Peru’s Irresistible Pull

Thousands of years have shaped the culture and landscape of Peru, a mystical country of soaring Andean mountains, dense Amazon jungle, and deep valleys dotted with mystifying remnants of past civilizations. Most travelers start in the capital, Lima. Perched on the country’s Pacific coast, where 500-foot, sky-high cliffs drop into some of the world’s top surf breaks, Lima bustles with life and has built up a reputation as one of the world’s most exciting gastronomic cities.

Less than a two-hour flight away, Cusco rises like a beacon in the Peruvian Andes. Around 11,000 feet above sea level, its terracotta-tiled homes first come into thrilling view upon descent. Life here centers on the lively Plaza de Armas, home of the towering Cusco Cathedral, as well as museums that plunge you into everything from pre-Columbian history to cacao. Sip a yerba mate tea to manage the high altitude, then slip into a local market for true color and style. Visit the fortress at Sacsayhuamán to be spellbound by the colossal, zigzag Inca terraces.

Cusco is your leaping-off point for the Sacred Valley of the Incas — or the Urubamba Valley — around 90 minutes north of the city. With its rolling countryside set before the snowy, towering peaks of the Andes, the fertile vale serves as the breadbasket of the region. Fascinating Inca sites include Moray, its vast concentric terraces are thought to have been an experimental crop garden; the Maras salt pans, etched out by the Incas and still harvested to time-honored methods; and Ollantaytambo, a town with a monumental archaeological site set high on a hill. The intrepid even have the option to float by river raft from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.

From Ollantaytambo, catch a train to Aguas Calientes, the base town of Machu Picchu. For a truly luxurious option, board the Hiram Bingham train. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of the Inca citadel, nestled high in the Andes and encircled by tropical mountain forests. Nature lovers scan the landscape for everything from rare orchids to giant hummingbirds and even spectacled bears.

The very word “Amazon” conjures up a mystical enchantment of its own, and this is the perfect opportunity to explore one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. It takes a flight back to Lima and a two-hour plane ride to reach Iquitos, the starting point for most adventures through the Amazon River Basin of Peru. From the deck of a river cruiser, glide through the unique eco-system looking out for river dolphins, green anacondas, toucans, sloths, and even the elusive jaguar.

Another adventure to consider from Lima is a trip to the Nazca Lines — mysterious, giant geoglyphs etched into the desert sand and best viewed by helicopter.

Most visitors fly into Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport. To avoid altitude sickness, acclimatize gradually – rest, avoid alcohol, and drink coca tea.