Ryan Dubé - Moon Peru

dancers on Lake Titicacas Isla Taquile.

The Spaniards first assumptions about Peru, when they sailed down its coast in 1528, involved barren beaches and savage cannibals. It was not until they journeyed through deserts and river valleys, up and over snowy passes, and into the altiplano, or high plains, that they realized the importance of the Inca. This empire, the New Worlds most advanced, had temples and highways rivaling those of Renaissance Europe along with an abundance of what the Spaniards most wanted: gold. In Cusco, the Inca capital, the Spaniards found four-inch-thick temple walls, shields, vases, and even hand plowsall made of gold.

Today, Cusco remains the primary draw for travelers to Peru. People come to wander the cobblestone streets, marvel at the Spanish churches built atop massive Inca walls, eat alpaca steaks and sweet corn, and party until dawn at the citys nightclubs. In the nearby cloud forest, reachable only by train or trek, is one of the worlds greatest wonders: Machu Picchu, a city of stone carved into a towering rainforest ridge.

Yet Cusco and Machu Picchu are just the beginning of what Peru offers. There are at least a dozen archaeological sites around Peru that rival the historical significance of Machu Picchu. The ancient and enigmatic Nasca Lines are etched into the desert. There are perfect breaks to surf along the northern coast; snow-covered mountains to climb; freeze-dried-potato soup to eat in stone huts with Quechua families; and miles of Amazon River to float with nothing more than a hammock and a bunch of bananas.

climbing Huayna Picchu

sand dunes near Lago Huacachina

llama at Machu Picchu

But perhaps the most impressive experience in Peru is meeting its people, who continue to maintain the depth of their culture and unique identity today.

Larcomar shopping mall in Lima

purple corn and limes, used to make a drink called chicha morada.

textiles for sale in southern Peru

).

Cusco: Inca and Spanish colonial culture clash in this fascinating city ().

Inca Ruins in the Sacred Valley: The temples, fortresses, and terracing of Pisac () are second only to Machu Picchu in terms of beauty.

Indigenous Culture: Immerse yourself in vibrant local culture. Take in a folklore festival and stay with a family at Lake Titicaca (pictured, ).

Trekking in the Andes: Spectacular treks abound in Peru. Make a pilgrimage to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail (pictured, ).

Wildlife: Marvel at Perus rich biodiversity, from giant otters and pink river dolphins in the Amazon ().

Rainforest Eco-Lodges: Spend a few unforgettable days at one of the myriad eco-lodges deep inside the Amazon rainforest ().

Lake Titicaca: The beauty of the sapphire lake ().

Peruvian Cuisine: Lima has emerged as Latin Americas culinary hub, showcasing dishes with an extraordinary range of flavors and ingredients ().

Nasca Lines: There are certain mysteries, like huge astronauts and hummingbirds etched onto the desert plain, that remain beyond belief ().