Imagine forgotten Peruvian temples entangled in jungle vines,
cobwebbed imperial tombs baking in the desert sun and ancient
bejewelled treasures beyond reckoning. Envisage the wild rivers
that rage around Cusco, pumas that prowl in the night and lush
jungles in the interior, which is home to Peru's greatest
attraction: the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Flying time: Lima 16 hours 10 minutes
Time difference: Lima GMT -6 hours
Getting there: Daily flights via Madrid with
Iberia to Lima.
Currency: Nuevo Sol
Visas: British passport holders do
not require a visa. All other nationals please check visa
requirements with the embassy.
Best time to visit: Peru's climate has two main
seasons - wet and dry - though the weather varies greatly depending
on the geographical region. Temperature is mostly influenced by
elevation: the higher you climb, the cooler it becomes. The peak
tourist season is from June to August, which coincides with the
cooler dry season in the Andean Highlands. This is the best (and
busiest) time to go trekking on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or
climbing, hiking and mountain biking elsewhere.