Peru is where I’ve seen the most variety of landscapes and cultures in South America. Coming from Ecuador, I started my visit from the North of the Country, on the coastal city of Mancora, very quiet place to relax on the beach. Then Trujillo with its nearby archeological sites (Chan Chan and Huaca Del Sol y de la Luna) was a cultural stop to understand the pre-Inca civilisations.

That’s in one of the surfing cities nearby (Huanchaco) that I bumped into some friends first met in Peru, with whom we decided to go to Huaraz, between the Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Negra, an impressive spot for some high-altitude hiking. Laguna 69 is a breathtaking example situated at 4500m above sea-level, but there are many other spots around that are worth spending a few days.

From there, I went South to Lima then Ica and Huacachina, the famous artificial oasis made for tourists in the middle of the desert, surrounded by sand dunes. Dune buggies, Pisco tours, and lots of fun later, Arequipa is a charming town to stop by, basis for the Colca Canyon exploration hikes.

Last but not least, the Sacred Valley and the Machu Picchu made me stay a good week in Cuzco before making my way towards Bolivia.