Peru officially the Republic of Peru Spanish: República del Perú, pronounced is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.
Peruvian territory was home to the Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the world, and to the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty, which included most of its South American colonies. After achieving independence in 1821, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic upswing.
Peru is a representative democratic republic divided into 25 regions. Its geography varies from the arid plains of the Pacific coast to the peaks of the Andes mountains and the tropical forests of the Amazon Basin. It is a developing country with a high Human Development Index score and a poverty level around 36%. Its main economic activities include agriculture, fishing, mining, and manufacturing of products such as textiles.
The Peruvian population, estimated at 29.5 million, is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Europeans, Africans, and Asians. The main spoken language is Spanish, although a significant number of Peruvians speak Quechua or other native languages. This mixture of cultural traditions has resulted in a wide diversity of expressions in fields such as art, cuisine, literature, and music.

Enjoy the adventure of a Cusco, Peru tour with a friendly personal guide from ToursByLocals. Your private tour guide knows the Central Highlands of Peru as only locals do, and is eager to give you an unforgettable tour, based on your travel interests. See the famous sites that appeal to you, but also discover lesser-known attractions that will make your Cusco tour a more authentic and unique experience.

Check out the offerings of local artists. Explore the ruins of Inca shrines, temples and fortresses. Glimpse the Incas' world and learn their ways from your knowledgeable local guide. Trail the Incas through stunning mountainside vistas, up to the wondrous Machu Picchu, built mere decades before Columbus arrived in the New World.

Choose a private tour of Cusco, Central Highlands of Peru, offered by ToursByLocals. Ask your personal guide about customizing your tour to include exactly what you want to see and do in Peru.