Clinging to the Andes, between the parched coastal desert and the lush expanse of the Amazon rainforest, Peru offers such a wide range of experiences that it can be difficult to choose between them. Solemn pilgrimages honor gods both Christian and indigenous. Neon-lit discos get jam-packed with reveling youth. Ancient ruins divulge prehistoric secrets.
There are museums to visit, lakes to ogle, waves to surf, labyrinthine cities to explore. This is a country where practices run deep – 5000 years, to be exact. Yet it is a place continuously energized by fresh influences.Travel warning:In June 2011, some governments were advising against travel to Puno and the surrounding region due to protests. Check the latest advice before going.
In Peru, you can groove to African beats, admire impressive Catholic churches and examine indigenous textiles inspired by pre-Columbian tradition. 
Meanwhile, prepare to send your vision (and camera) into overdrive. Peru is home to snow-capped mountains, giant sand dunes, flocks of brightly hued tropical birds, postcard-perfect volcanoes and rocky Pacific outcroppings inhabited by argumentative sea lions. 
And let's not forget the food – a bounty of sublime concoctions made from ingredients native and contemporary. You'll need weeks to savor the vast selection of delicacies: from rare strains of potato to guinea pig to succulent ocean mollusks. 
Welcome to Peru – it's going to be one tasty trip.Show in Lonely PlanetReady to go? Our recommended tours make it easy:
- Journey through the best of Peru
- Discover the hidden treasures of Northern Peru
- Explore Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
- Join on a tour to the famous Pachacamac Temple
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