Best Places to visit in Peru
Explore Peru's gems from Machu Picchu to the Amazon Basin in our travel guide.
Essentials
Cusco & The Sacred Valley: The Inca Heartland
This region is the classic, unmissable core of any journey to Peru. Its breathtaking landscapes and archaeological wonders are situated at a high altitude, so we have built time into your itinerary for proper acclimatization. Please take it easy for the first day or two upon arrival.
Machu Picchu
What it is: The iconic “Lost City of the Incas,” this UNESCO World Heritage site is nestled dramatically in a high mountain saddle, remaining a testament to the Inca Empire’s engineering prowess.
Why visit: The experience combines breathtaking mountain scenery with mysterious and masterful Inca stonework. Exploring the intricate terraces, temples, and dwellings is an unforgettable experience.
Traveler’s Tip: It is essential to plan well in advance. Entry tickets, particularly those that include climbs to the popular Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain vantage points, sell out months ahead. You will arrive at the site either by a scenic train journey or by completing the classic multi-day Inca Trail hike.
Cusco City
What it is: The historic capital of the Inca Empire, now a vibrant city that beautifully blends monumental Incan foundations with ornate Spanish colonial architecture.
Why visit: The city’s heart is the grand Plaza de Armas. Nearby, you can explore the massive stone fortress of Sacsayhuamán, the sacred Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), and wander the artisan-filled, cobblestoned streets of the charming San Blas neighborhood.
Traveler’s Tip: We recommend you spend at least two full days in Cusco to acclimatize properly to the altitude (3,400m / 11,152 ft) before undertaking more strenuous activities or heading to Machu Picchu. Move slowly, drink plenty of water, and consider coca tea.
The Sacred Valley
What it is: A lush, fertile valley that winds between Cusco and Machu Picchu, dotted with traditional colonial towns and impressive ancient Inca sites.
Why visit: Here you can explore the formidable ruins and living Inca town of Ollantaytambo, shop for crafts at the famous Pisac market, and witness the incredible ingenuity of the Maras salt pans and the circular Moray agricultural terraces.
Traveler’s Tip: Staying a night or two in the Sacred Valley, in a town like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, is an excellent acclimatization strategy. The valley floor is at a lower altitude than Cusco, allowing your body to adjust more gently.
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
What it is: A spectacular mountain in the Andes, famed for the vibrant, mineral-striped sediments that color its slopes like a rainbow.
Why visit: This is a challenging but immensely rewarding high-altitude day hike. The reward for the strenuous effort is an otherworldly landscape and incredible photo opportunities.
Traveler’s Tip: Please be very clear about the difficulty of this trek. The summit sits at over 5,200m / 17,000 ft, and the thin air makes the hike extremely demanding. It is not suitable for everyone and should only be attempted after you are fully acclimatized. Always check weather conditions before departing, as they can change rapidly.
Lima: The Culinary Capital
More than just an entry point to Peru, Lima has established itself as a world-class destination. It is a city of contrasts, where a rich history meets a modern, globally celebrated gastronomic scene.
Miraflores & Barranco
What it is: Lima’s upscale and bohemian coastal districts, respectively, offering a modern and artistic face to the city.
Why visit: Miraflores is known for its beautiful cliffside parks like the Parque del Amor, upscale shopping, and some of the world’s top-rated restaurants. Adjoining Barranco is the city’s artistic soul, with colorful colonial mansions, avant-garde art galleries, and a lively nightlife centered around the romantic Bridge of Sighs.
Traveler’s Tip: A wonderful way to spend an afternoon is to walk or rent a bicycle to travel along the Malecón, the scenic coastal path that connects these two vibrant districts and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
Historic Centre of Lima
What it is: The city’s colonial heart, founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Its historical importance and architectural splendor have earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.
Why visit: The area is home to grand, balconied buildings surrounding the main square, the Plaza de Armas. Key sites include the vast San Francisco Monastery with its fascinating library and eerie catacombs, along with numerous other museums and churches.
Traveler’s Tip: For your safety and convenience, we advise visiting this area with a guided tour or using a reputable, pre-booked taxi service. As in any large city center, please be mindful of your personal belongings at all times.
The Amazon Rainforest: Peru’s Wild Side
Peru offers distinct ways to experience the Amazon. The two main access points, Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos, provide different types of immersion into this vital and biodiverse ecosystem.
Puerto Maldonado
What it is: A bustling town that serves as the primary gateway to the southern Amazon basin, including the wildlife-rich Tambopata National Reserve.
Why visit: This area is excellent for accessible wildlife viewing from comfortable jungle lodges. It is famous for its riverside clay licks, where hundreds of macaws and parrots gather. You can expect to see various species of monkeys, giant river otters, and caimans during your excursions.
Traveler’s Tip: Most visits to this region are arranged as all-inclusive lodge packages, which should be booked in advance. Essential items to pack include effective insect repellent, lightweight long-sleeved shirts and trousers, a hat, and a good pair of binoculars to enhance wildlife sightings.
Iquitos
What it is: The world’s largest city that cannot be reached by road, making it a unique and isolated gateway to the northern Amazon River and its tributaries.
Why visit: Iquitos is the starting point for multi-day Amazon River cruises and journeys into remote, pristine reserves like Pacaya-Samiria. This option offers a different, “deep jungle” experience, often with a focus on exploring the flooded forest from the water.
Traveler’s Tip: This destination is best suited for those seeking a more immersive, often cruise-based, Amazon adventure. It contrasts with the land-based, lodge-focused stays typical of the Puerto Maldonado region, offering a distinct perspective on the vastness of the rainforest.
The Southern Coast: Deserts and Mysteries
This region showcases a completely different side of Peru, defined by unique desert landscapes, dramatic coastlines, and the enigmatic remnants of ancient cultures.
Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands
What it is: A protected area comprising a stunning desert peninsula and a rich marine reserve, creating a starkly beautiful convergence of land and sea.
Why visit: Boat tours to the Ballestas Islands, often called “the poor man’s Galápagos,” provide incredible opportunities to see colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and thousands of marine birds. The adjacent land-based reserve offers dramatic red-sand beaches and desert landscapes.
Traveler’s Tip: A visit here combines perfectly with a stop at the nearby Huacachina oasis. There, you can experience the thrill of sandboarding down massive dunes and taking a high-speed dune buggy ride across the desert.
Nazca Lines
What it is: A series of enormous geoglyphs—designs and figures etched into the arid desert floor by the ancient Nazca culture between 500 BC and 500 AD.
Why visit: Seeing these lines is to witness a true archaeological mystery. The figures of animals, birds, and geometric shapes are so vast that their purpose remains debated, and they can only be fully appreciated from the air.
Traveler’s Tip: The primary way to view the lines is via a scenic flight in a small aircraft. Please be aware that these flights involve sharp turns and are not suitable for those prone to motion sickness. For a more grounded, though less comprehensive, view, a roadside viewing tower offers a glimpse of a few of the figures.
Lake Titicaca: The High-Altitude Altiplano
Journey to the Altiplano to experience the stark beauty and unique living cultures of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable body of water and the legendary birthplace of the Incas.
Puno
What it is: The main port city on the Peruvian shore of Lake Titicaca, serving as the logistical hub for all lake excursions.
Why visit: While the city itself is primarily functional, it is the essential base from which you will launch your exploration of the lake’s famous and culturally rich islands.
Traveler’s Tip: Be prepared for the altitude and climate. Puno is very high (3,830m / 12,556 ft), and proper acclimatization is crucial. It can also be very cold, especially when the sun sets, so pack warm layers.
Uros, Taquile, and Amantaní Islands
What it is: The three most-visited islands on the Peruvian side of the lake, each offering a distinct cultural experience.
Why visit: Visit the fascinating man-made floating reed islands of the Uros people. On
Frequently Asked Questions
Peru offers exceptional birdwatching lodges across its diverse habitats. In the Manu region, the Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge is famous for sightings of Peru’s national bird, while the Manu Wildlife Center provides access to spectacular macaw clay licks. For those seeking remote wilderness, the Tambopata Research Center within the Tambopata National Reserve is a top-tier destination for rare Amazonian species.
In the northern Andes, the Abra Patricia Owlet Lodge is essential for spotting the rare Long-whiskered Owlet and other endemics. For a mix of comfort and biodiversity, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica near Puerto Maldonado is highly recommended. These lodges are distinguished by their strategic locations and expert birding guides, ensuring high species counts for visitors exploring Peru’s avian diversity.
Peru is a premier global destination for birdwatching, featuring diverse habitats that support over 1,800 species. Manu National Park and the Tambopata National Reserve are world-renowned for their Amazonian biodiversity and vibrant macaw clay licks. For those seeking high-altitude species, the Colca Canyon provides the best opportunity to see the Andean Condor, while Abra Malaga is a hotspot for unique Andean endemics. On the coast, the Paracas National Reserve and the Ballestas Islands offer sightings of Humboldt penguins and numerous marine birds. Additionally, Northern Peru’s Abra Patricia reserve is a must-visit for rare species like the Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird and the Long-whiskered Owlet.
The best time for birdwatching in Peru is generally from September to November. During these months, many species are in their breeding season, making them more active, vocal, and easier to spot. This period also coincides with the arrival of migratory birds from the northern hemisphere, which significantly increases species diversity across various habitats.
The dry season from May to September is also a prime time, particularly for exploring the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. Lower rainfall during these months ensures better trail conditions and easier accessibility to remote birding sites. For those interested in coastal species, the southern summer between December and March is ideal for observing shorebirds and seabirds. While Peru offers productive birding opportunities year-round, the transition between the dry and wet seasons typically provides the most rewarding experience
Yes, a mirrorless camera can withstand a trip to high mountains with subzero temperatures if it is designed for durability and weather resistance. Many manufacturers produce models with tough, weather-sealed bodies that can handle cold, moisture, and dust. However, it is essential to check the manufacturer’s specifications for operating temperature ranges to ensure reliability in subzero conditions. Additionally, cold temperatures can affect battery performance, so carrying extra batteries and keeping them warm is advisable. Some users also carry silica gel packs to minimize internal condensation when moving between temperature extremes. Proper care and preparation can help ensure the camera functions well in high-altitude, cold environments.
Sharp, pointed mountain peaks are primarily formed by the processes of erosion and tectonic activity. When tectonic plates collide, they push the earth’s crust upward to form mountains, and peaks get sharper over time as erosion by wind, rain, and ice wears away the softer rock. This geological activity sculpts the dramatic, sky-pointing shapes seen in many mountain ranges.
