special places to visit in peru

The 24 Most Incredible Places to Visit in Peru

By Author Steph Dyson

Posted on Last updated: 1st April 2024

From dazzling churches to relics of ancient civilizations, Peru has more than its fair share of striking natural landmarks and historic monuments.

Although there are certainly a few well-known spots in among the others in this list of places to visit in Peru, I’ve added some barely-visited alternatives that promise the same mix of history and spellbinding scenery – just without the crowds.

So read on for my guide to the 24 most spectacular places to visit and things to do in Peru – many of which you’ll probably never have heard of before.   

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My Absolute Favorite Places in Peru

I’ve lived in Cusco, traveled extensively around the south of Peru and also updated the Rough Guide to Peru , focusing on the north of the country. And, the places that I fell most deeply in love with will probably surprise you.

So, in no particular order, here are my favorite places in Peru, followed by a list of others that you might want to consider adding to your travel itinerary if you’ve got a little more time.

1. Machu Picchu

Easily the most famous place to visit in Peru and the Goliath of South America’s tourism hotspots, the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu perched high up in the Andes has topped many a bucket list. And, there’s a reason why.

Its location is truly dramatic and walking around the site with a local guide learning about exactly what all of the buildings would have been for and why it was constructed high up in the mountains only adds to the magic of the experience.

There are several options for getting to Machu Picchu – not all of them expensive – but most pass through Aguas Calientes, the small and nowadays hugely touristy town crouched at the base of the mountains.

A self-guided two-day tour from Cusco via minibus coming in as the cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu.  

The Inca trail is the most well-known but by no means the only or best hiking route to get there; other adventurous options include the Salkantay and Lares treks. I personally really enjoyed the Salkantay, as it heads into the mountains beyond Machu Picchu and felt quieter than the Inca Trail.

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Alpaca Expeditions are not only one of the most sustainable companies offering Salkantay and Inca trail treks to Machu Picchu, but their guides, porters and chefs are the ultimate hosts.

They’re now offering Worldly Adventurer readers a 5% discount on all of their hikes – just mention Worldly Adventurer when you enquire!

Before you plan, read up on when you should visit Machu Picchu for the times of the year with the best weather and finest views of the citadel.

2. Gocta and Yumbilla Falls

Plunging a dramatic 771 meters from clifftop to valley floor, Gocta Falls are a treasure of nature tucked deep into Northern Peru and quickly becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. 

Interestingly, tourists have only been visiting Gocta for the past 15 or so years after these falls were revealed to the outside world by a German explorer – although, they obviously had been known to the locals for far longer!

Although the view from nearby Cocachimna is spectacular in itself, the six-hour hike to the forceful spray at their base is definitely worth it – although the route can be particularly muddy.

For even more intrepid, Indiana Jones-types, nearby Yumbilla Falls is similarly dramatic – and receives far less footfall.

At 896 meters, these waterfalls are actually higher than Gocta and it’s a short five kilometers on foot from the trailhead to reach the base of the first section of falls.

3. Kuélap

For treasure seekers, Peru’s long history of developed civilizations doesn’t end with the likes of Machu Picchu and other Inca sites in the south – and explains why I think Peru is one of the best countries in South America to visit for those seeking fascinating archaeological sites.

The jewel in northern Peru’s crown is the archaeological site of Kuélap , a partially-restored citadel installed on a lofty plateau in a mountain above the Uctubamba Valley.

The city’s construction dates remain unknown, but it’s thought to be anywhere up to 1,000 years older than the country’s more famous Inca constructions.

It also boasts enormous 20-meter-high stone walls surrounding what was formerly an extensive city.

Around 500 circular stone houses, many decorated with relief motifs remain. On a tour of the site, you learn about how, at the center of these buildings, a stone cellar would have been used to store the mummies of their dead. 

One of the main things to do here is take the new cable car system up to the fortress or you can even arrive how the Chachapoya would have done – with a sweaty and steep four-hour climb from the valley below. 

Forget the Inca Trail in the south of Peru: the Cordillera Blanca and Parque Nacional Huascarán make Huaraz the country’s hiking and climbing capital.

Jagged, ice-sheathed mountains bow into aquamarine lakes and high-altitude hiking trails climb up between the two, offering truly spectacular scenery and a glimpse of delicate vicuña and soaring condors.

The region’s most popular hikes include the one-day Laguna 69 trail and the four-day Santa Cruz trek, both of which climb into the mountains to reach picturesque – and truly photogenic – glacial lakes.

For more experienced hikers, consider heading south to the far less visited Cordillera Huayhuash, where the 14-day (and 186-kilometer) Huayhuash Trek promises high-altitude passes and stunning mountain scenery.

All can be reached from Huaraz, where comfortable mountain lodges offer lodgings.

5. Lima’s dining scene

Visiting Peru without spending some quality time in its capital would be a damn shame. A chaotic, concrete jungle intertwined with majestic colonial architecture, pre-Colombian remains, and a buzzing cultural scene, Lima is well equipped for a charm offensive.

Eat your way across South America’s gastronomic capital (pisco sours and ceviche are just the beginning…), being sure to venture beyond the sprawling beach and luxury shops and bars of tourist-popular Miraflores to the colonial city center and the hipster hangout of Barranco (craft beer included) to experience the other faces of this charismatic city.

Make sure you stop in for lunchtime ceviche ( Peru’s stable dish ) at La Mar and enjoy some criolla music at the famed Del Carajo , a peña (a late-night traditional music venue and bar) packed with local Limeños.

And check out our review of Selina for your guide to where to stay in Lima .

6. The Sacred Valley

The fertile valley sprawling outwards from the Urubamba river is famed for its arresting beauty and – for some – its healing energy.

The valley is peppered with wellness retreats offering everything from yoga and meditation to plant healing ceremonies such as the notorious ayahuasca , as well as fascinating Incan ruins and picturesque towns.

While the town of Ollantaytambo is a key destination on the local tourism circuit (and an interesting place to visit in the Sacred Valley ) as it’s the starting point of the Inca Trail, Pisac hosts a great market, really fascinating archeological site from the Inca, and an epic foam fight during the annual Carnival celebrations – which are more interesting than those in nearby Cusco.

You’ll also find plenty of places to stay in the Sacred Valley , which, at a lower altitude than Cusco, is a great place to acclimatize to the high elevations of the region.

I’ve never eaten at Mil , the expensive restaurant run by acclaimed Peruvian chef Virgilio Martínez, but it’s on my list to return- it looks incredible!

7. The Colca Canyon

Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon but not nearly as famous, Cañon del Colca (Colca Canyon) boasts dramatic scenery and pre-Colombian agricultural terraces built into its sheer sides and has quickly established itself as a Peruvian landmark that you don’t want to miss.

It is one of the best places in South America to spot endangered Andean Condors, which can be seen gliding between rocky cliffs in the skies above, most visibly from the Mirador Cruz del Condor.

As an entry point to the western side of the canyon, the small town of Cabanaconde may be reached by a 3.5-hour bus journey from Arequipa, and from here, a two-day hike sees you plunge down into the depths of the canyon.

In the evening, take a relaxing dip in the swimming pools of the lush Paraiso Las Palmeras Lodge  (S/133 ($40 USD) double) before an early – and lung-busting – climb back out again the next morning.

8. Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán

All things that glitter aren’t gold – well, that’s what they say, at least. In the Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán , a museum in the northern town of Lambayeque, you can be guaranteed that practically everything you see is in fact gold .

I remain baffled by the fact that this remarkable museum remains so off the radar for most visitors to Pedru. Dedicated to the Mochica culture, which flourished along the northern Peruvian coast between 100 and 700 AD, this museum is considered one of the finest in South America.

It contains three floors of remarkable gold and silver jewelry, headdresses, and other artifacts that were buried in the tomb of El Señor de Sipán – a Mochicha ruler. A recreation of his tomb is one of the museum’s main exhibits.

You can even visit the original archaeological site located south of Chiclayo, although the museum contains just replicas of the artifacts shown in Lambayeque.

9. Puerto Maldonado and the Tambopata National Reserve

Puerto Maldonado, the small, sweltering city where the Tambopata and Madre de Dios rivers converge, is perhaps the most quickly accessible point of entry to the secluded rainforests of the Amazon basin, particularly for those on a short Peru vacation.

The infrastructure in this part of the Amazon is also far superior to many other entry points, including those in Bolivia and Colombia.

An overnight bus or short plane journey from Cusco brings you to the humid city, before motoring upstream to a jungle lodge.

Stay at the fantastic Tambopata Research Center  ($236 USD double), located in the Tambopata National Reserve, for piranha fishing, nocturnal hiking, birdwatching, ayahuasca rituals, and more.

Just a word to the wise: don’t forget your mosquito repellent.

10. Museo Larco, Lima

40,000 ceramics jostle for space on the shelves of the singular Museo Larco  in Lima’s Pueblo Libre neighborhood.

If you’re curious about Peru’s history of pottery, there’s no better place, with the exhibits covering a staggering 4,000 years of Peruvian civilization.

But, what the museum is perhaps better known for is its collection of Mochica erotic pottery.

Yup, the Mochica had a penchant for recreating sexual acts through ceramics and you’re guaranteed to spend a few hours chuckling at some of the more explicit pieces.

Cusco is the centerpiece of Peruvian tourism, both in its own right as the ancient Incan capital and as a pit-stop on the way to the South American tourist’s holy grail, Machu Picchu .

As Peru’s most popular city for tourists, Cusco’s eccentric charm is born from a bizarre fusion of colorful Andean tradition and contemporary intensive tourism. I enjoyed living there for six months back in 2017 – although, getting asked by the guy dressed as an Inca if I wanted to pay for a photo with him every single day did get a little old.

In between gargantuan Incan stone walls, spot brightly adorned, sour-faced llamas, vaguely traumatic stacks of roasted guinea pigs, and local entrepreneurs pushing their wares, from sports massages to (fake) alpaca jumpers.

While it’s hard to find an unexplored inch in the old town, the Baratillo market on a Saturday is an opportunity to escape the throngs of tourists and experience Cusco like a local, while the city’s historic sites – particularly Q’orikancha, an Inca temple overlaid with a 17th-century church – are well worth the visit.

Read my recommended Cusco itineraries for further inspiration.

There are also world-class rapids in the nearby Apurimac and Urubamba rivers (we recommend going white water rafting with local experts and B Corp, Amazonas Explorer – mention Worldly Adventurer for a 5% discount on all of their tours).

12. Trujillo

Peru’s northern capital Trujillo is perhaps the country’s most charming city that you’ve never heard of. A pretty, palm-dotted Plaza de Armas gives on to streets filled with colonial churches and restored old mansions painted in cheerful pastel shades.

But it’s beyond the city’s boundaries where Trujillo’s truly fascinating history lies, in the form of an array of ancient, pre-Inca archaeological sites.

The most famous is the UNESCO World Heritage Chan Chan , the largest adobe city ever discovered on earth, thought to have been home to 60,000 people as part of the Chimú Empire around 850 AD.

Nowadays, you can explore the site, observing the fish and bird motifs on its restored mud walls.

South of Trujillo, the huacas de la Luna and del Sol are two Moche temples, the former of which contains striking relief murals depicting grizzly religious ceremonies; the Moche were known for their use of human sacrifices to appease the gods. 

The Complejo Arqueológico El Brujo , a museum showcasing the remains of and treasures buried with a female shaman from the Moche culture is also a must-visit. Her mummified remains show tattoos of spiders, snakes, and marine animals.

It is one of the most interesting museums I’ve ever visited in Peru – and no one seems to know about it!

13. Lobitos

If you’re planning a trip to Peru and seeking sea, sand, and – mostly importantly – surf, few destinations can compete with Lobitos.

Situated 72 kilometers south of the better-known Máncora, Lobitos is Peru’s most up-and-coming surfing destination.

It also offers a welcome escape from the hordes of tourists now covering the beaches of the former.

There’s not much to do here other than appreciate the coral-white sands and crystal waters at the beach or rent a board and enjoy consistent swells of up to 7ft, with June the month with the biggest waves.

There are plenty of cozy guesthouses, many, such as the spectacular Buenavista (S/100 ($30 USD) double), that is run by former pro-surfers and offer irresistibly relaxed atmospheres.  

If you do want to visit Mancora, which is known for its kite surfing, I much preferred staying outside of the town. Most of the region’s luxury hotels are situated two kilometers south at Las Pocitas, or Punta Sal, the same distance north, where white sand beaches and far fewer crowds point towards a truly affordable paradise.

Try the stunning cabins of KiChic  (S/900 ($270 USD) double) or the truly remote bungalows at Yemaya (S/420 ($126 USD) double) – both of which are right on the beach.

13. Lake Titicaca

The colossal Lake Titicaca (Lago Titicaca) – one of the biggest in South America and the highest navigable lake in the world – is a popular stop on a tour of Peru.

The small city of Puno is gritty to say the least, however, if you’re planning a day trip to the Uros Islands, around 120 remarkable islands hand built from reeds by the Uros people.

When I visited, I found the tours overly touristy and not really how I like to travel – however, since then, it’s possible to stay overnight on the islands and experience what it’s like to sleep on reed furniture on a reed island. This one is very fancy and definitely a less-than-traditional experience; this one is a much more relaxed, local option.

Beyond the Uros Islands, the lake is full of secluded corners to explore ancient ruins, discover local traditions, and take in the fresh air and ruggedly beautiful landscape. A homestay on Amantini island is a great way to experience (non-floating) island life firsthand.

14. The Rainbow Mountains

A relatively new discovery for Peru’s tourism industry, most of the time you only hear about one “rainbow mountain”: Vinicunca.

Day trips from Cusco bus 1,000 tourists here every day armed with smartphones to snap that Instagram-perfect picture of the mountain’s colorful sedimentary stripes (filters abound).

This breakneck baptism into mass tourism has not come without some unpleasant side effects, including poor-quality tours, a rapidly degrading trail, and the destruction of natural habitats.

A one or preferably two-day trip to Palccoyo, the “other rainbow mountain”, offers a more sustainable – and enjoyable – experience. Again, Amazonas Explorers are a brilliant responsible operator with whom to do this trip (and will give you a 5% discount if you mention Worldly Adventurer when enquiring).

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Got a longer trip? Consider these places too

15. choquequirao.

If you don’t want to share your Incan experience with 2,500 other tourists, skip Machu Picchu and head off the radar to Choquequirao – Peru’s least-known mountain-top fortress.

Although it was once a magnificent site thought to be around the same size as Machu Picchu, only 30% of the site has yet been excavated and it’s distinguished by its huge terraces decorated with white-stone llamas.

Getting here is a tough but magnificent four-day round trek that sets out from the town of Cachora, but the infrastructure is currently being constructed to make Choquequirao more easily accessible – so if you want to have this place to yourself, get there ASAP.

It’s fair to say that it’s one of South America’s best – and most unmissable – hikes . To do it, we recommend Amazonas Explorers , who have scheduled departures on the first Sunday of each month.

They aren’t the cheapest company available, but they offer a really high level of service, a committed to sustainability as a B-Corp, and have English-speaking guides. Mention us for a 5% discount on their tours.

16. The Nazca Lines

The UNESCO-World-Heritage-Site Nazca Lines trail Machu Picchu for the title of Peru’s most iconic tourist attraction.

To get an eyeful of these baffling, gigantic, ancient geoglyphs etched into the floor of the Nazca desert, first reach Nazca – a 7-hour bus journey from Lima – then arrange your viewing method of choice (options include from viewing tower, nearby mountains, or plane).

I enjoyed the Nazca Lines, but it’s out of the way of many of the country’s other sights, meaning a lengthy detour on your trip, plus the flights (definitely the only way to really see the geoglyphs properly) can be expensive.

17. Manu National Park

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an area of globally unrivaled biodiversity , uniquely located at the meeting point of the tropical Andes and the Peruvian Amazon basin.

Reachable from Cusco by plane or a lengthy (over 17 hours) but incredibly scenic route via road and boat, or from Puerto Maldonado (4-6 hours by boat), entrance to the park is only permitted through an established tour operator.

Visitors are in with a chance of spotting elusive big cats and rare species including the giant armadillo and the giant river otter.

18. Arequipa

Signature white buildings set against a skyline dominated by the deceptively serene-looking Misti volcano make Arequipa Peru’s picturesque urban gem.

The country’s second biggest city, though just a tenth the size of sprawling, chaotic Lima, Arequipa holds its own in terms of heritage, culture, and – importantly – cuisine: pop into a local picantería to sample regional favorites such as chupe de camarones and rocoto relleno.

Adrenaline seekers can also hike to the top of one of Peru’s most easily accessible summits, that of Volcano Misti, which sits right behind the city. The hike takes roughly two days to check out the sizzling crater and enjoy stunning views over Arequipa and the Laguna de Salinas.

Find out other things to do in Arequipa in our extensive travel guide to the city and pick your accommodation with this article about where to stay in Arequipa .

19. Leymebamba

On a trip to Peru, you soon learn that there’s one thing you can expect to see in practically all museums you visit: mummies. And for the oddest collection, the Museo de Leymebamba is the winner.

This pretty village just 80 kilometers south of Chachapoyas is home to a troop of 219 mummies – buried by the Chachapoyas people some 800 years ago.

Although most remain wrapped in their original textile coverings, others are bare and seem to make eye contact with you through the (secured!) glass window.

The museum has a range of other artifacts, spanning the Chachapoya and later the Inca.

What’s more, you can still visit the site where the remarkable collection of mummies was discovered. Laguna de los Cóndores is a 38-kilometer hike from the town and the clifftop tombs where the mummies were originally interred are still visible. 

20. Chavín de Huantar

Built sometime around 900 BC, the UNESCO world heritage Chavín de Huantar is a spectacular temple complex pertaining to the Chavín cult, which once housed around 3,000 priests at its peak in 300 BC.

This cult was established around the worship of a fanged, feline deity and its followers were enthusiastic takers of hallucinogenic drugs, namely the San Pedro cactus.

Many of the relief carvings still dotted around this vast archaeological site depict drug-inspired beings. However, to see the Tello Obelisk and Estela de Raimondi, pillars of polished granite with intricate carvings demonstrating the Chavín cult’s exceptional craftsmanship, you’ll have to head to the Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Peru in Lima.  

Although some parts of the ruins are in a poor state due to earthquake and flood damage, Chavín de Huantar is one of the country’s finest – and most important – sites.

It certainly merits the bumpy and terrifying at times four-hour bus journey from Huaraz – which also offers dramatic views of the Callejón de Conchucos.  

21. Paracas National Reserve

A four-hour bus journey from Lima brings you to Paracas , one of the largest desert reserves in South America and which also encompasses coast and ocean, making it the perfect place to escape the chaos of the metropolis.

Explore hidden coves with turquoise waters and relax on the red-hued sandy beach of Playa Roja or keep your eyes peeled for abundant bird life, including pelicans and even flamingos on the northern coast of the reserve .

Just outside the reserve, boat excursions take you to the Islas Ballestas to spot Humbolt penguins, sea lions, humpback whales, and many other species.

It’s well-known as the “poor man’s Galapagos” and while it does offer a good opportunity to spot lots of wildlife, it’s a bit of a distance from Peru’s main sights and doesn’t warrant visiting unless you really want to see penguins.

Need help planning your trip to Peru?

My custom-designed itinerary planning service is all you need to plan a trip of a lifetime to one of South America’s most beguiling locations. Check out my Peru trip planning service for more information about how it works.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to book your trip to Peru through a local operator, check out this 15-day Best of Magical Peru tour from our trusted partner in Peru, Valencia Travel.

Hitting the country’s absolute highlights, this incredible tour will take you to unmissable Peruvian destinations including Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley, Arequipa, Puno, and the Amazon Jungle.

22. Cajamarca

Cajamarca is one of northern Peru’s finest cities to visit. It found its place in Peruvian history as the city where the Inca Emperor Atahualpa was captured and killed by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro and his forces. 

Nowadays, this photogenic colonial city is jam-packed full of tourist attractions.

Head to its wide, landscaped Plaza de Armas to admire several elaborately carved Plateresque Baroque churches before continuing onto the final surviving Inca relic, a small, stone room where – legend has it – the ransom to free Atahualpa was stored.

Thousands of gold artifacts were brought here, purportedly reaching up to the line still visible on the aged walls.

Although most traces of the Inca have long since disappeared, you can still bathe like Inca royalty in the nearby Baños del Inca, a site containing pre-Inca thermal pools for a relaxing plunge.

Back in the city, the private collection at the Casa Museo Nicolás Puga takes you far further back into Peru’s pre-Hispanic times with its spellbinding array of Nazca, Paracas, Mochica, and Chavín stone artifacts and textiles.

Finally, a range of peñas (a classic Peruvian bar filled with liquor and criollo beats) brings you right up to modern-day Peru.

If you thought you knew anything about Peru’s ancient civilizations, then think again. Situated just inland in the Supe Valley, a three-hour bus journey north of Lima, Caral is the oldest city in the Americas.

Dating back to around 5,000 years old, it’s thought that construction started here around the same time as the Great Pyramid of Giza – although archaeological work didn’t begin until 1996.

The Caral culture was officially the oldest civilization ever uncovered in the Americas. 

Since then, six stone pyramids, many with a ceremonial purpose, and another 14 other buildings have been uncovered – with most of the site remarkably preserved for its age.

It’s easiest to visit with a tour from Lima, although public transport to Supe and then onward to Caral is also possible. 

24. Santuario de la Virgen del Rosario de Polloc

You probably wouldn’t think to stop at the tiny rural village of Polloc, a forty-minute bus journey on the road out of Cajamarca towards Chachapoyas. But trust me – you should. 

Tucked away from the main road, the murals adorning the Santuario de la Virgen del Rosario glint in the sunshine, which reflects off the thousands of small ceramic and glass tiles that wrap its external walls.

This tiny, colorful church definitely ranks among the most spectacular things to see in Peru – and one of the most hidden. 

Designed in greens, blues, and golds, a vast mosaic depicting nativity scenes and other religious events decorates the church’s exterior walls, continuing inside for a dazzling spectacle.

Interestingly, these striking murals are evidence of over ten long years of work – all completed by the patient hands of the church (and adjoining school’s) students.

FAQs about visiting Peru

Which part of peru should i visit.

Most visitors head to the south-east of Peru in order to head to the Sacred Valley and spend time at the archaeological wonder that is Machu Picchu , before potentially heading across to Lake Titicaca or down to Arequipa to explore the surrounding volcanic landscapes and Colca Canyon. 

However, if you’re looking for a destination with far fewer tourists, consider visiting the north of Peru. This region is packed with archaeological sites, such as Kuélap , that receive far fewer visitors but are significantly older than Machu Picchu!

What is the prettiest place in Peru?

It’s hard to pick just one! Machu Picchu is definitely a dramatic sight to see, regardless of the season, while the surrounding Sacred Valley is particularly pretty and green during the months of April and May following the rainy season. 

Another pretty place is the Pacific Coast, where white sand beaches in the resorts of Mancora and further north look out onto azure ocean.

What is the best place in Peru?

It really depends on what you want to do! If you’re into archaeological sites, then Machu Picchu and northern Peru (particularly around Trujillo, Chiclayo, and Chachapoyas ) are the best places to visit. If you want to hike, the high mountains of the Cordillera Blanca that are accessible from Huaraz will be more up your street. 

The Peruvian Amazon, particularly the Manu Biosphere Reserve close to Madre de Dios, is the best place in Peru for spying wildlife, including chatty monkeys, bizarre pink river dolphins, and even secretive jaguars.

What is Peru famous for?

Peru is most famous for Machu Picchu, a stone citadel located high in the mountains above the Sacred Valley that was built by the Inca. Peru is also famous for its cuisine; it’s considered to be home to some of the finest dishes in the world, including ceviche and even roast guinea pig.

Want more? 

Get more inspiration with our guide for a two-week to two-month and get all the information you need for planning a trip to Peru with The Rough Guide to Peru , for which, Steph, the founder of Worldly Adventurer, was one of the contributors. 

If you’re considering visiting Peru and want to escape the crowds or just want expert advice about the best destinations, hotels, and activities to do during your vacation, check out the Worldly Adventurer travel planning service for a custom-made itinerary tailored exactly to you and your upcoming trip. 

You can also read our guide to when to visit Peru for information on the weather you can expect during different parts of the year and which month is best for planning your trip, as well as our guide to how much you can expect to spend exploring Peru .

Tuesday 9th of July 2019

Wow! Very Good, informative article for anyone who wants to see more of Peru than the classic tourist route! Thank you! I've been backpacking Peru for a while, and literally loved the country! My favourite places are Huaraz region (and of course, Laguna 69) and the Rainbow Mountain hike!

Steph Dyson

Thursday 11th of July 2019

Glad you found the article helpful! Steph

18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Peru

Written by Lana Law Updated Oct 14, 2022

Peru is a country of history, culture, beauty, and adventure, with a full spectrum of possibilities for travelers. The ancient Inca City of Machu Picchu is one of the highlights of any trip to South America, but there is much more to discover throughout Peru.

You can take a boat trip on the highest navigable lake in the world, look out over one of the deepest canyons in the world, try your luck sandboarding in the dunes, hike in the Andes, or fish for piranha in the Amazon . Other attractions and things to do in Peru include exploring the mysteries of the Nazca lines, walking through ancient ruins in the Sacred Valley , or experiencing modern Peru while wandering the streets of Lima.

The diversity of the landscape, the people, and the experiences here make Peru one of the most unique destinations on the continent. Find the best places to visit with our list of the top tourist attractions in Peru.

1. Machu Picchu

2. the inca trail, 3. cusco's architectural treasures, 4. lake titicaca, 5. colca canyon (cañon del colca), 6. nazca lines, 7. the sacred valley, 8. ollantaytambo, 9. arequipa's historical city center, 10. puerto maldonado and the amazon, 11. lima's historic center, 12. ica and the sand dunes at huacachina, 13. pisco and the ballestas islands (islas ballestas), 14. sillustani, 15. barranco, 16. cordillera blanca, 17. saqsaywaman, 18. salcantay.

Perched high upon a ridge, 300 meters above the Urubamba River, the majestic Inca City of Machu Picchu is one of the most dramatic settings of a ruined city anywhere in the world. Almost as impressive as the ruins themselves is the spectacular backdrop of steep, lush, and often cloud-shrouded mountains.

Standing near the caretaker's hut, looking out over Machu Picchu, the jungle-covered mountains, and the river far below, you can imagine why the Incas chose this place to build their city.

Hiram Bingham came across Machu Picchu in 1911 and believed until his death that it was the "Lost City of the Incas," first documented by Spanish soldiers in the 1500s. However, historians believe the real lost city of the Incas was at Espíritu Pampa, a ruin Bingham knew of but discounted as being insignificant.

The journey is also part of the experience of visiting Machu Picchu, whether it's by hiking the Inca Trail or seeing the route by train. In either case, it's impossible not to be inspired by the scenery. Trains leave from Cusco , Ollantaytambo , or Urubamba to Aguas Calientes .

From Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu, a bus takes you up to Machu Picchu, about a 20-minute drive along a harrowing switchback road. It is possible to walk up this road to the site, but this is a long, uphill climb and not recommended.

The admission rules are that you must tour with a guide, you must follow a set tour route. You also have to enter the park at a designated time. Be aware that many websites say they sell tickets, but be sure to go to the official site .

The high season is June to August, but the two months on either side of this also see decent weather and can be a good time to visit with fewer crowds.

Read More: Best World Heritage Sites

The famous Inca Trail is a four-day hike, which terminates at Machu Picchu , and is regarded by many as the highlight of their trip to Peru. This scenic trail is often more demanding than what many people are expecting, but it's also rewarding and one of the most popular things to do in Peru.

A couple of different starting points for the Inca Trail exist, but the traditional four-day hike begins at km 82 of the Cusco - Aguas Calientes rail line. From this point, the trail passes more than 30 Inca ruins and traverses through spectacular scenery. The most difficult portion of the trail is the second day of the hike, with a climb of 1,200 meters in elevation gain and two high passes.

The hike must be done with an agency, and reservations should be booked well in advance, particularly in the high season of June to August.

Some agencies offer a shorter version of the hike , which entails either the last two days or just the last day of the hike. There are campgrounds at intervals along the trail and one at the base of Machu Picchu.

Depending on the type of tour, hikers can either carry their own backpack or have it transported for them. The daily number of hikers and porters on the trail is strictly enforced.

Walking through the streets of Cusco is like wandering through a museum, with history built upon history in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inca ruins have been used in the foundations of many of the lovely old colonial buildings lining the narrow roads, showcasing the city's long history.

The main square, Plaza de Armas , in the city center is home to the Cathedral and La Compania , two equally impressive structures. The square is also a great place to start a walking tour, grab a meal, or people watch during the day.

And while there are countless buildings and museums worth visiting, the church of Santo Domingo, resting on the ruins of the Inca site of Coricancha, is one of Cusco's must-see attractions.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Cusco

The sparkling blue water of Lake Titicaca is surrounded by rolling hills and traditional small villages. The lake area is a mix of beautiful scenery and culture that sets it apart from other regions of the country. Sitting at 3,820 meters above sea level, Lake Titicaca is known for being the highest navigable lake in the world.

A boat trip to the islands and surrounding villages is the best way to appreciate the lake. One of the main tourist attractions is the Uros Floating Islands (Islas Flotantes), which sustain small communities of Uros Indians. These are man-made islands constructed of reeds that have sustained a traditional way of life since the time of the Incas.

What you'll see on tours to these islands is designed for tourism, but it does offer a glimpse into a traditional way of life. The floating islands are only one very small part of Lake Titicaca's attraction, with the real charm lying in the small villages in the hills along the shores of Titicaca and on the main islands of Isla Taquile and Isla Amantani .

The main gateway to Lake Titicaca is the city of Puno , where you'll find hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. There are trains and buses to Puno and flights in and out of the nearby city of Juliaca.

Although it was once thought to be the deepest canyon in the world, Colca Canyon (Cañon del Colca), twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, is the second deepest after nearby Cotahuasi Canyon . The canyon reaches a depth of 3,400 meters and is the result of a seismic fault between two volcanoes. At the base far below is a winding river.

The Colca Canyon area has been inhabited for thousands of years and was home to the Collagua, Cabana, and eventually the Inca peoples. Stone terracing along the canyon walls dates to AD 800 and is still in use today.

The canyon is about a four-hour drive from Arequipa . Day trips to the canyon are available from Arequipa but two or more days are recommended considering the driving time involved in accessing the canyon. Besides gazing out at the canyon, there are also hot springs, churches, villages, and Inca ruins to explore. Condors are also a big attraction in Colca Canyon as they soar past the cliff walls.

The mysterious Nazca lines are an unusual sight that will leave you with a sense of awe. These huge images on the desert floor were relatively undiscovered until planes flying over the area in the 1920s saw the lines from the air and realized they formed distinct patterns and images.

Until that time there was some recognition of the hillside drawings near Nazca and Paracas, which can be seen from ground level. However, the huge drawings on the flat desert floor are so large that it requires an aerial view to be appreciated.

From the air, it is possible to see 70 different plant and animal drawings as well as hundreds of lines and other geometrical shapes. Some of these lines stretch as long as 10 kilometers, and they are spread over hundreds of square kilometers. Most notable among the figures are a lizard measuring 180 meters long, a condor with a 130-meter wingspan, and several others that include a monkey, hummingbird, killer whale, and spider.

Although it is not known exactly who created the lines or how and why, theories hold that the lines were the product of the Paracas and Nazca cultures sometime between 900 BC and AD 600. Why they were created is the subject of much debate. Some of the theories put forward suggest the lines were a type of astronomical calendar for agriculture, an alien landing pad, a running track, walkways joining ceremonial sites, or part of a water cult.

The lines were created by removing the dark surface layer of stones and piling them at the sides of the lines, creating a contrast between the dark stones and the exposed lighter soil below. Flights can be booked in advance or on a walk-in, first-come first-serve basis.

Approximately four kilometers outside of Nazca are the Cantalloc Aqueducts . Built around AD 300 to 600, the aqueducts were designed to provide a year-round water source for the area. They conduct water from the mountain springs down to Nazca by means of underground canals. Some of the Cantalloc Aqueducts are still used by farmers in the area.

Also of interest in the area is the Cemetery of Chauchilla, which contains Nazca remains and mummies.

Less than an hour's drive north of Cusco is the beautiful Sacred Valley and the towns of Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. This fertile valley has many Inca ruins worth exploring but is also a peaceful area to spend some time wandering through markets or soaking up local culture.

Among the highlights in the valley are the Pisac Ruins and the Sunday Market in Pisac (smaller market days are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays). Here, you'll find an amazing selection of local handicrafts.

A little out of the way but worth the trip is the town of Moray with circular terracing used as an agricultural testing area by the Incas. You've probably seen photos of the perfectly circular terraces on social media sites and other tourist sites.

Researchers feel that this innovative style of farming was the Inca's version of a greenhouse. Different levels and different areas had warmer or cooler temperatures along with more or less sun. Moray is located near the small village of Maras and is at a gasp-inducing elevation of 11,500 feet.

While visiting Moray, be sure to stop in and see the salt mines at Salinas . These fascinating mines have been in use since the time of the Incas. The Salinas mines produce a sought-after pink color salt along with traditional white salt.

The intricate set up of the salt mines is the main attraction here. The high-saline-content water emerges from a spring at the top of the mine and is routed through a complex set of canals through square evaporation ponds.

An ideal place to snap a photo is from the top of the salt ponds, where you'll have the white salt ponds juxtaposed against the backdrop of the green valley in the distance.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Sacred Valley, Peru

The ruins and fortress at the beautiful little town of Ollantaytambo should be on your list of places to see when visiting the Sacred Valley. The town is very walkable and fun to explore. Like Pisac, it's home to an excellent assortment of vendors selling handmade handicrafts.

It's a photogenic spot with two imposing Inca ruins towering over the village. Take a bit of time to wander up the hill and explore the ruins. Highlights include the impressive Wall of the Six Monoliths and the Bath of the Princess. Nearby are the Terraces of Pumatillis and the Pinkuylluna, an ancient storehouse.

Arequipa, at more than 2,300 meters, is often regarded as Peru's most beautiful city. Set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, the city center is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arequipa's main claim to fame is the old architecture constructed of sillar stone, a volcanic rock that radiates a bright color in the sunlight. Most of the colonial buildings in the historic city center are made from this stone, giving rise to its nickname of the "white city."

Arequipa is also often a stopping-off point for those looking to visit the Colca Canyon (Cañon del Colca), which is about a four hour's drive from the city.

Just a half hour flight from Cusco, Puerto Maldonado is a key jumping-off point for tours of the Amazon . This is a completely different experience than what you will find in other parts of Peru, with hot humid jungle and a chance to see all kinds of unique wildlife. Caimans, capybara, monkeys, parrots, turtles, and piranhas are what you can expect to find in this part of the country.

The Reserva Nacional Tambopata and the Parque Nacional Bahuaja Sonene are the two main attractions, and they are well serviced by a number of jungle lodges. The Reserva Nacional Tambopata jungle lodges are approximately a one-hour boat ride from Puerto Maldonado. Parque Nacional Bahuaja Sonene is across the river from the Parque Nacional Madidi in Bolivia and takes about four hours to reach by boat. Tours typically range from a couple of days to week-long adventures.

Lima's Historic Center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city was founded in the 1500s and, although many of the original structures were destroyed, it still holds significant historical value and is a beautiful place to wander around.

One of the most pleasant places to visit in Lima is the main square, Plaza de Armas (Plaza Mayor), in the heart of the city's historic district. A majority of the structures were rebuilt following the devastating earthquake of 1746. The highlights around the Plaza de Armas are the cathedral on the east side and Government Palace (Palacio del Gobierno) on the north side. Also of interest are the Archbishop's Palace and the Casa del Oidor .

Leading off the square is the pedestrian street, Jiron de la Union , with shops, restaurants, and the historic Iglesia de La Merced .

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Lima

For the sporting type looking to try something a little different, the oasis resort of Huacachina on the outskirts of Ica has just the answer. This picture-perfect, palm-fringed resort town just west of Ica is situated around a lagoon surrounded by huge sand dunes, some of which reach 1,000 meters in height.

People come here to try out the sport of sandboarding. Similar to snowboarding, sandboarding involves surfing down the sand dunes on specially made sand-boards, which can be rented in the area. For the less coordinated, renting dune buggies is another great way to get out and enjoy the landscape.

Ica is slightly higher than the ocean and consequently is not affected by the usual coastal mist like other towns along this stretch. The town has a year-round sunny and dry climate, making it a good place to visit at any time.

The main reason to come to Pisco, about 200 kilometers south of Lima, is to see the nearby Islas Ballestas and the Reserva Nacional de Paracas on the Paracas Peninsula . Almost directly west of Pisco, the Islas Ballestas, sometimes referred to as the "poor man's Galapagos ," are home to hundreds of thousands of birds, large colonies of sea lions, pelicans, penguins, and dolphins.

Boat tours from Paracas and Pisco, which visit the islands daily, leave in the morning. The full tour takes you past the "Candelabra," a hillside geoglyph seen from the coast, and then spends a considerable amount of time boating around the islands watching for wildlife. This tour is generally a half-day trip, returning around noon.

The Paracas Peninsula , jutting out into the Pacific Ocean just south of Pisco, is home to the Reserva Nacional Paracas and the largest section of protected coastline in Peru. The shoreline of the Paracas Peninsula supports a huge variety of wildlife, with approximately 200 species of seabirds, two types of sea lions, a rare type of otter, and the endangered Humboldt penguins.

Sillustani, outside the city of Puno and not far from Lake Titicaca , is the site of some of the area's most impressive funerary towers (chullpas). Standing as high as 12 meters, these structures were built by the Colla people around AD 600 to bury their nobility. Entire families, along with food and personal possessions, were buried in these cylinders.

Most of the towers are set in a scenic area along the bank of Lake Umayo, just walk up a hill from the parking lot to the plateau above. The towers stand at the far end of the field with the lake behind. Below the parking lot is a small marshy lake where locals can be seen poling along in their boats, harvesting reeds.

The quaint hillside district of Barranco, just south of Central Lima and Miraflores, is a charming area within easy commuting distance of downtown Lima. With unassuming colorful colonial architecture lining the narrow streets and hillside ocean views, the area offers a much more relaxed pace than the city.

The area has long been popular with artists and poets, giving it a Bohemian feel. This is a great place to wander in the afternoon or enjoy a meal, particularly at sunset, at one of the restaurants overlooking the ocean. Besides the atmosphere, the one main tourist attraction in Barranco is the Puente de Los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs) .

A stunning area of mountains and valleys, the Cordillera Blanca draws mountain climbers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. The Cordillera Blanca is home to Peru's highest peak, Huascaran. Also located in the same area of the Andes are sixteen other mountains over 6,000 meters in height.

Getting here takes a bit of work, and you need to be well prepared if you are planning an excursion into the heart of this region. The weather is extremely changeable; it can be snowing one minute and then blazing hot the next.

Some of the most notable treks include the Santa Cruz, the Alpamayo, and the Rurec Shaqsha. The best time to visit is from April through to October.

If you are staying in Cusco, an afternoon or day trip to nearby Saqsaywaman is definitely in order. This site with its towering monoliths of rock is located high above the city at a gasp-inducing altitude of 3,701 meters (12,142 feet).

The site is notable for the massive blocks that have been intricately fitted together without the use of mortar. It's due to this incredible feat of engineering that the fortress walls have been able to survive devastating earthquakes that have destroyed parts of nearby Cusco.

The spectacular mountain peak known as Salcantay is fast becoming a "go-to" hiking destination in Peru. Towering above the surrounding landscapes, the 20,574-foot-high peak is jaw-droppingly beautiful but fortunately not overrun with visitors.

The easiest way to see Salcantay is hike the Salcantay Trail – a 37-mile (60-kilometer) trek that ends at Machu Picchu. Along the way, you'll ascend to 15,190 feet (4,630 meters) above sea level at your highest point, an elevation sure to take your breath away. Don't despair, you can soothe all your sore muscles in the hot springs in Cocalmayo along the way.

More on Peru

The 10 best experiences you can have in Peru

Nov 8, 2023 • 6 min read

From hiking the Inca Trail to surfing on the north coast, here are the best experiences in Peru © Cavan Images / Getty Images

Peru may be known as one of the cradles of ancient civilization, but its topography also makes it a wonderland of adventure.

The icy mountain peaks of the Andes draw trekkers and climbers, the untamed desert coast is lapped by world-class waves for surfers and for explorers, there’s the Amazon – a vast mass of wetlands and rainforest brimming with monkeys, macaws and slinky, rare felines.

Gear up – Peru is a wild ride! Make the most of your trip with our guide to the country's very best experiences.

1. Hike the Inca Trail

A winding footpath climbs from the depths of the Urubamba Valley , through vaporous cloud forests, alongside the ruins of ancient way stations. For the Incas, this roadway was the main entry point to the exquisite estate of Machu Picchu .

For the thousands of travelers who hike the trail every year, it is a pilgrimage – a rugged four-day trek through sumptuous scenery and the final stop is the most spectacular archaeological site in Peru.

Planning tip:  If planning to go during high season (June to September) be sure to purchase your entry ticket to the Inca citadel online and in advance, as waiting to do so in person can run the risk of tickets being sold out.

2. Spend a night on an island in Lake Titicaca

According to Andean belief, Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun. Lay your eyes on the sapphire-colored waters of South America’s largest lake and it’s hard not to feel a certain magic.

Spending the night on one of the floating islands is the best way to experience this place – life in its small rural settlements is lived according to the rhythm of the seasons. The best part? Sunset, surrounded by the lake’s gleaming waters.

3. Kayak through the Amazon rainforest

The Amazon Basin is known for its intense biodiversity and riotous rainforest wilderness. Parque Nacional Manu protects one of its wildest, most remote corners.

Located at the watershed of the Rio Manu, one of the many tributaries that eventually leads to the Amazon River, this wet web of rivers is a feast for wildlife spotting – from tapirs to ocelots to flocks of brilliant, cackling macaws.

Planning tip: Keep in mind that visiting during the high water season (December to May) provides more possibilities to navigate through small tributaries by kayak, whereas the low water season (June to November) is ideal for trekking through the rainforest.

4. Trek the Andes

The Cordillera Blanca , a majestic mountain range at the heart of Peru, can make the most devoted couch potato want to strap on a pack and go.

A network of craggy peaks covered in dollops of gleaming white snow draws dedicated high-altitude trekkers who wind through alpine lakes and diminutive Andean villages. If the altitude doesn’t take your breath away, the vistas certainly will.

Planning tip:  From Lima , take an eight-hour bus ride to the mountain town of  Huaraz – spending a night or two here will help you adjust to the elevation. You’ll find plenty of guides offering treks around the Cordillera Blanca of all lengths and levels of difficulty. Whether it’s the Laguna 69-day hike starting in Cebollapampa, the popular four-day Santa Cruz trek, or the grueling week-long Alpamayo Base Camp trek (both starting in Vaqueria), all of the options are scenic adventures.

5. Look for wildlife on Islas Ballestas

Off the Paracas Peninsula , on the country’s southern coast, the small rocky outcroppings known as the Islas Ballestas don’t look like much from a distance. But hop in a boat and you’ll see an array of wildlife: honking sea lions, preening Humboldt penguins and colonies of Peruvian boobies.

The islands are known as the "poor person’s Galápagos " with good reason – they're spectacular but won't break your budget. On your way back to shore – surely to lunch on ceviche or parihuela (a seafood soup) – ponder the mysterious El Candelabro geoglyph whose origins and meaning are still unknown.

6. Descend into the majestic Cañón Del Colca

The Cañón Del Colca , a four-hour drive from  Arequipa , is a wonderland of Andean panoramas: a deep canyon studded with idyllic villages and mountainsides carved by ancient terraces. Oh, and did we mention the condors that soar on the wind currents?

From Chivay, visitors can explore the canyon on short day hikes or even trek to its floor (some 1219m/4000ft down from the trailhead) and back up again before nightfall. However, it’s recommended to soak in the scenery (and perhaps the hot springs) over the course of a few days.

Planning tip: There’s one thing no traveler should miss while here – the local delicacy known as chupe de camarones , a spicy shrimp bisque.

7. Go surfing along the north coast

Peru’s lengthy coastline – more than 3000km (1864 miles) long – offers a veritable buffet of experiences for the surfing set, with big swells and uncrowded breaks.

For the best curls, wave riders head north up the coast from Lima to the languid settlements of Huanchaco and Chicama, both of which lie just outside of Trujillo (an hour-long flight or an eight-hour bus ride from Lima).

Planning tip:  For guaranteed sun, take it further north to Máncora , where surf, seafood, and the slow pace of life go perfectly together.

8. Visit the mysterious ruins of Kuélap

The Andes are dotted with the remnants of ancient cities. Kuélap ranks among the most magnificent – a walled citadel built by the Chachapoyas people on the crest of a mountain in the northern Peruvian cloud forest.

The views of the Utcubamba Valley are staggering, the ruins are unusual and the journey here through timeless rural settlements is unforgettable.

Planning tip:  There are three options to get to the top of Kuélap – by car (a two-hour drive from Chachapoyas), by foot (a six-hour trek round trip, beginning in Tingo Viejo), or a 20-minute cable car ride.

9. Board down the giant sand dunes of Huacachina

Huacachina , a tiny oasis in the southern Peruvian desert, offers one of the country’s more unusual adrenaline rushes – the opportunity to motor to the top of a dune the size of a small building, strap on a board, then fly down the face of a towering wall of sand.

Not up for boarding? Take on the dunes in a buggy instead. Sitting at any of the bars or restaurants that line the lagoon may be your chance to hear of mermaids, Inca princesses and forlorn lovers – all featured in the local legend of Huacachina's origins.

10. Soar over the ancient Nazca Lines

One of the earth’s greatest mysteries sits quietly on the arid Peruvian coast. The  Nazca Lines  consist of more than 70 ancient glyphs of animals and other shapes that are so big they can only be seen from the air. No one knows their purpose.

For an incredible out-of-body experience, soar in a light aircraft over these pre-Columbian pictograms in the early morning hours.

This article was first published Jun 26, 2019 and updated Nov 8, 2023.

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The 28 Most Beautiful Places in Peru

For many, the shining star of Peru is Machu Picchu —that iconic green peak, towering over ancient ruins is hard to forget. But look a little further—like, 30-minutes-in-any direction further—and you'll find natural beauty, biodiversity, colonial architecture, and pristine archaeological sites throughout the country that are just as remarkable as the iconic Incan ruins. In fact, the only thing these destinations are lacking is press. Here are 28 places, from the otherworldly Amazon rainforest to the red sand beaches of Paracas, that will make you want to pack your bags and canvass the whole of Peru.

Tucked in Peru's Huascarán National Park, the picturesque Lake 69 is one of the country's most compelling natural wonders: the aquamarine pool glistens beneath the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, reflecting the dramatic silhouettes above. To see the vivid blue IRL, grab your hiking boots and head to the nearby town of Huaraz ( LC Peru operates the 75-minute flight from Lima). Local tour companies run day trips, though it's also easy to explore the trails on your own.

Just a few hours south of Lima by car, Huacachina is an unexpected oasis in the Ica desert. This weekend getaway from the big city looks as though it slid off the giant sand dunes surrounding it—a central pond, smattering of palms, and tiny homes pool together to create the tiny town with a population of 100. Rent a sand board or hop on a dune buggy and rumble around the nearby peaks and valleys; for full bragging rights, make sure to summit Cerro Blanco—it's one of the tallest sand dunes in the world.

Colca Canyon

Ask any serious hiker where to go in Peru, and they'll tell you: Machu Picchu is nice, but the Colca Canyon reigns supreme at the top of their bucket lists. Colca Canyon is located in the south of the country (the city of Arequipa serves as its launching pad), and the dramatic crevice is a whopping two miles deep at points. For those keeping tabs, that's double the depth of the Grand Canyon. It's also home to the giant Andean condor, which are often seen gliding through its valleys.

Vinicunca is something of a social media urban legend: not too far from Machu Picchu, you'll find this series of rainbow-colored mountains, with travelers fighting for the same view. It's a manageable day trip from Cusco (you can rent a car or book a tour last minute), and a moderately easy climb once you've acclimated to the altitude. Hurry though—word is out, and tourism to the area is quickly picking up.

Arequipa may be second in size to Lima, but it makes up for the difference in character. This colonial-era city is set right in the Andes between three towering volcanoes, with resplendent architecture made of white volcanic sillar stone. The result? A cityscape unlike any other in Peru. Head to the central Cathedral of Arequipa for some serious architectural eye candy, and make sure to stop in a local picanteria along the way—Arequipa is also known as the culinary capital of the country, with regional dishes as distinctive as its buildings (don't miss the rocoto relleno stuffed peppers).

Perched on Lima's dramatic cliffs, the colorful neighborhood of Barranco boasts sweeping views of the Pacific—and some of the city's most beautiful architecture. Its quiet streets are lined with pristine late 19th-century homes, many of which were originally built as summer houses for the country's well-to-do, but now serve as landing spots for the city's (successful) artists. Some have also been converted into chic boutique hotels, such as the new Villa Barranco .

On the Northern coast of Peru lies Chan Chan, a 20-square-kilometer sprawl of adobe ruins that were once the largest city in the Americas. Today, they are still the largest pre-Colombian ruins in the world, and tourists are welcome to admire the impressive construction. They're reachable via the city of Trujillo, a quick 75-minute flight from Lima.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu needs no introduction: This Wonder of the World attracts over a million tourists per year, and has become so popular the government recently had to introduce restrictions on the number on entrances allowed per day. The ruins, daintily perched atop the flattened peak of a mountain in the Andes, deliver in archaeological and natural beauty. For a view few people receive, grab a ticket to hike Huayna Picchu, the peak behind the ruins, and take it in from a second perspective.

Salkantay Pass

There are a handful of ways to get to Machu Picchu, but the Salkantay Trek is notorious for being the most arduous of them all—and, as it tends to happen, the most rewarding. This journey can take anywhere from four to seven days to complete, and includes about eight hours of walking a day, steep climbs, river crossings, and, if you travel with a luxury outfitter like Mountain Lodges of Peru , comfy stays along the trail that make it manageable. The reward is the breathtaking views—especially those of Salkantay, the highest peak of the Vilcabamba mountain range, which looms over the trail.

Historic Center of Lima

Lima isn't usually winning beauty pageants—even Peruvians will moan about the notoriously grey city, which spends half the year beneath overcast skies. But to its credit, Lima also has precious bursts of colorful, colonial architecture, especially in the downtown historic center. Head to the stately Plaza Mayor and the streets branching off of it: You'll find rows of Baroque, pastel-colored buildings, adorned with dramatic wooden balconies.

Choquequirao

The "next Machu Picchu" trope can be applied to countless archaeological sites throughout Peru—but if there's one location that is most deserving of the moniker, it's Choquequirao. These Incan ruins closely resemble those of Machu Picchu, both in construction and their dramatic placement atop a truncated mountain, yet they delightfully lack the hordes of tourists—for now, that is. These ruins, several hours from the city of Cusco, can only be reached by foot (via a multi-day trek through the jungle), though that may change with the installation of a cable car in the next few years.

Pastoruri Glacier

In the picturesque Cordillera Blanca mountain range, the Pastoruri is one of the few remaining glaciers found in South America's tropical region. The bowl-shaped cirque glacier is currently over three square miles in size, but is rapidly shrinking due to global warming. As local glaciologists work to prevent further reduction, tourists continue to travel from throughout Peru and abroad to witness the glowing mass of ice.

Nazca Lines

A few hours south of Lima, a series of ancient geoglyphs stretch across the red sand of the Ica desert. And when we say stretch, we mean stretch —hundreds of massive designs span around 20-30 miles of sand. The geometric and zoomorphic etchings, created between 500 BCE and 500 CE, were likely drawn by the Nazca people, but the "how" and "why" of their origin story is largely unanswered. The best way to appreciate the lines is by taking a small prop plane tour overhead.

Huascaran National Park

A moody contrast to the lush setting of Machu Picchu, the jagged, snow-capped peaks of Huascarán National Park are easily among Peru's most beautiful sites. Just outside the city of Huaraz, the park is home to most of the Cordillera Blanca (the self-proclaimed highest tropical mountain range in the world), in addition to several glaciers, countless turquoise lakes, and impressive biodiversity—pumas, spectacled bears, and vicunas all walk these hills.

The Andean city of Cusco has long been a jewel in the crown: it oozes colonial charm, from its smooth cobblestone roads to the Baroque architecture of its churches. The city center—a bustling hub of textile markets, preserved Incan ruins, and whitewashed stone homes topped with red-tile roofs—is hugged by rolling hills that lead to attractions like Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Huancaya is a blink-and-you-could-miss-it district in the highlands outside Lima—and most travelers do miss it. But if you're up for the windy, 5-hour drive from Lima, you'll find a cascading network of lakes and rivers without a tourist in sight. Work with a local travel specialist to arrange a day or two of trekking alongside the emerald waters, then come home and let your photos earn you the street cred you deserve.

Cañon de los Perdidos

If you've spent even a minute on Instagram, you're familiar with the red rock waves of Arizona's Antelope Canyon . In southern Peru, you'll find a similar feat of nature: the Cañon de los Perdidos. Trek through the striated stone, carved smooth by a flowing river, just a couple hours from Lima (pair this day trip with a visit to Huacachina).

Ollantaytambo

Sure, the town of Ollantaytambo has been blessed with the same natural beauty as the rest of the Sacred Valley—but look closely at the towering Pinkuylluna mountain that forms its backdrop, and you'll see the real magnum opus: the Pinkuylluna ruins. Clinging to the rock face is a series of stone terraces, supposedly used as shophouses by the Inca in the 15th century. Those willing to make the hair-raising climb up will be rewarded with a bird's eye view of the valley below.

The otherworldly Amazon rainforest stretches over two million square miles—and nine countries—and is home to unparalleled biodiversity and more than 400 indigenous tribes. Snaking through it is the Amazon River, the largest in the world, which winds its way through Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, with the latter holding claim to a major portion of the waterway (including the source of it all, Río Mantaro). The rainforest is most commonly accessed through the cities of Iquitos (a two-hour flight from Lima), Pucallpa, or Puerto Maldonado (a few hours' drive from Cusco), with most visitors using them as jumping off points for river cruises or a stays in eco-lodges , like Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica .

Amongst the many peaks of Peru's Cordillera Blanca in the Huascarán National Park, the whittled-sharp pike of Alpamayo is impossible to miss. The 19,511-foot-tall mountain is often blanketed in snow, and has attracted ice climbers from all over the world for decades.

The ancient salt mines of Maras are a favorite destination for photographers—and it's easy to see why. The geometric pools fill a narrow cleft of Cusco's Sacred Valley, terracing the green hillsides with an array of stark white to light caramel-colored waters. The salt ponds are an easy day trip from the city of Cusco, and often paired with a visit to the nearby archaeological site of Moray.

On the north coast of Peru, surf culture meets pre-Colombian history on the beaches of Huanchaco. Said to be the place where surfing was invented some 2,000 years ago , the long, calm shores of the Pacific are still decorated with the striking silhouettes of traditional reed "surfboards" (or, as they're called here, caballitos de totora ).

Pacaya Samiria National Reserve

Use the Amazonian city of Iquitos as your launch pad: hop on a large river boat, then a smaller canoe, and you'll find yourself paddling a nearly-untouched part of the Amazon in the remote Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. It's the second largest protected part of the Amazon, with remarkable wildlife that calls it home: the pink dolphin, Amazonian manatee, red-faced spider monkey, jaguar, and more than 500 species of birds can be found here.

Paracas Natural Reserve

When walking the streets of Lima, you may hear enterprising tour vendors mention the "poor man's Galapagos"—a place where, allegedly, you can see everything from Humboldt penguins to Orcas and Chilean flamingos, in turquoise waters and on red sand beaches. Believe it or not, it's all true: the Paracas National Reserve, a couple hours drive from Lima in the region of Ica, is exactly the jaw-dropping display of diverse wildlife and gorgeous landscape the vendors describe. Hire a boat to take you into the reserve for the day (or jump on one of the many group boat tours), and return to the mainland just in time for an incredible seafood and one of the area's famous sunsets ( Hotel Paracas will have you covered on both fronts).

Cordillera Huayhuash

Like the nearby Cordillera Blanca, the Cordillera Huayhaush of northern Peru is a dramatic mountain range boasting snowy peaks, with bucket list treks for hikers and turquoise pools at their bases. Huayhuash, though, has remained relatively less-visited, so it's easy to spend days on the hiking circuit with few others around. In fact, there are hardly any local residents either, save for a few small hamlets, and the treasured visit by a vicuña (a relative of the llama), or an Andean condor overhead.

As Machu Picchu crowds swell, the ruins of Kuelap in Northern Peru have become the beloved alternative by those in the know . Settled high in the lush Amazon, this ancient walled city built by the Chachapoyas culture overlooks the Utcubamba Valley and remains impressively well-preserved—there are remains of more then 400 hut-like structures, an estimated 1,000 years older than Machu Picchu.

Uros Floating Islands

Stretching across the border of Bolivia and Peru is the world's highest navigable body of water and "the birthplace of the Incas"— Lake Titicaca . Its tranquil waters seem infinite, their end seamlessly blending into the open sky above, with the occasional soft yellow of reed boats and a few tiny islands interrupting the palette. One such interruption is the Uros Floating Islands, an ancient settlement built entirely of totora reeds found on the shores of the lake. The indigenous Uros people call it home, living as they have for generations.

Gocta Falls

High in the Amazonian province of Chachapoyas (near the ruins of Kuelap), the 2,530-foot tall Gocta Falls makes a dramatic free-leap off the face of a towering mountain, much like the Angel Falls in Venezuela . Though the falls are in clear view of a neighboring village and have been known about in Peru for many years, they only gained international publicity in the early 2000's when a German expedition encountered them: local lore had it that any villager to reveal their location would unleash a curse on the entire town, leaving the denizens mum about this natural wonder until someone else uncovered them.

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What are you looking for?

25 best places to visit in peru [2024 local's travel guide].

Are you thinking of heading off to Peru?

Then you’ll want to read on to uncover the very best destinations to visit in this iconic South American nation!

Peru truly is a spectacular country, and any trip here will without doubt be a memorable one. There's a reason why it's one of the most popular countries in South America !

From fiery volcanoes and tall snowy peaks, to Pacific beaches and the sweltering jungle, there’s all sorts of experiences to have in Peru.

It can often be somewhat difficult to plan a trip here, given the immense amount of places to visit.

In this guide, we’ll explore the 25 very best destinations in Peru, and why each is worthy in their own right.

I’ll also cover other important things you’ll need to know, like how to get around Peru, as well as the best time for a visit.

So, let's get started...

Travellerspoint

When is the Best Time to Visit Peru?

You probably already have an idea of where you want to visit in Peru, so the next important detail to look at is when is best to visit.

Peru is quite a big country, and is full of different terrains and microclimates, which can make things somewhat complicated when planning.

If you’re thinking of heading to just one or two destinations during your time in Peru, then it’s more simple to check the weather and best time to visit on WeatherSpark .

Whereas, if you’re planning to travel around different parts of the country, then you’ll want to read on. 

The dry season in Peru runs from April until September, and is the overall best time to visit for weather (in most parts of the country) . 

Although temperatures may be chillier in certain areas (most notable in Lima, Puno and Cusco), there’s much less rainfall, which is perfect for exploring and when heading out into nature.

Here’s some of the best times to visit for some major Peruvian destinations:

• Lima : November-February
• Arequipa : Year-Round!
• Cusco : June-September
• Puno : April-October
• Máncora : April-October

Getting around Peru: What’s the best option?

Peru is quite a rugged region, full of many incredible landscapes. 

Whilst this is great for adventure and trip inspiration, it’s not so good for logistics! 

Thankfully though, the bus system in Peru is pretty good, and is the main mode of transport we’ll use to get around. 

RedBus is the best site for buying bus tickets online, as they have the majority of routes covered, as well as most bus providers listed there for you. 

Some of the best providers include Oltursa, Cruz del Sur as well as Movilbus.

All have the usual seats (which are still pretty comfortable), as well as the more expensive VIP seats that recline a full 180°.

One of our top travel tips is to make the most of overnight buses as you'll save on accommodation this way too! 

The other option for getting around is using domestic flights. 

These are actually quite cheap, however are still more expensive than the bus. 

In some cases using a flight is pretty favourable, such as travelling between Lima and Cusco, as well as from the capital to Máncora in the north. 

In other cases flying is mandatory, such as when heading to Iquitos in the Amazon (there’s no roads leading here).

As always, use Skyscanner to compare the best dates and cheapest flights.

25 Places to Visit in Peru

Now it’s time for what you’ve been waiting for! 

Here I’m going to uncover 25 of the very best destinations. From popular areas to lesser known gems, let’s get stuck in. 

As a useful reference, I’ll group the destinations below depending on what you’re looking for (in order of appearance):

• The Beaches (Coast) : Lima, Paracas, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Máncora, Tumbes.
• The Andes (Mountains) : Marcahuasi, Huancayo, Puno, Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Aguas Calientes, Ayacucho, Huaraz, Cajamarca.
• The Desert (Arid) : Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa.
• The Amazon (Jungle) : Puerto Maldonado, Chachapoyas, Iquitos, Tarapoto, Pucallpa, Oxapampa.

The bustling capital of Peru is often the first experience travellers get of this nation, and most tend to overlook it (which is a big mistake!). 

Within the historic centre we’ll find lots of history and architectural gems such as the Plaza de Armas, as well as the Basilica of San Francisco (with its creepy catacombs underneath too). 

This awesome sightseeing tour is the best way to see all of these highlights, with transport provided between them all.

The best area for a stay is in Miraflores, which is the cosmopolitan heart of Lima , and is much cleaner and safer too. 

Here you can rent a bike and cycle along the rolling hills above the Costa Verde, as well as go surfing if you can brave the cold waters! 

From here, you can walk around the ancient ruins of Huaca Pucllana , as well as head to the nearby hip district of Barranco. 

If you’re lucky and get a clear sky day here (trust me, it’s pretty rare unfortunately), you’ll want to summit nearby Morro Solar in Chorrillos for the best views over the capital.

With all these activities and attractions, it's no wonder that the city gets around 2.35 million international visitors each year1

There are endless things to do in Lima so where better to start your Peru trip?

Things to do in Lima:

• Explore the ruins of Huaca Pucllana
• Head to the Catacombs of San Francisco
• Get to the popular areas of Miraflores and Barranco

Where to Stay in Lima:

• Budget: Passion Hostel 
• Mid-Range: Selina Posada  
• Luxury: Innside Lima Miraflores 

2. Marcahuasi

This high altitude destination isn’t that well known amongst foreign tourists, however the Peruvians that have been constantly rave about it.

Located at an altitude of some 4000m, Marcahuasi is a mountain close to the small rural village of San Pedro de Casta. 

It’s around 5 hours driving from Lima, and is the perfect place to get into nature and off the beaten path. 

Be sure to bring coca leaves or altitude sickness medication, since the 2/3 hour hike up can be pretty exhausting otherwise! 

Once at the top you can set up camp, and then explore the Stone Forest, which is full of unorthodox, granite rock formations that resemble animals and human faces (all natural too, caused by erosion and powerful winds). 

As well as getting a necessary photo next to the picture-perfect entrance gate at the top, you’ll also want to walk on the rocky outcropping for the best views of the surrounding Andes. Be careful though, since there’s no rails and it’s a straight drop down!

This useful article by AllTrails gives an idea of what the hike around Marachuasi looks like, and also how long it could take you.

If you're looking for unique places to visit in Peru then this might just be the spot for you! 

Things to do in Marcahuasi:

• Explore the Bizarre Rock Formations
• Hike up for an epic Sunrise and Sunset
• Camp overnight for the best overall experience

Where to Stay in Marcahuasi:

• Camping on the Mountain (you’ll need to bring your own tent with you)

3. Huacachina

This desert oasis town is well on the touristy path, and is one of the most popular destinations to visit in all of Peru. 

Sandwiched between some of the tallest sand dunes in all of South America , Huacachina has a naturally forming lake right in the middle, which makes for a truly, once-in-a-lifetime photo! 

Although the town itself is pretty tiny, it’s the perfect place to get away from the grey skies of Lima for the weekend, and to soak up the rays in a pool or next to the lake (we’re in the desert after all).

One of the top things to do in Huacachina is to head on this combined tour , where you’ll go Sandboarding and also ride around on a Sand Buggy through the desert.

It’s a perfect option for those looking to get their adrenaline fix! 

I recommend going for the 4:00pm slot, where you’ll then be able to watch the crimson sunset over the epic dunes.  

Huacachina is located roughly 4 hours south of Lima, which can easily be reached by bus (you’ll first stop in Ica, then it’s a 10 minute mototaxi to this desert paradise).

There are endless things to do in Huacachina so what are you waiting for?

Things to do in Huacachina:

• Sandboarding down the Giant Dunes
• Chill by the Lake during the midday heat
• Take a Buggy Ride out into the Desert

Where to Stay in Huacachina:

• Budget: Wild Rover  
• Mid-Range: Hostel Boulevard
• Luxury: DM Hoteles Mossone 

This central coastal town lies just three hours south of Lima, and is usually travelled as a day trip by most tourists. 

However it’s really worth spending more time in this cute fishing village, given its abundance of awesome nature waiting to be explored. 

Paracas is mostly known for the close-lying Ballestas Islands , which are rocky islets home to many spectacular animal species, such as Humboldt Penguins as well as the Peruvian Pelican and Booby. 

You’ll need to head out on boat tour to visit these islands, where you’ll also visit the mysterious lines of Candelabro. 

It’s also worth heading to the Paracas National Reserve , where the desert meets the sea, as well as being home to a stunning red beach . 

Given the windy conditions, Paracas is also perfect for adventure sport enthusiasts, where many come to go Windsurfing and Kitesurfing. 

Paracas can easily be reached by bus from Lima, with frequent direct departures daily.

Things to do in Paracas:

• Visit the Ballestas Islands
• Tuck into some fresh, tasty Seafood
• Get your fix with some Extreme Sports

Where to Stay in Paracas:

• Budget: Kokopelli Hostel 
• Mid-Range: Paracas Guest House
• Luxury: Casa Paracas

When it comes to mysterious Peruvian destinations, Nazca for sure comes out near the top of them all. 

This small town is located within the arid desert, and is between Ica and Arequipa (making it a good stop-off point). 

The most famous thing here are the Nazca Lines , whose secrets are still hidden today (despite extensive research from many interested groups). 

With hieroglyphs as large as 1000 metres wide etched into the desert, here you can head on a small plane tour overhead for the very best views of these gems. 

See if you can spot the different symbols such as the Spider, Monkey and the Dog! 

For those looking to see these mysterious lines, here's a more in-depth guide to visiting the Nazca Lines !

Another worthy visit here is the chilling Chauchilla Cemetery , where you can see various ancient mummies and artefacts in their incredibly well-preserved states. 

The city itself of Nazca doesn’t have too much going for it, however the Plaza de Armas has its own character which is worth a visit. 

The bus from Ica to Nazca takes around 2.5 hours.

Things to do in Nazca:

• Fly over the mysterious Nazca Lines
• Tour through the spooky Chauchilla Cemetery

Where to Stay in Nazca:

• Budget: Jumana  
• Mid-Range: San Isidro Gran Hotel 
• Luxury: Casa Andina Standard 

6. Huancayo

Although rarely visited by tourists, this city is considered the main commercial hub of the Peruvian Andes.

With its unorthodox centre and sights , as well as some awesome sceneries, it’s a great place to get off the traditional Peruvian tourist path. 

Getting here is a real part of the adventure, where you can board the train from Lima to experience mesmerising landscapes until you reach Huancayo . 

Some of the best things to see in the city include the Parque de la Identidad as well as the Archaeological Site of Wariwillka. 

For those who love hiking, then the nearby Huaytapallana mountain range is a must, with incredible alpine lakes and towering mountains to be explored above the clouds! 

Last but not least, when in Huancayo, you must try the food. 

One of Peru’s top dishes - Papa a la Huancaina - originates from Huancayo, and will prove tastier here than in other regions. 

As well as the train , you can also reach Huancayo from Lima by bus, which takes around 8 hours.

Things to do in Huancayo:

• Hike Nevado Huaytapallana
• Try some authentic Andean Dishes
• Chill out in the Parque de la Identidad

Where to Stay in Huancayo:

• Budget: Hospedaje Nilton 
• Mid-Range: Hotel Las Lomas  
• Luxury: Hotel Presidente 

7. Arequipa

Now we head to arguably the most beautiful city in all of Peru, and a good contender for the entire continent too! 

Arequipa is set between three prominent volcanoes, which provide the perfect backdrop for some awesome photos (hint: you should head to the Yanahuara Mirador for some great shots). 

This city is also covered in white buildings, which were constructed out of the volcanic Sillar rock , excavated from nearby valleys. 

The historic centre is the best place to see the finest work, including the Plaza de Armas as well as the historically important Santa Catalina Monastery . 

Some of these volcanoes are hikeable as day trips, with El Misti being the most popular, and Chachani the most difficult (bringing back some bad memories for me… please take the altitude seriously on these hikes folks!). 

Also nearby is the breathtaking Colca Canyon , which is one of the deepest canyons on earth.  

It’s best to go with a multi-day tour , where you’ll visit many cute rural towns and other cool sites along the way. 

Arequipa is a 10 hour bus ride from Nazca, and roughly 18 hours from Lima.

Things to do in Arequipa:

• Hike Arequipa’s fiery Volcanoes
• Delve into the depths of the Colca Canyon
• Explore the Historical Centre

Where to Stay in Arequipa:

• Budget: Mango Hostel B&B 
• Mid-Range: Casona Plaza Hotel 
• Luxury: Palla Boutique Hotel 

Located on the cool shores of Lake Titicaca , Puno truly is a delight with its lakeside views.

Beauty doesn’t come without cost here though, given its very high altitude (which is the case for many Peruvian destinations within the Andes).

Located up at an elevation of 3827m, you’ll need to bring coca leaves and take it slow whilst your body adjusts to the more difficult conditions. 

The very best thing to do in Puno is to visit the stunning Uros floating islands .  

Just a short boat ride (around an hour from the harbour), these floating islands are made entirely out of the Totora Reed, a naturally-occurring plant found around the lake’s edge. 

Here you can get to know the indigenous locals, as well as ride around on the awesome colored boats! 

The best way to see these stunning islands is with an organised tour with many of them offering multiple departures throughout the day.

You can also head up (slowly of course, given the altitude!) to the Mirador El Condor for views over Lake Titicaca, as well as explore the Plaza Mayor with its impressive cathedral.

Puno is also a good jumping off point for those heading to Bolivia , with the bus and boat services easily connecting to nearby Copacabana.

The bus from Arequipa to Puno takes around 6 hours. From Cusco it’s a similar time too!

Here's some more information on things to do in Puno ...

Things to do in Puno:

• Visit the Floating Uros Islands
• Ride around Lake Titicaca on the Dragon Boat
• Head up to Mirador El Condor for awesome Lakeside views

Where to Stay in Puno:

• Budget: Kaaro Hotel Puno
• Mid-Range: Casona Plaza Hotel  
• Luxury: Hotel Hacienda Puno

Cusco is undeniably one of the best cities to visit in Peru, and no trip to the country is complete without spending some time here!

Sandwiched within the rocky Andes, Cusco is located at an altitude of 3399m, and also within the stunning Sacred Valley region.

Once the beating heart of the Inca civilization , today you can walk around the historic centre and see many ancient ruins and interesting sights such as Sacsayhuaman , and Qorikancha , as well as the bustling Plaza de Armas with its imposing Cathedrals. 

Cusco is also the perfect place to get to know the traditional Andean cuisine, with dishes like Cuy readily available in the San Pedro Market, as well as local restaurants such as Kusikuy . 

However, Cusco is all about the day trips you can take into the Sacred Valley. 

From stunning alpine lakes such as the popular Lake Humantay and the lesser-known Ausangate National Park , to the ruins of Moray and pools of Maras, you’ll have almost infinite things to see and do here! 

This day tour is one of the best out there for those wanting to explore the Sacred Valley, where you’ll see many of the top sites in just one day (perfect for those in a rush).

As you can see, there are tons of awesome things to do in Cusco so make sure you don't leave this amazing city off your itinerary!

Cusco can easily be reached by bus from Arequipa (10 hours) or Puno (6 hours), however from Lima the bus takes 24 hours, so it’s best to hop on a flight from the capital.

Things to do in Cusco:

• Explore the ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Qorikancha
• Get to know traditional Andean cultures
• Venture into Alpine Lakes and Mountains within the nearby Sacred Valley

Where to Stay in Cusco:

• Budget: Kokopelli Hostel  
• Mid-Range: Posada Villa Mayor 
• Luxury: Casa Andina Standard

10. Ollantaytambo

Many travellers who head to Cusco don’t even know about the different towns until they head out into the Sacred Valley. 

Ollantaytambo is a prime example, and is one that really has a lot going for it. 

The Pinkuylluna Archaeological Ruins is one of the highlights , with this fortress steeped on the edge of a cliff in the skies. 

As well as its diverse market that’s perfect for souvenir hunting, another must-visit here is the Inti Punku Sun Gate , which is the perfect area for a snap with its incredibly scenic background.

If you're planning on visiting lots of different destinations within the Sacred Valley, I’d actually recommend staying in Ollantaytambo rather than Cusco. 

Not only is it much closer to all the top sites, it also retains a much more authentic culture and vibe, with locals still following ancient traditions today from hundreds of years ago. 

The buses and local colectivos that run from Cusco to Ollantaytambo take roughly 1.5 hours.

If you're looking to visit Ollantaytambo then here's some information that you might find helpful...

Things to do in Ollantaytambo:

• Wander around this ancient city
• Visit the Pinkuylluna Archaeological Ruins
• Head up to the Inti Punku Sun Gate

Where to Stay in Ollantaytambo:

• Budget: Hostal Chaska Wasi 
• Mid-Range: Picaflor Tambo Guest House
• Luxury: Apu Lodge 

Similar to Ollantaytambo, Pisac is another small town located within the vast Sacred Valley region. 

Increasingly popular with tourists, Pisac has a very charming vibe with its narrow cobblestone streets, as well as a strong bohemian presence too. 

The market here is one of the best in all of Southern Peru , where you can pick up anything from alpaca garments and bags to trying various authentic Peruvian dishes. 

One of the very best things to see in this town has to be its archaeological site , which is built on top of a mountain and has tombs built into the side of it too! 

This town is also a good way to get acquainted with a more traditional, rural Peruvian way of life, which can be quite difficult in Cusco with its never ending bustle and noise. 

For those who want a new experience, consider looking into taking San Pedro . Just be sure to follow preparation guidelines properly before taking it.

A shamanic brew, it’s been known to cure health problems, and even help people find their own path in life. 

If you're wondering where to go in Peru then I highly recommend spending some time here! 

The bus from Cusco to Pisac takes around an hour to arrive.

Things to do in Pisac:

• Visit the Pisac Archaeological Site
• Wander through the town’s amazing cobblestone streets 
• Go Bargain Hunting in the Mercado de Pisac

Where to Stay in Pisac:

• Budget: Pisac Inn
• Mid-Range: Pisac Inca Guest House 
• Luxury: Florencio Casa Hacienda

12. Aguas Calientes

Set along the Urubamba river, Aguas Calientes is a small city that's mostly known as the stop-off point for those heading to Machu Picchu. 

Surrounded by thick jungle vegetation and high cliffs from all sides, it’s a really scenic area, and an ideal location to get away from the never-ending noise of Cusco. 

Of course Machu Picchu is the star highlight here, and really is stunning to see regardless of the time of year. 

With sweeping views from the top terrace, to friendly alpacas strolling around, it’ll be an unforgettable moment along your Peruvian trip. 

Trust me, you don't want to miss this UNESCO World Heritage Site as it's one of the country's top tourist attractions.

This ancient citadel can be reached with just a one hour hike from Aguas Calientes (or by using the buses that are constantly up and down the nearby mountain). 

You can also join a combo tour where they provide all logistics, as well as including an interesting guide who can teach you a lot around this legendary Peruvian site.

Other great things to do in Aguas Calientes include climbing Huayna Picchu for an incredible alternative view of the ruins (this hike is more demanding). You can also visit the hot springs too (the town's name translates to “Hot Springs” after all). 

To get here from Cusco, you’ll need to take buses (approx 4/5 hours) to the start of the train track.

This is then followed by either taking the train, or completing the 2 hour walk along the tracks. 

Things to do in Aguas Calientes:

• Visit the legendary ruins of Machu Picchu
• Rest tired legs in the Baños Termales
• Get to know the Plaza de Manco Capac

Where to Stay in Aguas Calientes:

• Budget: Nativus Hostel 
• Mid-Range: Sacred Stone Boutique Hotel 
• Luxury: Tierra Viva Machu Picchu Hotel 

13. Puerto Maldonado

Known as the gateway to Peru’s Southern Amazon, Puerto Maldonado is one of the best places to experience this rich jungle. 

With wildlife endemic to just this area of the world, you can easily take a multi-day tour into the jungle to see the very best of this ultimate South American gem.

Here you can see everything from Caiman and Capybara to the elusive Jaguar , as well as climbing a canopy tower for some insane Amazon views.

You can also stay deep within Tambopata national reserve which offers you a better chance to spot wildlife!

Within the actual city itself, a great thing to do is to climb the Obelisco tower which is in the very heart of town.

At the top you’ll have some of the best views of Puerto Maldonado, contrasted with the formidable jungle behind.

The Plaza de Armas is a nice place to come for a stroll, with this one more relaxed when compared with other, busier Peruvian cities.

You’ll also want to visit the Isla de los Monos, where you’ll see many different species of monkeys as well as having a chance to go zip-lining through the jungle! 

The closest city to Puerto Maldonado is Cusco. Whilst flying is the preferred method of getting between the two, the cheapest way is to take a bus which takes around 10 hours.

Things to do in Puerto Maldonado:

• Head on a multi-day Jungle Tour
• Visit Monkey Island for a quick and easy day trip 
• Climb the Obelisco Tower for the best views over Puerto Maldonado

Where to Stay in Puerto Maldonado:

• Budget: El Fauno Hostel 
• Mid-Range: Hotel Principe I
• Luxury: Wasai Puerto Maldonado Eco Lodge  

14. Ayacucho

Located within the Southern Peruvian Andes, Ayacucho is another very pretty city to visit whilst in Peru. 

Known as the “City of the Churches”, there’s a good 33 dotted around here, meaning there’s going to be at least one that takes your fancy (I tried visiting them all in a day and failed spectacularly. The altitude I guess…). 

The historic centre is the best place to base yourself, with some really scenic streets such as 28 de Julio which leads towards the picturesque Plaza de Armas. 

One of the most popular sights close-by is Millpu , which are a series of stunning, cascading blue waterfalls (or green depending on cloud cover and time of year). 

These pools are undeniably one of the most beautiful places in Peru so you don't want to leave this spot off your itinerary!

The best way to visit this gem is with a day tour where you’ll also have a traditional sierra lunch prepared for you. 

You’ll also want to visit the Huari archaeological complex, which was once one of the largest urban cities in ancient Peru.

Here's some more information on things to do in Ayacucho ...

Things to do in Ayacucho:

• Visit the Cascades of Millpu
• Stroll around the heart of Ayacucho 
• Explore the Huari archaeological site

Where to Stay in Ayacucho:

• Budget: Hotel Misky Samay 
• Mid-Range: Platero Hotel 
• Luxury: ViaVia Cafe Ayacucho 

The unofficial hiking capital of Peru, Huaraz is the ultimate destination for mountain lovers and trekking enthusiasts alike. 

Sandwiched between the Cordillera Blanca (which is the highest tropical mountain range in the world) and Huascarán national park , travellers spend weeks at a time here getting to know the very best areas.

Alpine Lakes are amongst some of the most popular, with Laguna Parón renowned for its large blue lake and surrounding snow-tipped peaks. 

Laguna 69 is another lake which is more challenging, but features a glacial lake that is so perfect, you would have thought it was designed by the gods. 

Other awesome day trips include the hike up Nevado Mateo, a trip to the high altitude Pastoruri Glacier as well as visiting the pre-Incan ruins of Chavín de Huántar . 

There’s also many multi-day hikes to do here too, such as the popular Santa Cruz trek , as well as the Huayhuash circuit.

The city of Huaraz itself is typical of a Peruvian Andes town, with its bustling Plaza de Armas nice for a midday stroll. 

The bus from Lima to this mountain paradise takes roughly 8 hours.

This Huaraz travel guide will help you plan your trip as it includes what to do here, where to stay, and some other top travel tips! 

Things to do in Huaraz:

• Hike the unforgettable Huayhuash and Santa Cruz circuits
• Visit stunning Alpine Lakes
• Explore the ancient ruins and temples of the Chavín tribe.

Where to Stay in Huaraz:

• Budget: Selina Huaraz 
• Mid-Range: Ebony Hotel 
• Luxury: Hotel La Joya 

16. Trujillo

Situated along Peru’s long Pacific Coast, Trujillo is known for its abundance of ancient ruins, as well as for its beaches and local culture. 

The best area for a stay is within the district of Huanchaco, a sleepy surfer’s area that runs along the coast. 

Without a doubt the best site to see here is the ruins of Chan Chan , which are known to be one of the largest ancient adobe cities on earth. 

It’s best to visit in the morning before the crowds arrive on buses, and also to avoid the sometimes overbearing heat here too. 

You’ll also want to make stops at the Huacas del Lunar y Sol , two other pyramids close to Trujillo.

This combined tour includes entrances to all of the ruins mentioned above, including a couple of extras too!

This city is also known for its impeccable surfing conditions, so regardless if you’re a pro or just starting out, this is a good place to hit the waves.

Other worthy things to see and do in Trujillo include walking around the historical centre, which is full of colourful buildings and Spanish architecture.

I also recommend heading on a Caballito de Totora boat ride (a traditional fishing boat that’s been crucial for Trujillo’s industry and growth for over 3000 years). 

The bus from Lima to Trujillo takes between 10/11 hours.

Things to do in Trujillo:

• Visit the expansive Chan Chan ruins
• Lounge on the beach in Huanchaco (or go surfing)
• Explore the colourful architecture in Trujillo’s Historic Centre

Where to Stay in Trujillo:

• Budget: Punta Huanchaco 
• Mid-Range: Hotel Bracamonte 
• Luxury: Costa del Sol Trujillo Centre 

17. Chiclayo

Chiclayo sits along Peru’s Pacific coast, in the popular northern region of Lambayeque. 

Most travellers usually pass through Chiclayo on the way to the beaches in the north, or at best spend a couple of days here.

However this major coastal city is home to many interesting ruins and sites , and is worth a trip here in itself. 

Whilst located more inland than say Trujillo, there is the nice beach of Pimentel close-by which is great for a much needed time-out. 

One of the best things you can do in Chiclayo is to visit the Tombs of Sipán with this all-inclusive tour . Sipán was an ancient ruler of the Moche civilisation, whose pristine preservation helps give us more of an insight into how cultures of these eras used to live. 

It’s also worth heading to the pyramids of Chotuna and Chornancap for some more exploring. 

The bus from Lima to Chiclayo takes around 13 hours in total.

Here's a guide to Chiclayo if you're wanting to learn more!

Things to do in Chiclayo:

• Explore the Tomb of Sipán
• Relax on Pimentel Beach
• Visit Chiclayo’s Historic Centre 

Where to Stay in Chiclayo:

• Budget: Hotel Plazza 
• Mid-Range: Casa Huéspedes Pimentel 
• Luxury: Sunec Hotel 

18. Cajamarca

A Peruvian city with much historic importance , Cajamarca is indeed a great place to visit to learn more about the real Peru (and not just the touristy version - as much as I love that part too). 

Cajamarca was the last city to fall from Inca rule to the Spaniards , and as such Peruvians here have maintained their identity and cultural heritage exceedingly well. 

This can be best seen with the locals walking around, from how they dress to their daily activities and lifestyles.

The Baños del Inca are located here, with these hot springs once used by the elite centuries ago. 

Today they’re still in operation, and you can go for a dip yourself, which is a nice way to change up the day! 

The Ventanillas de Otuzco is another must-visit when here, as well as the Ransom Room (where the last Inca emperor was imprisoned before his execution). 

Be sure to walk up the many stone steps to the top of Cerro Santa Apolonia, which features a pretty church as well as some awesome cityscape views. 

The bus from Chiclayo to Cajamarca takes roughly 7 hours, whilst from Lima it will take around 15 hours.

Things to do in Cajamarca:

• Go for a dip in the Baños del Inca
• Hike up to the Mirador of Cerro Santa Apolonia
• Visit the nearby Ventanillas de Otuzco

Where to Stay in Cajamarca:

• Budget: Hotel San Francisco 
• Mid-Range: El Portal Del Marques
• Luxury: Costa del Sol Wyndham Cajamarca 

19. Chachapoyas

One of my all-time favourite destinations in Peru, Chachapoyas has a tonne going for it. 

With incredible waterfalls, mountain fortresses and remote hiking paths, you’d think it would be highly visited among tourists. 

However it’s not!

For this reason I love it, since you’ll see all the best things in an authentic way, without the crowds of tourists constantly breathing behind your neck.

Whilst here, you’ll want to make various day trips to see the best of the region. 

One of these is Yumbilla Falls , which at a grand height of 895m, is the 5th tallest waterfall on the planet.

Gocta Falls is another fan favourite with its longer hiking path and beautiful sceneries. 

This area of Peru is also known for the Chachapoyas culture, an ancient civilization known as “The Warriors of the Clouds”. 

You can visit their fortress of Kuelap with this awesome tour (including the cable-car ride), which lies on the edge of a mountain.

It was so formidable and well defended, that even the Incas had a hard time conquering it! 

The Sarcophagi of Karajia is another must-visit, which features 6 oversized sarcophagi on a mountain ledge, containing the human remains of some of the most important Chachapoyas leaders. 

The city of Chachapoyas itself is very relaxed and has its own vibe, which is best seen in and around the Plaza de Armas and along the busy Jirón Amazonas. 

As you can see there are tons of things to do in Chachapoyas so what are you waiting for?

Chachapoyas is an 8 hour bus ride from Cajamarca. 

From Lima, it will take a hefty 24 hours straight!

Things to do in Chachapoyas:

• Hike to Yumbilla Waterfalls
• Get to know the ancient Chachapoya Culture 
• Visit the stunning fortress of Kuelap

Where to Stay in Chachapoyas:

• Budget: Aventura Chachapoyas Backpackers
• Mid-Range: Casona del Rosario
• Luxury: La Xalca Hotel 

20. Iquitos

Located deep within the Amazon jungle, Iquitos is by far the most inaccessible destination of all on our list - despite being a large city. 

This is because it's entirely cut off from civilization by dense jungle, and is the largest city in the world that can’t be reached by road! 

Due to its location, it’s by the far one of the best places to kickstart a tour into The Amazon Jungle. 

This multi-day tour starts from Iquitos, and will allow you to explore virgin rainforest, catch pirañas, swim with pink dolphins and see a whole bunch of rare and exotic animals. 

Just be aware that the seasons can vary dramatically here, which can make some parts of the jungle (and what you’ll see) unreachable.

The city of Iquitos is pretty hectic, and you’ll want to ride around on a few moto-taxis to get into the swing of things. 

The Plaza de Armas is worth a visit, as well as the nearby town of Nanay.

Here you can rent a boat and guide for the day, visiting a butterfly farm, local tribe and spotting giant anacondas along the way. 

From Iquitos, you can also take a river cruise to reach Pacaya Samiria Reserve, but you'll need to get to Nauta Port first.

As already mentioned, it’s impossible to reach Iquitos by land. 

The easiest way is to fly from Lima which takes a couple of hours. Otherwise, from Pucallpa you can take a boat, however this can take up to 5 days!

This Iquitos travel guide includes everything you need to know for exploring the Peruvian Amazon...

Things to do in Iquitos:

• Explore the most biodiverse Jungle on Earth
• Swim with Pink River Dolphins
• Visit nearby Nanay for more unique experiences 

Where to Stay in Iquitos:

• Budget: A&T Amazon Backpackers 
• Mid-Range: Safari Hotel Iquitos 
• Luxury: El Dorado Classic Hotel 

21. Tarapoto

Peru is known for its expanse of jungle and green foliage, with many awesome destinations to choose from. 

However Tarapoto is different since it’s located in the high jungle region, and thus has its very own unique atmosphere. 

There are many awesome sights worth seeing here, such as the infamous hand of the Taytamaki Mirador which stretches out over the jungle (the best place for a photo). 

Whilst most eco-centres don’t usually make a travel list, I have to say that the Centro Urku really stands out from the rest. 

As well as seeing rare animals such as Ocelots and Otters, you’ll also learn about their conservation efforts, successes, and current challenges they’re looking to solve. 

Your entrance ticket helps them massively, so you’ll feel proud of yourself too when walking around. 

As well as visiting these sites in the city (along with strolling around the beautiful Plaza de Armas here), there’s many awesome experiences out in the nearby region too. 

Some of the best include the hikes to the waterfall of Ahuashiyacu and that of Pishurayacu, as well as exploring the Laguna Sauce. 

The closest major city to Tarapoto is Chachapoyas, which takes roughly 8 hours. 

From Lima it’s best to fly here (1.5 hours), since the bus is going to take roughly 30 hours in total.

Things to do in Tarapoto:

• Head up to the Taytamaki Mirador
• Visit Ahuashiyacu Falls
• Learn in the Centro Urku

Where to Stay in Tarapoto:

• Budget: Tengana Hospedaje y Tours
• Mid-Range: Hotel Fatima Inn 
• Luxury: Pumarinri Amazon Lodge

22. Pucallpa

This jungle city is slowly gaining mainstream exposure, with many who head here interested in a very different Peruvian experience. 

Pucallpa is where the majority of Shipibo healers come from, who work with natural plants such as Ayahuasca to help cure physical problems and also provide spiritual guidance. 

Whilst most still head to Iquitos for this (since it’s more touristy), you’ll find the scene more authentic and fresh in Pucallpa . 

This city is located on the Ucayali River (one of the major rivers flowing into The Amazon), and thus is a great starting point for treks into the jungle. 

There are many multi-day treks you can embark on here, where you’ll leave the bustle behind and explore hidden species and landscapes on your journey. 

Another worthy spot to visit is the Plaza de Armas, which has many interesting human statues in its gardens, as well as its unorthodoxly shaped Cathedral. 

The bus from Lima to Pucallpa takes roughly 16 hours, so you may want to consider flying instead.

Things to do in Pucallpa:

• Head into the Amazon Jungle
• Visit Laguna Yarinacocha
• Visit the Plaza de Armas and its stunning Cathedral

Where to Stay in Pucallpa:

• Budget: Hospedaje Independencia 
• Mid-Range: Hospedaje El Virrey
• Luxury: Casa Andina Select 

23. Oxapampa

When you think of coming to Peru, you usually imagine the following; traditionally-dressed locals, huge swatches of green jungle, ancient ruins and some friendly alpacas too. 

I can bet my left arm and leg that visiting a German colony probably didn’t make your original thoughts! 

In the mid 1800s, many German immigrants moved to this isolated town in Peru, and now we have a European-inspired town in the middle of the Amazon jungle.

The town of Oxapampa is located in the high jungle region of Pasco, and truly is a unique place to visit.

You’ll see many typical architectural styles and buildings from Western Europe here.

They also have their very own Oktoberfest - where those will finally be rewarded for their ability to consume inhuman levels of alcohol. 

When you’re not dying from a resaca , then you’ll want to head outdoors given Oxapampa is known for its adventure experiences. 

Zip-lining through the canopy is a popular activity, whilst you can also head to the mysterious Tunqui Cave for some surreal sights and exploring. 

Although on a map it seems like a trek to get to, you can take a direct bus from Lima to Oxapampa in just 11 hours (sounds a lot but trust me, this is a relief given other routes you may need to travel in Peru!). 

Things to do in Oxapampa:

• Zip-line through the Jungle Canopy
• Marvel at its European Architecture 
• Head to the nearby Tunqui Cave

Where to Stay in Oxapampa:

• Budget: Suzet House 
• Mid-Range: Hotel Heidinger 
• Luxury: Carolina Egg Gasthaus 

24. Máncora

Whilst Peru isn’t exactly known for its beaches, the north has some very good areas for bathing in the sun and living the good life. 

Máncora takes the cherry, and is by far one of the most popular areas for a beach vacation (for both nationals and tourists alike). 

Almost 1000km north of Lima, the scenery in Máncora drastically changes, as well as being accompanied by a big heat boost. 

Here you’ll find palm-fringed beaches such as Las Pocitas and nearby Punta Sal, with the waters ideal for swimming and some surfing too. 

Another awesome thing to do here is to head on a Humpback Whale tour, where you’ll see these beauties as well as some friendly turtles too (the whale season here is between June until October). 

Máncora itself is a mixture of low developed roads (where you’ll fly around on a moto-taxi), and bustling hotels and restaurants catering for the mass of tourists arriving. 

It’s got a really lively nightlife scene too, which would probably rank as one of my all-time favourites in Peru. 

Hostels like The Point and Selina usually have good parties most nights of the week, where they then tend to spill out onto the street and into nearby bars.

Here's some more information about visiting Máncora ...

Things to do in Máncora:

• Relax on some stunning Pacific beaches
• Watch Humpback Whales from June until October 
• Get involved with the wild party scene

Where to Stay in Máncora:

• Budget: Wild Rover 
• Mid-Range: Ku-Lodge Máncora 
• Luxury: Don Giovanni Máncora 

Right next to the border with Ecuador, Tumbes is one of the most northern-lying cities in the country. 

It's also one of the most underrated places to visit in Peru, with it usually being quickly visited by tourists as an entry or exit passage. However, I think it’s worth spending a few days here given it has some unique attractions worth seeing. 

The biggest of these is its Pacific Tropical Forest, home to several mangrove swamps. 

It’s in fact the only of its kind in all of Peru (pretty surprisingly, considering how much jungle there is here). 

You can head on a tour here, where you can visit the sole habitat of the Peruvian crocodile, as well as the endemic Mono Coto Howler Monkey.

The Plaza de Armas in town is a nice spot to visit, home to a stunning mural which is perfect as a background for a snap. 

From Tumbes you can also visit some low-key remote beaches, which are much more relaxed than the busier ones near Máncora. 

Some of the best include Playa Hermosa and Playa Cruz. 

There are several ways of getting to Tumbes, with the most popular being a crossing point from nearby Cuenca in Ecuador. 

Tumbes is just a 2 hour bus north from Máncora, whilst it’s around 22 hours from Lima (it’s worth flying instead).

Things to do in Tumbes:

• Tour around the Mangrove Swamps
• Relax on Hidden Beaches
• Wander around it’s cute Plaza de Armas

Where to Stay in Tumbes:

• Budget: Guest House Tumbes 
• Mid-Range: Rizzo Plaza Hotel 
• Luxury: Costa del Sol Wyndham Tumbes 

Where will you visit in Peru?

And that’s all for this guide to the best places to visit in Peru!

This diverse country is home to numerous idyllic landscapes and colonial cities , and sometimes it can be hard to make up your mind where’s best to go.

In this guide I’ve covered 25 of the very best destinations you can visit, and why each is unique and deserves their own place along any Peruvian itinerary .

I’ve also covered other things you’ll need to know, including the best time to visit Peru, as well as how to get around this Latin American nation.

Just keep in mind that many of these destinations are scattered across the country, so you'll need to prioritize where you'd like to visit! 

I hope you enjoy your time in Peru as much as I did!

Here are some other guides that you might find helpful for planning your trip:

• Peru Packing List
• The Best Things to do in Peru
• Backpacking Peru Itinerary

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Let us know what you think.

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Touropia Travel

Discover the World

17 Best Places to Visit in Peru

By Kay Pierce · Last updated on June 17, 2024

Peru is probably one of South America’s most well-known destinations, and the mysterious settlement of Machu Picchu has adorned many a tourist postcard. But while the country is certainly celebrated for the Inca Trail and its ancient archeological site, Peru has so much more to offer than crumbling ruins.

Take your time discovering these Peruvian delights, from pre-Columbian settlements to the modern and traditional cities of the Southern Peru Tourist Corridor.

Explore the museums of Lima, soak in the hot springs of high-altitude Cusco, and fly over the astonishing Nazca lines. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Peru:

17. Chachapoyas

Set in a scenic yet secluded spot far from the Peruvian coast, Chachapoyas lies high amid the mountains and is the capital of Amazonas . While the city doesn’t have all that much going for it, it acts as a gateway to the stunning natural landscapes and archaeological sites that surround it.

Founded by the Spanish in 1538, the small city is home to a couple of interesting monuments and colonial buildings, with plenty of restaurants, hotels, and tour operators found around its main plaza. From here, you can arrange to visit incredible sights such as the distinctive sarcophagi of Karajia or the ancient stone city of Kuelap – the largest pre-Inca ruins in South America.

There’s no shortage of natural beauty nearby, with mountains, valleys and forests home to a diverse range of fauna and flora, including countless species of brightly colored birds. Sparkling waterfalls also abound: Gocta Cataracts is the pick of the bunch at over 700 meter in height. With so many superb landscapes to explore, hiking and trekking are popular and can be arranged in Chachapoyas.

16. Paracas National Reserve

Famed for its dramatic scenery, wealth of archaeological sites, and beautiful beaches and wildlife, Paracas National Reserve lies along Peru’s southern coastline, some 250 kilometers south of Lima . Encompassed within its confines are marine and coastal desert ecosystems as well as a couple of arid, rocky islands.

While fierce ocean waves pulverize its jagged, crumbling cliffs and deserted isles, its small coves and bays are home to shallow, warm waters perfect for swimming. Its sheltered beaches are also lovely for relaxing on, while sailing and windsurfing are popular pastimes.

In addition, many people take boat trips out to the Ballestas Islands to gaze in awe at its spectacular rock formations and the multitude of seabirds, seals, and sea lions living there.

When visiting Paracas National Reserve, most visitors stay in the small town of the same name that lies on the Paracas Peninsula . Here you can find lots of restaurants, bars and hotels as well as tour operators who can take you to see some of the ancient archaeological sites that dot the reserve.

15. Chan Chan

Lying just outside the city of Trujillo in northwest Peru, Chan Chan is one of the most impressive and extensive archaeological sites in the country. The largest pre-Columbian city discovered so far, it is set at the mouth of the Moche Valley in a desolate and arid spot, not far from the Pacific Ocean.

Once the capital of the Chimu Empire , Chan Chan rose to prominence around AD 850 when palaces, plazas, and temples sprung up. While many of these are now severely eroded as the city was entirely made out of adobe, many fine features, carvings, and friezes remain.

Among the endless sprawl, you can find ten royal compounds, home to ceremonial halls, burial chambers, and palaces. These were the residences of the kings of Chimu, who were buried in their complex when they died. The only one open to visitors and partially restored is the Palacio Nik An , which boasts lovely geometric designs, marine motifs, and awe-inspiring architecture.

14. Huascaran National Park

Set high in the Andes in the Central Sierra region of Peru, the enormous Huascaran National Park encompasses almost the entire Cordillera Blanca. The world’s highest tropical mountain range is home to lofty peaks and arresting scenery, while countless species of fauna and flora can be found within its confines.

Established in 1975, the park sprawls over a vast area and includes a number of mighty mountains. Huascaran – after which the park is named – is Peru’s highest peak at 6,768 meters. Remarkably, more than 600 glistening glaciers are dotted about the upper reaches of the range, and countless alpine lakes and roaring rivers can be found down below.

The Cordillera Blanca ‘s sweeping valleys, high plateaus, and steep slopes are home to all kinds of fauna and flora, while ancient archaeological sites are also scattered about. Due to the wonderful scenery and diverse landscapes, the park is a marvelous place to go trekking, mountain climbing and skiing.

Wildlife watching is also popular; catching a glimpse of the elusive puma or endangered spectacled bear is an unforgettable experience.

13. Huacachina

Lying just outside the city of Ica in the southwest of Peru, Huacachina is a popular place to visit thanks to its surreal location surrounded by dunes. Emerging out of the desert like a mirage, the small settlement is clustered around a secluded oasis , with gently waving palm trees and nothing but sand stretching as far as the eye can see.

Huacachina’s sandy surroundings lend themselves perfectly to all kinds of fun outdoor activities, with sandboarding , quad biking, and dune buggy rides popular pastimes. Clambering to the top of the sifting dunes is also a must for the spectacular views, and sunsets are particularly memorable.

Relaxing around the oasis and taking in the stunning scenery is a lovely way to pass the time, and swimming offers a welcome respite from the searing heat. As it is geared towards tourists, Huacachina has plenty of restaurants, bars, and hotels to choose from, with a few kiosks and shops dotted here and there.

Besides its ample adventure opportunities, you can also visit the bodegas and wineries in Ica if you want to sample some delicious local produce.

12. Mancora

As one of the most hip and happening summer beach destinations on the Costanera Norte along the northern Peruvian coast, you simply have to add Mancora to your bucket list. This slice of glorious sandy coastline stretches for kilometers along one of the sunniest parts of Peru – something that hasn’t been missed by the tourism industry.

You’ll find everything from backpackers to swanky beach resorts dotting the sands here.

Apart from the beaches that are worth more than their fair share of relaxation, Mancora has a bustling main street filled with vibrant beach bars , seafood restaurants, and an excellent nightlife scene that livens up after the sun goes down.

That being said, most of the activity here revolves around inactivity; lazy beach days are the order of the day. Those looking for something more active can go surfing in the warm waters, take a seaside stroll from South Beach to Organos or spot seasonal dolphins and whales frolicking in the waves at the main beach. If you somehow grow tired of Mancora’s beach activities, explore further afield – swim with turtles in El Nuro or soak in the hot springs of Poza de Barro.

11. Trujillo

Nestled within a lush valley eight hours north of Lima, Trujillo is celebrated for its photogenic colonial center filled with colorful Spanish mansions , quaint churches, and friendly locals.

Not far from the Pacific Coast, this relatively large city was founded in the 1500s close to the abandoned Chan Chan ruins , one of the largest pre-Incan empires of ancient Peru. Within its impressive once-walled ruins, this Chimor mud city is the largest adobe city in the Americas and boasts a series of religious temples, burial grounds, and royal residences.

But that’s not the only history worth exploring in Trujillo. Visit the 19th-century National University of Trujillo – one of the largest of its kind in South America – that features the world’s longest mosaic. Appreciate the incredible murals of Huaca de la Luna (the Temple of the Moon) that unfortunately showcases human sacrifice.

If you’re looking to relax after your days of exploring, you can’t go wrong with the beaches of resort town Huanchaco – don’t forget your sun cream!

10. Nazca Desert

The puzzling Nazca lines that crisscross the valleys of Palpa and Nazca have put this part of Peru’s otherwise uninteresting desert on the map. These enormous inscriptions of lines, animals, and other geometric patterns were carved into the sandy terrain by the Nazca people and are believed to have been part of a thousand-year-old holy road.

The dry, windless, stable climate of the Nazca Desert has helped keep the lines uncovered to the present day.

The best way to appreciate the magnitude of these geometric lines and shapes is from the air with a flight over the Nazca lines. If you’re hesitant about flying (the costs aren’t cheap!) or you’d just prefer to see them up close, there’s an observation tower along the Panamerican highway where you can view three of the main figures.

Other Nazca sites worth viewing within the desert are the ancient aqueducts known as the Nazca channels. These underground channels are what allow the cotton, potatoes, and fruit plantations in the desert to thrive in this otherwise inhabitable location.

Iquitos is the capital of the Loreto region, which encompasses most of the northern reaches of the Peruvian Amazon . Interestingly, a town that was formed initially by a tribe of hunter-gatherers, Iquitos is now the largest city on earth without road access.

While Iquitos is a little tricky to get to – you have to fly or boat in – the rewards are totally worth it. Despite its remote location, there’s a mix of traditional and modern architecture: wooden huts built on riverside stilts contrast with the historic architecture of the central plaza.

Offering an unforgettable escape in the Amazon jungle that feels authentic, visitors can browse the Belen floating market for everything from bananas to crocodile meat. If it’s souvenirs you’re after, the San Juan crafts market is a better bet.

The isolation of Iquitos is in its favor; the surrounding jungle offers some of the best wildlife watching opportunities in the country. It’s the main base for boat trips along the Amazon River to spot monkeys, alligators, and the notorious anacondas. Visiting the nearby Pacaya Samiria National Reserve near Lagunas is one of the best places for spotting some unusual Amazonian wildlife.

Puno is a picturesque hillside port city that forms the natural gateway to Lake Titicaca and the 85-plus Uros Floating Islands – boats depart from the dock every 40 minutes. Set at an elevation of 3,800 meters, high-altitude Puno has a glorious view over the lakes and the island chain.

Because of its easy access to and from neighboring Bolivia and Chile , Puno is a popular tourist trap, yet it provides a more laidback alternative to the upmarket lake islands it overlooks. For one, souvenirs at the lakeside market are far cheaper than you’ll find in Cusco or Lima!

Its biggest attraction is as a departure point for the famous floating Uros islands with boats leaving every 40 min from the dock. It is also a great place to get a feel for the Aymara and Quechua cultures.

Some of the most popular things to do include a visit to a llama farm and an overnight stay with a local family. Most of the people who live in Puno are Andean , so there’s an interesting mix of modern and Andean traditions, and you’ll still find many women in colorful traditional dress.

As Peru’s capital and largest city, Lima is a sprawling metropolis of almost 9 million people. The city was founded in 1535 by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro and offers a rich history as well as exceptional food, a great sense of culture.

You’ll find modern hotels contrasting with traditional and colonial architecture and orderly slums alongside raving nightclubs and bars. Ruled by the Spanish for three centuries, Lima boasts intriguing Spanish-colonial churches , cloisters, and monasteries – a real treat for history buffs.

See also: Where to Stay in Lima

Because of its location close to the coast, Lima is a great foodie destination for seafood lovers. A Lima food tour is a great way to taste your way through the city’s authentic Peruvian delights like Ceviche, with a visit to some of the most authentic markets and restaurants in the city.

Whether you’re taking a stroll through the historic heart of Lima Centro and its craft markets or exploring the more tourist-friendly green suburb of Miraflores , which overflows with antique shops and bars, you’re in for something special in Lima.

6. Colca Canyon

Located in the mountainous Southern Sierra region, Colca Canyon is one of Peru’s most popular tourist destinations. Spanning over 70 kilometers, the world’s second-deepest canyon boasts some spectacular scenery with fascinating Andean culture and nature to discover.

While the sheer size and scale of the canyon are staggering, it is the diversity of the many landscapes that is Colca’s most impressive feature; it encompasses everything from barren steppe and stepped terraces to steep-sided cliffs and rearing mountain peaks. Wherever you go, the scenery is phenomenal, with breathtaking views of Andean condors swirling above the 3,140-metre deep canyon.

Archaeological sites and ruins are dotted about the canyon, while locals maintain their ancestral traditions in their small villages and towns. Many people who visit Colca Canyon start in Chivay before trekking along the scenic rim, past precipitous ravines and death-defying drops, basking in the astonishing scenery and landscapes as they go.

5. Sacred Valley

Once the heartland of the Inca Empire , The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a valley in the Andes, close to Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu . The valley was appreciated by the Incas due to its special geographical and climatic qualities.

Located in Peru’s Southern Sierra, some of the most popular activities here are adventure-based – from trekking and rafting to rock climbing. In contrast, the towns of Yucay and Urubamba are fast becoming a hub for spiritual relaxation and meditation.

Whichever route you take, there’s plenty to discover along the way. There are gorgeous colonial towns, remote villages, colorful markets, and fascinating Incan sites such as the citadels of Pisac, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo tucked along this mysterious route.

Take your time exploring the terraced hills above Pisac , making it down in time to browse the village’s famous artisanal market. Check out Choquequirao , some blissfully uncrowded ruins that are deemed to be giving Machu Picchu a run for its money.

4. Inca Trail

Winding through the mountains, over passes, and above valleys with stunning views all the way, Peru’s Inca Trail is one of the most famous treks in the world. The hike takes around four days to complete and starts just outside of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire , with the end-goal being the mythical Machu Picchu – the Lost City of the Incas.

Using ancient stone paths and trails that the Incas themselves laid down all those centuries ago, the route meanders through diverse ecosystems and landscapes. While some parts run next to stepped terraces, others pass by alpine tundra and cloud forest, with plunging valleys and towering mountains lying in the distance.

As the Inca civilization was centered around the highlands, you’ll also come across ancient ruins on the way.

Due to the Inca Trail’s incredible popularity, visitors now need to book with a tour operator and can choose between several different routes , which vary in distance and elevation. Hiking the historic trail in the footsteps of the Incas is an unforgettable experience and makes arriving at the majestic Machu Picchu all the more special.

3. Arequipa

Located 2,380 meters above sea level, Arequipa is Peru’s second-largest city. Surrounded by volcanoes, including the El Misti , it’s known as the ‘ White City ’ because its buildings were crafted out of white volcanic rock called sillar from the neighboring mountains.

Unlike many of Peru’s other cities, Arequipa doesn’t have any Incan claims to fame – at least, not in the form of ancient settlements. Its most famous Inca sight is the Mummy Juanita, also known as the Lady of Ampato – an astonishingly well-preserved frozen body of a young teenaged Incan girl who was sacrificed to the gods during the 1400s. She can now be found in the Catholic University of Santa María’s Museum of Andean Sanctuaries.

Examples of Spanish colonial architecture can be found throughout the center of the city. Among the most significant of these is the Santa Catalina Convent , which is often described as a city within a city because of its charming streets, colorful buildings and flowers. Beautiful bridges like the Puente Bolognesi also offer historic value as well as scenic views. The city’s main square, the Plaza de Armas , is a common starting point for many tourists with its shops, restaurants and old churches.

Arequipa is the natural jumping-off point for visiting the multicolored Colca Canyon , one of the top tourist attractions in Peru. Dropping to a depth of 3,270 meters, the canyon is one of the deepest of its kind in the world.

Located in the Southern Sierras, colorful Cusco was once the capital of the Incan Empire. Today, it holds the title of the archaeological capital of the Americas. It’s one of Peru’s most-visited destinations, and for good reason: it offers easy access to Machu Picchu and the incredible Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Built by the Spanish on the ruins of age-old Incan temples and palaces, The heart of the city is the main square, the Plaza de Armas , which is surrounded by restaurants, cafes and churches. The colorful San Pedro Market is nearby with vendors selling Quechua handicrafts like alpaca textiles, painted pottery, ceramics and Peruvian dolls as well as fresh produce and drinks.

Just outside the city limits is an important Inca site known as Sacsayhuaman , an enormous walled complex constructed of large limestone boulders. The site is an ancient engineering marvel because of its accurate alignment with annual solstices and its ability to withstand earthquakes.

The city is brimming with culture – it’s the center of Quechua culture in the Andes – and its mountains are etched with trekking routes and hot springs. Strolling the city streets with its colonial architecture, craft markets, museums, boutique hotels and art galleries has a timeless feel to it.

Because of its high-altitude location 3,400 meters above sea level, altitude sickness is a risk in Cusco, so make sure you allow time to acclimatize before making your way here.

1. Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is anyone’s Peruvian highlight, no matter what you’re visiting this South American country for. Tucked 2,430 meters high in the Andes, this abandoned ancient Incan city seems to be eternally enshrouded in mist. In fact, it’s so well hidden that it remained undiscovered for centuries – earning it the nickname ‘ the Lost City of the Incas .’

The site was eventually discovered by an explorer, but even then, only by accident. In the years since its discovery, it’s become one of the most yearned-after bucket list spots in the world. This means it doesn’t come without the crowds, so be sure to plan your trip well in advance.

Some of the most popular ways to reach these crumbling Incan ruins are by trekking the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trail. For those who prefer not to ascend on foot, there is an easier route by train.

However you reach the site, you’ve got plenty to do when you arrive. Explore well-preserved buildings that include houses, temples, fountains and baths in addition to agricultural terraces and evidence of an irrigation system. You can also admire the surrounding views from the Sun Gate , the gateway to Machu Picchu from the famous Inca Trail, and climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain for a bird’s eye view over the enchanting valleys.

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Reader interactions.

September 13, 2017 at 1:17 pm

There are a lot of interesting and amazing places to visit here in Peru. For me, the best one is Machu Picchu because of the last experience that I had there. Even though every city has its own beauty, I’d rather go to Machu Picchu again. For example, if you enjoy beaches and hot weather, you will like being in Mancora. Any place that you visit in Peru will be an unforgettable experience.

April 3, 2016 at 8:48 am

As a Peruvian (now living in CA), I’d recommend trying to get out of the tourist filled areas. While Machu Pichu and Colca Canyon are indeed beautiful. Culture is very much alive were ever you go. Perhaps make friends with a family who are direct descendants of the incas, still eat their foods, wear their clothes, speak their language, etc. You’ll be surprised how much is there that has not been ‘touristified’ simply wandering the streets of Cusco, I have seen rocks with no less than 20 different sides, sculpted to interlock perfectly with their neighbors. No doubt crafted by the hands of an Inca. Just beware, if you choose this route, be prepared to eat whole fish, Guinea pigs, and a crap ton of quinoa.

February 20, 2016 at 11:52 pm

My family and I have spent 14 days in Peru with travel agency known as Papriqua. This has been the most memorable vacation for us ever. We had a well informed guide , a walking library, and I must say ,that guy had all the answers The weather was fantastic, the food was great, the people there, were friendly, accomodations were satisfying and the sites were absolutely fantastic. I believe we will go back to explore the Amazon , Iquitos , Trujillo and to visit that area { Lord of Sipan}

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The 25 Best Places to Visit in Peru

Peru often becomes a favorite destination for many visitors. With its fascinating history, diverse culture, delicious food, and a multitude of things to do, it’s easy to see why. Peru famously offers one of the New7Wonders of the World at Machu Picchu. But you can also enjoy beautiful historic cities from the Spanish colonial period, taste unique and delicious cuisine, and find some of the world’s top luxury experiences.

Sometimes overlooked, Peru is also home to the second largest area of the Amazon Rainforest. And this guide will mention a few remarkable areas to enjoy this vast region. Because of Peru’s diversity, this is a summary guide of the 25 Best Places to Visit in Peru to help you make the most of the country. So let’s get started.

The Tambopata National Reserve

Machu picchu, the pacaya samiria national reserve, peru’s cloud forest, colca canyon, the tamshiyacu tahuayo reserve, the ollantaytambo ruins, the manu rainforest, the paracas national reserve, the ballestas islands, the huacachina sand dunes, the huascarán national park, rainbow mountain, sacsayhuaman, lake titicaca.

A beautiful protected area in southern Peru, the Tambopata National Reserve offers some amazing wildlife opportunities. Covering a little over 3.6 million acres of species-rich rainforest, the reserve connects with surrounding conservation areas. Tambopata is part of one of the world’s largest sections of protected tropical forest.

A phenomenon of this region is that there are more clay licks here than anywhere else on Earth. The licks are visited by macaws and other animals to obtain salts and medicines. This means that you can see hundreds of colorful macaws in one area, and this increases your chance of spotting iconic predators, including ocelots and jaguars. Not only a great place to find parrots, the clay licks are also visited by rainforest mammals, such as tapir, peccary, and even monkeys.

Rainforest lodges have been built in a responsible manner near the clay licks, which means you have almost guaranteed wildlife viewing. The Tambopata lodges in deep rainforest also report higher chances of jaguar sightings than anywhere else in Amazonia.

In addition to the clay licks, this area of the rainforest has many different oxbow lakes. Formed when the river changed direction, the lakes attract a variety of fantastic animals. Some of the favorites to see are the giant otters, hoatzin birds, and colorful herons, but also the many monkeys that visit the lake edges to feed.

If you would like to explore Tambopata, there are fantastic Amazon tours in Peru to make the most of Tambopata Reserve and other areas of the Peruvian Amazon .

The most famous sight in Peru, Machu Picchu draws over a million visitors each year to marvel at this incredible and beautiful Incan structure. Perched high on the Andes, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed landmark was a 15th-century Incan site. It is thought to have been built for emperor Pachacuti who lived between 1438 and 1472. This was at the pinnacle of the Inca Empire, and Machu Picchu stands prominently atop the mountain as if to highlight Inca dominance.

While looking at the structure, it’s hard to believe that the Spanish had no idea of its existence. The Inca kept Machu Picchu a well-kept secret from the world until the expedition of the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. This means that for nearly 500 years the only people who knew of Machu Picchu were the people living nearby.

Now one of the world’s most visited sights, you can visit Machu Picchu from Cusco by enjoying the Vistadome or luxury-class Hiram Bingham train from Poroy Station. And the best way to visit Machu Picchu is on a combination tour with some of the astounding sights around Cusco.

The birthplace of the Incan Empire, Cusco is now one of the major tourist cities in Peru, as it’s the base to enjoy the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Although the entry point to Peru’s popular attractions, the city itself is definitely worth exploring for a couple of days or more, as there are some fantastic things to do in and around Cusco.

The entire city has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The reason for this is that Cusco was built on the historic Incan capital. This means you can find the Spanish colonial buildings built on Incan foundations. Even the main city plaza is in the place of a historic Incan square, which is guarded by the Cusco Cathedral constructed on the ruins of an Incan palace.

Enjoy some of the world’s most historically fascinating city walks as you navigate the narrow cobblestone streets lined with giant Incan stones. Above this, you will see the wooden balconies and Spanish brickwork with the merging of two contrasting cultures.

Peruvian cuisine offers another journey into the merging of distinct cultures. You can find some fantastic restaurants in Cusco to try local cuisine. Some recommendations include Museo de Pisco, where you can also try variations of Pisco sour, the national drink, and Faustina for delicious Peruvian cuisine. You can also head to Kusikuy if your curiosity gets the better of you and you would like to try guinea pig, which is a traditional Andean food.

From Cusco, you can enjoy guided tours to explore the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. We will mention some of the favorite sights from Cusco on this page, such as Machu Picchu above, but also the Incan and pre-Incan structures of Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Sacsayhuaman.

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is one of Peru’s largest protected areas. A mostly flooded reserve of the Amazon Rainforest, the Pacaya Samiria is known as the ‘mirrored forest’ due to the water’s beautiful reflections.

Because of its incredible size and protection, you can find many animals and plants within the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. Spot colorful birds, several different types of monkeys, delicate orchids, bromeliads, and tall emergent trees. Surrounded by lush vegetation, incredible wildlife, and reflective waters. We rank the Pacaya Samiria as one of the best places to visit in Peru.

On fantastic Pacaya Samiria cruises, you won’t simply be confined to the vessel but will instead head out on small group tours. Enjoy guided expeditions along the waterways to find howler monkeys, capuchins, toucans, colorful macaws, pink river dolphins, and more.

Because this is a large protected area extending over 5 million acres, the best way to enjoy the Pacaya Samiria is on a river cruise. To visit the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, you will first fly to Iquitos in northern Peru. After arrival in Iquitos, you will be collected by your booked tour and will be transported to Nauta, which is your gateway to this incredible region.

A cloud forest is defined as a forest at such a high altitude that it’s penetrated by cloud cover. The high altitude, temperature differences, and sloping nature of the terrain have created one of the world’s most species-rich biomes.

Although threatened, the environment contains a record-breaking diversity of animals and plants. For example, this is where you will find the world’s highest diversity of hummingbirds. You will find many orchids, bromeliads, and different monkeys.

You can visit the cloud forest of Peru from Cusco by enjoying a stay at different cloud forest lodges.

This region is also where you can find Peru’s national bird, the bright red cock-of-the-rock. In fact, on guided tours, you can visit the dancing ground where the birds display to potential mates with a colorful and showy dance.

Enjoy guided tours to explore the cloud forest to find many different birds, including the national bird already mentioned, but also different hummingbirds, toucans, and tanagers. In addition to birds, you can find capuchins, wooly monkeys, bromeliads, and delicate orchids.

There are walking trails from the lodges where you can see different cloud forest habitats, including bamboo areas and mountain streams.

Another of Peru’s favorite places, covering 50 miles and descending 6,000 feet, Colca Canyon is the world’s second deepest canyon.

The region provides beautiful scenery, and you can often see the famous Andean condors gliding above.

In addition to the beautiful scenery and astounding features of the canyon itself, you can find Incan remnants dotting the region. You will also see the small viscachas (a chinchilla relative) darting between the rocks.

There are fantastic walks to enjoy in Colca Canyon and also some great lodges, which offer spectacular views. Another of the favorite things is that many locals still wear traditional Andean dress, which means the region offers some interesting cultural experiences.

Built by the mysterious Chachapoyas of northern Peru, Kuelap’s size and design make it one of the only structures in Peru that can rival Machu Picchu in significance. As with Machu Picchu, this is another remarkable structure that remained completely unknown to the Spanish.

The Chachapoyas are known as the ‘cloud people’ because they lived in the mountains in an area of cloud forest. The ruins of Kuelap themselves consist of a high-walled fortress built around the 6th Century AD. Although being built at this time, Kuelap was inhabited until the Spanish conquest of South America.

The wall surrounding Kuelap reaches 65 feet high and was built with large pink granite stone. Although lesser known than Machu Picchu, the size of Kuelap combined with the scenery of the impressive cloud forest make it one of Peru’s must-visit attractions. Surrounding the structure, you will enjoy delicate orchids, bromeliads, and lush vegetation.

Nestled in an area of Peruvian rainforest beside the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve mentioned further up, the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Reserve is better explored from a rainforest lodge. This is because the Tamshiyacu area contains more accessible higher ground forest where you can explore the Amazon on foot.

Home to an impressive diversity of animals, the Tahuayo Reserve is a great place to find several different monkeys. Enjoy spotting howler monkeys, capuchins, squirrel monkeys, titi monkeys, and saki monkeys. Although rarely seen, a much-loved species in the protected area is the uakari monkey, which was a main reason for the reserve’s foundation.

You can find many animals and plants in the reserve, including iconic rainforest species. Recently, camera traps have even captured images of a black jaguar roaming the reserve.

The favorite animals and plants you’re likely to see in the reserve include the different monkeys mentioned above, but also two species of sloths, river otters, blue and yellow macaws, parrots, tanagers, trogons, colorful cotingas, delicate orchids, and tall emergent trees. A favorite sighting hard to see in southern Peru are the mysterious pink dolphins that often make an appearance, especially over the dry season.

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Chan Chan is the world’s second-largest adobe city and was built by the Chimú culture of northern Peru. This was the most significant structure of the Chimú and was the largest pre-Columbian city in South America. And it makes Chan Chan one of Peru’s best places to visit.

Located on the coast of northern Peru, the weather is sunny and warm, and even the name ‘Chan Chan’ simply means ‘Sun Sun’ in the Chimu language.

Chan Chan is found in Peru’s Moche Valley and was once the capital of the Chimor Empire from AD 900 to 1470. This was until Chimor fell to the Inca Empire led by Topa Inca Yupanqui. The Chimu were the last culture that stood any chance of challenging the Inca civilization.

Around 50,000 people were thought to have lived in Chan Chan at the height of the Chimor Empire. While walking around this incredible city, there are ten thousand different structures you can see, giving insight into the significance of the Chimu culture.

Differing from Machu Picchu and Kuelap, Chan Chan was well known to the Spanish. The Chimu were well known because of their gold and the Spanish were quick to loot the city after their conquest. The gold was then sent to Lima for its journey to Spain aboard the famous Spanish galleons.

Another of Peru’s main tourist sights accessed from Cusco, the Ollantaytambo Ruins, are famous for being the only area where the Inca actually won a battle against the technologically advanced Spanish conquistadors.

Ollantaytambo is a pre-Incan fortress that was used as the royal estate of Inca Pachacuti in the 15th Century. However, it was the Manco Inca Yupanqui who led the attack against the Spanish.

This was one of the last Incan strongholds against the conquistadors. As the Spanish approached below to begin their attack, the Manco Inca ordered a barrage of boulders, arrows, and spears onto the conquistadors. Combined with the flooding of the area due to the Inca’s remarkable knowledge of irrigation, this led to the Spanish retreat.

Located in the Sacred Valley by the Patacancha River, you can visit Ollantaytambo on day trips from Cusco. It is often combined with other nearby attractions.

The lowland rainforest surrounding Manu National Park is a famous area for an Amazon Rainforest experience. Along with the Tambopata Reserve, the Manu rainforest has been mentioned in various nature and adventure publications because of its incredible wildlife.

Some of the most fascinating features of the Manu rainforest are the abundant clay licks, which hundreds of colorful macaws visit to obtain medicinal and salt-rich clay. Lodges have been built in a responsible manner to give guests almost guaranteed sightings of these incredible birds.

One of the most thought-provoking tourist sights of the Incan Empire, Moray is a large array of concentric circular terraces.

The terraces are 100 feet deep in some areas, which left archaeologists puzzled over their purpose. With ongoing research, it was discovered that the terraces were filled with soil from all over the Inca Empire. Also, the temperature can differ by 27°F between the lowest and highest level. With this information, it’s now thought that Moray was an Incan laboratory for selecting crop varieties.

The Incan and other Andean cultures managed to create thousands of different maize and potato varieties. Moray could provide insight into how this fantastic agricultural feat was achieved.

Moray is not as popular as the other Incan sites. However, the area provides a fantastic look into the lives of Andean communities during the Inca Empire. Because Moray is located close to other better-known sights, you can visit Moray along with other Incan ruins when touring the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Sitting in the Amazon Rainforest of northern Peru, Iquitos is one of the main gateways to the Peruvian Amazon . However, most people are collected and returned to the airport in Iquitos before and after their Amazon tour.

If you have the time, we recommend a day or two to relax a little and learn about this fascinating rubber boom city. There are some interesting things to do in Iquitos, including visiting the butterfly farm, seeing a beautiful lake, enjoying different museums, and trying traditional jungle cuisine. To mention one of many unique points about the city, Iquitos is the largest city in the world unconnected to any other by road. This alone has left a unique feel to the city streets.

Iquitos grew from a Jesuit mission during the rubber boom of 1879 to 1912. This is when the rise of the bicycle and automobile caused a great demand for rubber, which was sourced from the rubber trees that grew in the Amazon Rainforest.

The rubber barons who owned the plantations built elaborate mansions, which have now been converted to restaurants, hotels, cafes and supermarkets. While walking the streets, you can identify these historically fascinating buildings by their elaborate tiling and windows.

A famous building in Iquitos is called the Iron House. Unbelievably, the Iron House was shipped all the way from Paris after a rubber baron saw it during an architectural exhibition. It now stands in Iquitos city opposite the Plaza de Armas.

Another fascinating place you can visit in Peru, Sipan, is an archaeological site from the Moche Civilization and dates to between 50 – 700 AD. The site is where the Moche buried members of their royalty, and there are different elaborate tombs to find.

The most famous of the tombs is called the Lord of Sipán, and much of what we know of the Moche is from this one tomb. Researchers have found evidence of human sacrifice, and there are artifacts depicting ceremonial burials.

Drawings of items found within the tomb indicate sacrifice, bloodletting, and decapitation. In addition to the drawings, archaeologists also discovered other human remains in the tomb, along with some large knives.

You can visit the site from the city of Chiclayo. Although Sipan is the most well-known remnant of the Moche culture, there are many pyramids and other remains found in the nearby Moche Valley.

A uniquely attractive city in Peru, many of the historic buildings in Arequipa were crafted from locally available white volcanic rock. In addition to these buildings and Spanish colonial architecture, the city is backed by three volcanoes creating spectacular scenery.

Some of Peru’s favorite dishes originate in Arequipa, and you can enjoy some delicious restaurants. Enjoy walking the streets to marvel at beautiful buildings and visit interesting museums. Like Lima and Cusco, Arequipa’s Historic Center is also listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Arequipa is a fantastic place to visit and is Peru’s second-largest city after Lima. This is also the gateway to other fantastic places in Peru, such as Colca Canyon mentioned further up.

The Paracas National Reserve is one of the lesser visited attractions Peru has to offer. Covering over 500,000 acres of land and coastal waters, the reserve contains remains of the mysterious Paracas culture.

You can learn more about the Paracas culture in the small museum near the reserve entrance. The reserve is also the location where archaeologists discovered some of the oldest human remains in the Americas, which date to over 8,000 years ago.

The reserve is also a good area for bird watching, as 200 birds can be spotted in the region. The wildlife you can see includes the Chilean flamingos as well as sea lions. For some more wildlife, you can head to the Ballestas Islands.

Located a short boat ride off the coast of Peru, on the Ballestas Islands, you can find sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, and Peruvian booby birds. While enjoying the boat ride to visit the islands, you can look back to see the mysterious candelabra etched in the rock, which is just one of the region’s many prehistoric geoglyphs.

Huacachina is your oasis in the middle of the Peruvian desert. The oasis is fringed with palm trees and is surrounded by different restaurants, cafes, and hotels. This is a great place to relax after your adventures on the surrounding sand dunes.

Located about 5 km from Ica, this is also where many Ica residents relax on a weekend. However, it’s adventure-seeking tourists that make up a large portion of Huacachina visitors. The sand dunes are some of the largest in the world, which you can explore on sand buggies or by sandboarding for a fun adventure sport.

The feeling on the sand buggies is similar to being on a roller coaster, as the dunes can be 30 feet high in some places.

Home to hundreds of beautiful lagoons and glaciers, the Huascarán National Park is a favorite destination for people interested in mountain sports.

However, even if serious mountain climbing is of no interest, you can still visit several beautiful areas on half-day walks, such as beautiful glacial lagoons.

The park protects over 800,000 acres of the central Andean mountain range named the Cordillera Blanca. This includes Mount Huascaran, which is Peru’s largest mountain.

In addition to beautiful Andean scenery, you can enjoy spotting a number of fascinating animals and plants. See the famous Andean condors flying high above the reserve and even the vicuñas, which are one of Peru’s iconic camelids. Vicuña cloth was regarded so highly during the Inca Empire that it was reserved exclusively for Incan royalty.

To visit this beautiful place, you can base yourself in the city of Huaraz, which is a little north of Lima, Peru’s capital city.

One of the more recently popular attractions in Peru, Rainbow Mountain, as it is now known, is actually called Vinicunca. This is a fantastic multi-colored part of the Peruvian Andes, which you can visit on 1-day or 2-day tours from Cusco. If you enjoy adventure, you can also take the guided week-long Ausangate trek.

The colors come from the natural sandstone, which has striped the mountain with yellow, red, gold, and turquoise rock. Although only recently popularized as a tourist attraction, the unique, colorful beauty of the area makes Rainbow Mountain one of the most beautiful places in Peru’s Andes.

Lima is Peru’s capital city, and it is also home to some of Peru’s top attractions. The main draw for visitors is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Center. This is the oldest part of Lima, where you can enjoy a beautiful plaza surrounded by Spanish colonial buildings. There are some fascinating buildings in the area, such as the Monastery of San Francisco with its famous catacombs.

Another of Peru’s attractions is the food. Peruvian cuisine ranks among the world’s best, and Lima has many different top restaurants to enjoy. There are a diversity of uniquely Peruvian dishes with influences and fusions from Italian, Spanish, Arabic, and Asian cultures.

In addition to the more popular Cusco, Lima is also worth a visit for a day or two. Recommended areas to stay in are either Miraflores or the Barranco district. Miraflores is the main tourist hub in Lima and Barranco offers a more relaxed and artistic side to the city.

In addition to the Historic Center and restaurants, Lima is home to many other top things to do in Peru. You can enjoy fascinating museums and some great shopping for alpaca cloth and other items. For shopping, we recommend the Larcomar shopping center in Miraflores or Jockey Plaza in Surco. Some fascinating museums include the Museum of the Central Reserve Bank and the Larco Museum.

Another favorite sight in Cusco’s Sacred Valley, Sacsayhuaman, was a mystery to the Spanish. They didn’t think Andean cultures were capable of such impressive engineering feats.

This is one of the closest archaeological sites to Cusco, and although built by the pre-Incan Killke culture, this was later used as a citadel by the Inca Empire.

Built on a hill overlooking Cusco, Sacsayhuaman was the perfect position for a fortress to keep an eye on the Incan capital.

When you visit, you will see the incredible feats required in construction. It’s predicted that the entire area took 20,000 men to complete, as some of the giant stones lining the walls weigh 100 tons each.

You can also find 200 different archaeological structures dotted around the attraction.

If you’re lucky enough to visit Peru on the 24th of June, you can also witness the famous Inti Raymi celebrations that focus on Sacsayhuaman. This is a traditional Incan festival in honor of the sun god, the most important deity in Incan culture.

Trujillo is another city worth a visit. This is the gateway to the archaeological complex of Chan Chan mentioned above. However, Trujillo is also worth exploring due to its historic and compact city center.

Sitting in a green valley north of Peru’s capital, Trujillo offers beautiful architecture, ornate colonial churches, elaborate mansions, and different museums. The narrow cobblestone streets make it easy to imagine the time of the Spanish conquest. This was the main break area for sailors on the journey between Lima and Panama, with their ships filled with gold.

You can also explore the colonial houses for a glimpse into the city’s history.

The city is much smaller than Lima or Arequipa, and it can be explored after a couple of days. You can expect a warmer climate and clearer skies.

If you’re after a beach location, the best suggestions are the beaches around Mancora. For a long time, Mancora was a secret of surfers. However, with its great seafood, comfortable resorts, sunshine, beautiful beaches and great nightlife, Mancora has become a general traveler destination.

With the warm water and calm waves in certain areas, this is a great place for surfing beginners. There are also more challenging swells for experienced surfers.

As this is a well-known spot in the surfing community, the area can be busy. If you would prefer a more relaxing beach setting, you can try Vichayito, which is just a little further south. It’s also close enough to still come back for the hotels, cafes, and restaurants offered in Mancora itself.

Another of Peru’s well-known visitor sites, Lake Titicaca , is the world’s highest large lake. Accessed from the city of Puno in southern Peru, many local people in the region still wear traditional dress, making it an interesting cultural experience. The local women often wear petticoats and bowler hats, and their children dress in very colorful clothes. You can also visit the Uros community living on lake islands made entirely of reeds.

Around the lake, you can enjoy spotting a diversity of different animals. The wildlife you’re likely to see nearby includes many different birds and the vicuñas, which are the wild ancestors of the famous alpaca.

Lake Titicaca holds great significance for Andean communities as it did for the Inca themselves. Their belief is that Titicaca was the birthplace of the sun.

Ica has been inhabited by Andean communities for thousands of years. However, in 1563 with the defeat of the Inca, Ica became another Spanish-influenced city.

Ica is the base to experience the Paracas National Reserve and Huacachina sand dunes mentioned above.

Ica itself is also worth a visit in its own right. The region produces much of Peru’s wine and Pisco. There are many different wineries to visit, and you can also try Pisco, which is the main ingredient in the Pisco sour, Peru’s national drink.

You can enjoy different museums to learn about the region’s recent and ancient cultures, including the Paracas, Nasca, Ica, and the famous Inca

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15 Best Places to Visit in Peru

One of the most coveted destinations in all of South America comes complete with breathtaking fortresses built by the Incas, soaring cloud forests, the snow-topped Andes, the dusty Atacama and the misty Amazon rainforest alike.

No wonder there’s a veritable wealth of must-see spots between its borders. Let’s explore the best places to visit in Peru:

1. Machu Picchu

The great fortress in the clouds, the masterpiece of the Incas, the Andean citadel to rival all others, Machu Picchu rarely fails to draw a gasp.

It sits perched a whopping 2,400 meters up on the spikey ridges above the winding Urubamba River; the jewel of the iconic Sacred Valley and reachable only by foot.

Various treks weave their way up to the UNESCO heritage wonder from below, passing rustic Peruvian mountain towns and offering up breathtaking vistas of the Andes as they go.

Then the prize itself emerges: a glorious conglomeration of terraced houses and temples, crumbling altarpieces and animist sculpture, draped dramatically between the cloud forests and oozing pre-Columbian history from every one of its cracked and weathered pores.

Not even the conquistadores made it here!

Butting up to the Pacific rollers in lines of condominiums and lurching high-rises, Lima sprawls out over the Peruvian coastal plain in a patchwork of the new and the old.

It’s a place where the elegant remnants of a colonial past rub shoulders with ancient ruins; where 500-year-old relics pepper the museum rooms close to bustling food courts bursting with South American ceviche and Pisco sours to knock your socks off.

Of course, there’s a throbbing nightlife scene worthy of its 10 million people; erupting between the streets of Miraflores and Barranco every night of the week.

And that’s not even mentioning the beaches that line the coast to the north and south of the city, awash with surfers at Cabo Blanco, sunbathers at Vichayito and cocktail sippers at Los Pocitas. Nice.

3. Chan Chan

The ancient gateway to the arid desert lands of the Moche Valley is now one of the most fascinating pre-Columbian dig sites in all of Peru (and that’s saying something!). It’s thought that the sprawling ruins of the city that can now be seen here, popping up like a cardboard cut-out almost organically from the beige dunes and ridges of the desert, were raised in the middle of the 9th century AD. Chan Chan was once the epicentre of the powerful Chimor Empire until the conquistadores established nearby power bases in Trujillo in the 1500s, and today the remains of monolith defence walls, countless temples and court rooms, and elaborate irrigation systems can all be seen.

4. Huacachina

Just a short dune ride (preferably by 4X4) from the city of Ica, little Huacachina rises like a tropical gem from amidst the shifting sands.

An oasis town par excellence, this tiny settlement hugs its own small pop-up lake and comes dotted with lanky date palms which sway and wobble in the dry, dry breezes.

Given its fantastic location on the rolling ochre-beige ridges of the Ica wilds, the town has become a regular favourite on the Peruvian travel trail, and now boasts a clutch of top-quality backpacker guesthouses, boutique hotels and even a surprising nightlife scene that’s fuelled by Pisco sours.

By day, be sure to try your hand at sandboarding!

Everyone from intrepid mountaineers to casual hikers to view seekers flock to the high-perched town of Huaraz, which comes shrouded on all sides by the chiselled and precipitous peaks of the great Cordillera Blanca (many of which rise to a whopping 6,000 meters above sea level!). Earthquakes have long been the nemesis in this metamorphic corner of Peru, which means the town here has been built and rebuilt countless times.

Still, it’s not really about the urban side of things.

Not with the mint-white massifs of the Huascaran National Park beckoning to the east, complete with curious blooms of titanka plants, prehistoric cave art, dinosaur footprints and the craggy tops of Tawllirahu alike.

6. Trujillo

Trujillo is the largest city in Peru’s Moche Valley.

Once trodden by the Spanish conquistadores, it still oozes a colonial charm from each of its marble plazas and technicolour churches.

The clip clop of paso horses and the mellifluous sounds of Spanish chatter twist and turn around the palm-spattered Plaza de Armas at the metro’s heart, while Rococo elegance abounds on the Cathedral’s faces and the desert peaks of Moche rise to a bulwark on the horizon.

It’s a truly beautiful place to while away some time in the north, and offers unrivalled access to the bucket-list attractions of Chan Chan and the Huaca del Sol just to the south.

7. Tingo Maria

Tingo Maria sits nestled deep in the Andean ridges, blooming in a thousand shades of green thanks to the wet and fertile climate of the Amazonia side of the mountains.

Once considered virtually inaccessible, the spot soon became one of Peru’s prime commercial coffee growing centers, and the streets still enjoy the aromas of freshly-brewed beans and the energy of weekly farmer’s markets to boot.

However, Tingo Maria is perhaps better known – at least to the gringo tourists who now flock here out of Lima – as the gateway to the jungle.

The Tingo Maria National Park beckons just on the peripheries, home to the tunnels of the Owl Cave and the soaring summit of Pumarinri alike.

Laid-back and relaxed as it runs along the shores of Lake Titicaca, Puno is a real treat.

With its cascading barrios of breeze-block buildings and dust-caked streets, it may not look the part.

But Puno’s draws are on the water, not on the land.

Boat trips are hugely popular, taking travelers out to see the likes of Amantani, with its earthy Quechua farmers and crumbling pre-Columbian temples, or Uros, and its iconic reed villages.

Trips across to Bolivia and the Isla del Sol are also possible (this is the world’s highest navigable body of water after all!), while Puno itself offers up a great range of budget guesthouses and hotels to choose from.

9. Tarapoto

Fringed by swathes of montane jungle and blooming with its own resident population of palm trees, the so-called ‘City of Palms’ is a great place to sample real, raw Peruvian life right on the edge of the Andes.

Eateries tout platters of local highland foods, spice-doused chicken and rice dishes, and refreshing sugarcane juices all along the central streets, while night time parties erupt in Morales and travel groups depart to swim in the roaring waterfalls at Ahuashiyacu and Huacamaillo.

Outdoors adventures are never too far away, with the tropical reaches of the Amazon and its many rivers and jungle-clad valleys beckoning just to the east.

Cascading its way down the mountain ridges of the Southern Sierra in a dash of pretty Spanish-style bungalows with terracotta roofs, Tarma is one of the lesser known stop-offs in the Junin Region.

Despite lurking just a little from the tracks of the Inca Trail, the town only draws a humble crowd of visitors each year.

Those who do come can enjoy chacta-packed teas in the cafes, wonder at the colours during the Festival of Flowers in September and unravel more than 500 years of history to boot (Tarma was one of the first hill stations in this section of the Andes to be established by the conquistadores). Hiking is also popular, with treks around the foothills and mountain lakes here weaving in and out of the Andes and the Amazon alike.

11. Puerto Maldonado

Straddling the waterways of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios Rivers as they join to form one of the tributaries to the mighty Amazon in the east, Puerto Maldonado is Peru’s jungle city par excellence.

Once only accessible by boat, the town has recently joined the country’s ever-expanding road network and now booms with hikers and wildlife seekers during its high-season.

They come to spy out the multi-coloured macaws and old -rowth rainforests that the enticing trio of the Tambopata National Reserve, the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, and Bahuaja-Sonene National Park offer to the north-west and south-east alike.

If you do head to those wilds, expect everything from cultural encounters with Peruvian tribes to giant otters and spectacled bears!

12. Arequipa

Peru’s onetime capital and second most populous metropolis, 850,000-strong Arequipa is the buzzing metro hub of the country’s southern reaches.

It can be found spread out over the highlands of the Huayco Uchumayo, set in the shadow of three mighty volcanos: brooding Misti, the snow-mantled massifs of Pikchu Pikchu, soaring, 6,000-meter-high Chachani.

The town bears one glorious UNESCO core of old-style mansions and Spanish colonial churches, all fused with the traditions of Peruvian building to create the unique architectural look now hailed as Escuela Arequipena.

To see this first hand, check out the 16th-century Santa Catalina Monastery, the neoclassical Basilica Cathedral, or the almost Petra-esque Church of the Jesuits.

13. Urubamba

Situated between the green slopes and cloud forests of the much-visited Sacred Valley of the Incas, Urubamba is the gateway to some of Peru’s most bucket-list sights.

In the town, the streets are thronged with everything from classy hotels to earthy guesthouses, gringos and walkers fresh from the Incan Trail flitting between the bars and Plaza de Armas on rumbling auto rickshaws.

It’s one of the top bases for exploring the various ancient sites that adorn the ridges here, whether that means scaling to the heights of Machu Picchu, hitting the agricultural terraces of Tipon, seeking the mysterious ruins of Choquequirao, or enjoying ecotourism in the cultural attraction of Chichubamba.

The onetime epicentre of Incan power in the Americas is now a thriving tourist hub, touting everything from glorious Spanish churches to the crumbling remnants of the city’s former pre-Columbian masters.

With century upon century of Peruvian past concealed beneath the town’s throbbing streets, it’s easy to see why so many travelers make their way here.

Just check out the whitewashed cottages of Barrio de San Blas, awash with Incan treasures below their floors, or the glowing Plaza de Armas, where Andalusian arcades rise and fall beneath the baroque majesty of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin.

And when it’s time to leave the city, Peru’s most iconic backcountry awaits: the cloud forests and Incan treasures of the Sacred Valley!

Nazca is best known as the jumping off point for seeing the famous Nazca Lines: centuries-old petroglyphs and markings carved out of the rolling pampas on the edge of the Chilean Atacama.

The air is dry and dusty in the town, and most of the city is pleasant and walkable.

Tour operators here will clamber over one another to offer travelers flights out over the mysterious UNESCO site in the desert, while trips to Cahuachi and Paredones, and the prehistoric cave systems and walking trails of the Palpa Valley, are also fine options for any looking to combine adventure and history in one.

15 Best Places to Visit in Peru:

• Machu Picchu
• Tingo Maria
• Puerto Maldonado

15 picturesque places to visit in Peru

Recently updated on August 13th, 2023 at 10:40 am

While capital city Lima on the Pacific coast and iconic Machu Picchu get the headlines, know that every inch of Peru is paradise. From arid deserts to drenched Amazon rainforest. Colossal canyons, wonderful waterfalls, soaring sand dunes and shimmering lakes. And even rainbow coloured mountains (yes really), Peru is Mother Nature’s playground. That’s why we’ve pulled together 15 stunning places to visit in Peru, just for you.

Machu Picchu

Flanked by awesome Andes Mountains, the Inca trail to Machu Picchu’s ancient ruins is one of the most special places to visit in Peru. A bucket-list spot and one of the Seven Wonders of the World for good reason. This 15 th century citadel was the pride of place of Incan civilisations, and remarkably escaped the attention of Spanish conquerers. Perched on a 2,430 metre mountain ridge, gaze at gigantic stones that fit perfectly together (without the need for mortar), which Incas carved into the rock. Wave hello to llamas as you walk. Oh, and remember your camera.

GET INSPIRED: Visit Peru with Trafalgar on the Highlights of Peru tour

Facing the gorgeous Pacific coast and flanked by dramatic mountain landscapes, Peru’s capital is picture perfect. There’s also vibrant life at every turn here. From succulent ceviche to lively nightlife. You can also admire colonial architecture, religious paintings, sculptures and other pre-Columbian artefacts that reveal aspects of ancient Peruvian cultures. Revel in this ‘culinary capital’ of South America and one of the most vibrant places to visit in Peru with a trip to a local food market – where bright vegetables and fresh seafood seemingly stretch for miles, igniting the senses.

Salt Mines of Maras

Step into village of Maras, 50 km in the northeast of Cusco city. Locals continue to farm salt from 4,500 salt pools here and sell it in the city – using the same traditional techniques they used 500 years ago. On our Highlights of Peru tour, discover these salt mining techniques first-hand from villages and try your hand yourself. Or simply soak in this staggeringly beautiful sight.

Lake Titicaca

Meet Lake Titicaca – the world’s highest navigable lake above sea level at 3,812 m. Sat on the border between Peru and Bolivia in the Andes mountains, your heart will skip a beat here. Cruise past the floating islands constructed by the Uros Indians – and hear about weaving and knitting traditions from locals on Taquile Island.

Cerro Blanco Dunes

Step into a wild expanse of sand southeast of Nazca City, truly one of the most stunning places to visit in Peru. Cerro Blanco dunes are 3,860 feet (1,176 meters) from base to peak – making it one of the tallest sand dunes in the world. And a jaw-dropping picture to show your friends back home.

RELATED CONTENT: 6 films inspired by the beautiful natural landscapes of Peru

­Sea lions, pelicans and penguins roam around Paracas’ red sand beaches on Peru’s west coast. Head to the Inca region (152 miles from Lima) to gaze at a melting pot of mother nature: with desert, ocean and islands all in sight.

The Rainbow Mountains

Amazingly, snow melted in 2015 to reveal the seven colours of the rocks underneath this spot which is one of the best places to visit in Peru. Vinicunca (also known as The Rainbow Mountains) is a sight to behold. Put on your hiking shoes and scale 1,585 metres above sea level for a sighting. We recommend visiting between March and November to see it in good light.

Gocta Waterfall

This majestic waterfall was unknown until 2002, when a German researcher called Stefan Ziemendorff and a group of locals took stumbled across it during an expedition waterfall. Visitors now flock to see this 771m high mass of water crashing down into th Cocahuayco River below.

Once capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco city in the Andes Mountains is now one of the most unmissable places to visit in Peru. Explore the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Sacsayhuaman fortress overlooking Cusco, take in Spanish colonial architecture, and stare at the Sacred Valley’s fertile farmland 15km to the north. A beautiful moment of calm every trip needs.

GET INSPIRED BY: In the Footsteps of the Incas tour

Mancora Beach

Step onto warm white sand at Mancora beach. Turn to face the warm turquoise sea, and sun-drenched skies. Grab a surf board and dive in before relaxing with a fresh plate of ceviche and refreshing pisco sour. It would be rude not to.

Nazca Lines

The Nazca lines are 1000 square kilometres of ancient geoglyphs etched into the Incan desert. It’s estimated there are 300 figures in total, including a waving figure that is open to interpretations. As well as flowers, trees and monkeys, hummingbirds, cactus plants, whales, ducks and llamas. It’s likely these were drawn by the Nazca people but their message remains a mystery. Scholars believe these lines were carved as a ritual to the gods and prayer for rain.

Huascaran National Park

The snow-capped peaks of Huascarán National Park radiate awesome power. Gaze at glaciers and turquoise lakes. And keep your eyes peeled for pumas, vicunas and bears roaming these hills.

RELATED CONTENT: Top places to visit in Peru

Pastorouri Glacier

Find one of South America’s few remaining glaciers in north Peru. Located 70km southeast of Huaraz, this makes an unforgettable day trip. Despite being 5,250 metres above sea level, it is constantly retreating. And while preservation efforts are ongoing, there’s no better time than the present to visit.

Cotahuasi Canyon

Stand before Cotahuasi Canyon (near Arequipa city) – nearly double the depth of the Grand Canyon (at 3515 metres). It formed out of past volcanic eruptions and the erosion of rivers and glaciers over millions of years. And deserves a spot on your bucket list.

Amazon Rainforest

Last but not least: Peru’s slice of the jaw-dropping Amazon River and rainforest is staggering. On a Trafalgar Footsteps of the Incas tour , you’ll explore it with Local Specialist Peter Frost (a writer, photographer and independent scholar who has explored the Andes and Amazon for 47 years). You’ll climb the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway to view the rainforest from its rooftop. Spot multi-coloured parrots and monkeys swinging between trees on monkey island. Hike through thick jungle in Tambopata National Reserve – taking in towering green walls of vegetation, the cacophony of birdcalls, and light filtering beautifully through the trees. What are you waiting for?

GET INSPIRED BY: Highlights of Peru with Amazon tour

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18 Unique Places to Visit in Peru

Posted on October 9, 2023 | Julie J. |

Planning a trip to Peru? Travelers share below their favorite destination in Peru, what makes it special as well as useful travel tips to help you plan your trip there.

Peru is a land of beautiful scenery and diverse cultures where you can experience incredible outdoor activities, sightseeing, wildlife watching, and much more. From the biodiverse Amazon to ancient Inca cities to scenic towns, Peru has a lot to offer.

Join us as we embark on a trip through some of the most unique places to visit in Peru , including the top things to do and all the must-see destinations.

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By Jenny of Girls Who Travel

The Inca trail is iconic, and it is on the bucket list of many hikers. With that comes a problem that lots of popular destinations face: overcrowding. 500 people hike the 4-day Inca Trail every day, which means there are 2000 people on the trail at any given time.

Those who look for an alternative should consider the Lares Trek . It’s a three-day hike which is considered moderate, though the altitude adds an extra challenge to those who aren’t used to it. It does, however, not just guarantee a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path trek , but also an authentic Peru experience .

You can do this trek solo, but if you do not have previous experience hiking at altitude, take a guide. Alpaca Expeditions offers great services and comes highly recommended by many. This includes a guide, porters, and a chef.

What can you expect? Your tour will start in Cusco . The drive to the starting point offers stunning views of the Sacred Valley and a stop at Lares Hot Springs .

The hike leads through stunning scenery in the mountains . The best part, however, is meeting the local people who live in these remote mountains .

Tour websites encourage people to bring school supplies to give out as gifts to the villagers. But there are other items that are much more needed and welcome. Ask your tour guide right at the start, and you will be able to stop at a local market and shop.

The Maras Salt Mine is a highlight on day 3 , which ends with a train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, from where you will visit Machu Picchu on your last day.

Hiking the Lares Trek is an unforgettable experience.

Ollantaytambo

By Cynthia of Sharing the Wander

Ollantaytambo is a small town in the Sacred Valley that is well known mostly because this is where you catch the train to Machu Picchu . However, there’s a lot to love about this town! 

Called “ The Last City of the Incas ”, the city was once an Incan trading post , located at the base of three valleys – where the people of the valleys, the jungle, and the coast could meet. All around the town, beautiful mountains rise up, creating spectacular views.

You’ll find a central square with cafes all around , and back alleys full of buildings built with large Inca stones where water rushes past and farmers lead cows to their next pasture. 

The Ruins of Ollantaytambo at the far side of town involve climbing a lot of stairs. At the top, you’ll find the remains of the Sun Palace . This was once an astronomical observatory and then became a fortress when the Spanish attacked. Most of the palace was dismantled in the subsequent search for gold and other treasures.

On the other side of the hill, you’ll find the Ruins of Pinkuylluna , which are free to climb and explore. Once used for food storage, from these structures you have great views across to the ruins of Ollantaytambo .

Ollantaytambo is a great family destination , kids have plenty of room to run and explore on the car-free streets . Don’t miss the lucuma ice cream – a fruit flavor native to Peru that tastes a bit like butterscotch.

It also makes a great base for exploring the rest of the Sacred Valley. You can easily take day trips from Ollantaytambo to Moray, Maras, Urubamba, and more. When you are ready to move on, take the train to Aguas Calientes to start your Machu Picchu adventure. 

Located a 1 ½ hour drive from Cusco, Ollantaytambo has a significantly lower altitude . After landing in Cusco, head directly to Ollantaytambo to acclimate and avoid altitude sickness before exploring higher elevations. 

By Shweta of Zest in a Tote

If you are visiting Peru, chances are high that you are visiting Cusco as well, the former capital of the Incan empire. Cusco is the starting point for a day tour to Machu Picchu, the Incan trail, and the panoramic Salkantay Trek that we visited as part of our Peruvian adventure.

Cusco offers accommodation options for every budget , from hostels to Airbnbs to hotels. Cusco is a walkable city and you are never too far away from the center.

If you are coming from anywhere close to sea level, you need to acclimate to the altitude in Cusco (at 3399 meters above sea level) and do nothing for a day. You can try drinking coca leaf tea to make you feel alright!

Besides being a gateway to Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountains, Cusco is a destination in its own right. 

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Plaza de Armes is the central square of the city where you can sit at one of the cafes and see the world go by. 

You can marvel at the remains of Koricancha , considered one of the holiest sites in Incan mythology 

Walk around in the bohemian San Blas street and enjoy its cafes, nighttime bars, and souvenir shops .

There are excellent chocolate houses in Cusco and you can sample the local products and buy some to take home. A cooking class that teaches you about the history of food in Peru is also an interesting thing to do.

Chachapoyas

By Jürgen of Dare2Go

The region around Chachapoyas in the north of Peru has so many attractions that it deserves a much longer post, especially since it is lesser known to international visitors . Its biggest disadvantage right now is that infrastructure is not as well developed as in the more famous Cusco region. The town and region are named after the Chachapoya nation, who inhabited this part of Peru long before the Incas came to power and it was one of the last to submit to Inca power . For centuries the Chachapoya had their very own unique culture and rites and left many remarkable traces.

To be brief let’s make a list of places you should visit:

Kuélap Ruins : High in the mountains are the well-preserved ruins of Kuélap, which used to be a stronghold of the Chachapoya nation; part fortress, part city. Today around 470 of the unique round houses are partly preserved inside the 20-meter-high walls.

In 2017, a cable car made Kuélap more accessible . This site is sometimes marketed as the “Machu Picchu of the North” although, apart from its magical mountaintop location, there aren’t many similarities and Kuélap is hundreds of years older.  

Karajia Sarcophagi : To the north-west of the Chachapoyas, you find the cliff tombs of Karajia. These are ancient burial places of highly respected people. The graves are high up under cliff overhangs in very unique sarcophagi, made from bamboo and dried clay, painted in white and red. Some shapes resemble tall priest-like figures, complete with expressive face masks.  

Gocta Waterfall : On the way to Karajia, you can catch a glimpse of the Gocta Falls; some tours will include a hike to the falls in their packages. At 770 metres these are among the tallest waterfalls in the world.

Leymebamba Mummy Museum : The Centro Mallqui was purpose-built to house over 200 mummies and other artifacts found around the Laguna de los Cóndores. These mummies are stored in special climatized, darkened chambers with viewing windows. You might have to ask staff to turn the lights on for your visit.

Tip: if you plan to visit Chachapoyas by bus from the coast, get off to stay in Leymebamba, visit the museum the next day, and then continue by minibus. It will save you a long return trip!

Mausoleums of Revash : The Revash site is best visited in combination with the Centro Mallqui because they are along the same section of road. Here you find, dotted around steep rock faces, numerous old graves, which often resemble small houses, all decorated in dark red patterns.

The City of Chachapoyas , which also serves as the capital for the Amazonas Region, is very pleasant and clean, but has none of the busyness of Cusco. You can find accommodation from budget to upmarket and food choices to match. If you want to get a good feel for the Cloud Forest and its sights you should plan for at least 4-5 days , as transport options to the outlaying sights are limited. Getting to Chachapoyas is still not really easy. Nowadays the airport has been extended and there are 3 or 4 flights a week from Lima . Or you could fly into Jaén and take a bus from there. The budget option by bus from Lima will be a tedious and possibly treacherous ride of around 22 hours or longer. The last hundred or so kilometers are along a winding single-lane bitumen road with sheer drops down the side.

Alternatively, you could take the day bus from Cajamarca , another beautiful colonial city with a rich history, well worth a visit. (Everybody recommends to avoid the night bus!)

Once you are in Chachapoyas, why not continue into La Selva , as the Peruvians call their bio-diverse Amazon lowlands? The Amazon tributaries in Peru cover a larger area than the more famous river section in Brazil.

Machu Picchu

Claudia of My Adventures Across The World

There is no doubt that Machu Picchu is the best place to visit in Peru . This 15th-century citadel is a must-see – especially if it is your first time in the country! A UNESCO World Heritage Site , Machu Picchu was built at the peak time of the Inca civilization. 

Machu Picchu is located in the jungle of the Andes Mountains, at about 2,400 meters above sea level, above the Urubamba Valley. The site is stunning and quite widespread.

Look at the buildings carefully and you will immediately notice the difference between the most important buildings such as temples (actually built following specific astronomical alignment, for which the dry-stone technique was used) and the most modest ones where mortar was used instead. 

Sights you should not miss include the Hut of the Caretaker of the Funerary Rock , from where you will have one of the best views of the site, the Central Plaza, the Sun Temple, the House of the High Priest, the Inca Drawbridge, the Temple of the Condor, and the Temple of the Three Windows.

For the most sweeping views of Machu Picchu, you can also hike to Wayna Picchu , but you will need a separate ticket for that and must pick a time slot.

To make the most of the site, you should join a guided tour . Machu Picchu is best explored on guided tours. The site is spread out and actually quite crowded so it can feel overwhelming.

The closest large city to Machu Picchu is Cuzco, but the nearest access town is actually Aguas Calientes , also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, which is about 100 km (62 miles) from Cuzco and can be reached on a combination of bus and train from Cuzco. To get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes you can hop on one of the many shuttle buses that ply the route from the early morning hours. 

Another way of getting to Machu Picchu is to walk the Camino Inca or the  Inca Trail . This is a 4-day hike that goes along the sacred route the Incas would follow to get to Machu Picchu. You will get to visit many other  beautiful sites along the way , though to many the highlight of the Inca Trail is seeing the sunrise over Machu Picchu.

By Alex of Career Gappers

The remote, isolated city of Iquitos is one of the most unique places to visit in Peru , and a captivating alternative to northern Brazil if you want to experience the Amazon rainforest.

Iquitos is roughly a thousand kilometers north of Lima as the crow flies, and is surrounded by impassable jungle. This means you can only reach the city by plane (it’s a two-hour flight from Lima) or an adventurous boat journey that takes several days.

When you arrive in Iquitos, you will quickly see that it is completely different from other Peruvian cities in terms of its culture and atmosphere. Colorful adobe houses with handmade straw or clay-tiled roofing line the streets, which are constantly abuzz with tuk-tuks coming and going. Crumbling old colonial buildings encircle the city center plazas, intertwined with unpretentious cozy family restaurants.

The main appeal of visiting Iquitos is the opportunity to explore the Amazon River . You can take day trips or multi-day tours from the city and venture deep into the rainforest .

Typical tours will include overnight stays at a jungle lodge , a chance to encounter Amazonian wildlife in its natural habitat such as wild pink dolphins, howler monkeys, and bullet ants , and meet indigenous communities to learn about their way of life.

Back in the city, there’s plenty to do as well. The Ayapua Boat Museum on a century-old steamship gives an insight into Iquitos’ heritage and the once-thriving rubber trade. For an insight into local life, you could spend a morning at the huge, sprawling Belén Market on the riverside.

Finally, you could treat yourself to a meal at Al Frio y Al Fuego , a floating restaurant on the Itaya River where you can try local Amazonian dishes.

Colca Canyon

By Coni of Experiencing the Globe

Whether you’re in for a multiday backpacking trip or you just want to spend a relaxing day in nature, the Colca Canyon is the perfect getaway!

Overshadowed by Machu Picchu and the countless outdoor activities around Cusco, the Colca Canyon doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. But it absolutely should. It’s one of the deepest and biggest canyons in the world (it’s around 2000m/6600 ft deep, and 70 km/43 mi long), and the ever-changing landscapes will captivate you with every corner you turn, no matter in which season you visit.

Even with that said, keep in mind that December to April is the wet season, with most rain falling during this time, while the dry season lasts from May to November.

The easiest way to get there is from Arequipa (the Canyon is located 160km/100 mi northwest of the city). There are organized day trips that will allow you to scratch the surface: you can visit the village of Chivay , see the “ Mirador de Cóndores ” (a viewpoint to observe the imposing Andean vultures), and soak in natural hot springs.

If you want to go deeper into the canyon (literally!), allow yourself a few days for a multiday trekking trip in the Colca Canyon . Take a bus to Chivay or to Cabanaconde, and trek away.

There are several inhabited tiny villages on the way , and all of them offer accommodation and board (ranging from fancy-ish hotels to very humble and basic rooms). There are plenty of different routes, but a popular one goes from Cabanaconde to Llahuar to the oasis of Sangalle . If you want to extend the hike, you can add Fure and its beautiful waterfall, or the quiet San Juan de Chuccho .

By Sharon of I Travel Peru

Ayacucho is a region in the Andes mountains of Peru, a mix of traditional Peruvian culture, archaeological sites, and nature . It offers an authentic Peruvian highlands experience while remaining relatively undiscovered by mainstream tourists , making it a unique destination to explore.

There are many things to do in Ayacucho , both in the city and in the surrounding areas. It’s a perfect location to spend some time if you like to travel slowly, and you can easily spend at least 4 days in the area doing different activities every day. 

The city is a great place to walk around exploring the streets, colonial buildings, local markets, and churches . 

But it’s especially the surrounding areas which make it such an interesting place to visit. 

For example, you can visit Vilcashuaman, a small village in the middle of the mountains which has some impressive Inca ruins basically in the middle of the town. And you might possibly be the only tourist around! The village boasts fantastic mountain views , making it an obvious choice for the Incas to establish an important site there.

Another popular activity is a visit to the Wari ruins , a pre-Incan site that is still not completely explored by archaeologists where you will learn a lot about Peruvian history.

If you are looking to spend some time in nature, a popular spot is Millpu , a set of natural turquoise pools on the slope of a mountain. 

To get to Ayacucho you can either go by plane or take a bus . From Lima, the flight is just 1 hour long, while going by bus takes around 10 hours.

By Michael of Time Travel Turtle

Peru’s second-largest city wears its colonial heritage as a badge of honor. Founded by the Spanish in 1540, its old town is full of architectural styles brought over from Europe – baroque, then rococo, neoclassicism, and modern empiricism. The density and quality of these monuments have led to the historic center being listed as a World Heritage Site.

There are lots of  things to do in Arequipa , from the Plaza de Armas to the Basilica Cathedral , plus a range of museums and local markets . One of the highlights is the Monastery of Santa Catalina , where wealthy Spanish families sent their daughters for a life much more luxurious than you would expect for nuns.

Considering its size, Arequipa feels relatively quiet – more like Cusco than Lima. And with snow-capped mountains forming the backdrop, it can sometimes seem like an extension of the natural environment. It’s one of the reasons the city has a reputation for a laidback approach to life, with plenty of fun places to eat and drink.

Arequipa is well connected by public transport and easy to reach from other parts of Peru. While it’s certainly a destination in itself, it’s also an excellent base to explore the region on day (or overnight) trips . A couple of the nearby highlights are the Colca Canyon and Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve.  

Tambopata National Reserve

By Ariana of World of Travel With Kids

Tambopata National Reserve is one of the best places to experience the Amazon jungle in Peru ; not only is it stunningly beautiful and well preserved, it is also easily accessible if you are combining an Amazon trip with Cusco and Machu Picchu.

The Tambopata Reserve centers on the Tambopata River area and includes a large protected area which means the jungle is highly biodiverse (eg, there are so many animals, birds, butterflies, and more!). 

If you are investigating a trip to the Amazon jungle in Peru, there are several important considerations which include time and budget. In short, the longer you have (and the more money you spend) the deeper you can get into the remote jungle where you are likely to have incredible experiences. 

That’s where Tambopata comes into its own; due to the very winding nature of the river, you can take a 2-hour road trip from Puerto Maldonado city (where the airport is located) and that’s the equivalent of 5 or 6 hours on the river (eg. You can get into the deep dark jungle quickly). Throw in the fact that Puerto Maldonado is a one-hour flight from Cusco – and you can wake up sipping coca tea in Cusco and eat your lunch on the river spotting capybaras and caimans. It’s awesome!

The best thing to do while in Tambopata is to look for an eco-conscious lodge that provides a wide range of activities designed for low-impact animal sightings and jungle exploration . From night walks to Citizen Science projects, canoes on oxbow lakes, or climbing canopy towers to watch sunsets or gaze at macaws heading home, there are loads of things you can see and do.

Top tips – there are no direct flights to and from Cusco each day; check the flight days so you can maximize your time in the jungle and avoid sitting in Lima airport. Also, pack long sleeves and natural insect repellent! 

Rainbow Mountain

By Raksha of Solo Passport

Part of the Willkanuta region of Cusco in Peru, the Rainbow Mountain is the second most popular tourist destination after Machu Picchu. Formed due to the shift in tectonic plates, the Rainbow Mountain features seven distinct colors , making it very picturesque and photogenic. The different colors are due to the mineralogical composition of sand and mud and each mineral gets a different color.

Among the locals, the Montaña de los Siete Colores is considered sacred and the symbol of father and masculinity .

The best time to visit this mountain is between June and August when the weather is dry and pleasant.

Standing tall at an altitude of 5200 meters, this mountain is best known for its high-altitude hike . To reach the summit, you need to hike. As this is one of the tough hikes , you need to be reasonably fit to climb the mountain.

Starting from the village of Fula Wasi , which is around 140 kilometers from Cusco, the trail passes through rugged paths and is around 5 kilometers one way .

You can reach the nearby village of Checacupe by public bus from Cusco and then hire a local taxi to reach Fula Wasi.

There are many hiking agencies and one-day tours that go to the Rainbow Mountain from Cusco . Most of these agencies have transportation to and from included in their price. This is the best option when you are short on time and do not have a self-driven car.

Lake Titicaca Islands

By Martha of May Cause Wanderlust

Lake Titicaca is a spectacle of natural beauty. It’s the highest navigable lake in the world and the largest lake in South America – and is shared between Peru and Bolivia. This huge lake is overlooked by snow-capped mountains and its surface is punctuated by captivating islands.

Visiting one or more of the Lake Titicaca islands , each having its own unique culture , is a fascinating thing to do. They’re unlike anywhere else and they make Lake Titicaca one of the most unique places to visit in Peru.

There are three populated islands on the Peruvian side of the lake.  

The easiest to visit is actually a collection of many islands – and, mind-blowingly, they’re man-made! The Uros Floating Islands are home to the Uros people, who made their homes on the lake by weaving together thick layers of totora reeds that form floating platforms.

Boat tours are able to land at certain islands , where the people will demonstrate a little of their way of life, and you can see their traditional houses and boats, also made from reeds.

Another island you can take day tours to is Isla Taquile , which is further out into the lake – and offers stunning views across the water. Isla Taquile retains its very traditional way of life and is known for its unique textiles and traditional dress.

It is a car-free island and has a collectivist economy, based on fishing, horticulture, and tourism, from which all islanders benefit.

Finally, Isla Amantani is the largest and most populated island, and most visitors visit with a homestay . This island is known for its textiles, ceramics, and archaeological ruins from the Tiahuanaco culture.

All three islands on Peru’s part of Lake Titicaca are reachable from the city of Puno , which is connected by buses and the airport at nearby Juliaca.

By Jack & Abbie of A Couples Calling

Huacachina is undoubtedly one of the most unique places to visit in Peru. Famous for its towering sand dunes, exhilarating activities, and bustling nightlife , this charming desert oasis has something for everyone! 

With plenty of restaurants, bars, and markets here, Huacachina is a great place to just relax. However, it’s also the perfect destination for adventure lovers , as there are tons of awesome activities on offer.

First of all, you’ll want to explore these massive sand dunes by dune buggy . This activity is really popular, but you can still simply rock up and book it on the day! Better yet, you can do a combination bundle that includes sand boarding too.

If you’re after something a bit more leisurely, then why not rent a paddleboat to explore the oasis or enjoy a drink at one of Huacachinas’ rooftop bars? 

A real highlight is walking to the top of the dunes , where you’ll get to admire an epic sunset . However, the hike to the top is pretty intense, so you can always park yourself a bit further down and enjoy the view instead. 

Although there are plenty of things to do in Huacachina , you won’t need more than a day or two here. In fact, you can visit on a day trip from Paracas or even Lima (although the latter will require a 10-hour tour).

For those staying in Paracas, it’s just a 1-1.5 hour bus ride to Ica. From Ica, you can take a cheap tuk-tuk ride to Huacachina which takes around 10 minutes so it’s easily accessible.

This desert oasis is one of the country’s most unique destinations and has so much to offer considering it’s just a small place. 

Maras Salt Mines

By Jennifer of Seeking Stamps

If you are looking for one of the most unique destinations in Peru , consider exploring the Salt Mines of Maras in the heart of the Sacred Valley. With thousands of vibrant salt pools predating the Inca civilization, Maras is a fascinating day trip from Cusco.

For over 500 years, villagers have used traditional techniques to harvest precious Peruvian salt at the Maras Salt Mines .

Fed by salty mountain springs and complex irrigation, locals flood their salt pools. Over time, the water evaporates from the elements in the Andean climate. Then villagers gather the remaining salt crust and repeat the labor-intensive process for their harvest.

Watching locals work in their salt pools will give you a new appreciation for the labor required to harvest Peruvian salt.

As a visitor to the salt pools, you will enjoy awe-inspiring views. Terraced salt pools range in ombre shades of orange to beige as far as the eye can see. Additionally, the journey to Maras offers stunning mountainscapes of the Andes . This picturesque location is truly unique.

Approximately 30 miles from Cusco , there are several ways to reach the Maras Salt Mines. Although the location of Maras is remote, there are a variety of tour options that combine Maras and Moray Ruins in a Sacred Valley tour. For adventure lovers, consider hiking to Maras or taking an ATV tour to the site. 

As you can see, the Maras Salt Pools are one of the best day trips to take in Peru’s Sacred Valley. With beautiful scenery, rich cultural heritage, and fascinating sustainable harvesting techniques, Maras offers a multitude of reasons to visit. Consider Maras, Peru for a thrilling Cusco excursion. 

By Tori of Tori Pines Travels

While exploring the country of Peru, Paracas needs to be high on the list. The small coastal town is located just 3.5 hours south of Lima . It makes for a perfect stop on a trip from Lima to Huacachina .

The town itself is cute and fun to visit, the streets lined with palm trees, friendly locals to meet, and delicious authentic Peruvian cuisine is served at the local restaurants. But the main reason to visit Paracas is for the boat tour out to the Ballestas Islands .

The islands are home to some adorable wildlife including penguins, sea lions, seals, and Guanays . You’ll want to book a boat tour that leaves from the little port in the small town of Paracas. Or take a day trip through Peru Hop which leaves from Lima and includes both Paracas and Huacachina.

While you’re on the boat, you’ll pass some of the Nazca lines on your way to the islands. At the islands, you’ll see tons of animals living in their natural environment from a safe distance . The penguins are especially cool to see, as you don’t even have to visit Antarctica to see these adorable birds!

Along the way, your tour guide will teach you some amazing information about the animals, the islands, and the history of the area. Even explain to you the history of the Chifa cuisine, which you’ll see restaurants for all over the country.

Not only is it fun to see the animals, and learn the history, you’ll also get a super relaxing 2-hour boat ride . It’s quite the difference from all of the famous sights inland. Cap off your beach time by staying the night at a hotel right on the water, at Inti-Mar , and spend some time with your toes in the sand.

Laguna 69, Huaraz

By Claire of Tales of a Backpacker

Laguna 69 is a beautiful turquoise-blue lake high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range .  It can only be reached on foot, so a day hike to Laguna 69 is a popular tour from Huaraz.

It is possible to hike to Laguna 69 without a guide, but there is hardly any public transport here so it is much easier to join a group tour from Huaraz , which costs around $45 USD per person.  Leaving early from Huaraz (around 5 AM), there is a 3-hour drive to reach the start of the trail to Laguna 69.

It is a challenging hike mainly due to the elevation , which starts at 3900m above sea level at the trailhead and reaches a breathtaking 4600m. Make sure you are fully acclimatized to high altitudes before attempting the hike, otherwise, you probably won’t be able to make it to the lake. 

As you hike you’ll be surrounded by stunning scenery and views of the Cordillera Blanca Mountains .  Those who do reach Laguna 69 are rewarded with the turquoise glacial waters of the lake and a cold swim if you fancy a dip! 

The whole hike takes around 5-6 hours , and if you set a decent pace you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the view before heading back along the same trail.

On the way, you pass through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Huascaran National Park, where you may spot some vicuña , a rarer relative of the llama.  On the return bus journey just sit back and relax, and catch up on some sleep – you’ll need it!

Ausangate Trek

By Campbell of Stingy Nomads

The Ausangate Trek is a 70km long, high-altitude trek through the Vilcanota Mountain Range near Cusco in Peru. It takes on average 6 days to complete the route.

This spectacular trail shows off some of the best scenery Peru has to offer with jaw-dropping snow peaks, glaciers, and colorful mountain lakes. This challenging hike with an average altitude of over 4000m is truly off the beaten track.

You should be well prepared if you want to do this trek without a guide . Hiking independently should only be attempted by well-acclimatized and experienced hikers. Some companies offer guided hikes from Cusco if you don’t want to do it on your own.

Ausangate is not about Inca ruins, it’s all about amazing scenery. The trail starts and ends in the small village of Tinque where you might see locals still wearing traditional Quechua clothes. You will hike over beautiful mountain passes such as Arapa Pass at an altitude of 4850m/16 000ft and Palomani Pass at 5165m/17 000ft above sea level, and see amazing turquoise, glacial lakes like Puca Cocha and Japu Cocha lake .

On route, you will camp overlooking unreal glaciers and see glacial lakes of different colors and mountains ranging in coloration from shades of red, pink, yellow, green, and blue. Many amazing animals such as alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, and vizcachas are often seen on the trail.

The most well-known attraction on the trail is the Rainbow Mountain also known as Vinicunca. This unreal, rainbow-striped mountain can also be visited as a day trip from Cusco.

By Pauline from Beeloved City

No trip to Peru would be complete without visiting the famous capital city, Lima. Located on the coast, Lima is known for its food scene, UNESCO-listed historic center, beaches, and colorful neighborhoods.

There are so many things you can add to your Lima itinerary.

Firstly, head to the historic center. It’s where you’ll find famous buildings such as the government building, Plaza Mayor, Lima Cathedral, and San Francisco Convent . It’s a great place to learn more about the history of Peru (before and after the Spanish conquest).

For food, head to the Mercado Central . Spanning over 10 blocks, it’s an excellent place to have lunch and discover traditional Peruvian dishes.

It’s also located near Chinatown, the perfect place to discover how diverse Peru really is.

The best way to explore the historic center is with a walking tour . While it is beautiful, it can be a bit chaotic and being with a local guide is a huge plus.

If you’d rather enjoy the seaside and discover unique neighborhoods, Miraflores and Barranco will be perfect for you.

Miraflores is known as the best place to stay in Lima for first-timers . It’s full of shops, and restaurants and home to the Malecon (promenade) where you can find the Love Park and the statue of Paddington Bear.

Barranco is an artsy district. It’s a great place to discover if you are into street art and like going to cute cafes.

If you’re up for more adventures, you should also consider paragliding over the Costa Verde . It’s a lot of fun and you will discover beautiful views of the city.

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Peru is a destination that captures the imagination of travelers from around the globe. Known for its diverse landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, this South American gem offers something for everyone. Whether you're an adventurer, history buff, or culture enthusiast, the Peru landmarks you’ll encounter will leave you in awe. 

In this article, we'll take you on a journey to discover 18 must-see Peru landmarks that will make your trip unforgettable. So, grab your backpack, and let’s explore!

1. Machu Picchu

Let’s start with the crown jewel of Peru landmarks, Machu Picchu . Perched high in the Andes Mountains, this ancient Incan citadel is one of the most famous landmarks in Peru and, indeed, the world. Machu Picchu is more than just a breathtaking archaeological site; it’s a place where history comes alive. 

Walking through its stone corridors and terraces, you can almost feel the presence of the Inca civilization that once thrived here. The panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Urubamba River below are nothing short of magical.

To reach Machu Picchu, you can venture on a hiking tour or take the famous trains across the Sacred Valley. If you go by train, you can do it all in one day or stretch it to two, depending on your itinerary. The whole Sanctuary area is massive, so our best recommendation is always to take your time to explore. 

Don’t skip the extra hikes up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain —they’re totally worth it! Just be sure to book your ticket in advance.

Here are our Machu Picchu Guides for your visit:

• Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu
• Which Circuit is the best? See our: Machu Picchu Tickets Guide
• Huayna Picchu Mountain
• Machu Picchu Mountain

2. The Inca Trail

If you’re thinking about visiting Machu Picchu, you should definitely consider hiking the Inca Trail . It’s not just one of the world’s best hikes; the trail comes with archaeological sites that make the journey even more special. The full trail is about 43 km (26 miles) and takes you through breathtaking landscapes, ending with the incredible view of Machu Picchu at sunrise.

Sure, it’s a bit challenging, but the payoff at the end is absolutely worth it! If you’re short on time, you can opt for the Short Inca Trail , which still takes you to the Sun Gate with those unbeatable views of Machu Picchu. Just make sure to book your permits early since spots are limited to keep this iconic Peru landmark protected.

Check out these top-rated tours to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu:

• Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain 5 Days
• Machu Picchu Tour with Observatory Train
• 4-Day Classic Inca Trail

3. Sacred Valley

Not far from Machu Picchu lies the Sacred Valley . This region is dotted with picturesque villages, ancient ruins, and vibrant markets, making it one of the most culturally rich landmarks in Peru. The Sacred Valley was once the heart of the Inca Empire, and its fertile lands provided food for the entire civilization.

Today, you can explore several remarkable sites within the valley, including Pisac , Ollantaytambo , and Moray . Each offers a unique glimpse into Inca life, from the agricultural terraces of Moray to the fortress-like structures of Ollantaytambo. While you’re in the Sacred Valley, take the opportunity to interact with local artisans and purchase handmade textiles, a perfect souvenir to remember your journey through Peru’s famous landmarks.

›› Check out: Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in 2 Days

As the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is a city rich in historical significance. Walking through its cobblestone streets, you’ll find a fascinating blend of Incan and Spanish colonial architecture. The Plaza de Armas , the city’s main square, is surrounded by beautiful buildings such as the Cusco Cathedral and the Church of La Compañía de Jesús .

Cusco is not just a gateway to other Peru landmarks; it’s a landmark in its own right. The city’s many museums, such as the Museo Inka and Qorikancha , offer insights into the rich history and culture of the region. Don’t miss the chance to explore the San Blas neighborhood , known for its narrow streets, artisan shops, and vibrant atmosphere. Whether you’re sipping coca tea in a local café or exploring the city’s many churches, Cusco will charm you at every turn.

Take a look at these experiences in Cusco:

• Top 10 Best Museums in Cusco
• Half-Day Cusco City and Walking Tour

5. Sacsayhuaman

Overlooking the city of Cusco, Sacsayhuaman is an impressive Incan complex that showcases the incredible engineering skills of the ancient civilization. The massive stones used to construct the walls of Sacsayhuamán fit together so perfectly that you can’t slide a piece of paper between them. This site was likely a military fortress, though it also served as a ceremonial center. Sacsayhuamán is one of the most accessible Peru landmarks from Cusco, making it a great day trip for those who want to delve deeper into Incan history. The panoramic views of Cusco from the site are breathtaking, especially at sunset. Be sure to bring your camera!

›› See our complete Guide to Sacsayhuaman

6. Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

For those who love nature and hiking, Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is a must-see Peru landmark. This stunning mountain, located in the Andes, is famous for its vibrant, multi-colored stripes. The colors are the result of mineral deposits that have been exposed over millions of years. 

The hike to Rainbow Mountain is challenging due to the high altitude, but the views at the top are worth every step. The surrounding landscape, with its towering peaks and pristine air, adds to the experience. As one of the newer Peru landmarks to gain international attention, Rainbow Mountain has quickly become a favorite among adventurous travelers.

›› Read More: Everything You Need to Know about Rainbow Mountain

7. Lake Titicaca and the Floating Islands of Uros

Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable lake, sitting right on the border between Peru and Bolivia. This massive, tranquil lake is packed with legends and is often called the birthplace of the Inca civilization. On the Peruvian side, you’ll find  Puno , a lively city known as the folklore capital of Peru. With its colorful festivals and vibrant culture, Puno is the perfect spot to base yourself while exploring everything Lake Titicaca has to offer.

One of the most unique Peru landmarks near Puno is the Floating Islands of Uros . These man-made islands are constructed from totora reeds, and the Uros people have lived on them for centuries. 

Visiting these islands offers a fascinating insight into a traditional way of life that has been passed down through generations. The Uros are known for their craftsmanship, and you’ll have the opportunity to purchase beautifully woven textiles and other handmade items during your visit.

Other highlights are the Taquile  and Amantaní Islands , famous for their traditional textile craftsmanship and breathtaking views of Lake Titicaca. If you have time in Puno, you can also enjoy a homestay with a local family and immerse yourself in the island's unique culture. Lake Titicaca is a Peru landmark that beautifully blends natural beauty with deep cultural heritage.

8. Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are one of the most mysterious landmarks in Peru. These enormous geoglyphs, etched into the desert floor, depict a variety of figures, including animals, plants, and geometric shapes. The purpose of the Nazca Lines remains a topic of debate among scholars, but their sheer scale and precision are undeniable.

To truly appreciate the Nazca Lines, you’ll need to take to the skies. Small plane tours offer the best view of these ancient artworks, allowing you to see the full extent of the designs. If flying isn’t your thing, there are observation towers that provide a partial view, though the experience is not quite the same. The Nazca Lines are a must-see for anyone interested in the mysteries of ancient civilizations.

9. Colca Canyon

Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, Colca Canyon is a stunning natural wonder that travelers often overlook. This canyon, located in southern Peru, offers dramatic landscapes, vibrant terraced agriculture, and the opportunity to spot the majestic Andean condor. Hiking through Colca Canyon is an adventure that takes you through traditional villages, lush valleys, and arid deserts. Along the way, you’ll encounter hot springs, ancient ruins, and breathtaking vistas. 

Don’t miss the Cruz del Condor viewpoint , where you can watch condors soar gracefully on thermal currents. Colca Canyon is one of the most dramatic and beautiful landmarks in Peru, offering an unforgettable experience for nature lovers.

10. Arequipa and the Santa Catalina Monastery

Known as the “ White City ” due to its many buildings made from white volcanic stone, Arequipa is one of Peru’s most charming cities. The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its stunning colonial architecture is a joy to explore.

One of Arequipa’s most famous landmarks is the Santa Catalina Monastery. This sprawling convent is like a city within a city, with narrow streets, colorful buildings, and peaceful courtyards. Founded in the 16th century, the monastery offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the nuns who lived here in seclusion. The bright, vibrant colors of the monastery’s walls make it a photographer’s paradise.

11. Chan Chan

Located near the city of Trujillo, Chan Chan is the largest adobe city in the world and a significant Peru landmark. This ancient city was the capital of the Chimu Kingdom, which thrived before the rise of the Inca Empire. Chan Chan’s labyrinthine layout and intricate carvings offer a unique glimpse into the pre-Columbian civilizations of Peru.

Exploring the vast ruins of Chan Chan, you’ll find yourself transported back in time. The site’s walls are adorned with carvings of animals, mythological figures, and geometric patterns, all beautifully preserved despite the centuries that have passed. Chan Chan is one of those Peru landmarks that captures the imagination and offers a deeper understanding of the country’s rich history.

12. Huascaran National Park

For those who crave adventure and breathtaking natural scenery, Huascarán National Park is a must-visit. This park is home to Peru’s highest peak, Mount Huascarán , which towers at over 6,700 meters. The park’s diverse ecosystems, ranging from lush valleys to rugged glaciers, make it one of the most stunning Peru landmarks.

Hiking and trekking are popular activities in Huascarán National Park, with trails that take you through alpine meadows, past glacial lakes, and up to stunning viewpoints. The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including the Andean condor, pumas, and the elusive spectacled bear. Whether you’re an experienced mountaineer or a casual hiker, Huascarán National Park offers an adventure like no other.

›› Keep Reading: Top 10 Trekking Routes in Peru

13. Huacachina Oasis

Imagine a tiny village surrounded by towering sand dunes, with a sparkling lagoon at its center. That’s Huacachina , a desert oasis that feels like something out of a storybook. This unique Peru landmark is a popular destination for those looking to relax or seek adventure in the sand.

Around Huacachina, you can enjoy activities such as sandboarding , dune buggy rides , or simply lounging by the lagoon. The sunsets here are particularly spectacular, with the dunes casting long shadows over the oasis. Huacachina is a perfect example of the diverse landscapes that make Peru so special.

Often referred to as the “Machu Picchu of the North,” Kuelap is an ancient fortress located in the cloud forests of northern Peru. This massive stone complex was built by the Chachapoya civilization , also known as the “Warriors of the Clouds.” Kuelap is one of the most impressive Peru landmarks, yet it remains relatively undiscovered for many travelers.

Kuelap’s remote location adds to its mystique, and the journey to reach it is part of the adventure. The site is perched on a ridge overlooking the lush Utcubamba Valley, and the views from the top are simply breathtaking. The fortress itself is a marvel of ancient engineering, with massive walls and circular stone houses that have stood the test of time.

15. The Amazon Rainforest

No list of Peru landmarks would be complete without mentioning the Amazon Rainforest . Covering a vast portion of the country, the Peruvian Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. A visit to this region offers a chance to experience the wild beauty of the rainforest and encounter its incredible wildlife.

Many travelers start their Amazon adventure in the city of Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado , both of which serve as gateways to the jungle. From there, you can take a riverboat cruise, explore the jungle on foot, or stay in an eco-lodge deep in the forest. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, colorful birds, and even pink river dolphins. The Amazon is one of those Peru landmarks that offers an unforgettable, immersive experience in nature.

16. Paracas National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands

For those who love the sea and its wildlife, the Paracas National Reserve and the nearby Ballestas Islands are must-see Peru landmarks. Located along the country’s southern coast, this region is known for its stunning coastal landscapes and rich marine life.

The Ballestas Islands , often referred to as the “Galapagos of Peru,” are home to a variety of wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, and thousands of seabirds. Boat tours offer a close-up view of these animals in their natural habitat, along with the famous Candelabra geoglyph, a massive design etched into the hillside.

Paracas National Reserve, with its dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and desert landscapes, is a perfect place to unwind and take in the natural beauty of Peru’s coastline. Whether you’re exploring the reserve’s rugged terrain or cruising around the Ballestas Islands, this region offers a unique and tranquil experience.

›› Find more tips here: A Guide to Paracas and Ballestas Islands

17. Salkantay Trek

If you’re looking for a trekking experience that combines breathtaking scenery with a bit of adventure, the Salkantay Trek should be at the top of your list. This alternative route to Machu Picchu offers everything an adventurous traveler could want—stunning landscapes, a challenging hike, and a glimpse into the natural beauty that makes Peru so special. The Salkantay Trek is often overshadowed by the more famous Inca Trail, but trust me, it’s worth every step!

Less crowded and more flexible than the Inca Trail , the Salkantay Trek lets you experience the raw beauty of the Andes without the need for early bookings. You’ll pass through remote villages and finally reach Machu Picchu, making the journey just as incredible as the destination. Perfect for anyone looking to explore Peru’s natural wonders with a side of adventure.

Check out these Salkantay Trek Adventures :

• 4-Day Salkantay Trek
• 5-Day Salkantay Trek

18. Manu National Park

Manu National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and it’s a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. This UNESCO World Heritage Site spans a wide range of ecosystems, from the Andean highlands to the lowland Amazon rainforest. As one of the most pristine Peru landmarks, Manu National Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the natural world in all its glory.

Exploring Manu National Park is a true adventure. The park is home to thousands of species of plants, birds, mammals, and insects, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Whether you’re birdwatching, hiking through the jungle, or floating down the river in a canoe, Manu offers a chance to connect with nature in a way that few other places can.

Bonus Landmark - Lima’s Historic Center

Last but certainly not least on our list of Peru landmarks is Lima’s Historic Center . As the capital of Peru, Lima is a bustling metropolis that blends the old and the new. The city’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is filled with colonial-era buildings, churches, and plazas that tell the story of Peru’s colonial past.

The Plaza Mayor is the heart of the historic center, and it’s surrounded by some of Lima’s most important buildings, including the Government Palace, Lima Cathedral , and the Archbishop’s Palace . A visit to the historic center wouldn’t be complete without exploring the San Francisco Monastery and its famous catacombs , which house the remains of thousands of Lima’s early inhabitants.

Lima is also a culinary capital, so while you’re exploring the historic center, be sure to sample some of the city’s world-renowned cuisine. Whether you’re enjoying fresh ceviche, savoring a traditional Peruvian dish, or indulging in a pisco sour, Lima offers a feast for the senses.

Take a Look at What to Do in Lima:

• Peruvian Food Favorites: What to Try and Why

Bonus Landmark - Gocta Waterfall

While not as famous as Machu Picchu or the Nazca Lines, Gocta Waterfall is one of Peru's most stunning natural landmarks and a hidden gem that deserves a spot on any traveler's itinerary. Located deep in the cloud forests of the Amazonas region , this towering waterfall is one of the tallest in the world , with a total height of 771 meters (2,530 feet).

Only discovered by the outside world in 2002, Gocta Waterfall has quickly become a must-visit destination for those looking to explore Peru’s lesser-known natural wonders. The hike to Gocta is an adventure in itself, taking you through lush jungles, past vibrant orchids, and with frequent sightings of exotic birds like the Andean cock-of-the-rock.

So, if you’re looking to explore beyond the usual tourist trails and discover a truly magical spot, make sure to add Gocta Waterfall to your list of must-see landmarks in Peru.

Begin Your Journey Through Peru’s Landmarks

Peru is a land of endless wonders, and its landmarks tell the story of a rich and diverse cultural heritage. From ancient Incan cities to natural wonders, each Peru landmark offers a unique glimpse into the country’s past and present. Whether you’re hiking to the heights of Machu Picchu, exploring the depths of the Amazon rainforest, or wandering through the historic streets of Lima, the landmarks in Peru will leave you with memories that will stay with you forever.

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and start planning your adventure to discover these amazing Peru landmarks! 

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Destinations

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Peru Destinations

Machu Picchu

As Peru's most iconic archaeological site, Machu Picchu has appropriately been deemed one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sacred Valley

Situated between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is a must-see destination for any traveler to Peru and is home to some of the country's most awe-inspiring archeological sites.

Rooted in Inca heritage, this centuries-old path gives hikers the chance to walk in the footsteps of pre-Columbian royalty. The final destination is majestic Machu Picchu.

Not just a stop on the way to Machu Picchu, Peru's bustling capital city has a wealth of culinary, historic, and cultural gems to offer visitors.

Puno & Lake Titicaca

The deep blue waters of Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake, guard myriad remote islands where communities have preserved centuries-old traditions.

Nestled between the desert coast and the Andes, Arequipa is renowned across Peru for its architecture, volcanoes, unique cuisine, and distinctive regional traditions.

Amazon Rainforest

Walk in the shadow of giant trees, climb to the top of canopy towers, hop into a canoe and glide across mirror-like lagoons while colorful parrots and macaws soar overhead.

Located a few hours south of Lima, the charming seaside town of Paracas offers relaxing beaches, beautiful views and great opportunities to see wildlife on the nearby Ballestas Islands.

Other Latin America Destinations

Experience the extraordinary natural beauty and biodiversity of Ecuador by boat or on foot. Go as far as the magical Galapagos and the well-preserved historic quarters of Quito, while venturing into the stunning volcanic terrain of the Andes or even a vast and lesser-known region of the Amazon Rainforest.

Galapagos Islands

Whatever it may be that draws you to this remote archipelago off Ecuador's coast, the allure of its living displays of natural history and breathtaking beauty are undeniable.

From the big city to its breathtaking falls and shimmering lakes, Argentina is a country with much to offer the curious traveler. Learn to dance tango, trek through lush subtropical forests and marvel at the expansive glaciers and impressive peaks of Patagonia.

Explore an expertly-curated selection of South America's most enticing destinations through our complete Brazil tours. Pay a visit to two world wonders, marvel at the unmatched biodiversity of the Amazon and dive into the unique history of multicultural Salvador.

Discover the secret corners of an incredibly diverse country with our custom Chile tours that take you from the capital city of Santiago all the way to the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert and the towering Andes as well as a selection of well-known vineyards.

A Day In Foodie’s Paradise

Enjoy the epitome of destination dining at MIL restaurant in the Sacred Valley. Experience the soul and flavor of Peruvian cuisine and traverse high-altitude landscapes by only lifting your fork: an expertly crafted, 8-course gastronomic tour through Peru.

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" All in all we had an absolutely amazing time and the trip completely blew my expectations out of the water. The hotels were all fabulous with beautiful views. Thank you sincerely for the trip of a lifetime! "

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" It exceeded my expectations and I loved the people I met there. The hikes were so well organized, food was amazing, and the guides were super caring even getting the cooks to make a cake for me on my birthday on the Lares trek. "

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" Based on the trip you organized, the historical knowledge, the people, the food, the culture and the natural beauty of Peru, it was simply the best trip I’ve ever taken. This trip will forever be in my memory. "

Gilles Verrier MB, Canada Traveled to: Lima, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Lares Trek, Machu Picchu

" Our trip to Peru was nothing short of magnificent. As for our favorite part, we loved it all. Machu Picchu was everything we thought it would be and more. We had a wonderfully successful trip to Peru! "

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Peru Destinations

Travel to Peru and fuel your imagination on a diet of ancient treasures and wonderful landscapes. Surrounded by majestic Andean peaks, world wonder Machu Picchu and the historic city of Cusco highlight Peru's dramatic birth from the encounter between Incas and Spaniards.

Just as thrilling are the lush expanses of Amazon rainforest, the breathtaking vastness of Lake Titicaca, the fantastic food scene in Lima, and the enduring enigma of the Nazca Lines. One thing is certain. Peru has something for everyone. All you have to do is choose where to go and when.

Keep reading to see more Peru attractions and destinations and contact us to start planning your own exciting trip to Peru .

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Former capital of the mighty Inca Empire, ground zero for Andean festivals throughout the year, home to an array of the nation’s best hotels and restaurants, Cusco brilliantly captures the past, present and future of Peru.

Machu Picchu

Stirring wanderlust in the heart of every traveler, a majestic Inca citadel sits perched on a mountain ridge in a remote corner of Peru. Get there and you’ll see why it’s among the world’s must see destinations.

Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley lets you get a closer look at everyday life in the Andes while delving deeper into the Inca past. Explore Pisac market and climb Ollantaytambo Fortress. For an extra treat, venture to Maras and Moray.

Full of fairytale architecture and delectable cuisine, it’s no wonder Arequipa is a top destination for Peru travel. Visit Andean mummies, shop for alpaca sweaters, and feast on the city’s famous food specialties.

Soak in the scenic beauty and diverse heritage of Peru’s capital. Visit artisan markets, tour museums and the historic center, dine on Peruvian food, drink pisco cocktails, and head to Miraflores for ocean views.

Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It’s an adventurous trek on ancient stone paths through Andean valleys, past enigmatic ruins, and into the cloud forests that protect a stunning citadel.

Lake Titicaca

Titicaca stretches across the altiplano of Peru and Bolivia under a seemingly endless sky. Sail to island communities on the world's highest navigable lake from the floating Uros to Taquile and beyond.

Board a riverboat to an Amazon lodge and experience pristine rainforest in southern Peru. Hike trails, learn to spot camouflaged critters, or climb canopy towers for bird’s eye views that will take your breath away.

Home to amazing wildlife including many animals found nowhere else on Earth, the Galapagos Islands are a designated UNESCO Natural Heritage Site that attract wildlife and adventure lovers.

Base yourself in Nazca for a rewarding immersion in the mysteries of Peru’s most enigmatic pre-Columbian culture. Fly over the Nazca Lines, explore archaeological sites on ground, and bask in the desert sun.

Go to Paracas for warm weather, coastal scenery, and sublime sunsets. Explore the marine world of the Ballestas Islands and discover hidden beaches on the Paracas National Reserve.

Since 1998, the Peru for Less team has been composed of a diverse group of expert travelers and professionals hailing from cities across Peru and from countries around the world. Despite our different backgrounds, we share two things in common: a passion for exploring and a belief that responsive and caring customer service is the surest path to creating an excellent and comfortable vacation experience.

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21 Perfect Peruvian Beaches

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Peru is best known for its impressive World Heritage Sites of Cusco and Machu Picchu and is the homeland of Paddington Bear, who was orphaned in an earthquake and brought up by his Aunt Lucy. But did you know it has some incredible beaches in Peru too? Flanked by the Pacific Ocean and bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile, the country has over 2500km (1553 miles) of spectacular coastline. Ranging from the glorious stretches of pristine sand found on the northern shoreline to the stark, wild beaches located on the edge of the Andes, the beaches of Peru are as diverse as its fascinating culture and people. Here are our top 21 Peru beaches for your bucket list.

1- Miraflores Beach (Lima)

2- cerro azul (lima), 3- asia (lima), 4- punta hermosa (lima), 5- santa maria del mar (lima), 6- camaná (arequipa), 7- playa de la mina (ica), 8- playa roja (ica), 9- red beach (ica), 10- huachachina oasis, 11- punta sal (tumbes), 12- pimentel (lambayeque), 13- tuquillo (ancash), 14- chicama (la libertad), 15- huanchaco (la libertad), 16- máncora (piura), 17- cabo blanco (piura), 18- colan (piura), 19- lobitos (piura), 20- las pocitas (piura), 21- los órganos (piura).

• 21 Peru Beaches

Beaches In Lima Peru

No list of the best beaches in Peru would be complete without mention of Miraflores.

Situated in downtown Lima, this wide stretch of sand is flanked by brown, craggy cliffs, and while it may not be the most beautiful of beaches in Peru, it is probably the best known.

Backed by the vibrant cityscape, this cosmopolitan beach is often referred to as the ‘Costa Verde’.

It’s a hive of activity where people swim, sunbathe, surf, parasail and paraglide, making it an excellent spot for people-watching.

Stay at: Casa Azul

Cerro Azul is a place you might be familiar with already, as it featured in the Beach Boys 1962 hit song ‘Surfin’ Safari’.

A charming beach with a long stretch of sand, Cerro Azul lies within the district of San Vicente de Cañete, about 155 km (96 miles) south of Lima.

You will still spot plenty of surfers’ angling in Laguna in Cerro Azul’ on any given day, but this beach is also very popular with families who sunbathe on the shoreline.

It has a lovely pier and the El Fraile, a fabulous rock formation that you can access by hiking up the cerro at the end of the beach.

Stay at: Silver Inn Hotel

Located an hour’s drive south of Lima, Asia is a famous beach for weekend outings from the city.

Many residents of Peru’s capital city also have summer vacation homes here.

A lively and highly developed beach resort, the area offers excellent shopping, wonderful restaurants, terrific nightlife and golf.

The water can be a bit on the chilly side here, but if you are seeking an escape from busy city life, this splendid beach offers plenty of sand to chill out on.

Stay at: VPX Hotel

Lying just 58 km (36 miles) south of Lima is the beautiful coastal region of Punta Hermosa.

Another popular weekend getaway for Lima locals, this beach features plenty of small coves and is a renowned spot for experienced surfers.

It’s also an up-and-coming area where several hotels, restaurants and nightclubs have been built.

So it’s gradually developing a reputation for having a party vibe, especially among younger people.

Stay at: Casablanca del Mar

One of the best beaches in Lima, Santa Maria Del Mar is a sunny destination that provides a relaxing spot to swim, surf, sunbathe or hang out away from the city.

Located just 63 km (39 miles) south of Peru’s capital, the beach is known for its excellent waves, relaxed laidback vibe and colourful umbrellas that line the sand.

It is a lovely beach in Peru to visit, and you will also love the variety of food, as there are several excellent restaurants and cafes here.

Stay at: Apartamento familiar de lujo

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Beaches in Southern Peru

A popular beach resort near Arequipa, Camaná is known for being one of the cleanest beaches in Peru.

This beach has calm waters that are great for swimming and splashing around and lovely flat sand, perfect for a nice long walk.

The area is famous for seafood. The arequipeño dish chupe de camarones, an intensely flavoursome shrimp soup, is a local delicacy here, served up by many of the local restaurants near the sand.

Away from the beach, there are also fascinating archeological sites close by.

The Cerro Mil Hojas, pre-Inca cemetery, and the Quilca petroglyphs are worth checking out.

Stay at: Hospedaje Golden Inn

Another incredible beach within the Paracas Natural Reserve is the Playa de la Mina, which is framed by imposing sandstone rock formations that juts imperiously from the aquamarine water.

The rocks coils behind the golden beach and are so eye-catching, you’ll want to take hundreds of Instagram photos here.

This Peru beach is easy to get to from Paracas, it is often hectic in peak season.

But if you can get to it at other times of the year, especially at night when the stars shine bright like light bulbs, you may well get to enjoy its magnificence in perfect solitude.

Stay at: La Hacienda Bahia Paracas

You could easily believe you’ve stumbled into a land that time forgot when you rock up to Playa Roja.

Surrounded by the breathtaking Paracas National Reserve, it hosts one of Peru’s most beautiful coastal landscapes, seemingly unchanged for years.

The area is known for its incredible marine life, such as dolphins, sea lions, penguins and even the fruitily named blue-footed boobies.

The secluded beach has stunning volcanic red sand offset by craggy mustard yellow cliffs and sparkling bright blue waters of the ocean.

Stay at: The Legend Paracas Resort

There are few beaches with as much of an immediate ‘wow’ factor as La Playa Roja, or the ‘Red Beach’.

Another beach in Peru’s magnificent Paracas National Reserve, the reddish colour of the shoreline is immediately captivating.

Consisting of microscopic pieces of volcanic rocks created due to the erosion of ancient lava, it contrasts wonderfully with the stunning blue waters of the ocean.

For even more dramatic effect, the beach is surrounded in parts by towering cliffs, and although you won’t be able to swim here, you will be able to spot dolphins, whales and sea lions.

Stay at: Jazmines Lodging

One of the most unusual beaches in Peru is in the Huacachina Oasis, a village surrounded by dunes in the southwest of Peru.

The central feature of the oasis is a natural desert lake.

Around 100 people live in this oasis that is five kilometres from Ica.

But thousands of visitors flock here as the mud and water is believed to have therapeutic qualities capable of curing a range of ailments from asthma to arthritis.

Stay at: DM Hoteles Mossone – Ica

• 20 Landmarks In Peru
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• 15 Things Peru Is Famous For

Beaches In Northern Peru

Extending for over 6.5km (4 miles), Punta Sal is the longest beach on Peru’s north coast.

Despite being considered one beach, it is divided into two sections: Punta Sal Chica, which is a gently curving shoreline of fabulous white sands between two small capes, and the longer of the two, Punta Sal Grande, which is a little more sedate.

A popular beach resort, which is just a one-hour drive from the town of Tumbes, there are several excellent all-inclusive resorts here.

As the sun shines nearly every day, and because of the warm waters of the equatorial El Nino current, it’s a perfect year-round spot for sunbathing, beach volleyball, kayaking and water skiing.

Stay at: Hogar en Punta Sal – Casa de Playa

During the 1920s, Pimentel served as a major port town and the railway terminus for sugar production and shipping.

Today it is better known as a modern beach resort that showcases great surfing and spectacular sunsets.

Situated just seven miles (11 km) from Chiclayo, the beach is notable for the fishermen who earn their livings fishing with traditional reed boats their ancestors used for generations before them.

It is a family-friendly destination with flat and firm sand and features a lovely boardwalk lined with an eclectic mix of shops and waterfront restaurants.

Stay at: Amalfi’s Place

Tucked away within the cliffs of Huarmey is the phenomenal, secluded Peruvian beach of Tuquillo.

Located off the Panamerican Highway, about four hours north of the capital city of Lima, this breathtaking coastal spot features a magnificent terrain of mountains, sand dunes, caves, lagoons and intriguing rock formations.

All of which are fascinating to explore.

A previous recipient of the Premio Ecoplaya (an eco-beach prize awarded) for its cleanliness and conservation, the beach here has soft sand and refreshing, crystal clear water.

Stay at: Hospedaje de los Reyes

For surfers, Chicama is like Disneyworld.

Situated about 39 km north of Trujillo, not only is the beach here a gorgeous one, but it’s also home to the longest left-breaking waves in the world.

Also known as Puerto Malabrigo, this expanse of golden beach accommodates six-foot (1.8m) plus swells that can be ridden for close to 1.2 miles (two kilometres).

Legend has it that a Hawaiian surfer once spotted the waves from a plane and later wrote to some Peruvian friends in an attempt to locate it.

So if you are ever able to ride this surf, be sure to thank him as you do it.

Stay at: Huanchaco Surf Camp

Situated in the picturesque city of Trujillo, Huanchaco Beach is another gorgeous Peruvian beach.

A great spot for surfing, it was named a World Surfing Reserve Site in 2012 and draws surfers from all over the planet.

Lying some 20 km (12 miles) northwest of Trujillo, the beach is one of the world’s top five surfing sites.

If that is not reason enough to put your toes on the sand here, then with Huanchaco being the birthplace of Ceviche, you’ll have to try this delicious seafood dish at one of the many local restaurants near the beach.

Stay at: ATMA Hostel & Yoga

Some parts of Peru experience sunshine 365 days of the year, which is perfect if you love the beach.

One of these places is the charming seaside village of Mancora, located in the very north of the country, close to the Ecuador border.

An idyllic holiday destination, it showcases gorgeous powdery sand, lovely warm water, big waves for surfing and stunning blue skies.

Unfortunately, the secret is out about it, though, and in recent years the area has metamorphosised into a major beach destination.

Even so, if you are looking for a great place to sunbathe by day and party at night, Máncora fits the bill.

Stay at: Kimbas Bungalows Mancora

The famous author Ernest Hemmingway loved and lived in Key West, but Peru also inspired him, particularly Cabo Blanco, where he lived for a while.

So much so that he is believed to have written the Pulitzer Prize-winning book ‘The Old Man and The Sea’ during his time there.

A big fan of sport fishing for Black Marlin, he was also said to have loved the stunning beach, light coloured mountains from which the place is named after, and the delightful blue shades of sea and sky, which are always on display.

While you are more likely to see surfers now, rather than old guys struggling with huge marlin, the landscape has otherwise changed little from what Hemmingway saw.

Stay at: Hotel Puerto Antiguo

82 km (51 miles) west of Piura, Colan is a fabulous beach that enjoys a pleasant year-round climate within a district of its own name.

Known for its greyish sand, the beach is colloquially referred to as La Esmeralda because of the water’s distinctive emerald colour.

The shallow water of the Bay of Colán provides reasonable swimming conditions, although stingrays are plentiful at certain times of the year and it might be a bit cold for some.

If you would prefer to stay on land, the beach is home to one of the oldest Spanish churches in the country, well worth checking out.

Stay at: Hotel Boutique Beso de Sal

With a collection of abandoned buildings and oil rigs dotted around a sparsely populated beach, you might well wonder what Lobitos is doing on this list.

Granted, it’s not the comeliest of settings, but it is a major hotspot for surfers, with perfect waves often topping 8-feet (2.4 m).

An isolated beach incorporated within a rugged Peruvian desert, this stark coastline is fabulous for a digital detox.

It’s also close to Máncora and Cabo Blanco, making a pleasant change from the frenetic energy of those places.

Stay at: Buena Vista Lobitos

10 minutes south of Máncora beach lies the beguiling Las Pocitas.

Also known as Máncora Chico, or Little Máncora it’s a lot more sedate in nature than its livelier neighbour.

With sparkling aquamarine waters and immaculate white sand, the beach is backed by lush, tropical palm trees, making it feel like paradise.

It’s also renowned for the little tide pools that form among the rocks at low tide, which are always great to explore.

Stay at: Mar de Mancora Playa Las Pocitas

Quietly tucked away at the northern end of Peru, Los Órganos is an isolated and tranquil beach which is a great spot to get away from it all.

Just a 15-minute drive from Máncora, this beach is named after a local hill of the same name, which has a shape that brings to mind the pipes of a musical organ.

This is a great beach to chill out as the weather is usually warm, the sand is suitable for walking on, and there are a few decent spots to snorkel and surf.

You might spot the odd whale, dolphin, sea lion or turtle, the latter of which often searches for food near the dock. 

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Two Week Peru Itinerary: Planning an Amazing Trip from the Andes to the Amazon

By: Author Rob Taylor

Posted on Published: May 23, 2024  - Last updated: August 19, 2024

Save this two week Peru itinerary for your first trip to this amazing country! We had an unforgettable experience in Peru, from Lima to the Andes to the desert to the Amazon. This Peru itinerary is doable with kids, or just adults, but it all depends on what you want to see most and how much time you have for your Peru trip.

For us, we built out this two week Peru itinerary based on the things our kids had researched and told us were most important to them. I’ve got to say, they hit the nail on the head for what us adults were interested in too. Running with their list, I built our whole itinerary and where we stayed to make sure we had the best time, enjoying the most interesting experiences possible for two weeks in Peru.

If you have any questions about logistics, our Peru itinerary and how to adjust it, or want to leave your own tips for how to have an incredible experience, please leave a comment or send us a note . We’re always happy to share more!

Join us for a Peruvian Amazon group trip! (Nov 2024, Mar 2025)

Getting to Peru from the USA

I was surprised how easy it was to get from the USA to Peru for our trip. If you have a USA passport you don’t need a visa and Peru customs is very easy to go through. Be sure that you have at least 6 months of validity left on your passport and that you’re ready to say exactly where you’re going, where you’re staying and when you’re leaving. That should be good to get through customs swiftly. You can visit for up to 183 days.

Other nationalities that don’t require visas include:

• All South American nations except Venezuela
• Canada and Mexico
• Most central American and Caribbean nations
• South Africa
• All EU countries plus Britain, Norway, Belarus and Russia

Visa entry or not, you do need to be able to prove you’re going to leave Peru at some point. “Continuing travel” is very important to be able to communicate or prove when you go through customs. A lot of people who are doing slow travel for their Peru trip will pop into Bolivia to the south to refresh their visitation clock. This is NOT an option for USA passport holders as Bolivia requires a visa for US citizens (but not most others).

To fly to Lima from the USA, you have a few options:

• Miami, Florida – MIA and FLL
• Los Angeles, California – LAX
• New York City, New York – JFK and EWR
• Houston, Texas – IAH
• Atlanta, Georgia – ATL

You’ll be surprised how inexpensive flights to Lima are, including the mileage exchange deals you can get from the USA to Peru. Listen to our podcast episodes about Using Points for Travel or Mastering the American Airlines Loyalty Program

Regions to Visit in Peru

Peru is a pretty large country, which includes 80+ of the 126 microclimates on earth. Visiting Peru means seeing the full spectrum of landscapes and ecosystems, whether you’re into science or not. There are six main areas visitors for the first time in Peru might plan on visiting:

• Lima – the capital city and historic center
• The Andes Mountains – Cusco / Machu Picchu / Sacred Valley
• The Andes Mountains South – Lake Titicaca / Arequipa / Colca Canyon
• Ica – Paracas / Ballestas Islands / Ica
• Southern Peru – Nazca Lines / Atacama Desert
• The Amazon – both the Jungle and the River itself

For a first time Peru trip, I would actually recommend keeping it simple and sticking close to sea level. The elevation of Cusco and the Sacred Valley really does have an impact on visitors, especially ones who live at sea level. We’re well traveled, healthy, and pretty resilient, but the altitude sickness hit us so hard that we were fairly miserable for most of our time in the Andes. We were careful and thoughtful, but still suffered intense vomiting, diarrhea, headaches and absolute fatigue. We actually changed our plans to get back to sea level ASAP because it was so intense. Just keep this in mind as you plan your first trip to Peru. Check out our tips for Preventing Altitude Sickness

Planning a Peru Trip Podcast Episode

We have several Peru podcast episodes including All About the Andes; Peru at Sea Level – Lima, the Desert and Islands; and the Peruvian Amazon! In our Peru trip planning podcast episode :

• Our transportation throughout Peru
• Itinerary highlights from Machu Picchu to seeing penguins and monkeys
• Tips for making the most of your Peru trip

Travel Within Peru

When building our Peru itinerary, travel within the country was the thing that was the most confusing to me initially. You can look at things on a map until the cows come home, but understanding the logistics of getting from place to place is a whole other thing. Before building our travel plan we’d heard about trains and a great bus system… Yeah, no. Those options are very limited and specific, and not a national thing.

There is NOT a train network in Peru. There is a train between Machu Picchu town, aka Aguas Calientes, and Ollantaytambo, or the train goes all the way to Cusco in the dry season. You cannot travel from Lima to Cusco or Pisco via train. The train to Machu Picchu town is awesome though, and you’ll love the scenery and experience as a part of your Peru trip.

Get train tickets to Machu Picchu!

There’s also not an extensive bus system to go beyond Lima, but you can book tour bus passes from Lima up into the Andes, to Arequipa and Cusco. Buses will get you where you need to go with some extra time, but it’s not just a simple bus ride on an afternoon. This is the way to go to slowly, working your way up in elevation, but it’s not a convenient, time-saving sort of transportation.

Get bus tickets from Lima -> Cusco

The regular visitor to Peru probably will need to fly between destinations, or get a rental car. Driving in Peru isn’t weird or scary, but driving in Lima is an absolute nightmare. Between the intense traffic and the aggressive blinker-less road rage, it’s one big anxiety attack. Once you’re on the PanAmerican Highway though, it’s smooth sailing and one of the best roads we’ve driven anywhere in the world. Driving to Arequipa, Cusco or Ollantaytambo is not bad, so if you’re comfortable and confident, go for it.

When it comes to flying, getting to Peru is easy (see above) and once here you’ll be surprised at the ease of travel. From Lima, you can easily fly to Iquitos (the Amazon), Cusco (Machu Picchu/Sacred Valley), Arequipa (colonial area/Colca Canyon), Chiclayo (northern coast), Juliaca (Lake Titicaca) and more. LATAM flights are consistent and are inexpensive for regional travel. You will pay more than a bus ticket, but you will save whole days in travel, allowing you more specific experiences that transportation during your Peru trip.

See regional Peru flights on LATAM

Need to Know to Visit Peru

There are a few things to know before you visit Peru, just because it really is different than the USA or Canada. If you’ve traveled in South or Central America, this might not seem unusual to you, but if this is a first for you, pay attention:

• The money is the Sol or Soles (multiple; said “sole-ais”) – it’s about 4 soles per US dollar (Spring 2024 exchange rate)
• The primary language is Spanish, with Quechua being second, and then a lot of people working in tourism speak English. If you ALWAYS attempt to use Spanish as best as you can before just speaking English, as that’s most polite and sets you up for the most successful conversation.
• When you use a toilet in Peru, any paper does NOT go into the toilet. There are trash cans by toilets for the waste paper, no matter how you think it’s just fine to flush it.
• Wherever you go, you should always bring your own TP. Yes, it is sometimes provided but also more often than not there will not be toilet paper in public restrooms, even when you pay the common 2 soles to use the restroom.
• There are LOTS of potatoes in Peru no matter what region you’re in. You’ll get to try lots of different potato varieties and preparations, so even if you’re not into potatoes, keep an open mind.

I’m sure there are more helpful things to keep in mind before visiting Peru, but these are the things that really stand out to me as unique and important for a great Peru trip.

Two Week Peru Itinerary

Now it’s time to get into our two week Peru itinerary. We’ve got a great plan that includes the Andes Mountains, Lima, the desert coast, and the Amazon rainforest. You’ll love it! As you look at our Peru itinerary and start planning, keep in mind that if you can add four more days, you can take your time ascending up into the Andes, which will be very helpful to acclimate.

Begin in Lima, Peru

Since you’ll be flying into Lima, Peru from nearly anywhere you’re starting, you should plan to spend a few days exploring Lima. It’s a really cool city with lots of history and beautiful buildings, so you’ll enjoy having time here to get used to being in Peru. I don’t recommend getting a rental car for your time in Lima, as driving here is a stressful and horrifying experience (worse than Mexico, France or Croatia), but you can easily use Uber to get wherever you need.

Historic Lima Sightseeing

Lima has more people than New York City , so keep that in mind as you’re exploring. The historic core is less densely populated, but still crowded. We visited during Semana Santa (Easter week) and it was so very busy, with long lines to get into the historic churches. Any other time of year you should have no problem visiting historic religious sites throughout the day, but during Easter and Christmas you’ll see that the areas directly surrounding the famous churches are very crowded. Plan your Peru trip to fall just before or after major religious holidays.

How can you get around the issues with crowds? If you book a walking tour, many of the guides have the correct license to be able to detour away from crowds and enter churches that are a part of their tour, including the Cathedral of St Francis where you’ll find the catacombs. You can visit places like the Plaza Mayor or Hotel Bolivar on your own, and the churches too, but it’s much easier with a guide.

We did a historic walking tour of Lima with Lima Experience. Our guide, Joseph, was great and spoke excellent English. He was able to field questions from the kids and explain so much of what makes Lima and Peru the interesting, diverse place that it is today.

Book this exact tour!

If there’s one museum you must visit in Lima, it’s the Larco Museum . Not close to the historic core (a 20 minute Uber ride), the Larco Museum has the most incredible collection of Inca and pre-Inca artifacts in Lima. There is the Inka Museum in Cusco that is larger and more comprehensive with grand exhibits, but the Larco is where you’ll find golden Inca artifacts, aisles and shelves of figures and pottery, and the very unique… adult section of Incan art and artifacts. Yes, it’s what you are picturing and there are some fascinating pieces depicting all varieties of intercourse, human anatomy and birth. The Larco Museum is really a wonderful addition to your Peru trip.

Get advanced tickets for Larco Museum

Neighborhoods to Visit

The most popular neighborhoods that are good for tourists to visit in Lime include Miraflores (we stayed here), the historic downtown and Barranco neighborhoods. These are good neighborhoods for getting the vibe of life in Lima for a few reasons:

• They are more upper class residential, meaning well maintained with good pedestrian access
• There are lots of cafes and restaurants for eating Peruvian foods
• Because they’re known for being tourist friendly, they are diversely populated and welcoming
• There are parks and plazas that you can enjoy, and lots of murals around the neighborhoods.

There are more parts of Lima than these, but when it comes to being able to easily access parts of the city, these three neighborhoods are the easiest and most vibrant. I don’t recommend driving in Lima (it’s intense, as I’ve said) so taking an Uber wherever you need to go that’s not walking distance is a good idea.

Exploring the Andes Mountains

Before thinking about Lima or the Amazon, most people are excited to visit Peru to go to Machu Picchu. For many, their knowledge of Peru stops at “That’s where Machu Picchu is.” There’s so much more to the Andes than this one site. There are actually many Inca and pre-Inca sites from the mountains just south of the Amazon all the way to Lake Titicaca and into Bolivia and Chile. For our two week Peru itinerary, we are focusing on Machu Picchu and the most famous sites in the state of Cusco.

We have our Andes stops in order of how you can do them to gradually increase your elevation, so hopefully that’ll help make the experience better for you.

Listen to our Andes podcast episode to hear about our stops and activities. This part of the trip was fun, but also a struggle.

Reality of Altitude Sickness in the Andes

Most of us don’t live at high altitudes like you’ll face in the Andes mountains. We live at sea level in Florida, so aren’t used to the elevation, despite doing mountain trips throughout the year. When you visit the Peruvian Andes, the elevation ranges from 6,693 feet in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) to 12,556 feet at Puno (Lake Titicaca). If you’re visiting the famous Rainbow Mountain area, you’ll go even higher to 17,060 feet. That’s 3k feet higher than the summit of Mount Rainier !

The altitude really does have an impact on the human body, so you should be cautious as you plan your travel to the Peruvian Andes. After 5k feel you may feel like you’re huffing and puffing when you go up stairs. At 8k feet your insides feel a bit weird and have a difficult time processing food as usual. Higher than that and you become dehydrated easily in addition to the other side effects. All this can present as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and more. We suffered headaches, fatigue and horrible vomiting and diarrhea during our time in the Andes, and we only made it as high at 12,163 feet up.

While not everyone suffers from altitude sickness , there are ways to prevent or mitigate it:

• Ascend from sea level as gradually as possible, staying a few nights at different higher elevations
• Drink LOTS of water and get solid rest
• Take it easy while you acclimate
• Eat small meals, especially as the day winds down
• Don’t drink alcohol, but DO drink coca tea and suck on coca candies
• Keep your overall Peru trip joy in mind when deciding if you want to tough out the elevation

For some travelers, there is a pill you can take called Diamox that helps acclimate to the altitude. THIS IS NOT AN OPTION FOR EVERYONE, SO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. This was not an option for our family due to some medical stuff, but it may work for others. Everyone told us just to get it, but upon research and talking to our family doctor we discovered that it could be a very dangerous situation for us, so I’m glad we didn’t just jump into taking a pill without getting info from our trusted medical professional.

Visiting Machu Picchu

To start, you can either take the bus over several days from Lima up to Cusco, or you can fly into Cusco and then travel to Aguas Calientes, aka Machu Picchu Town. If you have the time to take the bus, do it! To stick with our two week Peru itinerary, you’re flying to Cusco (CUZ). With this, the best option is to immediately exit the city and make your way to Ollantaytambo to catch the train to Aguas Calientes.

Note: during the dry season of April – October you can start the train journey IN Cusco, but during the rainy season the train route is only from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes due to landslides that frequently happen during the rain. This just means you need to plan your Peru trip properly to get the train in the correct town.

For visiting Machu Picchu, you will need to get your entry tickets IN ADVANCE. Entries to the archaeological site sell out days or weeks before, so as soon as you know when you’ll be there, secure your tickets. We missed out on getting tickets for ourselves and had to book a private tour, as registered guides have access to additional entries. This turned out to be FANTASTIC as our guide, Percy with Wonders of Peru Expeditions was amazing. He was so knowledgeable and very patient with us, both for our questions and our struggles of climbing stairs at such high elevation.

Book our exact Machu Picchu tour here!

Be sure to bring water, snacks, sunblock and ponchos for visiting Machu Picchu. Once you enter the site there are no services and umbrellas are not allowed. You’ll need to be self-contained and ready to brave the elements as the weather can change quickly. If you arrive early, you have great chances of getting a beautiful day at Machu Picchu, because even if there are clouds to start, they’ll probably clear and you’ll have at least a few moments of sunshine.

Touring the Sacred Valley

I actually enjoyed our time in the Sacred Valley more than visiting Machu Picchu. This part of the Andes is one of the coolest parts of our two week Peru itinerary. Here you’ll get to see really neat, old towns built by both the Incas and pre-Inca civilizations. There are farms, rivers, plateaus, narrow cobblestone streets, and awesome people. If you choose to rent a car in Cusco and drive yourself, you can take several days exploring the Sacred Valley and really taking your time.

You can also see most of the Sacred Valley sights on a guided tour with a driver. I know, I’ve already recommended two other tours during our two week Peru itinerary, but it’s because here in the Andes and in such historic places, having a specialist who knows infinitely more than we did made each experience exceptional. For our Sacred Valley tour, we spent a very long day with Oscar from Exclusive Inka Tours. He was such a wealth of information and was great with our kids.

Book our exact Sacred Valley tour here!

The main sites to visit in the Sacred Valley include:

• Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site and town
• Moray Incan horticultural laboratory
• Salinas de Maras salt mine – amazing!
• Pisac Archaeological Site and town
• Chinchero Inca town and historic sites
• Mountain View restaurant and llamas

There are more sites to visit, including more archaeological sites, but either doing a tour to cover ⅔ of these spots or spending two days to explore the Sacred Valley on your own is wonderful and will give you a comprehensive visit. This may just be one of your favorite parts of your Peru trip.

Tip: you can purchase a multi-site ticket to cover the Peruvian archaeological park sites and get a bit of a discount. It’s time limited though, so you may need to manage yourself well to be able to get the full value of the ticket (valid 2 days for adults, 10 days for child tickets).

Cusco and More Andes Sightseeing

Cusco is the former capital of the Incan Empire and is one of the most unique cities we’ve been to. The colonial structures are built on top of Incan structures, such as churches built on top of palaces… Cusco is big and densely populated. Because the city is built into the hills and valleys, the streets zigzag their way to the valley floor. There are staircases and flood gutters everywhere, and in the historic core, the streets are tight!

While in Cusco , take it easy as it’s higher in elevation than Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes. Spend your time checking out the main historic area around the Plaza de Armas and visiting the Inca Museum, the Historical Museum of Cusco, the cathedral , the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and more. There is a really cool aqueduct, el Acueducto da Sapantiana , more Inca ruins at Saqsaywaman , Q’enco and others. Cusco is really cool and you can easily spend three or four days here. Before arriving we didn’t realize just how many ruins and archeological sites in Cusco you can visit.

Note: we had to cut our time in the Andes short and skipped most of Cusco because we were suffering from altitude sickness so badly. In any scenario, it’s okay to adjust your travel plans if you’re physically suffering and need to move on. Don’t feel bad about it.

More Andes destinations to add if you have time and are feeling good:

• Puno (highest Andes) and Lake Titicaca
• Rainbow Mountain / Montana Vinikunka
• Colca Canyon for the Andean condors
• Arequipa (low Andes) – for a longer trip to sea level or onto Bolivia

Ica – Where Desert Meets Sea

Never have I ever… been so excited to be back at sea level. After an intense week in the Andes, being back at sea level was such a welcome change. We immediately felt better upon landing in Lima and driving to the state of Ica. Getting out of Lima takes at least an hour (remember, it has more people than New York City) but then once you’re on the Panamerican Highway it’s driving bliss!

Note: ALWAYS DRIVE WITH YOUR LIGHTS ON. You will get pulled over or held back at a checkpoint and ticketed if you don’t have your lights on. We got pulled over and were being cited for 1300 soles… and then the police officer offered us a cash discount on the ticket if we could pay on the spot. Yes, exactly what you’re thinking – IF WE GIVE THE OFFICER CASH WE WON’T GET A TICKET. It was a bribe. Good times.

As your using out two week Peru itinerary, this is a great part of the trip to add time, particularly if you cut some time from the Andes. The Ica region is awesome and NOT what you’re expecting to find during your Peru trip!

Listen to our Peru Itinerary Planning podcast episode to hear about Ica and how we scheduled our time.

Paracas – Peru Beach Days

I love Paracas! Of all the towns and cities in Peru that we visited, Paracas was my favorite. Maybe it’s because we live in a beach town or maybe because for me it’s nostalgic of Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Morelos in Mexico , but I loved it. The town is full of small restaurants, ceviche and cafes. There are Peruvian coffee shops and little markets. The waterfront has a promenade and a beach.

Visiting Paracas is a complete vibe change over the Andes or Lima. It’s a breath of fresh air and relaxation. While it isn’t as built up and fancy as most Mexican beach towns, Paracas is well maintained with lots of beautiful murals and shops. And it’s home to the largest inflatable water park in South America. Yes, you read that correctly.

We usually opt for historic sites and nature over any sort of modern or kitschy activity, but after a week in the Andes and still being in recovery mode, when we walked onto the beach and saw Yakupark (an inflatable water park / giant obstacle course) we decided it would be good to just do it and chill. The kids had the best time and needed this sort of wild and fun activity.

Why are most people coming to Paracas, Peru though? For the PENGUINS!!! (keep reading)

Ballestas Islands

Just off the coast of Paracas is one of my favorite wildlife sites on earth. I geek out over birds and other animals, so getting to visit the Ballestas Islands was a Peru trip highlight for me. Part of the Peruvian national parks system, the islands are a preserve and people aren’t allowed on them anymore, except for research purposes. So how do you actually visit the Ballestas Islands?

Book our exact Ballestas / Paracas Reserve tour here!

From the pier in Paracas you’ll board a tour boat (there are several companies) and head out to sea. You’ll see the fascinating landmark, La Candelabra, in the dunes as you make your way to the islands, and then as you approach you’ll start to see sea lions. Once there, it’s time to start wildlife watching. For us, the highlight was the humboldt penguins. We saw penguins in the wild!!

Here’s what to watch for when you do the boat tour to the Ballestas Islands:

• Humboldt penguins
• Lobos marinos aka the Southern sea lion
• Gray boobies
• Peruvian pelicans and more

For the kids, their favorite part was actually visiting Maternity Beach. This part of the Ballestas Islands is where the sea lion colony has its babies and there are hundreds of animals on the shore and in the water. There were countless baby sea lions and it was adorable.

Paracas National Reserve

I had no idea how cool the Paracas National Reserve was going to be. I had seen photos but pictures never really do justice for certain places. The desert as it meets the ocean, both as beaches and sea cliffs is just amazing. Vast expanses of sand dunes with zero vegetation and seemingly no wildlife is really something to take in. It’s fun to explore though, as there are quite a few interesting sites to visit within the Paracas National Reserve.

Oh, and there are flamingos! I know! Pair a visit to the Paracas National Reserve on the same day with the Ballestas Islands and you’ll get to have a day that includes both flamingos and penguins on your Peru trip. Something that really wowed me about this area was how untouched it seems, and perhaps that’s just the nature of the desert, but it was very unique to experience.

Add the Paracas National Reserve to your two weeks in Peru itinerary to get in some quality beach time. There are beaches here, both for viewing AND for swimming. While you’re not permitted to swim at the red sand beach or the beaches at Cathedral Rock, Playa La Mina is awesome with wonderfully clear water and perfect small waves. There is a fee to use the beach even if you’ve already paid entry to the National Reserve, so have a few soles ready.

Tip: if you’re limited for time, you can book a tour that covers both the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas National Reserve in the same day. This tour includes both areas.

Visiting Ica and Huacachina Oasis

To add onto your time in Paracas, head to Ica. Ica is a larger city with a historic core and great restaurants. It’s half the size of Cusco with about 283k residents. There are a few cool museums, in particular El Museo de Javier Cabrera where you can see countless etched/carved glyphtoliths from pre-Inca times. Ica has historic sites, a cool old cathedral and more.

Just outside of the city is why most tourists head to Ica: the Huacachina Oasis! This is a natural oasis in the desert and it’s beautiful. It’s built up around the edge now, so there are hotels and restaurants, but the phenomenon of the oasis is still very cool and unique. If you tell somebody that you’re heading to Huacachina, no doubt they’ll say “Ooh, are you going sand boarding?!” Sand boarding is a very popular thing to do when you visit Huacachina. It’s just what it sounds like: snowboarding but on sand dunes. If this is on your Peru to-do list, we recommend booking a tour to visit Huacachina so you can enjoy the experience with a guide and the proper gear.

Find a Huacachina tour here!

When you’re done visiting Paracas and Ica, it’s time to head back north to Lima to continue on with your two week Peru trip.  I think this part of the trip really is a great way to feel refreshed after the Andes mountains, and you’ll be able to head to the Amazon with lots of energy and excitement!

The Amazon River and Rainforest

Our time in the Amazon rainforest was amazing! This was all of our favorite part of our two weeks in Peru. A lot of people think of visiting the Amazon as being something you do when you go to Brazil, but it’s actually very easy to do in Peru and there are lots of wonderful options for how to go about it.

Join us on a group trip to the Peruvian Amazon!

We really enjoyed exploring the Amazon river and rainforest. It was the best part of our Peru trip. Be sure to listen to our podcast episode all about it !

Getting to the Amazon

To get to the Amazon from Lima or anywhere else in Peru, the easiest way is to fly to Iquitos. You cannot drive to Iquitos, Peru, but must either fly or arrive via boat on the Amazon river. To fly to Iquitos, you have to leave from Lima. There are some small regional flights to even smaller towns, but from anywhere a tourist might be, the only option is to go from Lima. Don’t worry, it’s a cheap flight and there are a few every day.

Iquitos is actually a large city, even if it doesn’t seem like it when you land at the tiny airport. Iquitos is larger than Cusco with nearly 500k residents in the city and surrounding area. It’s the launch point for exploring the Peruvian Amazon, including doing one of the many multi-day Amazon River cruises. For us, we were picked up from the airport by our driver from our lodge and then continued on an hour and a half drive to the town of Nauta, where we boarded a small passenger boat for a 45 minute ride south on the Amazon River, and then to our accommodations.

Activities in the Amazon Jungle

Wherever you’re staying for your Peruvian Amazon adventure, you’ll find a variety of activities. Of course the exact execution of the many adventures you’ll find in the Amazon will vary depending on where you’re staying for this part of your Peru trip or who you’re doing your daily excursions through, but you should be able to enjoy AT MINIMUM the following things to do:

• Photo safaris
• Guided bird and wildlife watching
• River cruising (day trips)
• Canoeing and kayaking
• Jungle walks / hikes
• Fishing trips (including piranhas)

Everybody has a different reason for wanting to spend time in the Amazon Rainforest, so as you’re planning your time, do what’s most important to you! For us, we were mostly excited for seeing wildlife of every sort, so we did photo safaris every day and were treated to monkeys, sloths, toucans, macaws and so much more. I can’t imagine another Peru trip without this experience!

Yes, there are mosquitos, but with some planning you’ll be able to enjoy exploring the jungle and cruising along the river without suffering. A combination of bug spray, wearing appropriate clothing to cover as much skin as possible, and even wearing mosquito net jackets can all be good ways to stay itch free. The mosquitos aren’t a problem everywhere or every time of day, but if you’re out at sunset or after, and you’re in the slower flowing parts of the Amazon tributaries or on a lake, the bugs are intense. Just be prepared and you’ll be fine.

Staying at the Treehouse Lodge

Our whole two week Peru itinerary began with us planning our adventures around getting to stay at the Treehouse Lodge in the Amazon rainforest. We had seen pictures online and watched videos of this awesome looking place, so we did more research. Staying at the Treehouse Lodge means that you have an all-inclusive experience where your meals, lodging and ALL excursions are included in your cost.

Our accommodations in our treehouse were perfect for our family of four, including a bathroom in our treehouse, seating, mosquito netting, fans, and getting to shower and watch toucans outside the window. It was wonderful, to say the least. The food was also great, with three meals each day using locally sourced food, prepared in fresh, healthy, Peruvian styles. (Alcohol is the only thing not included, but there is a bar at the Treehouse Lodge.) Across our whole two week Peru trip this was the most magical and comfortable accommodations we had.

Our daily excursions were amazing. We had our own dedicated guide and river captain, Edgar and Roger. They took great care of us and made sure that we saw the absolute most wildlife and habits that we could in the Amazon Rainforest. We went out at sunrise, morning, midday and sunset. We went fishing multiple times and saw more monkeys and sloths than we could keep track of. Our experience was unmatched in any travel we’ve ever done.

Are you excited to plan a two week Peru trip?! You should be. This itinerary really is solid for having diverse experiences no matter what your interests or travel chops lead you to. Peru is fun, beautiful and unlike what you expect. Please, if you have any questions about either this two week Peru itinerary, planning your trip, or if you want to join us on an upcoming Peruvian Amazon adventure , leave a comment or send us a note . We’re happy to help!