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Pacific Coast

Arid due to being in the rain shadow of the Andes, Peru's long Pacific coast contains the capital, good beaches, mysterious pre-Inca relics and remarkable marine wildlife.

LIMA

Peru's capital is a typical modern city, yet its Spanish colonial past is reflected in buildings centred around the Plaza de Armas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  As well as interesting museums and galleries, Lima has some good beaches and a lively waterfront.

BALLESTAS ISLANDS AND PARACAS MARINE RESERVE

Dubbed the “poor man's Galapagos”, the Ballestas Islands are an important breeding ground for sea birds including the guanay cormorant and Peruvian booby, found in huge colonies. The islands are also home to large numbers of sea lions, pelicans and penguins. Dolphins and small whales can be seen swimming in the bay, and sea lions hauling themselves up the beach. From February to March condors feed in the area, and from April to December flamingos are present in Paracas Bay, which also has a mysterious candelabra etched into the hillside, thought to pre-date the Incas.

Recommended itinerary: The Complete Peru Explorer

Recommended accommodation: La Hacienda Bahia Paracas

NAZCA LINES

The small desert town of Nazca hosts the worlds largest sand dune and a series of markings in the desert that have baffled scientists since 1941. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covering a huge area, the Nazca Lines are a mysterious  collection of geometrical lines and shapes resembling, among others, a killer whale, hummingbird and monkey, and so large that they can only be appreciated from the air. The function of the ancient artworks, which predate the Incas by thousands of years, is still a mystery: some theorists talk of ancient running tracks or even landing strips for extraterrestrials.

TRUJILLO

One hour by air north of Lima, Trujillo has an attractive colonial centre, important pre-Inca Moche and Chimu archaeological sites, and some of the best surfing beaches in Peru.

The archaeological sites include the exquisitely decorated Moche temples of Huacas del Sol and de la Luna, and Chan Chan, once the capital of the Chimu empire and the largest adobe city in the world.

CHICLAYO

Chiclayo is located about four hours by road north of Trujillo. It is a major commercial hub servicing a large agricultural hinterland and a strong Afro-indian influence is reflected in its distinctive music and cuisine. The city’s well-known witchcraft market sells a variety of potions and remedies to satisfy even the most confirmed hypochondriac!

There are a number of important archaeological sites in the area. At the Moche tombs of Sipan some of the world’s finest pre-Colombian artefacts were uncovered in 1987. Many of these are housed in the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum in the nearby town of Lambayeque – a must on any visitor’s itinerary. Other sites include Tucume - ‘The Valley of 26 Pyramids’ - which was once a thriving city of temples and squares built by the Lambayeque culture in the 11th Century.

CHAPARRI CONSERVATION AREA

This community run reserve lies around 45 miles north-east of Chiclayo. It supports 214 bird species, 21 mammals and 20 reptiles and amphibians and the excellent wildlife viewing opportunities include almost guaranteed sightings of wild spectacled bears. In addition to spectacled bears the list of wildlife includes the sechuran fox, pampas cat, king vultures, 50 tumbesian endemic bird species and, though harder to see, Andean condor, guanaco and a very occasional sighting of a puma.

Recommended accommodation: Chaparri EcoLodge

Recommended itinerary: Peru's Diverse and Wonderful Wildlife - with Machu Picchu

CHACHAPOYAS

A day’s journey east of Chiclayo travelling deep into the interior arrives at the town of Chachapoyas. The civilisation of the same name fought the Incas from high forest strongholds, and the whole area is littered with ruins, tombs and mummies. The most spectacular is the fortress of Kuelap perched on the shoulder of a 3,000-metre mountain. Dating from the 9th Century the citadel houses a complex of more than 400 homes, palaces and temples protected within a 20-metre wall.

MANCORA

Located on the northern Pacific coast, Máncora boasts some of the best beaches in the country and a vibrant nightlife.  It is the ideal place in Peru to try your hand at surfing, or simply relax and enjoy the seaside.