If there’s one thing we can tell you about Peru is that nothing about it is ordinary. Every corner of this beautiful country is filled with rich culture, intriguing history, and natural splendor. The three, marked, great geographical regions allow to you appreciate contrasting landscapes at just a few hours from each other, as well as an assortment of ethnic communities that hold their particular set of social values, most of the time completely different from the ones of adjacent settlements. Here, we show you a sample of the best there is in this fantastic country, no excuse to skip a trip!

Machu Picchu

This world-renowned archaeological site is situated on the outskirts of Cusco, and Venturia tours can include helicopter rides, exclusive day excursions from Cusco, and luxury trains, you name it! Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. Built during the 15th century and later abandoned, this place is known for the still visible ruins, as well as the outstanding landscapes of the highland-jungle border. Don’t miss seeing the Intihuatana, a rock with a unique structure used by the Incas to predict solstices, the Temple of the Sun, and the temple of the princess or The Sacred Tomb, whose outer wall has been described by Hiram Bingham as the finest in America.

Paracas

From visiting virgin islands with rich fauna to gliding through golden dunes in a sandboard… there is truly no limit to what you can do in Paracas. The town is a launch point for the uninhabited Islas Ballestas, home to sea lions, pelicans and Humboldt penguins, as well as fantastic abstract-shaped caves. You can pimp up your experience by choosing Venturia’s luxurious yacht experiences, which include an onboard chef and bartender, not to mention the fantastic vessel. Also, don’t miss the chance to race through the dunes in 4×4 trucks while the sun sets at Desierto California, as well as a delicious picnic under the stars of the Peruvian desert.

Lima

Lima, the City of Kings, is the capital city of Peru. Venturia offers you a myriad of tours to choose from, and attractions range from historical-architectural, to archaeological, gastronomic and artistic. You’ll be surprised with all that Lima has to offer, from world-class galleries such as the MATE | Museo Mario Testino and Museo Larco to archaeological ruins like Huaca Pucllana, that date back to 400-700 AD, or places such as Monasterio de San Francisco, a vast religious complex characterized by its multiple buildings and structures, its baroque-styled architecture, its gorgeous decorations, and its rich history. As the sun sets, you’ll be delighted to see the great variety of nightlife options -bars and fancy, delicious restaurants-, especially in the district of Barranco.

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

Are you a Jungle lover? Do you crave for deep, humid bodies of dense greenery, and to discover wild, exotic species while you’re at it? Then Pacaya-Samiria, located at 300 km from the city of Iquitos, is your spot. It’s considered the best-protected wildlife area in Peru, and it’s the home to rare animals such as pink dolphins, the Guacamayo-Escarlata and the Ronsoco (the largest rodent in the world). The simple act of navigating through the rivers, especially in the evenings or at dawn, is a visual spectacle in itself because of the gorgeous reflections of the vegetation in the waters, which is why this place is also called the “jungle of mirrors”. While you’re here, you must try swimming with pink dolphins, doing some caiman-spotting or trekking through the various jungle trails.

Trujillo

Trujillo is one of the central cities of the Peruvian North and it is known for being the birthplace of Peru’s traditional dance, Marinera Norteña. This city is also the home to the grand Trujillo Cathedral Basilica, with its bright yellow facade, and the blue Casa Urquiaga, a building of neoclassical architecture and museum. West of the city, you’ll find the huge adobe complex of Chan Chan, built by the Chimu and known for having massive and intricate engravings in almost all of the walls, as well as for being wonderfully preserved by the dry climate.

Chachapoyas

Chachapoyas’ literal translation from Quechua is “Cloud Forest” or “Cloud People”, referring to the cloud-covered tropical forests that characterize the city. This city, located in northern Peru, has recently started to receive the attention of many tourists and even Peruvians themselves, due to the fantastic archaeological remains like the Sarcófagos de Karajía -a series of giant, beautifully carved sarcophagi, painted using naturally extracted dyes by the ancient Chachapoyas civilization- or the majestic Catarata de Gocta -the 15th highest waterfall in the world. While here, don’t skip the chance to hike through the adjacent jungles, which shelter the endangered Gallito de Las Rocas toucan, several types of monkeys and exotic orchids.

Kuelap

While at Chachapoyas, you might as well visit Kuelap, a walled settlement that contains approximately 420 circular buildings inside. Its location and architecture served defense and religious purposes of the Ancient Chachapoyas civilization. To get here, you’ll enjoy a 30-minute ride in the first and only Peruvian cable car, which will leave you very close to the city entrance. Among the principal highlights are El Torreón, the highest infrastructure in the citadel; El Tintero, an astronomic observatory, and El Castillo, the home of the highest-ranked mandataries of the Chachapoyas. Also, don’t miss out on seeing the main entrance, which has a trapezoid shape and becomes narrower as you walk through it, allowing only the passage of one person.

Arequipa

The city of Arequipa is famous for being framed by three volcanoes, amongst them the great Misti. Because, it’s built almost entirely out of Sillar, a white volcanic stone, it is also called “La Ciudad Blanca”, or “The White City”. Its historic center is anchored by the Plaza de Armas, a stately main square flanked on its north by the 17th-century neoclassical Basilica Cathedral, which houses a museum displaying religious objects and artwork. Acknowledged as the second capital of Peru, Arequipa is bursting with industrial opportunities and futuristic initiatives, making it indeed an economical metropolis.

Puno

Puno is a city in the south of Peru, located in the shores of Lago Titicaca, one of South America’s largest lakes and the world’s highest navigable body of water. A regional trading hub, the city’s also considered Peru’s “folkloric capital,” due to its traditional festivals featuring vibrant music and dancing. Opt for a culture trip through the city, or better, visit Islas Flotantes Uros, a series of artificial floating islands made out of ichu, a local aquatic plant. Also, don’t miss the chance to visit Isla Taquile, an island further into the Lake that has beautiful stone-paved roads, and where locals preserve their folklore and customs.

Chiclayo

Chiclayo is the capital city of northwest Peru’s Lambayeque region. Although archaeological ruins can be found in almost every Peruvian City, the materials and architectural style used by the ancient civilizations in the north differ greatly from those used by the peoples of the highlands, and their handcrafted works are unique to this location. Don’t miss out on visiting Huaca Rajada in the east, the discovery place of the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, a ruler of the ancient Moche culture. Huaca Rajada is close to the Royal Tombs Museum, where all the original items found here are kept, so you can easily visit both in one same tour. While you’re here, stop by Pirámides de Túcume, an archaeological complex that houses 26, 40-meter-high imposing pyramids built from adobe, whose construction dates back to between 700 and 1000 A.D.