This tour boat ferries visitors to Peru’s Lake Titicaca, high in the Andes Mountains. A visit to this lake provides a peek into the Uros culture, high-altitude island life and beautiful blue waters to explore.

Llamas are a part of everyday life in Peru’s Sacred Valley, and other rural parts of the country. This one is being led out for a stroll by his young owner.

Whether it’s Halloween, or time to study ancient civilizations at school, mummies are a fascinating subject for children of all ages and are worth your tourist time on any international trip. They provide a peek into the spiritual practices of the world’s prominent historical cultures and our best shot at knowing what some of these people actually looked like. This post features famous mummies we feel represent an exceptional cultural opportunity for world travelers. So . . . who made the cut?

Juanita the Ice Maiden

This well-preserved Incan girl was discovered in the mid nineties by hikers in southern Peru. Aside from a brief international press trip, she’s been on display nearly continuously at a museum in Arequipa. Killed as a ritual sacrifice, Juanita represents a priceless peek into the historic life of the Inca. Roughly five hundred years old, this mummy is a must-see on any national tour of Peru.

Frozen Fritz

This world-famous ice man, known to the locals of Bolzano, Italy as Frozen Fritz is approximately 5,000 years old and a major world discovery. Visitors to this picturesque town in the Italian Alps can catch a glimpse of Fritz at the town’s archaeological museum along with his ax, which forced historians to completely rethink prior beliefs regarding the start of metallurgy.

King Tut

Practically synonymous with the phrase famous mummies, this young king and his funerary belongings are one of the most popular attractions when visiting the world-famous Cairo museum. Egyptian mummies are of particular interest to historians and mummy enthusiasts, due to their elaborate sarcophagi. Also of note at the same museum is the mummy of Ramses II, who interestingly enough was a redhead. Who knew?

The Tollund Man

Found in Denmark and currently displayed at the nation’s Silkeborg Museum, the Tollund Man is one of the most remarkably-preserved bog mummies ever found. Unlike other famous mummies, the remains of the Tollund Man show precisely what he looked like, right down to the plumpness of his cheeks and the creases in his forehead. He’s really quite something and worth seeing if you planning a trip to Denmark.

While usually not the first must-see item on a traveler’s itinerary, many still find mummies fascinating from an archaeological and spiritual perspective. This is by no means a comprehensive list of famous mummies, and we hope to expand this article in the near future. Do you have any favorite and famous mummies that didn’t make the list?

Photo Credit: FFG

Touring Peru is a life’s dream for many travelers, and no small feat for those who actually manage to make it happen. Rugged terrain and transport logistics, along with long international flights to even arrive in the nation of the Peru can make following this particular travel dream seem daunting. For those that are willing to do what it takes to make the experience happen, pure magic awaits. Here are some of the must-see attractions and destinations when vacationing in Peru.

Arequipa, home to Juanita the Ice Maiden, experiences a nearly eternal “springtime” climate.

Mummy Juanita, otherwise known as the Inca Ice Maiden was found near Arequipa and now calls the town’s Museo Santuarios Andinos her permanent home. A major world discovery and arguably one of the best preserved mummies ever found, Juanita the Ice Maiden is one of the main exhibit draws for the area. That being said, Arequipa has other cultural treasures to offer, not the least of which is its well-preserved colonial architecture and ice-capped volcano views.

Lima is home to the Pachacamac ruins, the Peruvian National Museum and the Lima cathedral.

With a major airport, bustling nightlife and international bus access from surrounding countries, Lima sees its fair share of Peruvian tourism. Not only is it a popular jumping off point for pilgrims headed to Machu Picchu, the city also boasts the impressive Pachacamac ruins, the Lima cathedral and the steamy erotic pottery collection at the Larco Museum.  Other highlights include the church and monastery of San Francisco and the Palacio de Gobierno, once home to Pizarro himself.

The Nazca Lines are a major world mystery and one of the highlights of any national tour of Peru.

Located south of Lima in the Nazca Desert, is a collection of giant drawings it’s nearly impossible to see unless you’re riding above them in a plane. Images include both a giant spider and a monkey, among others. The Nazca Lines are quite old, yet well preserved due to the dry windless weather conditions in the Nazca Desert.

The Sacred Valley is home to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman and a large nature preserve.

While most famous for its access to Machu Picchu, Peru’s Sacred Valley is home to a number of other archaeological treasures and attractions. The indigenous Pisac Market, the Sacsayhuaman ruins near Cusco and the ruins at Ollantaytambo are among those attractions.  Travelers experiencing Peru for the first time should make certain they schedule enough time to experience this part of the country thoroughly.

Trujillo, Peru experiences less tourist traffic, but has much to offer.

Close to the beach with a lively vibe and a stone’s through from a number of interesting daytrips, Trujillo, Peru is worth a few days of your time should the tour itinerary permit it. One of the most impressive area attractions is the ruined city of Chan Chan, which once served as the capital city to the Chimu Empire.

Lake Titicaca is home to the Yavari, the floating islands of Uros and a stone’s throw from Sillustani.

One of the most impressive lakes in the world, and certainly a crowning jewel in the South American tourist crown, Lake Titicaca is a picturesque place to unwind, and perhaps venture across the border into Bolivia.

Ayacucho is about mid-way between Lima and Cusco, and contains a number of picturesque churches.

This town has a charming, Colonial vibe and fun stopover for those who enjoy elaborate historic churches and mansions. If you’re looking for a place to take a short break on your quest to Machu Picchu, this might be just the ticket. An overnight and a walking tour will likely wrap up the Ayacucho tourist circuit, but it’s scenic enough and right on your way to the Sacred Valley from Lima.

Other things to see in Peru include cultural close-ups with the country’s jungle tribes such as the Ashaninkas, and some of the national parks such as the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve and the Tambopata Reserve.

Photo Credits: The Peru images used in this article were photographed by the folks here at Trek Hound. If you would like to use them or others for your online publication, please access them through the creative commons program we have set up on our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

After seeing the sights and attractions in Lima, Peru, many tourists head directly to the Sacred Valley. With the town of Cusco as your base, experiences such as the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman and Pisac are all within easy reach. Other sought-after notches on the tourist belt include Tres Cruces, Paucartambo, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to experience.

Expect to land and launch from the city of Cusco.

Accessible by bus, plane and train, the city of Cusco, Peru is where most people launch their tour of the Sacred Valley. There are a number of attractions worth your tourist time in Cusco, not the least of which is the Plaza de Armas with its multiple churches. There’s an Incan archaeological museum, among others and some frequent cultural performances worth photographing for the folk costumes alone. The tourism office had discount entry passes available at the time of our visit, which allowed us to experience most of the things to do in Cusco for one flat, affordable rate.

There are also several market stalls offering alpaca sweaters, hats, mittens and ponchos throughout Cusco, as well as children selling finger puppets suitable for younger classrooms. If you’re looking for souvenir ideas you can actually put to some use when you return home, this is a good opportunity to purchase them affordably.

Take time for a wildlife experience at the Manu Biosphere Reserve

Sure, when most tourists arrive in the Sacred Valley, their agenda is all about seeing as many Incan ruins as possible. But did you know that very near Cusco, Peru there’s an impressive national park known as the Manu Biosphere Reserve? Representing a fairly diverse sampling of the Amazon Rainforest, this park is often overlooked by vacationers on the whirlwind tour of Peru. Suitable for unwinding after hiking the Inca Trail or pursuing a nature photography agenda, the Manu Biosphere Reserve is worth your consideration.

Getting the most value from your visit to Machu Picchu requires a bit of planning.

Machu Picchu is on the bucket list for many travelers, and is by no means easy to get to.  For many, it requires a series of long international flights just to arrive in Lima. From there, it’s another layer of logistics to get to Cusco, after which you can expect to spend several hours on a train to get to the closest town at the bottom of the mountain. Did I mention you still won’t be there yet, and the altitude will be kicking your ass? And since the uber-pricy ticket only allows one entry, making the most of your Machu Picchu experience means planning your entry time carefully. Especially if you’re arriving later in the day.  If that’s the case, you’re better off checking into your hotel, having dinner and shopping for some family souvenirs in the market.

One particularly fun daytrip from Cusco is Pisac.

With impressive ruins and the Pisac market available, you may even decide to spend the night. Pisac offers stunning scenery and a chance to shop for indigenous handicrafts affordably. This makes for a nice break from climbing the various Inca ruins, and a great way to purchase unique gifts for kids on your holiday list back home. Those interested in souvenir beads can also expect to have a bit of luck at the Pisac market as well as the market in Aguas Calientes, near Machu Picchu.

Another interesting set of ruins in the Sacred Valley is located in Ollantaytambo, Peru.

Easily included on a daytrip along with Pisac, Ollantaytambo has some sturdy and climbable ruins, along with some interesting rock formations in the mountains. The small market in the town has some colorful small dolls for those needing to shop for grandchildren, and the side streets can be quite picturesque in their own right. There’s also preserved fountain carved from a single stone in the Incan imperial style. This video of the Ollantaytambo fountain was filmed during our visit there.

The Inca Trail hiking experience has earned more than a few travelers international bragging rights.

Not for the faint of heart, and certainly not known for its amenities, the Inca Trail is a multi-day hiking route through the Sacred Valley which ends at the lost city of Machu Picchu. It’s an intense, at-altitude experience requiring participants to leave the comforts of civilization behind until the destination is reached. While it isn’t for everyone, this picturesque trail has been called one of the top five treks in the world and is arguably one of the top travel highlights of the South American continent.

The fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooks Cusco in full Incan splendor.

Sacsayhuaman is an impressive fortress built in the shape of a puma head, and one of the main attractions in Cusco, Peru. Reachable on foot, you can also get there by tour bus or minivan if the altitude is too much for you. This archaeological site is an impressive place to spend the afternoon, and there are large grassy areas if you want to bring a picnic or a book and kick back. Pope John Paul II once visited the site of Sacsayhuaman to preach during a visit to South America, so it’s also well suited to large-scale gatherings.

Urubamba makes an excellent location to enjoy a little ecotourism.

While not exactly laden with archaeological or historical attractions, Urubamba is a popular place from which to explore the jaw-dropping scenery of the surrounding mountain areas. If you have time to spend the night after a visit to Ollantaytambo, this is a great opportunity to take a two-day trip from Cusco and experience even more of the Sacred Valley.

Peru’s Sacred Valley has much to offer vacationers. Archaeological ruins, natural beauty  and a number of museums along with indigenous markets and local cultural experiences are some of the things you can expect to enjoy during a visit there. After you’ve seen all there is to see, consider hopping a bus to Lake Titicaca to see the Yavari, the floating islands of Uros and the Temple of the Moon.

Photo Credits: These pictures of the Sacred Valley were photographed by the people at Trek Hound, and can be accessed for online use via a creative commons agreement through our sister web site, Pictures of Travel Places.

Your first time in the city can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to go. This was certainly the case with us after making our way to Lima from Guayaquil, Ecuador. The city itself is quite large, and there are most definitely a few parts of town you’ll want to avoid for safety’s sake. Most first-timers take the whirlwind tour before heading up to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with this approach, it sadly leaves most tourists unaware of attractions like Pachacamac, the Monastery of San Francisco and the various Lima museums. In fact, Centro de Lima, otherwise referred to as the Colonial Zone hosts a number of historical sites and buildings that are often completely overlooked by tourists. Here are Trek Hound’s top tips for those who are wondering what to do in Lima, Peru.

MAKE MIRAFLORES YOUR HOME BASE

Miraflores is a pleasant, higher-end area from which to experience a variety of attractions throughout Lima. While many people wishing to stretch their vacation dollars head towards the backpacker ghettos, the truth is, there are a number of affordable boutique establishments for those wishing to rest their heads in the more secure area of Miraflores. One such establishment is Inkawasi, which offers affordable private rooms as well as dorm beds, all with a number of pleasant common areas .

ALLOW FOR SHOPPING AND CINEMA TIME AT LARCOMAR

This luxury shopping area is set into the side of a cliff in Miraflores, offering movies, dining and shopping venues. While obviously designed for the traveler with discriminating tastes, it’s possible for the mid-range adventure crowd to enjoy Larcomar as well. We found it to be a great place to spend the afternoon before our flight back to the States. With several hours to kill between checking out of our room and checking in at the Lima airport, we really weren’t up for searching out unfamiliar tourist attractions and adding to our frustration level. We’d had a blast in Peru, but were in fact exhausted after schlepping through the Sacred Valley and making a whirlwind pass through the area of Lake Titicaca. Larcomar was just what the doctor ordered for our last afternoon in Lima. English language cinema, seaside seafood and a pleasant outdoor strolling area with benches and an ocean breeze.

IF YOU’VE COME FOR THE FOOD, THE RESTAURANTS IN LIMA, PERU WON’T DISAPPOINT

The food scene in Lima is definitely a superior experience. With local fare and every sort of international cuisine you could hope to try, there’s no reason why every dinner hour in Lima shouldn’t be absolutely divine. One fun place that David and I tried out was Si Senor Restaurant in Miraflores. It was within walking distance of Inkawasi, and had some unusual menu items to go along with the traditional offerings you’d expect from a Mexican dining establishment. Of course, there are a number of markets as well, if whipping up something simple back at the hotel is what you prefer.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF LIMA MUSEUMS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS

In a capital city as old as Lima, Peru, you’ll certainly find no shortage of museums. If you have a week or two to spend in the city, then by all means cross as many of them off your list as you can. If you’re on the three day plan however, you’ll need to narrow things down a bit.

The Larco Museum wins the prize for the most unique pottery collection.

If erotic art is something you’re interested in, and you’ve always been passionate about pottery, then Lima’s Larco Museum is a must-see attraction. Located in a pleasant, historical building not far from the Museo de la Nacion, this erotic pottery collection boasts several hundred thousand pieces of ceramic art celebrating the sensual elements of the human experience. Warning: If you’re touring this museum with children, you’ll definitely want to make sure you’ve had “the talk” before you arrive. That being said, it’s unbelievably diverse and an interesting way to spend an afternoon.

The Lima Museum, otherwise referred to as the Museo de la Nacion, should not be left off your tourist itinerary.

Pairing stark, cavernous concrete spaces with ancient Incan artwork and pottery, makes the Lima Museum one of our world favorites. Their use of space to showcase such their giant pottery pieces, Incan mummies, golden artefacts and the incredible Idol of Pachacamac is, in our opinion, inspired. While many museums are overfilled with items and can overwhelm visitors, Lima’s Museo de la Nacion strikes a restful balance that allows tourists to fully appreciate the items on display.

The Lima Gold Museum is certainly well stocked, and of interest to jewelry enthusiasts and metal artists.

With an extensive collection based around this one type of artifact only, the Lima Gold Museum, is worth a look if you have a bit of extra time on your hands. The venue also has an extensive collection of antique weapons, which is usually a hit with military history buffs.

PLAZA MAYOR IN CENTRO DE LIMA BOASTS THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL OF LIMA AND THE PALACIO DE GOBIERNO

Formerly referred to as the Plaza de Armas de Lima, the Plaza Mayor in Centro de Lima is classic vintage Lima. One of the main attractions in Plaza Mayor is the National Cathedral of Lima. While many consider it a bit stark, the architecture is interesting. It’s also the resting place of Francisco Pizarro, whose sarcophagus is worth a look-see as long as you’re going to be in the neighborhoods. Families traveling with children may want to include this stop if their children have been studying Incan history.

The other imposing structure along Plaza Mayor is the Palacio de Gobierno, or presidential palace. Originally built as the home of Francisco Pizarro himself, the building now serves as home to the Peruvian president and the country’s executive branch of government. It’s an impressive structure with a number of beautiful rooms worth seeing, not the least of which is the Golden Hall, which was modeled after the Versailles Hall of Mirrors.

Centro de Lima is home to numerous other attractions that are within easy walking distance of Plaza Mayor. One of these attractions is the church and monastery of San Francisco. The building’s exterior architecture is quite detailed if somewhat worn (at the time of our visit), with a picturesque interior housing a number of impressive art works and decorative elements.

THE PACHACAMAC RUINS ARE MASSIVE, AND A MUST-SEE ATTRACTION WHEN VISITING LIMA

While most tourists head immediately to the mountains to experience the archaeological sites of the Inca, Pachacamac offers an impressive day excursion much closer to town. We did it on foot and got there by public microbus, but it was definitely hot and a minivan between some of the more distant parts of the Pachacamac ruins would have been helpful. That being said, I had a massive case of the flu at the time, so perhaps touring the site while healthy and during cooler weather would have left me with a differing opinion.  That being said, the ruins at Pachacamac are definitely worth the day trip and best experienced with a knowledgeable guide before heading to the Museo de la Nacion to see the miraculously-saved Idol of Pachacamac itself.

Hopefully, at this point in the article, wondering what to do in Lima, Peru is no longer a concern. While there are many other attractions to enjoy in the city, as well as a thriving nightlife scene, these travel tips should have you feeling prepared for a proper launch into your tour of Peru.

Photo Credits: These pictures of Lima, Peru were photographed by the Trek Hound team. If you are interested in using them on your own site, they are available through a creative commons agreement through Pictures of Travel Places, one of our sister web sites.

Taken in the Andes at the end of a day excursion in Peru’s Sacred Valley, these llamas gave us quite a chuckle.

As we wandered the alleys of a hill village looking for traditional weavings, we turned a corner to see these two llamas checking out the local wares.

What a hoot! I’m particularly fond of photographing llamas on any day I have access to them. They are so animated, and always put on a good show.

Photo Credit: This and other pictures from Peru were photographed by the Trek Hound team. You can access them for creative commons use through our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

This woman sat alongside of one of the ancient towers at the archeological site of Sillustani, near Lake Titicaca in Peru.

It was a rather gray day when this photo was taken, so her orange dress and hot pink hat really stood out, making her a great photo opportunity.

Sillustani wasn’t a destination we had necessary picked out ahead of time to visit on our trip to Peru. However, we feel it is worth visiting for anyone who might be staying a couple of days in Puno, Peru.

Photo Credit: The team at Trek Hound photographed this and other pictures from Lake Titicaca, which you can access for online publishing use through Pictures of Travel Places, our sister site.

This photo article has been submitted to the June 25, 2010 edition of Photo Friday, on DeliciousBaby.com.

It was a cloudy day in Lima, Peru as we strolled the downtown area with a mission to tour the main cathedral.  As we stood on the side street, I was struck by how the run down appearance of the buildings and general area made me feel transported back in time.

With the gray sky taking away my options for a colorful photo anyway, I switched the camera to black and white and started snapping. This photo was one of the many that resulted. It’s simplicity and starkness make me feel like I was able to snap an image through time. Black and white has the power to transform travel photos that would otherwise be lackluster if kept in color.

Do you have a favorite black and white image you’ve posted online? Or one from a tour of Peru? If so, feel free to post your link in the comment section below.

Photo Credit: This and other pictures of Lima, Peru were photographed by the team here at Trek Hound, and made available through an online creative commons agreement with our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.

This gentleman provided me with one of my most magical travel moments ever.

On one the stops along our Sacred Valley tour, we got out to view some ruins and an entire mountain wall of tombs. As we were walking the trail, we could hear the music echoing over the entire valley, but had no idea where it was coming from. There was nobody else on the trail except our small group, so we felt in the middle of nowhere on this sacred hike. The music continued to build, and at last we rounded a corner to the last part of the trail before the mountainside of tombs.

There he was! In full costume and playing his heart out amongst the plants. I’ve never forgotten him. What’s your favorite travel memory, Trek Hounds?

Photo Credit: Trek Hound