Must see sights in Peru/Bolivia?

Question

Taking a long trip; please do not respond with check out lonely planet etc. First-hand knowledge is what I am looking for here. Also, climbing gear/no climbing gear????? I know there is climbing to be had, but I will be backpacking for a long time....and the weight....

Answer 1

As a Peruvian I can suggest you so many places to visit (which I myself have visited):
If you start with the norh of Peru, I recommend:
Lambayeque, the cradle of the Mochicas, who lived there between the first and fourth centuries A.D., which makes Lambayeque one of the most interesting archeological destinations in the country. In 1987 the famous royal tombs of Sipán were discovered. Besides the Sipán archeological site, you can visit the modern Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum that contains the most extraordinary gold pieces found in the excavations.
Túcume is another archeological site of unique beauty. There, you will see more than twenty adobe pyramids, all approximately forty meters high, that belong to the Lambayeque culture. Another must see in Lambayeque is the Chaparrí Ecological Reserve, in the district of Chongoyape. Try the beach resort of Pimentel and the tradition town of Saña with its Colonial houses and churches.

La Libertad:
Otuzco, Julcan, and Santiago de Chuco, and ending in the upper jungle (The Amazon Rain Forest). Trujillo, the capital of the department, is known as the city of eternal spring because of its blessed climate and festive atmosphere. The area was inhabited by two important, ancient Peruvian civilizations, the Mochica and the Chimú, and later, it became an important vice royal city. You must not miss visiting Chan Chan, the largest mud city in the Americas and ancient capital for the Chimú. There, you can see the remarkable huacas (pre-Incan sacred places) built by the Mochicas like the Huaca of the Sun and of the Moon. Also, the El Brujo complex, decorated with inspiring figures of dancers and warriors. The city also has a splendid Colonial architecture where you will want to see the Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Church of the Company of Jesus Christ, the monastery of El Carmen, and the many Colonial houses.The Huanchaco beach resort is only fifteen minutes away from the city. It is famous for the caballitos de totora, which are lightweight boats made of totora reeds that have been used to cut through the ocean since the time of the Mochicas and Chimús.

Cajamarca:
The territory is made up of numerous valleys and gorges. The city of Cajamarca is of significance for Peruvians, besides its magnificent Colonial architecture and beautiful countryside, it was the scene of an important episode of South American history. Here, the Conquistador Francisco Pizarro captured the Inca Atahualpa who, in spite of fulfilling his part of the ransom(a room filled with gold and another with silver), was killed. From that point onward, the conquistadors drafted the city in the traditional Spanish way. Today the Colonial constructions of the Cathedral, the churches of San Francisco, Belen, and la Recoleta, mansions, and monuments are preserved.
There are many excursion possibilities: the Inca Baths, thermo-medicinal hot springs where the Inca used to go after long trips, the Ventanillas de Otuzco (Otuzco Windows), a cemetery carved into a wall of volcanic rock, Cumbemayo, a demonstration of pre-Incan hydraulic engineering still functioning today, that is located in a wonderful natural area, the old hacienda La Colpa, where the cattle go to be milked at the sound of their name, Kuntur Wasi, a commercial center that dates to the year 1100 b.C. and its site museum with the numerous examples of the oldest objects of gold in the Americas.

Loreto:
The largest yet least populated department in Peru, covered by dense vegetation and by primary and secondary jungle with low hills and slightly rolling landscape, crisscrossed by the many rivers of the Amazon River basin, which is born at the confluence of the Marañon and Ucayali Rivers. Iquitos, the capital of Loreto, is the main port city on the Amazon River and the largest city in the Peruvian jungle. Different indigenous people groups like the Cocama, Huitoto, and Bora first inhabited the area. You find the homes in the Belen neighborhood that are constructed on top of rafts and pylons to protect them from the flooding of the river. One of the best attractions in Loreto is navigating on the rivers and lakes and enjoying the beautiful beaches.The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve (2,080,000 hectares), the largest reserve in Peru, is located 183 kilometers from the city and is home to numerous plant and animal species, many of them in danger of extinction like the charapa river turtle, the giant river otter, the black caiman, and the river dolphin. The Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve (58,000 hectares) protects the largest concentration of white sand forests, or varillales as they are known in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.

In the Center of Peru,:
Ancash:
In the Callejon de Huaylas, a dazzling valley stuck between two mountain ranges, the Blanca and Negra Cordilleras, picturesque cities like Recuay, Carhuas, Yungay, and Caras and the capital Huarás. Visit the impressive archeological complex of Chavin de Huantar, its a must. In Ancash you will find the most spectacular snow covered mountains, among them Mount Huascaran (6,768 ma.s.l.), the tallest peak in Peru. In addition, there are hot springs and spectacular lakes as those of Llanganuco.

In Lima (there is no way around as the only international airport is located there):
Im not a big fan of Lima as it is overcrowded, traffic is awful. However if you must stay in Lima and want to visit places, there are too many to even try to list them as the city itself has been sitting in the same place since 1535. It was considered the vice-royal capital of South America for three centuries, and historical columbian and pre-columbian sites abound.

In the south of Peru
If you go to Cuzco:
The city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, is without a doubt one of the most important destinations in Peru. There are Incan buildings waiting for you to discover them among its cobble-stoned streets, ones like the Koricancha and the palace of Inca Roca as well as Andean Baroque structures from the Colonial Period like the Cathedral and the Church of the Company of Christ. San Blas where the best artisans in the department have set up their workshops. Just ten minutes away from the city, there are the massive walls of the Sacsayhuamán fortress, and a few kilometers from there, you find the archeological sites of Qenko, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay, Incan buildings constructed completely with stone. Tthe towns of Písac, Maras, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo, which are spread throughout the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one hour from Cusco. From there, it is possible to catch the train to Machu Picchu. Another way of getting to the citadel is by following one of the Inca Trails(are you healthy and strong?) This is one of the best trekking routes in the world, since scattered throughout it, you find remarkable archeological sites and areas rich in unique plant and animal species. Machu Picchu, the most important and beautiful legacy of the ancient Peruvian, is part of the Historic Sanctuary of the same name.

If you are atracted by nature, then go to Madre de Dios (border with Cuzco):
Puerto Maldonado, Manu Park (1,716,295 hectares, this is the park that set the world record for the number of bird species seen in one day at one spot with 324 species), Tambopata-Candamo Park (274,690 hectares), Bahuaja-Sonene National Park (1,091,416 hectares)

If you go to Puno (also border with Cuzco):
Lake Titicaca, The Uros this people group lives on “floating islands” that they have artificially made entirely of totora reeds, Tiahuanaco culture remains.

If you go to Arequipa:
Volcanos Mount Chachani, Mount Mist. The downtown of the city, features Mixed Baroque churches and mansions from the Colonial Period like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios, and plazas. Sabandía, Tiabaya, and Tingo. Just 3 hours and 45 minutes from the capital is the Colca River valley and canyon, one of the most extraordinary destinations in the country. And, at the Cross of the Condor, you can view the majestic flight of the condors. Toro Muerto petroglyphs, the Andagua Valley of the Volcanoes, and the Cotahuasi Canyon.

Answer 2

my experiences are somewhat limited to southern peru ... climbing gear... not unless you have specifically decided on a climb and have some cant live without gear... people tend to do more high altitude hiking than climbing there .. If you are looking for an interesting out of the way .. multi day hike .. custom designed if you like .. i suggest you head to the colca valley .. colca canyon .. hit chivay ( a small town ... with for some reason an amazing hot spring complex) .. and from there hunt down a fellow by the name of Pepe Pedro .. a delightful fellow who runs an adventure company there .. My personal experience with him is he volunteers with the medical organization i work with there as an interpretter.. . I have done a m.a. project that took us into the andes at the end of the colca canyon ... then UP UP UP to local villages to walk in medical care... hiking there is an amazing adventure of non commmercial non tourist sights and scenes ... perhaps quietly being eliminated by progression of society ...

for a great trip .. adventure .. once in Bolivia .. dont miss the mountain biking down the worlds most dangerous highway ... easily arranged out of La Paz... 65 km ride... starting at over 14000 ft... and dropping to 4000 feet... through various weather.. geography .. and vegetation .. the day i did it .. snowing at the top of barren rock plain to tropical jungle .. parrots snakes and dense vegetation at the bottom ...

jungle adventures ie.. rurenbaque( sp?) out of bolivia .. are much less expensive than those out of manu or iquitos in Peru .. but i cannot compare quality as i have only done the one in Boliva...

the salt plains of bolivia .. are apparently amazing as well .. from what i have been told .. but no first hand experience...

hope this helps you out ...........................m.

Answer 3

Haven't been to Bolivia, but in Peru- Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu (of course), Cuzco during the Inti Raymi Festival (Inca festival of the sun). For a totally different experience, Iquitos in the north (the amazon jungle).

Answer 4

if you want to climb, go to huaraz, also called "peruvian switzerland"
now a must go is cuzco, you have to go there or you cant say that you were in peru.
Cuzco is awesome, the people, food, the city and around. the center of the world.
have a great time in Peru, oh eat a lot of seafood.