The Nasca Lines are a series of geoglyphs located in the Nasca Desert, a high arid plateau close to Nasca. There are hundreds of individual figures, ranging in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fish, sharks or orcas, llamas, and lizards. The lines are shallow designs in the ground where the reddish pebbles that cover the surrounding landscape have been removed. Many of those lines are simple lines or geometric shapes, and more than seventy of them show a natural shape or human figures. The largest are over 660 ft. across. Scholars differ in interpreting what the lines were for, but generally ascribe religious significance to them. The spiders, birds and plants could be fertility symbols. Other possible explanations include: irrigation schemes, giant astronomical calendars, or landings for spaceships.

Built around 1460 AD, it was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers a hundred years later, at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Although known locally, it had been forgotten for centuries until Hiram Bingham, an American historian, brought the site to worldwide attention in 1911. Since then Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction. Later on, when we walk around the ruins, you will easily recognize why this city was built at this spot: it's almost invisible from the valley, easy to defend and just beautiful!

Take a look at least at some of those numerous churches, which are obvious remains from the Spanish colonial era, or at those holy places and palaces from the Inca. Look at those incredibly big granit bolders, assembled by the Incas. Another option, of course, is to go shopping and have a nice dinner - if you are not shy, try and eat "CUY" - guinea pig - a Peruvian delicacy.

The lake is supposed to be the highest navigable lake with its altitude of 12,500 feet (3.800 meters). It is also the largest lake in whole South America and has got a surface of almost 3,250 square miles (8.400 km²). The western part belongs to Peru (60%) and the eastern part to Bolivia.

The small islands are made of totora reeds, growing in the lake. The plants develop dense roots that interweave to form a natural layer called Khili (about 3.3 to 6.6 ft. thick), which supports the islands. The islands are anchored with ropes attached to sticks driven into the bottom of the lake. The reeds at the bottoms of the islands rot away fairly quickly, so new reeds are regularly added to the tops, about every three months. This is especially important during the rainy season when the reeds rot a lot faster. One island exists about 30 years.

The so-called "Juanita" is a mummy of a little girl. She was found in the crater of the volcano Ampato at an altitude of over 16,000 ft.! Because of the icy conditions she was found frozen. At an age of only 14 years she was sacrificed by Inca priests in the 15th century. Juanita’s story and all interesting facts about herself are represented in the "Museo Santuarios Andinos". Arequipa is maybe the best place to get an idea of today’s life of the Peruvians. Ask your tour guide if s/he can organize a special kind of guided city tour for you. This way you will get to see some really special places and maybe enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch not every tourist is able to do. A local guide will show you around and will explains about the little things you might not have recognized on your own. A visit of a typical market is also part of the tour.

The Colca Canyon is located about 100 miles northwest of Arequipa. At 13,648 ft., it is more than twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States. Even so, it is promoted as only the "world's 2nd deepest canyon"! The Colca Valley is a colorful Andean valley with towns founded in Spanish colonial times. The local people still maintain ancestral traditions and continue to cultivate the pre-Inca stepped terraces.