Out of the Beaten Tracks places to visit in Peru

Northern Peru: The Cloud Warriors’ Realm

Kuelap Fortress & Gocta Waterfall

What it is: A massive, pre-Inca walled city perched on a mountaintop, often called the “Machu Picchu of the North.” Its limestone walls soar up to 20 meters high, enclosing more than four hundred circular stone structures.

Why go: Here you can experience awe-inspiring ancient architecture with a fraction of the crowds found in the Sacred Valley. The scale of the fortress is immense, and the history of the Chachapoya people, the “Warriors of the Clouds,” is utterly fascinating.

Getting there: The most convenient base is the town of Chachapoyas. From there, you can arrange a tour or take public transport to the modern cable car system, which glides across a deep canyon, offering a dramatic prelude to the discovery that awaits at the summit.

Pro-Tip: We highly recommend combining your Kuelap visit with a trip to the stunning Gocta Waterfall, one of the tallest in the world. This can be done as a separate day hike through lush cloud forest. While the cable car makes the fortress accessible, please be prepared for considerable walking once inside, as the site is expansive and best explored on foot.

Revash Mausoleums & Leymebamba Museum

What it is: A collection of small, house-like tombs, or chullpas, painted with pictographs of geometric shapes and animals, constructed directly into the face of a sheer limestone cliff.

Why go: These mausoleums offer a unique and slightly eerie glimpse into the sophisticated funerary traditions of the Chachapoya culture. It is a striking sight, seemingly suspended between earth and sky.

Getting there: Revash is best accessed as a day trip from Chachapoyas. The visit involves a moderate uphill walk to reach the viewpoint for the tombs.

Essential Pairing: A visit to Revash is incomplete without continuing on to the Leymebamba Museum. You MUST visit this museum afterwards. It houses an incredible collection of over 200 remarkably well-preserved mummies and their funerary offerings, which were rescued from a nearby looted tomb. The museum provides invaluable context to the mausoleums and the culture that built them. This combination offers a profound cultural immersion, ideal for the traveler keen on understanding the complex history and archaeology of the peoples who came before the Incas.

The Cordillera Blanca: For Serious Trekkers

The Huayhuash Circuit

What it is: A demanding 8 to 12-day high-altitude trek, widely considered by mountaineers to be one of the most spectacular alpine circuits in the world.

Why go: This trek delivers unparalleled, dramatic views of jagged, snow-capped peaks like the famous Siula Grande (of *Touching the Void* fame), impossibly turquoise glacial lakes, and a look into remote Andean life. This is a true wilderness experience, far from any established tourist trail.

Getting there: The trek begins and ends near the city of Huaraz, which serves as the main hub for acclimatization and logistics in the region.

Critical Info: We must be clear: this is an exceptionally challenging expedition, NOT a casual hike. It requires excellent physical condition and a commitment to proper acclimatization in Huaraz for several days prior to starting. Due to its remote nature and technical demands, hiring a reputable guide with a full support team, including mules, is essential for safety and logistics.

Ausangate Trek & Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain

What it is: A multi-day high-altitude trek that circumnavigates the sacred Ausangate mountain, or a more accessible day trip to the less-crowded Palccoyo “Rainbow” mountains.

Why go: While Vinicunca (the famous Rainbow Mountain) has become overrun with visitors, the Ausangate region offers similar psychedelic, mineral-rich landscapes, plus close-up views of glaciers and opportunities to soak in natural hot springs, with almost no one else around. For those short on time, Palccoyo is an excellent day-trip alternative that allows you to see three distinct rainbow-hued mountains with a much shorter, flatter walk. For those wishing to see the celebrated landscapes, Palccoyo presents a more thoughtful and enjoyable alternative to the Rainbow Mountain.

Getting there: Both destinations are accessed from Cusco but require dedicated tours that venture away from the main tourist circuit.

Pro-Tip: The full Ausangate trek is a wonderful way to experience authentic Quechua culture, as the trail passes through several remote villages where traditional lifestyles are still maintained. For travelers with the time and stamina, it is the definitive immersion into this sacred and vividly colored landscape.

The Deep South: Canyons and Coastlines

Cotahuasi Canyon

What it is: Officially one of the deepest canyons in the world, its staggering depth surpasses even that of the Grand Canyon and the more popular nearby Colca Canyon.

Why go: To experience the raw, untamed power of the Andes. Cotahuasi offers rugged trekking, access to remote traditional villages, powerful waterfalls like Sipia, and a profound sense of isolation that is impossible to find in more developed areas.

Getting there: The journey is an adventure in itself, requiring a long (10-12 hour) and often bumpy overnight bus ride from Arequipa through the high Andes.

What to Expect: Consider this the ‘expert mode’ alternative to the more frequented Colca Canyon. Infrastructure is basic, with simple guesthouses and local eateries. This destination is for independent, adventurous travelers who are comfortable with simple accommodations and ready for challenging, high-altitude hikes. Please set your expectations accordingly; this is an experience that prioritizes authenticity over convenience.

The “Marcona Penguins” & San Fernando National Reserve

What it is: A rugged, windswept section of coastline where the Atacama desert dramatically meets the Pacific Ocean. This protected reserve is a sanctuary for an astonishing array of wildlife.

Why go: This is a wilder, more impressive, and more intimate alternative to the popular Ballestas Islands tour. Here, you can witness the incredible sight of Andean condors soaring over the beach, vast colonies of sea lions on secluded bays, and protected coves filled with Humboldt penguins, all without being on a crowded tourist boat.

Getting there: Accessing the reserve requires hiring a 4×4 vehicle with a knowledgeable driver or guide from the town of Nazca. It is a full-day trip over rough, unmarked desert tracks.

Pro-Tip: This excursion is an excellent addition for any traveler visiting the Nazca Lines who also has a keen interest in seeing dramatic wildlife and untamed coastal landscapes.

The Untamed Amazon: Beyond the Lodges

Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

What it is: Peru’s largest protected area, a vast expanse of seasonally flooded forest known as the “Jungle of Mirrors” for the flawless reflections of the sky and trees in its dark, calm waterways.

Why go: The reserve offers unmatched opportunities for wildlife viewing in a pristine environment. It is one of the best places in the world to see pink river dolphins, manatees, giant river otters, numerous species of monkeys, and countless birds. The experience is one of deep immersion, navigating the intricate network of blackwater rivers and lakes by boat.

Getting there: The only way to explore the heart of the reserve is on a multi-day riverboat cruise, which typically departs from the city of Iquitos or the nearby port