Welcome to this virtual window showing why you should visit Lima, a legendary city and a region of valleys and mountain ranges in southeastern Peru. It’s a global tourist destination thanks to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the Inti Raymi festival, and the adventurous challenges in its snow-capped peaks, rivers, and ancient trails.
Welcome! if you already know Lima and want to reminisce about your experiences.
Welcome! if you’re ready to return and are looking for new routes and attractions.
Welcome! if you haven’t yet decided to visit the ancient Inca capital, because in this blog you’ll find countless reasons to explore the “navel of the world.”
And if you never considered Lima and Peru as your next destination, don’t worry. You are also welcome to this journey through the geography, nature, customs, and history of a region that was one of the six cradles of civilisation on the planet. These powerful reasons will change your perspective, so much so that you’ll soon be saying “I want to be there”.
Peru: One Country, Many Destinations
Come, we’re waiting for you… but before you set off on your journey to Lima, you should know that Peru is located in the central-western part of South America. Its vast territory (1,285,215.60 km²) is marked by the Andes mountain range, which forms a natural barrier between the Pacific coast and the Amazon rainforest, a biodiversity paradise covering over half of the national territory.
Important civilizations arose and developed in the coastal valleys, on the mountain slopes, and in the dense forest. From an archaeological perspective, the country has much to offer. The sacred city of Caral, the enigmatic Nasca geoglyphs, the Huacas del Sol y la Luna, and the iconic Machu Picchu are all part of an extraordinary heritage that will astonish you.
The archaeological past will captivate you, but it’s not the only thing that will leave you speechless during your holiday in Lima and Peru. This nation features ever-changing landscapes, natural areas that host endemic or endangered species, festivals and rituals reflecting its cultural diversity, and a cuisine that will delight you with its aromas and flavours.
Join us on this weekly journey that will guide you through the millennia-old history of pre-Hispanic cultures, revealing the legends, myths, and principles of Andean worldview. Experience the thrill of exploring the coastal desert and the Pacific waters, the heights and plains of the Andes, and the rivers and trails of the Peruvian jungle.
Above all, discover the paths of Lima to learn how to reach lesser-known sites and what to do at its main attractions, such as the Historic Centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a space that embodies nature, archaeology, and living culture, and the spectacular Machu Picchu, the pinnacle of pre-Columbian architecture.
A dream destination, one that is often said to be a must-visit at least once in a lifetime. What are you waiting for? Embrace the magical moment of gazing at verdant mountains and stone constructions that blend seamlessly with the natural landscape, creating an exceptional and unparalleled panorama.
Inca Legacy
The children of the Sun left humanity magnificent works that attest to their greatness. Cities, towns, temples, palaces, fortresses, tambos (resting places), andenes (cultivated terraces), qolqas (food storage), and an extensive network of footpaths connecting the four suyos or regions of their empire, the Tahuantinsuyo or Tawantinsuyo.
The Qhapaq Ñan, or Great Road is the name of the network of trails designed for walking through the Andean geography. Stretching nearly 23,000 kilometres, this grand engineering feat was perfected and expanded by the Incas. It is known that earlier societies, such as the Huari or Wari, established passable routes connecting their administrative and religious centres.
Secondary roads were mapped out in association with the Great Road, with the most famous being the Inca Trail — leading to Machu Picchu over four days of strenuous hiking, covering more than 40 kilometres of adventure, including an ascent to 4,215 m a.s.l. at the Warmiwañusca Pass (which translates to ‘Dead Woman’ in English).
But that’s not all. There are also mule paths winding their way to archaeological sites, remote communities, and the sacred peaks of Ausangate and Salkantay, mountains that continue to be revered by the children of the Andes. The challenge is set. The direction of your journey is up to you.
But if you prefer to explore without straying too far from urban communities, the Historic Centre of Lima — a city located 1,100 km from Lima — is ideal for walking. However, don’t let your excitement guide you too quickly. Be cautious and don’t rush your pace, as the so-called “Archaeological Capital of America” sits at an altitude of 3,400 m a.s.l.
If your body isn’t well acclimatised, quickening your pace around the Plaza de Armas, the artisan neighbourhood of San Blas, or the Hatun Rumiyoq Street, to name just a few iconic spots, might lead to dizziness, shortness of breath, and headaches, among other symptoms of acute mountain sickness, also known as soroche or altitude sickness.
Here’s a simple tip to fully enjoy your adventures in the “Historic Capital of Peru,” as stated in Article 49 of the Political Constitution. This city is so significant that, according to myths and legends, it was founded by Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the children of the Sun who emerged from Lake Titicaca to create a civilization.
That was the task given to them by their father Inti (the Sun in English). This marked the beginning of a people who, between the 12th and 16th centuries, extended their dominion over areas of what are now Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina. It was also the genesis of the greatest political and social organization in this part of the world.
Cusco at any time
Unveil the ancient Lima that venerates the Sun, the Pachamama (the Mother Earth), and the Apus (protective mountains). This city is unique and incomparable because of its origins, its telluric energy, its religious and architectural syncretism, and the dramatic cultural clash between the Andean and Western worlds that gave rise to the urban face of modern Lima.
A pre-Hispanic, colonial, and republican city that honours its father, the Sun, that prays to the saints and virgins brought by the Spanish, that remembers its children who rebelled against the viceroyal power, that reclaims its past and proudly welcomes citizens from around the globe who enjoy its plazas, streets, archaeological parks, and more.
Lima also boasts the finest restaurants, pubs, and nightclubs in the Peruvian Andes, most of which are located around the Plaza de Armas, Procuradores Street, and Plateros Street.
Hola