Peru
Traveling through Peru is a mix of ancient history, dramatic mountain scenery, colonial cities, incredible food, and some of South America’s most impressive archaeological sites. Lima is a great place to begin, with historic neighborhoods, coastal views, excellent museums, and one of South America’s best food scenes.
From there, head into the Andes to Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and the gateway to many of Peru’s most famous sights. Explore the archaeological sites and traditional villages of the Sacred Valley before visiting Machu Picchu, whether you arrive by train or tackle one of the multi-day trekking routes.
For even more spectacular mountain scenery, Rainbow Mountain has become another popular adventure from Cusco, known for its unusual multicolored landscape, although the high altitude makes the hike more challenging than the photos might suggest.
Farther south, Arequipa is known for its beautiful colonial architecture and makes a great base for exploring Colca Canyon, where you can hike through dramatic landscapes and watch Andean condors soaring overhead.
Lake Titicaca, on the border with Bolivia, is one of the world’s highest navigable lakes and offers another look at Peru’s high-altitude landscapes and Indigenous cultures. Along the southern coast, you can visit the mysterious Nazca Lines or explore the desert oasis of Huacachina.
For a completely different side of Peru, head into the Amazon rainforest to experience dense rainforest, wildlife, and remote jungle lodges around areas such as Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos. River excursions offer opportunities to see monkeys, colorful birds, caimans, and other wildlife.
From Inca ruins and snowcapped mountains to colonial cities, desert landscapes, and the Amazon rainforest, Peru packs an extraordinary amount of history and scenery into one country—and there’s much more to discover beyond Machu Picchu.
Peru Travel Guides
Peru Bucket list Ideas
