on the top of the world Eduardo Salvio Argentina Camiseta , in the footsteps of the Incas, looking out over the dramatic snow-capped peaks of the Andes and a glorious land of mystery and mysticism, where centuries past and present are seamlessly intermingled.
Peru's layer upon layer of great civilizations are spread like patchwork across a country that is a masterpiece of diversity, parched coastal deserts, farming oases, quaint fishing villages Nicolas Otamendi Argentina Camiseta , tropical jungle and colonial cities that echo the legacy of the Spanish conquistadors.
Amid the sands of Peru's arid coast, the hectic metropolis that is Lima, the conquistadors' city of the kings, is a culturally rich but modern city on the rise. The center of Spanish power in the New World for three centuries after Pizarro's conquest of Peru, the capital is awash with a considerable legacy of colonial art and architecture, while its museums are bursting with artifacts of gold Diego Perotti Argentina Camiseta , ceramic and weavings unearthed from the country's ancient settlements. And with enough ornately decorated churches to get churched-out, there's nothing more rewarding than a Cusquena beer or a frothy Pisco sour in the midst of the upbeat and electric pulse of Lima's artsy, bohemian suburb Barranco.
South through the endless sandy dunes that huddle against the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean, the rather unremarkable town of Nasca, a dusty outpost in the San Jose desert, belies an incredible and mysterious memento of ancient culture. Etched into the dry desert outside of town is a mysterious masterpiece of doodles. Appearing as little more than more than a confused jumble of shallow ruts in the sand and rock from ground level Javier Mascherano Argentina Camiseta , a bird's-eye-view reveals immense creatures, shapes and forms spread out for miles across the desert floor, which remain bafflingly clear of sand.
A short flight up into the majestic heights of the Andes offers a modern Mecca of tourism that'll take your breath away not only for the altitude. The narrow streets of Cusco are lined with a mind-boggling mosaic of Inca stonework, which shows no sign of aging even after hundreds of years. Melded right onto these mortar-less walls is the elaborate colonial Spanish architecture, reflecting just a little of the mixed and colorful local culture.
Even higher still, above the city Matias Kranevitter Argentina Camiseta , the jagged teeth of the fortified walls of the sacred Sacsayhuaman offer the first chance to truly feel transported back in time to the realm of the Incas. But it's merely a taste of what is still to come.
Heading over the pass, admiring breathtaking vistas of the noble Andes, and down into the fertile sacred Urubamba Valley is the first leg towards the unrivaled journey along the Inca Trail. Leaving behind the gentle riverside trails is a commitment to stride in the stead of a magnificent people. The stouthearted trudge up into the midst of the rugged snowcapped peaks to almost 14,000 feet, where they're liable to become engulfed in clouds as they reach the infamous Dead Woman's Pass.
From there the climate shifts along the hike, and there's no telling what will be around the next turn. Dense highland vegetation gives way to steamy twisted vines and jungle flora until the trail turns sharply left and then heads through a stone archway Nahuel Guzman Argentina Camiseta , the sun gate, and the magical city of Macchu Picchu appears like a mirage, spread out across the hillside ahead, appearing and disappearing from a veil of clouds.