Peru

Blessed with amazing natural diversity and a rich history, Peru is a wonderful travel destination.

I had obviosuly seen hundreds, if not thousands of pictures of Machupicchu before. To be honest, I thought the photographs made the site look rather average (and certainly mine do) and not worthy of place amongst The Wonders of the World. Machupicchu is worthy. It is a beautiful site in a stunning location. If you have the time and fitness I would strongly recommend doing the famed Inca Trail to Machupicchu - it adds so much to the experience.

The trekking around Huaraz was my personal highlight of Peru - impossibly steep peaks, rocky rivers, glacial lakes with green valleys below filled with plants and birds.

The pre-Incan ruins of Chan Chan were an unexpected bonus. Chan Chan is a must stop if you are coming down from Ecuador, and worth heading North if you aren't.