Top 10 best places to visit in Peru
Awarded as one of the best culinary destinations in the world and chosen among the best countries with the greatest biodiversity, Peru is a country that, in recent years, has attracted the attention of all visitors from around the world, from food lovers to the most intrepid adventurers looking for the best outdoor activities is just some good reason to visit Peru.
Visit Peru
Peru offers a great diversity of culture, history, tradition, and unique landscapes on our planet. From the cold water of its coast, which keeps a variety of native species of the area, to the extensive mountain ranges where nature has created landscapes that only true lovers of the Andes can discover, there is endless wildlife in the Amazon.
In the following post, let’s discover the 10 best places that you shoul visit in this wonderful country called Peru.
1. Machu Picchu, Cusco
Declared as one of the seven modern wonders in 2007, Machu Picchu is located on the top of the mountain at 2430 m (7972 ft) northwest of the city of Cusco. An impressive Inca construction with temples that keep a mystery of its real purpose, until nowadays no study has been able to explain its exact functions.
This place can be accessed via a 2-hour train ride from the Sacred Valley of the Incas, as well as by means of a trek that follows in the footsteps of the Incas along the Inca Trail, which covers a distance of 42 km (26 miles) to the enigmatic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
2. Huacachina, Ica
An oasis in the Peruvian desert where wonderful landscapes created by nature are hidden, located south of Lima at 406 m (1,332 ft), about 5 hours by bus. This place is characterized by its immense dunes, where visitors practice sandboarding and sandbugs. Enjoy a mesmerizing sunset from the top of one of the dunes.
You can also do other activities around Ica, such as visiting the Ballestas Islands, an incredible place where you can observe marine wildlife such as sea lions, penguins, and birds, among others. Visit the canyon of Los Perdidos, the Viñeros del Pisco.
3. Rainbow Mountain, Cusco
Can you imagine a mountain with seven colors? Yes, it’s real! Also known as the Rainbow Mountain of Peru, it is located in the Vilcanota mountain range south of the city of Cusco at an elevation of 5,036 m (16,522 ft).
The mountain of seven colors is on the list of all travelers who love to discover the most fascinating places on our planet. Its colors come from natural formations due to the different minerals deposited over thousands of years. You can also visit the Red Valley, a place dominated by the red clay and iron oxide that abound in this place, a place that resembles another planet.
4. Colca Canyon, Arequipa
One of the deepest canyons in the world, located in the mountainous area of the Arequipa region, is a well-known place for hiking and observing one of the largest birds in South America, the condor. It extends about 70 km with a depth of 3,140 meters and is home to a lot of landscape biodiversity, archaeological complexes, and Andean villages that preserve their customs. It is surrounded by mountains and peaks that exceed 4,620 meters in height.
Explore its phenomenal landscapes, share experiences with its very cheerful people, and discover its history and traditions that will take your breath away.
5. Miraflores, Lima
Lima, known as the city of kings due to its history, is today the capital of Peru. It was founded in 1821 and has a number of wonderful places, both historical and natural. In addition, it is a place of the best restaurants where you can enjoy a variety of typical foods of Peru and its regions.
Likewise, you can appreciate a view of the Pacific Ocean on the Miraflores boardwalk, walk along its beaches, try its incredible foods, and enjoy an afternoon to watch the sunset.
6. Tambopata, Puerto Maldonado
This national reserve is home to a significant amount of biodiversity that can only be appreciated in this place. Considered one of the most important wildlife refuges on the planet, it is home to thousands of species of plants, over 1000 vertebrates, and more than 800 species of birds. Among the mammals are the Giant Otter, 13 different species of primates, and 8 felids, including the Jaguar, Puma, and the elusive and endangered Andean Mountain Cat.
The immense variety of Manu National Park is based on its different ecosystems and ecological floors that can be appreciated from 350 to 4,000 meters high.
7. Titicaca Lake, Puno
Lake Titicacais the highest navigable lake in the world and the longest freshwater lake in South America, located in the Puno region on the border of Peru and Bolivia at 3,800 m (12,467 ft) above sea level. This turquoise-blue lake is home to a variety of local flora and fauna. It is also home to different pre-Inca cultures, such as the Tiahuanacos, which developed thousands of years ago. Their constructions are still intact, and today it is visited by many explorers.
Nowadays, there are different islands made by the locals to be able to inhabit and preserve their cultures. Some of them offer places for experiential tourism where any visitor can share experiences, learn about local life, and spend the night in the rustic houses that they built.
8. Huaraz, Ancash
Huaraz is one of the great cities in the Cordillera Blanca, located in the central highlands of Peru. This region has countless tourist attractions, ranging from mountainous landscapes to archaeological sites of pre-Inca cultures. It offers different excursions to visit its beautiful turquoise lagoons, glaciers, archaeological sites, traditions, and customs. For adventure lovers, it also offers some outdoor activities such as canoeing, rock climbing, and multi-day excursions that allow you to explore incredible places. Trek from 2 days to 8 days to explore the immense mountains and unique landscapes of the Peruvian Andes.
9. Sacred Valley, Cusco
A magical and very pleasant place, surrounded by mountains, agricultural land, and animals of the area. The Sacred Valley of the Incas is home to culture, tradition, customs, and history. During the tour of this place, you will have the option to visit different archaeological sites that will surprise you. It also offers a cultural diversity that the locals have preserved for many years.
There are different tours to visit the Sacred Valley: day tours and multi-day tours, according to your time. The most outstanding places are:
• Pisaq.
• Moray.
• Chinchero
• Ollantaytambo.
• Salt Mines of Maras
You also have the option to leave the tourist destinations and visit some indigenous villages in the valley; some of them are the communities of Willoq, Patacacha, Pumahuanca, Amaru, Chumpe, Patabamba, and Soqma, which today offer different alternatives to sharing experiences with the locals.
10.Nazca Lines, Nazca
The Nazca Lines are a set of immense geoglyphs made into the ground in an arid place on the desert coasts of Peru. Located 6 hours south of Lima, in the department of Ica, there are more than 300 different zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures of animals and plants dating back 200 years BC.
To clearly appreciate the figures, you have to fly over them in a small plane. Some companies offer this tour. Flights can last from 25 to 45 minutes, and you can also see the different aqueducts that exist in the area.
Why should you visit Peru?
The answer is just simple, Peru everything for you, discovering the country’s diverse culture, history, geography, biodiversity, and gastronomy, from the capital’s coastal regions to the dunes of Ica, traversing the Andes Mountain Range, and ending in the Peruvian Amazon—will reveal this one-of-a-kind, multicultural, and vibrant travel destination.
How many day you need to visit Peru?
Peru has many interesting things to see and needs at least three week to explore the highlights; however, two weeks is enough to visit what we mentioned above.
