Peru is located on the west coast of South America. To the north, the country borders Ecuador and Colombia, while to the east the Andes mountain range forms the border with Brazil and Bolivia.

To the south it extends as far as Chile. Its territory is composed of 3 main regions: the coast bathed by the Pacific Ocean with fertile plains exploited by agriculture, the mountain area (Sierra) which includes several massifs topped by the Andes Cordillera culminating at 6 768 meters and finally the Amazonian region (Selva).

Inhabited for thousands of years, Peru has 8 archaeological or historical sites and two natural parks (Huascaran and Manu) classified by UNESCO. On the north coast, the city of Trujillo is home to the largest ancient brick city in the world: Chan Chan Chan, built by a Chimu civilization (8th-15th centuries), classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. Nearby, Mount Huascaran peaks at 6,768 m and is part of the national park of the same name. Deep ravines, torrents and glacial lakes make it a spectacularly beautiful place where the spectacled bear and the Andean condor live.

On the coast is the capital, Lima, whose historic centre has been classified as a World Heritage Site. However, an earthquake in the 18th century destroyed most of the buildings dating from its creation in 1535 during the Spanish occupation by the conquistador Francisco Pizzarro. However, its main square, the centre of the old colonial city, sets the tone of what the city was once, with its cathedral, the rebuilt Gobireno Palace (16th) and the San Francisco Convent (18th).

About thirty kilometres away is the pre-Columbian site of Pachacamac (2nd to 6th century AD) and the ruins of its temples. To the north of Lima, the archaeological site of Caral-Supe Caral (626 hectares) houses earthen buildings, six large pyramidal structures, monumental stone platforms shaped by one of the oldest civilizations in America, dating back to 2600 BC. 400 km south of Lima, the geoglyphs of Nazca and Pampas de Jumana cover about 450 km2. These lines, drawn in the ground between 500 BC and 500 AD, raise one of the great mysteries of archaeology because of their quantity, nature, size and continuity.

Nearby, the Paracas National Reserve on the coast has many natural and archaeological sights. Tambo Colorado is the best preserved Inca urban on the coast. But if there is one stage that deserves a trip to Peru, It is the region of Cuzco where the most impressive Inca sites are found and in particular that of Machu Picchu (15th century).

In the middle of a forest, it is located at the top of a mountain at 2400 meters, in a grandiose space. You will be captivated by its walls, terraces and gigantic ramps. The city of Cuzco preserves at the base of the Spanish buildings the remains of the Inca civilization which had made it its capital. The Place d'Armes already existed under the Incas, the Cathedral was built on an Inca temple as well as the temple of the Society of Jesus. Do not miss the temple of the Merced, with its typical colonial architecture and walk in the district of Saint Blas, with its shopping streets.

Near Cuzco is the Sacred Valley of the Incas where you can walk among the typical and colorful markets in Pisac, discover amazing salt flats on the mountainside and admire the Inca buildings that defended the valley as the fortress of Ollantaytambo and Sacsayhuaman. Further south, the city of Arequipa with its listed historic centre. Founded in the 16th century by the Spanish, it is built in sillar - a volcanic rock - and its architecture merges European and indigenous construction methods. Pass through the city of Puno which was the seat of Tiawanaco culture. On Lake Titicaca, Taquile Island is perched at 4000 metres above sea level. His textile art is registered as intangible heritage.

Water distributed by ordinary water supply networks is not potable: prefer bottled water and check that the capsule is intact. Avoid eating undercooked fish and meat or eating raw fruits and vegetables in markets. Protect yourself against mosquitoes, malaria vectors, or viruses (such as dengue or Oropouche viruses).

Art and culture in Peru
You will find jewellery and artifacts made from gold, silver and semi-precious stones. The art of pottery and ceramics is developed. The coloured fabrics made from cotton, alpaca wool and llama offer a wide variety of patterns. The village of Sarhua is famous for its wood paintings (quellcas) with very colorful scenes.