Peru isn't just all about Machu Picchu, there are other places filled with adventure that can be just as interesting and adventurous as the world wonder. It's important to try and get a feel for the real Peru, so keep in mind some of these top spots where it's likely that you will be the only tourist in the area when you land there.
Ayacucho - There are a vast amount of rolling hills in the Andes mountain range, and here you can find many highland indigenous people who have traditional lifestyles.
Ayacucho is a wonderful Andean City that is visited to take in the brilliant richness of historical culture - partly due to the violence seen in the place in the 1980s and 90s, as well as a lack of easy transport, makes it one of the least-visited cities.
This gives you the opportunity to soak in its colonial atmosphere and original architecture as well as its surrounding mountains and archaeological sites without any crowds of jostling tourists.
There are also more things to see in this jewel of Peru's sierra, and a trip to Ayacucho isn't complete without a look at the Museo de Arte Popular where you can see a large amount of hand-made weavings and woodcarvings to enjoy.
Many people think that as colonial architecture goes, the Plaza de Armas that you can find in Ayacucho is the best preserved in the whole of Peru. One of the best sites is the Vilcashuaman Archeological Site which was an important Incan administrative center.
Once home to 40,000 ancient Incans, all that remains are the ruin of this town. When you get here, you'll be able to take in the large plaza in which ceremonies were performed next to the Ushnu and the Sun Temple - the former being a pyramid that is often referred to as the Seat of the Inca.
Kuelap, Chacapoyas Rival in size and beauty only to its southern counterpart, Machu Picchu, Kuelap is a breathtaking fortress on the top of a mountain in Chacapoyas, built as a citadel by an ancient jungle culture and nearly reaching into the clouds, invisible to passerby below the mountain.
You can get to the tropical jungle ruins in Peru by heading off from either Chacapoyas or Tingo - it's a one hour trips from the former, but a longer three to four hour journey from the latter. Due to a distinct lack of comforts and with it being a daunting trip, not many tourists undertake this journey.
First take a bus either from Cajamarca or Chiclayo to arrive to the town of Chachapoyas. The route is bouncy, but the views are incomparable in their beauty.
Plan to spend a couple of nights in Chachapoyas as there are no other hotels close to the ruins and the town is surprisingly beautiful as it is nestled in the clouds and overlaid with a mysterious mist. From there it is about 27 km to reach the ruins but it can often take over three to four hours to arrive via collectivo. When you get here, you will be able to enjoy the cloud-covered fortress in isolation, then you can take in the valley views while looking at the brilliant ancient citadel.
Peru luxury travel is a great way to see a beautiful country. When you are planning your South America getaway, be sure to have a look at the Peru luxury tours on offer.
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