PERU’S SKY-HIGH SCENERY WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY
There aren’t many travel destinations more popular than Peru right now. It’s one of the most visually stunning places on the planet, with natural beauty all around, and it delivers some of the best views in the world. Here are a few favourite destinations
Huacachina oasis Many people associate Peru with mountains and greenery, but a massive portion of the country is extremely dry desert. The highest sand dunes on the planet are in Peru near the city of Nazca. Also near Nazca is the oasis town of Huacachina. This quiet village, surrounding an equally small body of water, is tucked within impressive dunes. For me, one of the best places in the world to watch the sun setting is from atop one of the dunes, looking down at the cool little town at the heart of it all. Lake Titicaca The centre of folklore in the Andes, Lake Titicaca is more than just storied — it is absolutely beautiful. At 3,812 metres above sea level, Lake Titicaca takes your breath away, both physically and figuratively. And beyond its altitude, size (it’s also the largest lake in all of South America) and history, it’s the visuals here that will leave you wanting more. The interesting characters on Amantani Island, the views from the top of Taquile Island, the amazing craftsmanship of the Uros people who live on islands made of reeds — it’s just all kinds of incredible. The Altiplano One of the most amazing things about Peru is the diversity of the landscapes. One minute you’re at the coast, the next the desert, and then soon, you’re cruising along flat bits of prairie that look more like Saskatchewan than what you’d imagine from Peru. And like the edge of the prairies in Eastern Alberta, there are even badlands-like regions and impressive raw canyons that seem to fall away out of nowhere. The difference, however, is that much of the Peruvian Altiplano is situated over 4,000 metres above sea level. The Colca Canyon Surrounded by both the Altiplano and some of the world’s highest volcanoes, the Colca Canyon is certainly no slouch in either the views or the record books.
In fact, up until fairly recently, many people thought the Colca Canyon was the deepest in the world. However, it has been found that the Colca Canyon isn’t even the deepest in Peru, with the parallel Cotahuasi Canyon now carrying that title. Still, at over 3,400 metres in the deepest section, the Colca Canyon is almost twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and an absolute marvel to see. Moreover, this is the best place in the world to see the world’s largest flying bird, the Andean condor. Machu Picchu You didn’t think that there would be a list of the best views in Peru without Machu Picchu, did you? Of course, this is a wonder.
And I’d be hard-pressed to think of many other places in the world I’d rather sit and enjoy the view. In the morning, mist often hangs over the ruins and surrounding mountains, leaving it hidden away. But then, as the sun starts to warm the scene, the fog lifts and dramatically reveals the beauty of Machu Picchu.
It’s one of those places where you could sit for an entire morning and never bore, taking the same photo over and over again. Brendan van Son is a Canadian digital nomad.