Here are some must-see places in Peru.

1. Machu Picchu
This city dating back to the Incas is one of the most historically-rich sites in the world and a major tourist attraction. Constructed on a narrow saddle between two peaks, the Inca citadel’s is particularly beautiful. Steep terraced slopes give way to the Urubamba river, which travels through a range of dark-green forested mountains and jagged peaks. To reach the place you can either travel on foot or trek on the fabulous 4-day Inca Trail.

2. Cusco
Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is now the tourist capital of South America. Located at a very high altitude, it is a lively city, steeped in both Inca and colonial history. The Spanish built their churches and mansions on top of the Inca capital, sometimes even on the same foundations as that of ancient Inca palaces and temples. Today, these buildings house the city’s many hotels, bars, restaurants, shops and markets.

3. The Sacred Valley
Set against the backdrop of the snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba range, the beautiful Sacred Valley is to be seen to be believed. Once of great agricultural importance to the Incas, the valley is dotted with attractions, including a host of impressive Inca sites, colourful markets (Pisac and Chinchero), and pretty mountain villages. Further afield, beyond Machu Picchu, is the jungle town of Quillabamba and the lesser-known but worth checking out Inca sites of Espritu Pampa and Choquequirao.

4. Arequipa & the Colca Canyon
Framed by snow-capped mountains and the El Misti volcano, Peru’s Arequipa sity ,is an excellent place to visit en route to Cusco or Lake Titicaca. Located at 2300 metres above sea level, you can acclimatise to the altitude while marvelling at the fabulous colonial architecture and take a side trip to the spectacular Colca Canyon.

5. Adventure Holidays
Perus is the dream-come-true for outdoors enthusiast, due to its immense geographical diversity. The options for those interested in adventure sports, range from trekking and mountaineering among some of the Andes montains in the Cordillera Blanca, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, white-water rafting, mountain biking or horse-riding in the Sacred Valley and sand-boarding the desert dunes in Ica.

6. Amazon Basin
With over half the country covered in tropical rainforest, Peru’s vast Amazon Basin can be accessed from both Iquitos (1.5 hour’s flight from Lima) and Puerto Maldonado (1 hour’s flight from Cusco). Both places offer a good range of lodges, with English speaking guides. The variety of wildlife and birds make makes this place very popular among nature-lovers and bid-watchers. Another spot that you must visit is the Manú Biosphere Reserve, near Puerto Maldonado – it is home to wildlife such as giant river otters, tapir and jaguar.