"Machu Picchu The reason most come to Aguas Calientes, or maybe even Peru at all, is Machu Picchu. The world-renowned Incan site, perched high above town amid dramatic mountains, is one of the best ways to appreciate the Quechua people’s greatness, since the Spanish never found or plundered it. The site’s purpose is essentially a mystery, though there are many theories. We may never know if it was an educational center, a military outpost, a religious compound, a preparation ground for youths to be sacrificed, a villa for the ruling Incas, or some combination of them all. Regardless, its magnificence is undeniable, both for its evocative structures and the stunning peaks that form its dramatic 360-degree backdrop."

"Huayna Picchu is the landmark peak at Machu Picchu from which the classic, shot-from-above postcard photos are typically taken. While the views are spectacular, of course, the trail is not easy, studded with precarious, sometimes uneven stone steps, and often directly flanked by sheer drop-offs (thus probably out of the question for anyone with a fear of heights). While most hike to the top and back, you can also go up and around to the other side, with a visit to the Temple of the Moon/Great Cavern along the way. Admittance to Huayna Picchu is limited and sells out two or three months in advance; pay for your entrance as part of your Machu Picchu admission."

"A sister institution to the Larco Museum in Lima, MAP is one of the best museums in Cuzco . The museum usesobjects of Peru’s many pre-Columbian civilizations toexplain their differing cultures. Exhibits—representing cultures from as early as 1250 B.C.E.up until 1532 C.E., when Spanish conquistadors arrived—includeartifacts produced in ceramic, wood, stone, silver, and gold. Some pieces are utilitarian, others purely ceremonial or decorative, but all help you picture what life might have been like in the time of the artisans who created them."

"Qoricancha This Cuzco corner presents a notable juxtaposition between ancient Incan and Spanish colonial architecture. Since the Incas worshipped their sun god, Inti, above all others, this temple in their imperial capital was the most important of the entire realm. It was here that they brought the idols of all peoples they assimilated, to offer them representation as they demanded allegiance in Cuzco . When the Spanish arrived, they tore down much of the temple and built a monastery on top of it. However, the walls that do remainprovide stunning examples of pre-Hispanic engineering, particularly the rounded outer wall that can be seen from Avenida del Sol."

"Just above Cuzco are four Incan ruins: Saqsaywaman, Q’enqo, Puca Pukara, and Tambomachay. Of the four, Saqsaywaman is perhaps the most astounding, particularly when your guide mentions that some of the huge stones used to build the city walls may weigh as much as 200 tons. To this day, no one really knows how the Incas, lacking wheels, were able to get these stones into place and keep them together without using mortar. Another Saqsaywaman highlight is the gorgeous views of Cuzco , which lies below. Tours typically combine all four ruins, and while they’re close by car, reaching them on foot takes time."

"As interesting as Incan history can be to adults, to kids even the most awe-inspiring sites can start to look like a bunch of rocks. The ChocoMuseo provides agreat time-out for children (and grown-ups, too). Exhibits on the history of chocolate take you all the way from bean to bar, explaining how one of the world’s all-time favorite flavors reaches the forms you know and love. The museum’s workshop is especially recommended: Participants make their own candy . . . and devour it as soon as it hardens."

"Peru'scoffee beans feed a global passion. Learn more about the process behind the brew with atrip to the Museo del Café. Taking part in a two-hour workshopwill showyou how to identify the best coffee, prepare the perfect cup, and even create foamy art with lattes. The cost of the workshop includes an eight-ounce bag of beans, and there’s plenty more available to purchase for gifts. Interested in coffee but don’t want to lose two hours of prime vacation time? Step over to the on-site café, where the barista will be happy to explain several possible brew methods so you can taste-test on your own. The place offers everything from breakfasts and quick bites to full meals—all delicious—as well as yummy pisco drinks."

"Discovering Peru in Larco Museum The Larco Museum is the starting point of your visit to Peru. It has the largest collection of pre-Columbian pieces in the Americas and tells the history of Peru without being tiresome. That’s a feat in itself, because we’re talking about 10.000 years of history! Everything you’ll see in Lima and around the country will make sense after this visit. The quality and beauty of the pieces are amazing, showing all the complexity of the local cultures. It’s a beautiful museum, very well curated, the exhibits are simple and to the point and everything is explained in displays and videos. The museum offers also a super interesting guided visit for families with children. Other famous part of this museum is two private rooms dedicated to erotic pieces, showing the connection between erotic and fertility. By Manu Tessinari"

"Barranco Barranco, one of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods, awash in character, is known for an artsy vibe and gorgeous colonial buildings.Crossthe Puente de los Suspiros (Spanish for “Bridge of Sighs”) and follow the Bajada de los Baños to the seaside.Explore the side streets and duck into cute cafés and art venues,including the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC). The gallery-shop Dédalo, in particular, is ideal for combining coffee, snacking, shopping, and art viewing. Visiting another Barranco landmark, thebelle epoqueHotel B, provides a quick trip back to a time ofelegant architecture. Splurge for a smart cocktailon therooftop bar to linger a little longer."

"Miraflores Manyvisitors to Peru stay in Miraflores, and for good reason:The neighborhood is where you’ll find most of the better hotels, as well as the top restaurants. Get off main streets to strollthe pretty side streets. Downby the ocean, walk the Malecón seawall and visit the Parque del Amor, or Love Park, to watch paragliders soar and bank overhead. The oceanfront is also home to Larcomar,an open-airshopping mall where you can grab a bite or shopforany items you may have forgotten."

"Kennedy Park Kennedy Park, one of Miraflores’sfavorite destinations,is a lovely, well-placed garden, especially favored for afternoon and evening strolls, walking dogs, browsing the kiosks, and firing up romances. You’ll see artists at work here andalsoselling their creations.The park frequently hosts different fairs and exhibitions. Nearby cafés and restaurantsprovide everything from snacks to full meals; and bars, ranging from sports bars to more fashionable watering holes, will happily make you a drink."

"If you go south along the shore, past Miraflores and Barranco, you will reach Chorrillos. While not part of many tourist itineraries, it’s a quaint, off-the-beaten-path seaside area offering marvelous ocean views and sandy strolls. It’s also great for real-deal ceviche, sold right on the beach at cute, family-owned stalls. You can’t taste fresher seafood, but since these kitchens are not the gleaming steel labs found in upscale eateries, be sure to patronize places where you see lots of locals lining up. Bird-watchers love Pantanos de Villa, a wildlife refuge in Chorrillos that’s home to more than 170 avian species. By Travesías"

"The Birthplace of the Rainbow One of the first stops outside of Cusco was on the Anta plain at 12,375 ft. The 16th century ruin of Chinchero is rumored to be the birthplace of the rainbow. I would be hard pressed to argue those refractions of light could have a more beautiful beginning. A wonderful outdoor market overlooks the ruins and there are many weaving cooperatives to explore in the village. Locals work hard to preserve cultural customs speaking Quechua and wearing colorful traditional dress. By supporting the talented women and buying local you assist in making their lives more self sufficient through their craft. If you’re looking for colorful blankets, I thought this market had one of the best selections."

"Terraces of Moray Tours of the Sacred Valley, and the entire Cuzco area,often featureside trips through gorgeous landscapes like Moray, an archaeological site with remarkable concentric agricultural terraces. It’s believed the Incas used these terraces—on which temperatures vary 59 degrees Fahrenheit from the top tier to the bottom—as a way to acclimatize non-regional crops for highland cultivation. Even if you don’t find that fascinating, it’s hard not to appreciate the beauty of the spot, and given that this part of Peru is not so heavily visited, it’s a nice escape from the beaten path. The Boleto Turístico covers this admission."

"Maras Salt Flats The stunning landscape of Salineras de Maras features salt pans that are still used exactly as they were at the time of the Incas. As you make your way through the region, you’ll see people doing the backbreaking work of harvesting salt on small family plots. The reward? The salt gathered here is some of the best in the world. Water, naturally salt-infused,flows down fromthe mountains and settles in the pans. As the water evaporates, salt remains, to be extracted with simple tools. Stop at a store orone of the many small-scale vendors selling the “fruit” of this labor in its pure form or mixed with herbs for use in cooking, bathing, or chocolate bars."

"Bright Andean Mantas and Monteras One of the best things to do while in Cuzco is to visit the Sunday farmer's market in the nearby Andean town of Pisac, taking either a taxi or a more economical bus to get there. The villagers surrounding Pisac come from miles around to sell their products - vegetables, fruits, cheeses, handmade alpaca products, colorful dyes - or barter with other villagers for the things they need. I was struck by the beautiful colors of the clothing that the villagers wore, like these bright "mantas" worn around the shoulders and ornate "monteras" decorated with intricate embroidery patterns. Interestingly, the style and colors of an Andean woman's montera indicate the specific village from which she comes. No trip to Cuzco is complete without taking time to visit the fascinating Sunday farmer's market in picturesque Pisac!"

"Urubamba Market Anyone can go to one of themarkets selling woven alpaca goods to tourists—Urubamba is the farmers’ market where locals buy their groceries, the biggest of its kind in the Sacred Valley. On any given day,stalls sell fresh fruits and vegetables, meats of all kinds, fresh cheeses, nuts, spices, coffee, and more.But on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, the market is even largerand spills out onto side streets withvendors hawking products like medicinal herbs, and, more recently, organicproducefrom private gardens. The Urubamba Market is located just off the main plaza in town."

"Ollantaytambo’s namesake archaeological site is one of the best examples of Incan architecture in the region. It’s easy to spend a half day exploring the temples and other structures there, especially if youfactor in time to hike up beyond the ruins. Meanwhile, the quaint town itself remains much as it was in Incan times, with original houses, streets, and waterways. Some buildings are open to the public, offering a fascinating glimpse into a centuries-old way of life. Most Machu Picchu–bound trains leave from the station here."

"Llama Pack, a social project, allows you to experience the breathtaking scenery of the Sacred Valley while hiking alongside llamas. These beasts have been used to carry goods since Incan times, before horses and mules existed in Peru . Today’s llamas are the result of crossbreeding with alpacas, which produces a smaller and weaker animal whose wool and meat are lesser in quality. Enter Llama Pack, an organization whose mission is to help develop culturally and economically sustainable high Andean communities through the reintroduction and breeding of the more valuable, original species. The group offers half-day, full-day, and multi-day treks with llamas, during which you can learn more about the project, visit archaeological sites, see local villages, and, of course, bask in the beautiful countryside."

"Colca Canyon, a three-hour drive north of Arequipa, is one of Peru’s most popular and extraordinary tourist attractions. The chasm is over 13,600feet deep, making it one of the deepest in the world, and more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. From the Cruz del Condor viewpoint, it is possible to get a panoramic view of this special place along with the chance to witness the flight of majestic Andean condors. This is a great place for partaking in adventure sportswith a surreal view."

"Rapid Fire Let the Urubamba River set your course during a thrilling rafting adventure along the Ollantaytambo rapids, available through the Belmond. The river helped form what is now the Sacred Valley, and along the way you'll not only sense its power, but also get a feel for some less visited corners of the region it created. You’ll pass towering eucalyptus trees and the ruins of Inca terraces and more as you make your way down river, ending with a picnic lunch before returning to the hotel by car. Photo by Rod Waddington/Flickr ."

"The 2.5-hour walk to Mandor Waterfalls starts out from the town of Aguas Calientes and follows railroad tracks along a river, past homesteads and orchards to the cloud forest. While the falls are not as dramatically high as some, the hike is easy and full of local sights with marvelous orchids and hummingbirds abound the trail. Another plus? The water is cool and refreshing, particularly in the region’s sticky climate. Pack a picnic lunch (and insect repellant) and make an afternoon of it."

"Called Valle Sur, this region south of Cusco is rich in Inca sites and breathtaking scenery. The aqueducts and canals at Tipon, in particular, will have you marveling at pre-Columbian hydraulic ingenuity. Pikillacta, a pre-Inca Wari site, is impressive for its buildings and sheer scale. San Pedro Apostol church at Andahuaylillas is nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel of the Andes” for murals and its intricately frescoed ceiling. The area is well worth a visit."

"Kuélap At 9800 feet (3000 meters) above sea level, this is one of the Chachapoya culture’s most important archaeological sites, a military fortification protected by stone walls as high as 65 feet (20 meters). The compound includes traces of over 450 circular residences, all but identical, a main temple, a cemetery, and sundry other structures and enclosed spaces. Take the cable car—Peru’s first—to get there, at 20 soles or $6 round-trip."