Witch Market (Mercado de Brujos)
Witch Market (Mercado de Brujos) Shamans. Potions. Witchcraft. Elixir. None of these are words that many travelers equate with the coastline of northern Peru. Traditional healing, however, is a central part to the different subsets of traditional Peruvian society, and historically Chiclayo has bee
Trujillo Cathedral
Trujillo Cathedral The Plaza de Armas of downtown Trujillo has four very distinct corners, and even though the Trujillo Cathedral only occupies one, its stoic presence and yellow façade give Trujillo its Colonial air. When Spanish conquistadores first arrived in Peru, Trujillo was chosen as a majo
Temples of Moche (Huacas del Sol y de la Luna)
Temples of Moche (Huacas del Sol y de la Luna) The Temples de Moche (Huacas de Moche), are Trujillo’s two most important sites that date to the Moche Empire. It’s hard to enough to fathom that civilizations existed here over 2,000 years ago, and even harder to fathom how some of their artwork has
Temple of the Dragon (Huaco el Dragon)
Temple of the Dragon (Huaco el Dragon) Though not nearly as expansive as the Chan Chan complex or as famous as Huaca de la Luna, Huaca el Dragon (also referred to as “Huaca Arco Iris”, or “Rainbow Temple”), is a well preserved Chimu temple in the Trujillo suburb of La Esperanza. Constructed of ado
Surco
Surco Between bohemian Barranco, glitzy Miraflores, and the coastal streets of Chorillos, the Surco district is a part of Lima that few visitors see. Located well off of the tourist trail—though physically not far away—Surco is stocked with universities and hundreds of manicured gardens. It’s a pl
Suasi Island/Isla Suasi
Suasi Island/Isla Suasi Luxury lovers eager to spend the night on one of Lake Titicaca’s magical islands may be put off by the prospect of the basic hotels and even simpler homestays that make up most of the lake’s lodging. There is, however, one private island that is home to a truly excellent ho
Sicán National Museum
Sicán National Museum After the fall of the Moche Empire around 700 AD, the inhabitants of the Lambayeque region formed a culture now known as Sicán. Exceptionally skilled in metallurgy as well as a unique form of ceramics, the Sicán metal workers are credited with bringing the Bronze Age to north
San Pedro de Andahuaylillas (Sistine Chapel of the Americas)
San Pedro de Andahuaylillas (Sistine Chapel of the Americas) Walk inside San Pedro de Andahuaylillas, set in the central square of a tiny Andean village near Cusco, and you’ll quickly understand why the church got the nickname “The Sistine Chapel of the Americas.” The Baroque church, built during
Sachaca
Sachaca The Sachaca District, located about 3 miles (5 kilometers) from downtown Arequipa, is home to some of the city’s oldest homes as well as the Mirador de Sachaca, a five story tower offering spectacular 360-degree views of the city below.While the view is certainly with a visit, the food in
Royal Tombs Museum of Sipan
Royal Tombs Museum of Sipan To archaeologists, the Lord of Sipan was a Moche noble now known as the “King Tut of Peru.” To centuries of Peruvian grave robbers (huaqueros), he was one grave they wished they’d found. To visitors traveling to the town of Chiclayo, he is the reason why you can walk th
Qenqo
Qenqo Near Cuzco, on the way to Pisac from Sacsayhuaman, is the amphitheater and temple of Q’engo. This site which is at 3,600 meters above sea level has some of the best examples of undisturbed Incan carving in the world. The name (which has many alternative spellings, sometimes with a k) means
Putucusi Mountain
Putucusi Mountain Looming on the horizon to the east of Machu Picchu, the 2,500-meter peak of Putucusi Mountain makes an enticing proposition for those looking to venture off-the-beaten-track and escape the crowds. With its sheer forested slopes and near-vertical cliff faces, you’ll need to be in
Pómac Forest Historic Sanctuary
Pómac Forest Historic Sanctuary As you stand beneath the boughs of the “Millenial Tree,” with the sound of birdsong raining down from the branches, you know youve arrived in a special corner of the northern coastline of Peru. Historians say that this scraggly carob tree has been alive for over 1,0
Planetarium Cusco
Planetarium Cusco By day, the city of Cusco is an enchanting playground of mysterious Inca ruins. By night, the city is bathed in a soft yellow light which illuminates the colonial sights. On the outskirts of the city, the lights give way to a gaping black sky which canvasses the peaks of the Ande
Pisaq Potato Park
Pisaq Potato Park Located in the Sacred Valley of Peru, Pisaq Potato Park encompasses nearly 30,000 acres (12,000 hectares) of high-altitude Andean land where local residents manage and conserve one of their most important agricultural resources: potatoes. Some 700 varieties of potatoes grow withi
Parque Principal (Plaza de Armas)
Parque Principal (Plaza de Armas) At the heart of activity in Chiclayo, one of Peru’s liveliest cities despite being only its fourth-largest is Parque Principal (Plaza de Armas). From sunup to well past sundown, this attractive green space is buzzing with activity, and it’s impossible to visit the
Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge
Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge Lima, with a population of nearly 10 million people when counting the metro suburbs, isn’t exactly the first place you’d pick for a natural wildlife refuge. Here at Pantanos de Villa, however, over 200 different species of birds all flit through the wetlands spann
Palomino Island
Palomino Island Lima isn’t exactly a city you usually equate with wildlife. After all, this is the same country with the Amazon basin and its staggering biodiversity, so the thought of finding wildlife in the capital might seem a little bit strange. Believe it or not, however, there are a number o
National University of Trujillo Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History
National University of Trujillo Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History For archaeology and history buffs, Trujillo might be the most fascinating city along the entire coastline of Peru. This dry shoreline has been the historic site of thousands of years of civilizations, and empires in Tr
Museo Santury (Museo Santuarios Andinos)
Museo Santury (Museo Santuarios Andinos) While there are many notable museums in Arequipa, Museo Santury is known as being one of the best. Its focus is on Andes Mountain archeology and history. Visitors can see exhibits like the famous preserved mummy of ‘Ice Princess’ Juanita, a young Inca girl
