The official start to the ‘Gringo Trail' and with good reason. Whether you are looking for world class hiking and adventure tourism, or sight seeing and relaxed backpacking, Peru is packed full of ‘must sees'. After Machu Picchu , there are the Nazca Lines, the Pre-Inca Chan Chan city, Lake Titicaca and dozens of points of interest in between. Not to forget the beautiful colonial towns, the national parks and access points to the Amazon Basin .
Combining history and archeology with tourism, Peru manages to capture the imagination of travellers, transporting them back to the time of the Incas. Much of the tourism revolves around the historical sites although there is also a great industry in adventure tourism including jungle tours, extreme sports and mountain activities. Surfing is also popular in the North and the trekking opportunities are famous internationally.
With package tourism more apparent here than in other South American countries, there are certain times of year when top tourist sights can be packed, prices go up and planning an independent trip can become more difficult. On the other hand, these are only a few areas, and much of the country remains relatively unaffected so the more adventurous travellers may wish to take the opportunity to get off the beaten track and experience the less commercial character of Peru.
With it's spectacular scenery, Andean culture and developed tourism infrastructure, Peru makes a great destination for travellers and is a great starting point for any South American adventure!
Complete your South America backpacking experience by visiting some great hostels and recommended tour companies in Peru!
