The Southern Coast and Lake Titicaca

In no other part of Peru does the scenery change so rapidly and dramatically. Peru's southern desert coast is a vast plain against the Pacific Ocean. Unpopulated and underdeveloped, life is about fishing. Little villages are full of hole-in-the-wall cevicherias and miles of beach.

Arequipa, Peru's second largest city, is a Spanish-colonial maze, with volcanic white sillar buildings, well-groomed plazas, and wonderful food, museums, and designer alpaca products. Arequipa is close to Colca Canyon, where many head to see the famed gorge for its stunning beauty, depth, and Andean condors. Several hours farther out is the very remote Cotahuasi Canyon, the world's deepest gorge.

Second in tourism to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca is home to the floating islands. The Los Uros islands are nearly 40 man-made islands—constructed from the lake's tortora reeds—and are literally floating. The natives are the Quechua and Aymara peoples, who still speak their respective languages.

Puno, an agricultural city on the shores of Titicaca is the jumping-off point for exploring the lake, and is Peru's folkloric capital. A dusty-brown city most of the time, Puno is a colorful whirlwind during festivals. The region's many fiestas feature elaborate costumes, story-telling dances, music, and lots of merrymaking. Each November and February, Puno puts on two spectacular shows for local holidays.

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