Roughly twice the size of Texas, Peru curves along the western coast of South America. The rugged Andes divide the country into three sections: the Amazon rain forest in the eastern half, the mountain highlands in the middle and a thin strip of bustling coastline in the west.

 

A great way to start your trip from Lima, Peru's capital, is by making your way to Cusco, itself a capital city from the days of the Inca emperors. Exploring Cusco in its markets will give you a chance to learn about Peru's history, and get used to walk in high altitudes.  At eleven thousand feet, the thin air makes any hike a toddler, but the practice will come in handy, Cusco is the most popular entrance point for a four-day hike along the Inca trail, threading through forests and mountains en route to the majestic Inca mountain retreat, Machu Picchu.

 

   If hiking isn't your thing or if you are on a tight schedule, a trainer bus can get you there in about four hours. Either way, the approach is incredible. The destination, spectacular. Experts believe Machu Picchu was most likely built as a summer retreat for Inca royalty. Over two hundred buildings spread over five square miles. Temples, palaces and guard posts, the stone work is exacting. The blocks fit snugly together without using molder. One stone in particular, the intihuatana or the hitching post of the sun, was designed by Inca priests as part of the ritual to ensure the return of the sun after the winter solstice. Long after the Inca Empire’s reign, this crown jewel of ancient architecture stands as a fascinating testimony to these people and their beliefs.

 

And the Inca wasn't the only civilization to leave their mark on Peru. Further west near the town of Nazca, hundreds of mysterious and gigantic lines over a thousand years old are edged into the dry plains. You can recognize the images only from the air: birds, spiders and other animals. Their true purpose is still a mystery, but many experts believe the Nazca lines played a religious and a practical role in finding water.

 

On the other side of the Andes, water is hardly a problem. In Peru's lush rainforests lie the headwaters of the Amazon. Nature reserves here protect rare species and indigenous tribes. This is a nature lover's paradise. If you are looking for ways to get outdoors and watch wild life, whether along the rivers or up in the canopy, this is the place to be. You can take a thrilling walk above the canopy, suspended a hundred feet above the ground. You get a bird's eye view of life on the tree tops. And you don't have to travel too far off the beaten paths.

 

A few travel tips as you plan you trips. The most popular time to go to Peru is during its dry season between June and August. During the rest of the year, you will have the added advantage of running into fewer tourists, but remember rain and thick clouds can obscure those mountain views. Altitude sickness can put a damper on your vacation, so plan it safe and give yourself a few extra days to adjust to the high elevations. With these few tips in mind, you are sure to get the most out of your travels and experience the best of both worlds, Peru's ancient heart and its magnificent natural beauty.