Following from Machu Picchu being announced as one of the 'New 7 Wonders of the World' last year, it led to the biggest newspaper in Peru, El Comercio heading up a competition which led to Peruvian people honouring further sites which visitors should not miss and creating the 'Seven Wonders of Peru'! Machu Picchu, the most renowned Inca Site, is a key visitor attraction in Peru and people flock to see the remarkable 'Lost Inca City' in the natural lush surroundings and thick vegetation of the mountain, but with the Inca Trail booked up months in advance, visitors are looking at further attractions to visit creating an amazing itinerary full of archaeological, cultural and historical wonders.
After eight months and over 150 million votes from Peruvian's, expats and visitors, the 'Seven Wonders of Peru' were announced in April in Lima. The little known Los Baños del Inca, also known as hot springs or Inca Baths in Cajamarca, a city located in the northern highlands of Peru, received the greatest number of votes (9,915,053) in the 'Seven Wonders'. Following in Inca King footsteps, visitors can bathe in new pools created alongside the preserved Inca baths, taking in the variety of minerals contained in the waters to ease away travelling aches and pains.
El Valle del Colca or the Colca Canyon in Arequipa, a region in south western Peru, came a close second. This awe inspiring canyon, well visited by tourists, is 3,400 meters deep, and twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States, stretching 44 miles long. Visitors wait patiently at sunrise at Cruz del Condor to see the magnificent display of the 'lords of the canyon' - the rare Peruvian Condors which nest deep in the canyon. Overnight treks are available where visitors trek to the canyon floor before spending the night in a traditional wooden hut and then the next day trek back up to watch the sunrise turn the snow capped peaks of the Andes bright pink.
In third place the region of Cajamarca in the northern highlands was awarded again for its Los Frailones (The Friars) stone forest, also known as the Stone Monks. Often considered the Cusco of northern Peru, Cajamarca, although smaller is famous for its Inca archaeology, such as the Inca Emperor's Ransom Room. Also just outside the city is the fascinating natural rock formations of limestone resembling thin, human-like figures, thus the name ‘The Friars' was given to them.
Another northern delight came up trumps in forth place, the Kuélap Fortress which proudly stands at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level. It is called the Machu Picchu of the North and was built by the Chachapoyas, known as the Cloud People, who inhabited the area from 1000 AD to 1400 AD. Three times the amount of building materials used to construct the Great Pyramids of Egypt were used to create the Kuelap fortress!
A major attraction for rock climbers is the Huayllay Stone Forest in Pasco which dates back to the Cenozoic Age. This spectacular formation has progressively been worn down through erosion creating a dramatic backdrop and visual wonder for sightseeing and adrenaline junkies.
Completing the set of seven wonders, the mighty Amazon in northern Peru has been awarded with the Alto Mayo Valley and Gran Pajeten in San Martin. Not to be missed on any trip to Peru, the Amazon boasts beautiful landscapes, spectacular geologic formations, unique flora and fauna and not forgetting the Amazon River. Among the various species that visitors can find are the Spectacled Bear (the real 'Paddington' bear), yellow-tailed woolly monkey and a variety of vibrant orchids.
So do not despair that the Inca Trail is booked up, as there are many amazing experiences and attractions in Peru that are on the lesser known tourist trail and waiting to be discovered!