Best Things to do in Peru

Cusco & The Sacred Valley: The Inca Heartland

This region is the classic, unmissable core of any journey to Peru, a land of soaring peaks and profound history. Please be mindful that you will be at a significant altitude here. Allowing your body a day or two to acclimatize gently upon arrival in Cusco is essential for your comfort and enjoyment before undertaking more strenuous activities.

Explore the Citadel of Machu Picchu

• Sunrise Viewing: To witness the first light touch the ancient stones is a truly memorable experience. This requires securing one of the earliest entry tickets for the citadel and arranging for the early bus journey up the mountain from the town of Aguas Calientes.
• Hike Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: For those seeking a different perspective, these hikes offer unparalleled panoramic views of the entire complex. It is critical to know that these treks require separate permits that must be purchased far in advance; they frequently sell out months ahead of the travel date.
• Walk to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku): This gentle uphill walk leads to the traditional entrance for those arriving from the Inca Trail. It provides a stunning first vista of the citadel, framed by the surrounding mountains.
• Guided Tour: Engaging a knowledgeable guide is essential for a deeper appreciation of the site. They will illuminate the history and celestial significance of key structures like the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone, and the Temple of the Three Windows.

Discover Cusco City: The Imperial Capital

• Plaza de Armas: The historic and social heart of the city, the plaza is surrounded by colonial arcades, the impressive Cathedral, and the Church of La Compañía de Jesús. It is a perfect starting point for your explorations.
• Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun): Here, the foundation of the Inca’s most sacred temple is visible, seamlessly integrated with the Spanish-built Convent of Santo Domingo. The site is a powerful testament to the collision of two worlds, showcasing the precision of Inca stonework.
• San Blas Neighborhood: Ascend the steep, cobblestoned streets of this bohemian quarter to discover a world of artisan workshops, galleries, and charming cafes offering beautiful views over the city’s terracotta roofs.
• Sacsayhuamán Fortress: Overlooking the city from a hill above, this fortress is a masterpiece of Inca engineering. You can explore the massive, zigzagging stone walls, constructed with boulders so large and perfectly fitted that their method of construction remains a subject of debate.
• San Pedro Market: Immerse yourself in the vibrant daily life of Cusco. This bustling central market is an ideal place to see local commerce, sample exotic fruits and juices, and browse a wide array of handicrafts and textiles.

Tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas

• Ollantaytambo: A remarkable example of Inca urban planning, this site features a formidable stone fortress that climbs a steep hillside. Below, the town itself retains its original Inca layout, making it a “living Inca town.”
• Pisaq (Pisac): This location offers two distinct experiences: the sprawling Inca ruins perched high on a mountain, and the famous, colorful market in the town below, which is most vibrant on Sundays.
• Moray & Maras: These two unique sites are often visited together on a half-day tour. At Moray, you will see mysterious circular agricultural terraces thought to be an Inca laboratory. Nearby, the salt pans of Maras create a stunning mosaic of thousands of small, glistening pools cascading down a hillside.
• Chinchero: This high-altitude village is known for its beautiful colonial church built on Inca foundations, its extensive agricultural terraces, and its community of weavers who provide fascinating demonstrations of traditional dyeing and weaving techniques.

Lima: The Culinary Capital & Coastal Hub

Once seen merely as a necessary stopover, Lima has firmly established itself as a vibrant destination in its own right. It is a city of history, art, and, most notably, a world-renowned culinary scene that makes it an essential experience for any food enthusiast.

Savor World-Class Cuisine

• Fine Dining: Lima is home to several of the world’s top-ranked restaurants, primarily located in the sophisticated districts of Miraflores and San Isidro. To experience their innovative tasting menus, it is imperative to book reservations many months in advance.
• Ceviche Tour: No visit is complete without sampling Peru’s national dish. Seek out a traditional cevichería in a neighborhood like Barranco or Miraflores to taste fresh fish cured in lime juice, chili, and onion at its best.
• Pisco Sour Tasting: Discover Peru’s signature cocktail. Many bars offer classes where you can learn to mix the perfect Pisco Sour, a refreshing blend of pisco, lime juice, egg white, and bitters.
• Local Food Markets: For an authentic look at the ingredients that fuel Lima’s kitchens, visit a market like Mercado Surquillo. Here you can see the incredible diversity of produce, from Amazonian fruits to Andean potatoes.

Explore Lima’s Diverse Neighborhoods

• Historic Centre (Centro Histórico): This UNESCO World Heritage site is the colonial heart of the city. Spend time in the grand Plaza Mayor, visit the ornate Cathedral of Lima, and descend into the catacombs beneath the San Francisco Monastery.
• Miraflores: This modern, upscale district is known for its beautiful coastal boardwalk, the Malecón. Stroll through the cliff-top parks, see the mosaic-covered “Parque del Amor,” and watch paragliders launch into the air over the Pacific.
• Barranco: Explore Lima’s bohemian and artistic district. It is characterized by its colorful street art, beautifully restored colonial mansions, and the iconic wooden Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros).

Arequipa & The Colca Canyon: Volcanoes and Condors

Set against a backdrop of three dramatic volcanoes, Arequipa captivates with its unique architecture, built from a white volcanic stone called sillar. The city serves as the gateway to the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world and a place of staggering natural beauty.

Wander Through Arequipa, “The White City”

• Santa Catalina Monastery: This is a truly remarkable site—a “city within a city.” You can spend hours wandering through the vibrant, colorful streets, hidden courtyards, and peaceful cloisters of this vast and beautifully preserved 16th-century convent.
• Plaza de Armas & Basilica Cathedral: Arequipa’s main square is one of the most beautiful in Peru. It is dominated by the imposing Basilica Cathedral and framed by elegant two-story arcades, all constructed from the gleaming white sillar stone.
• Museo Santuarios Andinos: This museum offers a fascinating and poignant glimpse into Inca ritual. It is home to “Juanita,” the remarkably well-preserved frozen body of an Inca girl sacrificed to the gods over 500 years ago.

Witness the Andean Condor in the Colca Canyon

• Cruz del Condor Viewpoint: This is the prime location to witness the majestic Andean condors. The experience, typically part of a 2-day/1-night tour from Arequipa, involves an early morning visit to watch these enormous birds use the morning thermal air currents to soar up from the canyon depths.
• Trekking: For the more adventurous, multi-day treks descend into the canyon. This allows you to fully experience its immense scale and stay overnight in a rustic village nestled at the bottom.
• Hot Springs: After a day of exploring the canyon, relax and rejuvenate in the natural thermal baths located in the town of Chivay or nearby areas.

The Amazon Rainforest: Peru’s Wild Side

Peru offers incredible access to the Amazon basin, with two primary gateways providing different experiences. Puerto Maldonado in the south is known for its high biodiversity and accessibility, while Iquitos in the north is the starting point for exploring the vast Amazon River itself.

Stay at a Jungle Lodge

• Puerto Maldonado (Tambopata National Reserve): Easily accessible from Cusco, this region is celebrated for its incredible biodiversity. Lodges here often focus on wildlife viewing, particularly at clay licks where hundreds of macaws and parrots gather in a spectacular display.
• Iquitos: As the world’s largest city inaccessible by road, Iquitos is the gateway to the northern Amazon. From here, you can embark on multi-day Amazon River cruises or travel to more remote jungle lodges deep within the rainforest.

Experience Rainforest Activities

• Wildlife Spotting: Guided excursions by boat and on foot provide opportunities to see a variety of jungle inhabitants, including several species of monkeys, sloths, capybaras, giant river otters, and a breathtaking array of bird species.
• Canopy Walkways: Gain a unique perspective of the rainforest ecosystem by walking along suspension bridges built high in the jungle canopy, offering a bird’s-eye view of the life below.
• Night Walks: The rainforest transforms after dark. A guided night walk reveals a different world of nocturnal creatures, from colorful frogs and fascinating insects to the glowing eyes of caimans along the riverbanks.
• Visit an Indigenous Community: Some tours offer respectful opportunities to visit a local community, providing insight into the traditional knowledge, customs, and sustainable ways of life in the Amazon.

The Desert Coast: Mysteries and Adventures

Peru’s southern coast is a dramatic landscape of arid desert meeting the Pacific Ocean. This region combines the allure of ancient mysteries with modern, high-energy adventures.

Fly Over the Nazca Lines

• Scenic Flight: The only way to truly comprehend the scale and form of these enormous geoglyphs is from the air. We advise booking with a reputable airline for your scenic flight. Be prepared for a small aircraft and a flight path that involves steep banking turns to ensure all passengers get a clear view.

Adventure in the Huacachina Oasis

• Dune Buggy Ride: An exhilarating, high-speed ride across the vast sand dunes that surround the desert oasis. The experience is akin to a natural rollercoaster.
• Sandboarding: After climbing the dunes in a buggy, you can try sandboarding. Whether standing up or lying on your stomach, sliding down the steep slopes of sand is a thrilling activity for adventure-seekers.

Explore the Paracas National Reserve & Ballestas Islands

• Ballestas Islands Boat Tour: Often referred to as “the poor man’s Galápagos,” this boat trip offers fantastic wildlife viewing. You will see enormous colonies of sea lions, Humboldt penguins in their natural habitat, and thousands of marine birds, including cormorants and Peruvian boobies.
• Paracas National Reserve: This protected area showcases the stark beauty of the coastal desert. The landscape features stunning geological formations and a dramatic coastline where the reddish-gold sand of beaches like Playa Roja meets the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean.