Peru's central coast is where most journeys begin — the capital Lima perched on Pacific cliffs, and a ribbon of desert running south past the Paracas peninsula to the Nazca Lines and the palm-ringed oasis of Huacachina. It is a region of sea and sand rather than high mountains, and the launch pad for the Andes and the Amazon beyond.
City, cliffs and coast
In Lima, tandem paragliding launches straight off the Miraflores cliffs above the ocean, with boat trips to the sea-lion islands and one of the world's great food scenes at street level.
Desert, dunes and mystery
South in Ica, the Huacachina dunes are made for sandboarding and buggy rides, the Nazca Lines are best seen from a light aircraft, and the Paracas reserve and Ballestas Islands teem with sea lions and seabirds. Open the Book here tab to see what is running.
