Visiting the Peru Mountains

Overview

Mountain hiking goes hand in hand with popular tourist activities all over the world with it being one of the most fun activities to do for physically active individuals. While there are many amazing mountain ranges in the world, one of the most unique and interesting ranges is the Peru Mountains. The Peru Mountains consist of different mountains that are perfect for hiking and tourist activity. For potential visitors to Peru, I can enlighten them on how to maximize their visit to the Peru Mountains.

What do they consist of?

The most famous mountains in Peru is the Andes range of mountains which extends from the north to the south of the country. There are a set of mountain ranges with at least thirty peaks being 6000 meters above sea level. Numerous other mountains that are 5000 meters above sea level. This makes the Andes range of mountains one of the most unique and beautifully formed mountain ranges in the world. In Peru, these mountains are a beautiful and risky mountains to climb. The highest peak in the Andes is Mount Huascaran. The mountain is a beautiful snowy addition to the skyline. At 6,768 meters, the mountain is suited for experienced mountain climbers due to its high peaks. Other high peak mountains included in the range are Mount Pisco, the Rainbow Mountain, Mount Siula Grande, El Misti Volcano, Mount Yerupajá, and Santa Cruz Mountain among others.

What makes them unique?

The Peru Mountains are unique in many different ways. One of the distinct features is that some mountains on the range are actually active volcanoes. Visiting an active volcano is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most individuals. The El Misti Volcano that rises up to a magnificent 5, 825 meters above sea level is an active volcano in the Andes range. The thrill of visiting an active volcano that is also challenging and exciting to climb is a major attraction to many visitors. If you are looking for a once in a lifetime opportunity, this is a great mountain for you to visit! The majority of mountains in the range are the best mountain climbing experiences for experienced mountain climbers with their high peaks, stunning views and challenging routes.

Another distinct feature present in the Andes Mountains is the Rainbow Mountain. This exotic looking mountain features stratified layers of rock which makes it have a beautiful and dreamlike quality. I can bet that you have probably seen an image of this stunning mountainside as a popular wallpaper but it is actually a real place! For individuals looking for the perfect background to capture their visit to Peru, this is the perfect mountain for you. It is hauntingly beautiful and almost preternatural. Any visit to the mountains of Peru is incomplete without visiting the famous Rainbow Mountain.

What activities can you do on the Peru Mountains?

The main activity is mountain climbing where experienced climbers attempt to climb the lofty peaks. The peaks are a great challenge for expert mountaineers as the height is quite difficult for most climbers. However, most people including me are not experts at mountain climbing. Do not worry! There are day hikes that are created for individuals who want to experience the beauty of these mountains without having to be skilled at mountain climbing. Mount Diablo Mudo for example, offers its climbers a moderate challenge that can allow entry level climbers to enjoy the mountain climbing experience without the arduous challenge of much higher peaks. Other activities that can be done on these mountains include bungee jumping, paragliding, river rafting, boating as well as zipline activities. Suffice it to say, you cannot get bored vising the Peru Mountains.

Are there any legal or safety requirements to visit the Peru Mountains?

There are no legal requirements from the Peru government necessary to visit the Peru Mountains aside from documents that legalize your presence in the country. It is important to have the appropriate documents to be within the country. Do not assume that visas are simply given at the port of entry. In terms of climbing and other activities conducted on the Peru Mountains, it is crucial to ensure that you are properly trained how to climb difficult mountains. For your own safety, ensure that you have the correct climbing equipment to ensure that you remain safe throughout your ventures. In addition, it is recommended not to climb extremely difficult peaks without having the correct guidance from the relevant authorities and experienced climbers of Peru mountains.

Tips to enjoy your visit to the Peru Mountains

• See the sights! Visit as many beautiful places in the Peru Mountains as you can. There options are endless with a total of 33 high peaks.
• Participate! Take part in activities that are planned by touring companies such as trekking, ziplining and even paragliding.
• Climb! You cannot visit and not participate in climbing activity. Whether you are an experienced climber or not, there are routes specifically designed for you.

Conclusion

My experiences in Peru are some of the happiest memories that I have. The Peru Mountains have been important parts of my journey and have been a spectacular sight to behold. I would advise anyone to visit the mountains and experience their splendor firsthand.

Into the Peruvian desert: What is Nazca?

Deep into Peru, about 400 kilometers from Lima, their capital city, these mysterious lines draw some strange figures in the desert. These are the Nazca Lines, and their mystery is a beautiful journey to make any time of the year. If you go there, make sure you’re ready to cross the desert, because they’re deep into the Ica Desert, and there isn’t anything but dunes and the lines. And an ancient city, but we will get there soon.

The Nazca Lines – What do we know about the lines?

According to Peruvian professionals of history, the Nazca Lines were made around the year 1547. Other investigations claim they were made somewhere between the year 1 and 700 AD. They are between 50 and 300 meters long, that is between 54 and 330 yards long; and since 1994 UNESCO declared them as Cultural Heritage of Humanity. And so far, only suppositions were made about their real purpose.

Theories around the mystery

The first supposition comes from Julio César Tello, a Peruvian archeologist who in 1929 described them as “sacred routs”, while in the same year, the American researcher Paul Kosok proposed that the lines were some sort of “astronomy book”. Another theory came years later, when Toribio Mexía Xesspe said they come from an ancient lost cult. One of the strongest theories so far comes from the German archeologist María Reiche Neumann, whose deep and extended research claims that the lines are a huge solar and lunar calendar, that used to point when it was going to rain and when it wasn’t, so they could harvest at the right moment. And finally, the strongest hypothesis comes from Italy’s National Research Council, in Rome. They observed the lines from satellites and discovered a correlation between the spirals in the drawings and underground deposits of water that the Nazca people would probably use to water their town, and their crops. And why are they shaped like animals or recognizable figures? Well, to thank their gods for the water. According to this theory, the drawings are only visible from the sky, and the sky is where their gods lived.

Animal line drawings

The main drawings in the Nazca Lines are five, and they represent animals from the area.

• The monkey, which has nine fingers, its tail has a spiral form, and it is believed it represents Ursa Major, the constellation.
• The hummingbird, of 66 meters from one tip of its wings to the other.
• The spider, which is located in the limits of a trapezoid.
• The frigate bird, of around 160 meters long. Its head is made of lots of circles with ratios between 4 and 8 inches.
• The giant bird, the biggest one. It is more than 300 meters long, which would be longer than three football fields.

But that’s not it

In total, there are more than 300 figures drawn in the soil of the Ica Desert, but most tours only take you to see the 15 most important ones. Remember their sizes. If it took years for archeologists to find them all, don’t expect to see all of them in just one trip.

Recent discoveries

So big is the mystery of these lines, that in the year 2017, 50 new drawings were discovered. Why weren’t those seen before, you may ask yourself. According to Luis Jaime Castillo Butters, one of the archeologists that made the discovery, the trace is so thin the human eye cannot detect it. The investigators used drones, and found these new images of soldiers, people and animals.

How to visit them

There are a few options. You can use one of the tour buses that leave from Lima, Arequipa or Cusco. You can also ask for one of the planes that can fly you over the figures with experienced pilots. Of course, each journey you make comes first with a few kilometers ride of dunes and dunes. Ica Desert is enormous, and the lines are somewhere deep inside.

What else is there?

Most tours start from the ruins of Cahuachi, the most recent discovery. It is an ancient city of about 2000 years old, and there is one big pyramid in it, so you don’t want to miss this. Then, the lines start to appear, one after the other. The whale, the astronaut, the monkey, the dog, the pelican, the condor, the spider, the hummingbird, the spiral, the hands, the tree, the Alcatraz, the parrot, the star, and it goes on and on. The astronaut, as you read, is one of the biggest mysteries. It is the figure of a man with big eyes over a rock. So far, no one’s been able to tell its meaning.

Why visit them

The mystery is so big, and survived for so long, it is a thing you can’t miss. IF you love travelling, getting to know new cultures, changing the air a little or just see one of the few unsolved questions of humanity, this is in the same planet as you, so go. Besides, Peru has great food, good beers, interesting music and it people are so kind you will want to stay longer. Our advice is to give it a chance. Don’t forget to bring a camera, and enjoy watching the biggest drawings you’ll ever see.

6 beers from South America you cannot miss

Craft beer is a thing now, it’s been going on for years and it’s here to stay. But with so many options to choose sometimes you can just lose your mind and end up choosing whatever shows up first, and that’s not how any craft beer experience is supposed to be. Everyone knows someone who either makes beer, or who wants to put a bar somewhere and offer it. Well, the same thing is happening everywhere, and some of the last revelations in making craft beer are in South America. Here you’ll see a small guide about 6 of the best South American beers that you don’t want to miss.

Sir Hopper

Some of the best South American beers come from Argentina, and this one is outstanding. Hernan Castellani, the responsible behind the creation of Sir Hopper, is now an expert in the area, and dedicates his life not only to make his own beer, but also to advise other producers professionally, so the qualities in all the beers that surround Sir Hopper also improve. Sir Hopper is a brewery from Buenos Aires that only makes IPAs. But not one or two IPAs. They make more than ten different IPAs. Black, white, red, Imperial, Session, Lager, black Imperial, American Barley Wine, and so on. And every few months they create a new variety. What’s the secret behind this? Hernan is an expert in hopping. What is hopping? It’s the use of hops while making beer. Hops are these green flowers that grow in not so many parts of the world; they are responsible for bitterness, taste and smell, and depending which species you use, when you add it to the cooking, or how you do it, the results will be different.

Cheverry

We can’t leave Argentina yet. It has a lot to give us in beers. Cheverry is one of the most popular craft beers in the country, and the reason is that they make so much they can distribute it around the country with no problem. You won’t find this one in the supermarket, though. You have to go to selected bars and breweries if you want to have it. Unlike Sir Hopper, there’s more than one person behind this. They are a group of brothers and cousins with the Etcheverry last name, and they all are from Mar del Plata, a city located by the sea. And also, unlike Sir Hopper, they make varieties outside of only IPAs, and lots of them have been rewarded. Old Ale, Honey Beer, English Brown, Belgian Dark Strong, Session IPA, Barley Wine, Strong Ale, American Pilsener, and more.

Patagonia

Ok, the last one from Argentina before moving to another country. This one is, as the name recalls, in Patagonia, in the city of Bariloche. They started as a small brewery, but began making so awesome beers that a big company bought their fabric, and now they belong to a big multinational, but their heart is still the one of a small brewery who wants to get a good beer taste with a handmade style. Patagonia beers can be found in supermarkets, some bars and, since they have the money now, their own bars too. Their styles are not so many, but something they do is present different new styles and offer them for a limited time. Their fabric is set beside a hops plantation, so they are constantly experimenting with new techniques and tastes in order to get to the final result: perfection. Amber Lager, Weiss, Bohemian Pilsener and Küné are the styles you will always find. The others, well, you better go look for it and find out.

Barbarian

If you ever go to Peru, this is a beer you don’t want to miss. If you ask anyone in this country about the best South American beers, most of them will definitely name Barbarian. Like Patagonia, this one also started as a small brewery, but with time, and its huge success, now Barbarian can be found in some supermarkets and in lots of bars. A curious thing, this beer is considered as a competition against big multinational beers in Peru, as they are one of the starters of the craft beer movement in the country. Try their fun flavors and choose your favorite.

Kuntsmann

In Chile, most breweries have German roots and descendants, so you’ll notice that most of their names start with the letter K, for example, and most of their favors are unique, with personality and all the style your pint needs. Kuntsmann is the story of a father, who left everything behind to start his own small business in order to leave a nice inheritance for his son. Now, this is one of the leaders in Chile, and their specialties are dark beers. Wanna try one? You better visit Chile.

Colorado

We’re standing in Brazil now. This craft beer has been awarded so many times it has to catch your attention. They’re made with English wheat, and they make only four styles. Wanna hear something interesting? The four of them have medals from different competitions. Their most flattered one is the coffee flavored beer, a jewel you will have to try once you get to find it. And don’t worry, it is so popular, you definitely will find it.

Navigable beauty in Bolivia and Peru

The Titicaca Lake: One of the last tendencies in tourism is also the place where a lot of the most beautiful pictures are taken. I’m talking about Lake Titicaca, the largest lake in all of South America. Also known as the highest body of navigable water in the world. But what makes a lake so special? Follow me in a journey and you’ll see.

Geography

Two countries through their Andes Mountains share Lake Titicaca: Bolivia and Peru. It sits 3800 meters above sea level, and the deepest part of the lake is 300 meters deep. Just imagine three blocks long of water, but in a vertical way. Around it there are green and yellow mountains. The water this lake contains comes from more than 25 rivers and glaciers, and only one river drains it out, the Desaguadero, but the lake contains so much water that the Desaguadero can barely drain almost 5% of the incoming water the lake takes from the other rivers.

The islands

Over forty islands compose the Titicaca area, and most of them are quite unexplored. Some populations live in several islands, but the surfaces are enormous, and lots of Incan ruins fulfill the amazing places that are still waiting to be explored and unveiled. The biggest one is called La Isla del Sol, which means the island of the sun in Spanish. It is located in the Bolivian side, and it is calculated there are more than 140 ruins in it.

The species

If you are interested in animals, this place will amaze you. It is calculated that around 90% of the species that live here are endemic. What does endemic mean? It means that you won’t be able to find any of those species anywhere else in the world.  More than 500 different species of fish, birds and amphibious live in the lake and make it unique every day. And some of them are in real danger of extinction, like the big Titicaca frog. Of course, if you compare the place with the Amazon rainforest, this is a quite smaller ecosystem, but Titicaca has a unique enchantment that will definitely impress you.

The mysteries

Lake Titicaca is known as “the birthplace of the Incas”, and also the “birthplace of the sun”. The first one refers to the legend in Incan mythology where Manco Capac, the first Incan king, was born in there. Later, the gods created him a wife, and then the Incas began. The second story is about the god Viracocha, who according to Incan mythology was born in the lake, and was responsible for the creation of the sun, the stars and the first people. The islands that compose the place are full of Incan ruins, and recently some of them were found at the bottom of the lake. No one knows how they got there.

The name

This is for the curious people out there, who always like to learn new and interesting stuff: the origin of the name. Titicaca comes from the expression “Titi Khar’ka”, which stands for rock of the puma in Aymara, a local ancient language. This is because of the shape of the lake, that if you look at it from above, it draws a puma hunting a rabbit.

The people

The Urus is a culture that descends from the most ancient culture that ever lived in there, and if you go now, they still habit most of the islands. In the area, lots of different people and cultures left their marks. The most famous one are the Incas, but before them there were the Pukara, the Collas and the Tiwanaku. Nowadays you’ll only be able to find the Uros, a group of humble people who build their boats and houses entirely of the reeds that grow at the shore of the lake. An interesting fact is that lots of the islands are literally floating in the lake, because their soils are made entirely of the reeds too, and if you jump up and down, you’ll get to see the water growing below your feet. Also, those islands can be moved, because they are floating, and the Uru’s families that share them usually move them to be closer to the other families that they choose to be close to. Also, you can only be in one of the Uru’s ceremonies if you are part of their community, and that only happens once you are married to one of them. This also works for them, if one of them is not married, that one is not considered as part of their society either. Like this, you’ll be able to learn a lot of different things from this amazing culture.

More reasons to visit

Here the people are quite friendly, so activities are unlimited. You can play football with them, buy handmade jewelry or even learn local dances and dance with them. Also, there are boats everywhere, so there will always be someone to take you somewhere interesting, like another island, some ruins or to their market so you buy them stuff. This is a place where you cannot forget to bring a nice camera, because the landscapes there are awesome. Just go and look for pictures in the Internet and then tell us. It is definitely not an expensive journey, and it is totally worth it.

Exploring the Ollantaytambo ruins, the stop between Cusco and Machu Picchu

The religious, military and agricultural center of Tahuantinsuyo, and later the Fortress of the Incas Rebels, the city of Ollantaytambo, preserves in its structures one of the clearest examples of how it was lived during the empire’s time.

Ollantaytambo is one of Peru’s unique and surprising archaeological parks. Because of the variety of architectural types and the uniqueness of each one of them: we have not fully understood the techniques used to build huge walls, with megalithic parts that match irregular polyhedra in shape and are excellent in their finish.
Each worked stone is a work of art that is independent of the others, with different sides, angles and volumes.

How to get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is located at the western end of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. To get there, take the paved road that leads to Quillabamba. The village is in km. 78. The train to Machu Picchu also stops in the village.
It is located in the same district in the province of Urubamba in the department of Cusco. About 60 km. in a straight line in the northwest of the city of Cusco.

Ollantaytambo Train Station

By train the Ollantaytambo Station is km. 68th
By car via Chinchero-Urubamba the distance is 75 km. On the road that goes through Pisaq, the distance is 93 km.
The mantle’s tambos were many, each singularized by a name before the word Tambo; for example Ollantaytambo, which means Tambo de Ollanta.

What to see in Ollantaytambo

• Templo del Sol
• Inkapintay
• El fuerte de Choqekillka
• Punku Punku o Llajta Punku
• La Avenida de las Cien Hornacinas
• La plaza Mañay Raqay (Kuychipunku)

In the Sun Temple: gigantic blocks of red porphyry, crafted with masterful surfaces as if it were a soft and malleable material. In which the sides of the pieces had to be joined, moldings or protrusions appeared which could fit in the furrows of the pieces with which they were assembled.
Inkapintay: It’s the whole place, including the strong took the name east, hybrid word probably assigned to the last century, the old highway forward in Choqana, which breaks the front and the last part of the orogenic spur.
Choqekillka Fort: It was another pukura or barracks of characters similar to Choqana, it is formed by districts, incomplete aqueduct, paths and short platforms.
PunkuPunku or LlajyaPunku: located at the eastern end of the town of Ollantaytambo, where the road takes the final turn. PunkuPunku means door of the doors and LlajtaPunku the door of the people.
The Avenue of the 100 Hornacinas: They call this road the current street where pedestrians and vehicles enter after passing the LlajtaPunku bend.

Remains of the long wall with many niches or cabinets, walls show no inclination towards the street, but solidify inside for support in the transverse walls building, lockers were located on the front sides of the walls and not on the street, today commented the wall to the Road and cabinets, the quality of flagstones and clay mortar.

The place MañayRaqay also called Kuychipunku; Mañay means request, raqay request, is interpreted as the Plaza de las Peticiones. This square is located on the right side of the river Patakancha, corresponding to Araqama Ayllu, a rectangular shape. The walls that bound it have many doors. On the eastern side of the square runs a small creek Patakancha arm at the center of the west wall is the large gate that allows passage into the castle.

Ollantaytambo map

Ollantaytambo things to do

The lively city of Inca (Ollantaytambo) is becoming a strategic place for various activities, of which we can mention:
– Outdoors: hikes through the valley, mountain biking, horse riding, paragliding, canoeing through the Vilcanota and off-road.
– Cultural experiences. Demonstration of the Andean weaving, pottery workshop, theater, dance, music, stories, Chacras routes, Peruvian cuisine, etc.

Ollantaytambo Hotels

• Pakaritampu / Av. Ferrocarril s/n / Reservas Lima: 445-2803 / [email protected]
• Hostal El Sauce / Ventidero 248 / T. (084) 20-4044 / [email protected]
• El Albergue / Al lado de la estación del tren / T. (084) 20-4014
• Ollantaytambo Lodge / Quinta Cruz Esquina s/n / T. (084)20-4141 / [email protected]

Ollantaytambo Restaurants

Killawasi, the restaurant owned by the hotel Sol y Luna offers a real proposal of local cuisine using fresh organic ingredients from farms in the area and the garden of the hostel. The menu was designed by the renowned chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and Nacho Solís, who try on their plates to reflect the value of the products of the Sacred Valley.

How can I buy the tourist ticket to enter Ollantaytambo?

The tourist ticket of Cusco can be found in tourist offices in Av. El Sol or on the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. You can buy the full or partial ticket by selecting a specific group of places you want to visit.

Hours of operation: From 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., every day of the week.
Entry fees:
Tourist Ticket of Cusco:
General: S / 130 soles (36 EUR or 47 USD) / Reduced: S / 70 soles (19 EUR, 25 USD)
Promotional ticket for Domestic Tourism:
General Admission: S /. 70 soles (19 EUR, 25 USD)
Reduced Rate: S /. 40 soles (11 EUR, 15 USD)

Note that purchasing tickets separately for each site is a higher expense.

Ollantaytambo History (brief review)

Manco Inca Yupanqui, also known as Manco Cápac II, was one of over 500 children of the HuaynaCápac and the first of the four Inca rebels of Vilcabamba. When he fled from the armies of Atahualpa to Cusco, he worked with the Spanish conquistadors and believed to get rid of the atahualpistischen troops in this way. Although the Spaniards crowned him the Inca emperor, he did not have many privileges and was also the victim of a series of abuses and humiliations. On April 18, 1536 Hernando Pizarro dismissed him on the condition that he did not leave Cusco. Manco Inca gave him golden objects, silver bars and offered him a royal gold statue of Huayna Capac. Pizarro, who believed it, released him, but Manco Inca immediately invaded the city of Calca, where his captains were already waiting for him.

From the fortress of Ollantaytambo in 1536, the Inca rebel was only one step away from liberating Cusco from Spanish rule. It is this citadel that Manco has managed to fend off the Pizarristas’ attack and to attack the Spanish troops. Manco Inca, however, had to flee to Vilcabamba when he had to leave his troops due to the excessive wartime. He was eventually killed in 1544 when he was cheated by an almagist group.

This is a guide to the Ollantaytambo ruins in Peru, the stop between Cusco and Machu Picchu. If you have question ask them in the comments below. And don’t forget to pin this article!

Things to do in Peru

The country of Peru is quite diverse and visitors will find themselves amongst mountains in one area and on the shore of the ocean in another.  The one thing that will not change throughout the country is the amount of activities that are available for everyone.

Here are 20 phenomenal things to do while visiting Peru:

1.    Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world and everyone will want to have this attraction on their must-see list for their visit.  This Inca city was lost and unknown for many years before being rediscovered back in 1911.  The climb to the ruins can be a little difficult as the pathways are narrow, but the first glimpse of the ruins makes that climb worthwhile.

2.    Cusco

Cusco is the heart of the country, just like it was at the center of the Inca Empire.  There are a few museums, amazing architecture, and multiple ruins to see everywhere.  One destination that everyone must go to is the Cusco Market, because there is so much available in this humongous space.

3.    Lima

Lima is the capital of Peru and there is a long list of amazing sights that everyone must see.  However, the best part of this city is the nightlife and the Parque de la Reserve, which is a water fountain park that is illuminated with laser shows at night.

4.    Ollantaytambo

This is another Inca ruin that people must see while they are in Peru.  This one is quite close to Machu Picchu, so it is possible to combine them into one trip.  These ruins are in the place where the Incas had their biggest stronghold after the Spanish invasion and it still looks just as strong.

5.    Colca Canyon

This is South America’s version of the Grand Canyon and it is within the top three tourist destinations in the country.  The depth of this canyon reaches down 3,270 meters and people will once again be able to see the infamous Andean condor when they visit, thanks to all the preservation efforts that have taken place over the years.

6.    Pisac

Pisac is in the Sacred Valley and many people begin their day exploring the Inca ruins throughout the town.  After that, everyone heads to the large market to shop for both food and souvenirs.

7.    Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are ancient geoglyphs in the Nazca Desert.  They can be difficult to see unless a person is up in a plane, however, some of them can be seen when standing on the surrounding foothills.

8.    Huacachina Oasis

This oasis may be small, but most people feel like they are in the Sahara when they are visiting there.  The oasis is the perfect destination for people who want to attempt to go sandboarding or dune buggy riding.

9.    Inca Trail

The Inca Trail follows the same path that the Inca used when they traveled to enter the citadel.  It takes approximately four days to walk the trail completely, plus everyone needs to have a ticket and be with a tour company to do it.  Many of the people that trek along this path are headed to Machu Picchu.

10.    Tipon

A ritual water garden is the best description for this beautiful and amazing sight in Peru.  The twelve terraces are below a water temple that then channels the water down and through the terraces.  Tipon might not be a well-known Inca site, but people should take advantage of that fact as they are visiting.  The tranquility and serenity of the flowing water can be a wonderful and meditating experience for many.

11.    Floating Islands of Lake Titcaca

Lake Titicaca is one of the most navigable lakes in the world at 3,812 meters above sea level.  It is also where the indigenous Uros people live on artificial islands that they built out of local reeds.

12.    Taquile Island

This island is another one that can be found on Lake Titicaca and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Male knitters live on this island with none of the comforts of home like electricity or running water.  They live traditionally like the Aymaras did and anyone who visits will feel as if they stepped back in time.  Another unique feature on this island is that no cars are allowed.

13.    Amazon Rainforest

The entire Amazon Rainforest is not in Peru, but the upper regions are.  Everyone should take some time to explore the Amazon River to see if they can catch a glimpse of the pink dolphins or the elusive tapirs that call that region their home.

14.    Maras Salt Mines

The Maras Salt Mines have been around just as long as the Inca people and they are quite the sight to see.  Salt has been taken from the salt evaporation ponds for thousands of years, which means that these mines have been around longer than even Machu Picchu.

15.    Moray

The ancient Inca site of Moray is not too far from the Maras Salt Mines.  The circular ruins have multiple levels and each one has a different micro-climate from the others.  Archeologists that have worked in the area believe that these ruins were used for a ritual garden or agricultural laboratory in the past.

16.    Andean Explorer

The Andean Explorer takes passengers from Cusco to Puno in approximately ten hours.  It is one of the ten amazing train journeys that are available in Peru and those journeys are the best way to see and capture the breathtaking beauty of the countryside.

17.    Visit the Beach

Remember, there is more than mountains and valleys in the country of Peru.  The shoreline has amazing beaches where visitors can sit down on the sand and relax, before catching some waves and surfing.  One of the best beaches in the country is Mancora Beach.

18.    Explore Chan Chan

Chan Chan is the largest pre-Columbian city in South America and it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1986.  Chan Chan encompasses approximately twenty kilometers of space in one of the most arid sections of the country.

19.    Visit Kuelap

This ancient city in Northern Peru dates back to the 6th century.  The four hundred buildings are surrounded by a large stone wall that climbs nineteen meters in the air.  Visitors can learn a lot about the Chachapoyas culture, as they are the people who lived in the area when this was built.

20.    Hike up Rainbow Mountain

Rainbow Mountain sounds like such a beautiful destination and people will find it nestled in the mountains of Ausangate.  Anyone who hikes this mountain will find themselves rewarded with views from the summit as well as sightings of the abundant alpine wildlife.

Visitors could easily spend a month or more exploring the country of Peru.  After all, Peru is filled with history, ruins, nature, and much more, so no one will ever be able to say that they are bored when they are there.  Instead, people will become intrigued with what they are seeing and experiencing, which will encourage them to delve deeper into what is available in this magnificent country.