Explore South
Regions of Southern Peru:
Central Coast
Southern Coast
Southern Sierra
Madre de Dios
Altiplano
Destinations and highlights of Southern Peru:
- The Sacred City of Caral-Supe - A UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside Barranca. Caral is a large settlement in the Supe Valley, near Supe, Barranca province, Peru, some 200 km north of Lima. Caral is the most ancient city of the Americas, and is a well-studied site of the Caral civilization or Norte Chico civilization.
- Lake Titicaca - Lake Titicaca1 (Spanish: Lago Titicaca) is located on the border between northern Bolivia and southern Peru. It is considered the highest commercially navigable body of water in the world (3821m).
- Machu Picchu - Machu Picchu is the site of an ancient Inca city, high in the Andes of Peru. Located at 2,430 metres (8,000 ft), this UNESCO World Heritage site is often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", is one of the most familiar symbols of the Incan Empire, and is one of the most famous and spectacular sets of ruins in the world — a visit to Peru would not be complete without it.
- Manú National Park - located in the isolated region of Madre de Dios, is one of the most diverse areas in Peru and South America. There is a lot of tropical wildlife to be seen in the National Park, including jaguars, giant otters, several species of monkeys (red howler, black spider, capuchin, squirrel,... monkeys), caymans, turtles. Birds are abundant, including macaws, herons, cormorants, hawks, storks and many more.
- Nazca lines - a mix of long lines, geometrical figures, and giant drawings in the desert sand. Scattered over 500 square kilometers of an arid plateau between the Nazca River and Ingenio River, they are huge representations of geometric patterns, animals, humans figures and thousands of perfectly straight lines that go on for kilometers.
- Paracas National Reservation - is a popular nature reserve on the Southern Coast of Peru.Paracas is also a very popular beach resort destination.
- San Fernando Reserve - The beautiful bay of San Fernando is located about 70 kms away of Nasca, at the shore of the Pacific Ocean, within the district of Marcona. This wonderful reserve shelters a great variety of sea birds and animals. Among the animals stand out the Humboldt penguins and sea lions. As to the birds, it is very common to see Condors, Boobies, Cormorants, Pelicans, Inca Terns and many others species . In addition to wildlife, visitors may also enjoy the unique natural beauty that stretches from beach to beach for many kilometers, offering different views of the bay as well as a peaceful atmosphere.
- Huacachina - is a tiny town in southern Peru, an hour away from the Pacific coast. The town is basically a collection of resorts and restaurants around a blue-green laguna surrounded by huge sand dunes. An antique image of the town is featured on Peru´s 50 soles bill. Its interest to tourists is three-fold: the novelty and beauty of a dry desert with huge sand dunes, plus the opportunity to sand board and to ride in four-wheel-drive dune buggies that cruise up and down the dunes at break-neck speeds. The town depends entirely on tourism; as most visitors are foreigner tourists.
- Colca Canyon - is in Peru's Southern Sierra region, near Arequipa. The Colca Valley is an area of astounding scenic beauty, with giant Andean terraces and a deep canyon that reach a depth of 4160 metres. Along the way visitors can enjoy unique natural sceneries, as well as animal life; such as herds of Vicuñas (a wild relative of Llamas and Alpacas) and various types of birds, of which stand out the giant hummingbird, eagles, gooses and the mighty Andean Condor, which can usually be spotted at the "Cruz del Condor". There are many adventure tours organized in the area.
- The Sacred Valley of the Incas - is a valley in the Southern Sierra in Peru that contains many famous and beautiful Inca ruins. It was called the Sacred Valley because it contains some of the best land in the region and was not a part of the Incan Empire but the property of the Emperor or Inca himself.
- Choquequirao - is in Sacred Valley of the Incas of Peru. Its a two day hike to Choquequirao from Cachora or Huanicapa. Guides and mules for the trip may be found in Cachora. Cachora is the most popular starting point for travelers who want to see the amazing newly-rediscovered Incan site, Choquequirao.
- Isla Amantáni - is an island on the Peruvian side Lake Titicaca. It's a very peaceful place where times seems to have taken a halt a century ago.
- Isla Taquile - is an island in the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. It's slightly more touristic than its brother island Isla Amantani.
- The Uro Islands - are floating islands made of reed, situated in Lake Titicaca on the Peruvian Altiplano. These islands are made from tortora rushes, as are the houses on them and the residents' boats. Part of the tortora can even be eaten! Until recently the only option for visiting the islands were on the daytime with a tour, or independent. But a recent option for accommodation on the islands opens an opportunity to get a better experience of the life on the floating islands and to create better connections with the locals.
