If traveling is your passion, you’re surely always looking for new places to visit and adding new countries to your bucket list. One country that should definitely make your list is Peru. This gorgeous nation has so much to offer, so here are some of the highlights you can expect.
Explore every last bit of Lima
Chances are that you will start your journey in Lima. While it has a lot to offer, the capital is often overlooked because of other tourist hubs like Cusco. Don’t let yourself miss out on everything that you can do here, such as see the stunning architecture. Moreover, you can tour Larco Museum which houses 30,000 artifacts. Visit the Barranco district for free galleries and a variety of boutique shops. This artsy neighborhood is full of street art too, and you can explore it all on foot. If you’re looking for something to get your adrenaline going, try a paragliding excursion over the Pacific coast.
Try delicious new food
No matter if it’s in Lima or some other part of the country you decide to go to, Peru is a great place to try some new food. Keep in mind that it often isn’t for the faint-hearted as some of the delicacies include guinea pig meat. What is more, you can also try the most pungent potatoes in the world. However, Peruvian chefs are known for creating some amazing dishes so don’t hesitate to go into a restaurant and order something that sounds tasty because it surely will be.
Go to Machu Picchu
One of the most common reasons why people decide to visit Peru is Machu Picchu. If this is why you want to go there too, you’ll be glad to hear that there is a variety of ways how you can reach it. For instance, if you act on time, you could join a four-day Inca Trail hike that will show you stunning Andean slopes and abandoned villages. On the other hand, you can also walk the Choquequirao Trail or the Lares Trek or try the Salkantay Trek on horseback. For a more demanding journey, you could try to reach the Lost City of Choquequirao.
Climb a mountain or two
If you’re looking to stay active, you might also be interested in climbing a mountain or two. For example, you can test your skills by trekking to a base camp of the Cordillera Huayhuash or even further for unforgettable views. Other options include the trek from Llanganuco to Santa Cruz and Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain.
Give white water rafting a try
You might also be interested in some water activities. Fortunately, Peru has a solution for that as well. You can try a white water rafting trip along Rio Apurimac. You will start at the altitude of 3,400 meters and enjoy the calm first half of this rafting journey. Then, the second part is a bit more challenging, as it comes with rapids. It is located near Cusco, which should also find a place on your itinerary.
Lend a helping hand
In case you like giving back during your travels, you can also find amazing volunteering opportunities in Peru. For example, Involvement Volunteers International offers individuals a chance to teach kids in other countries. In Cusco, you could lend a helping hand to families that face economic struggles and teach kids from 4 to 12 years of age English. You can also work with animals, help the conservation of rainforest jungles, and aid with medical tasks.
Take part in the Inti Raymi Festival
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Inti Raymi Festival, which has been celebrated for more than 500 years in Peru. It lasts nine days and is dedicated to the Sun King – Inti Raymi. The festival’s aim is to encourage a good harvest, so the locals dress up in costumes and parade through Cusco’s streets. Everyone feasts and drinks in honor of Mother Earth. The ceremonies culminate on 24 June, so be sure to be there.
Witness the majestic landscape on your way to Lake Titicaca
While in Peru, why not visit the largest lake in South America, Lake Titicaca? Here, you will see many man-made islands that serve as homes for the Uros Indians. Even though the lake is spectacular on its own, you will also enjoy the trip there if you catch the Titicaca train that will take you over the Andean Plateau and show you plains and valleys full of villages and llamas.
See mummies in Arequipa
Another city to visit during your Peru vacation is Arequipa. It is a charming colonial city, with a town center in the Baroque style. It is also surrounded by three volcanoes and built mainly using white volcanic stone. One of the biggest attractions is the Santa Catalina convent but you might also enjoy the Andean Sanctuaries Museum, which houses mummified remains.
Peru is home to so many other interesting spots that you should think about visiting, such as the Ballestas Islands, the Chaparri Conservation Area, and Manu National Park. If you visit this gorgeous country, you are sure to have a fun time regardless of where you go.
