First on the list for any visitor to Peru must be the magical Machu Picchu, which never fails to amaze with both its scale and, perhaps even more remarkably, its setting, high up in the Andes and a scenic train journey away from Cuzco. It is not difficult to see how the conquistadores completely missed this significant site. The industry of the Incas amazes elsewhere as well, in particular with the precise masonry at Sacsayhuaman near Cuzco, and the ingenious agricultural terraces in the Sacred Valley. Despite being the hub for visiting most of these places, the ancient Incan capital of Cuzco seems surprisingly unspoiled. It retains a magical atmosphere with its clash of Incan and Spanish colonial architecture, and is worth spending a few days in. The whole of this region is set against a backdrop of lush green mountains and big skies, and is what sets Peru apart from any other Latin America country.
In the north, there are more pre-Colombian remains from other civilisations, in the adobe walls of Chan Chan and the Tomb of Sipan, which will appeal to second time visitors or anyone with a keen interest in ancient cultures.
For more recent history, the white-walled colonial city of Arequipa is worth a visit, a picturesque city which overlooks the volcano El Misti.
Wildlife enthusiasts should explore Peru’s Amazonian north, where we can particularly recommend an Amazon River cruise from Iquitos aboard the Delfin. For those who like to travel in style there are now many excellent character hotels in Peru, including four luxury Orient-Express managed properties.
In the Andes region, the green season lasts from November to March, though January and February are the wettest months. The rain is not constant or regular but there can be heavy downpours. In the dry season, between April and September, days can be sunny and warm while spring and autumn can be quite mixed, with plenty of sunny days but chance of rain. Nights are cold year round, due to the altitudes.
The coast has a dry climate all year round. Cool winds from the coast produce an almost ever present mist, called ‘Garua’. Temperatures remain warm throughout the year, although the low cloud can often give the feeling of light drizzle.