, removing pebbles and leaving different-colored dirt exposed.
What I like about it
If you love to travel, but don’t love crowds, the Nazca Lines are the perfect destination for you. Over 1.5 million people visit Muchu Picchu ever year, which averages to about 2,500 per day, and in 2019 Lima had 2.76 million tourists visit. The Nazca Lines, however, receive far fewer visitors, making them a great less-crowded destination in Peru. The reason why the Nazca lines are famous and visited by people from around the world is because there is so much mystery and many theories on why there were formed.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu , Ancient fortress city of the Incas in the Andes Mountains, south-central Peru. Perched near Cuzco in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, at an elevation of 7,710 ft, it escaped detection by the Spaniards. Discovered by Hiram Bingham.
What I like about it
I’m not the kind of jerk that would leave a one-star review for a UNESCO World Heritage site. Yes, it’s crowded, but I’d never dare to say one of the New 7 Wonders of the World isn’t “worth it”. While there are some brilliant Machu Picchu alternatives, it’s safe to say that there’s nothing exactly like Machu Picchu anywhere else in the world. The citadel sprawls 325 km2 and there are 172 campuses. Machu Picchu is huge and brilliantly restored and loved by many who visit every year.