This is a collaborative post.
Written by: João Santos
Land of a thousand and one landscapes, Peru has a varied terrain encompassing everything from beaches and deserts, to mountains, jungles and snowy plains. In the land of the alpacas, it’s possible to surf, ride a buggy across the desert dunes, be side-by-side with sea lions and penguins in their natural habitat, observe ancient ruins and inspect traces of some of the greatest mysteries in the world.
Five unmissable things to do in Peru
Trek to the bottom of the Colca Canyon
Visiting the Colca Valley is one of the most famous tours for travellers who want to trek in Peru. The city of Arequipa is the starting point for admiring one of the deepest canyons in the world and the majestic flight of the Peruvian condor, a bird that can reach up to three metres in wingspan.
The trip is long – 160km in all – with altitudes of up to almost 5,000 metres above sea level. However, many believe the initial road from Arequipa is one of the best parts of the experience.
If you’re not an experienced trekker, I suggest you opt for the three-day option, enabling you to travel the same way to the bottom of the Colca Canyon yet at a more relaxed pace than the two-day trek. At night, you’ll sleep in local accommodation located along the travel patch.
Explore the dunes of Huacachina
Located in the middle of the desert that surrounds the city of Ica, this tiny town is situated near the lake rumoured to have been formed by the tears of a widow who transformed into a mermaid. However, those seeking for Huacachina are not just looking for its stunning natural beauty, but also for the huge sand dunes that surround it and the adrenaline they offer!
The most popular tour is the dune buggy ride. However, you might want to dig further into the action and for those who surf or snowboard, you might want to try (basically the same but much warmer) sand boarding.
Visit Machu Picchu
Going to Peru and not visiting Machu Picchu, is like going to Rome and not visiting the Vatican. Machu Picchu is one of the world’s top dream destinations, and a real highlight for the vast majority of people who choose Peru as their travel destination.
Regardless of which option you choose to get there (five-day trekking through the Sacred Valley, by train, by car or a mixture of driving and trekking), one thing you can be sure of is an unforgettable experience!
Don’t forget to buy your ticket to Machu Picchu in advance, especially if you plan to include a visit to Huayna Picchu, a mountain offering incredible views over the ruins and surrounding landscape, as access is limited.
Try Peruvian cuisine
Peruvian cuisine is highly diversified and derives from a fusion of the country’s ancient tradition with Spanish cuisine and African influences. This gastronomy has an international reputation and you can find typical restaurants dotted all around the world.
Ceviche is always a must-have, as it’s the best-known Peruvian dish around the world. The dish consists of raw fish, onions, pepper, purple corn and other ingredients that may vary slightly, all cooked in lemon stock. It’s a dish with a very characteristic flavour and is popular in neighbouring countries too.
Another well-known dish is ‘Lomo Saltado’. A dish born from the fusion of the Oriental culture brought to Peru by the Chinese immigrants, with the local cuisine. Slices of meat, vegetables and potatoes are seasoned and cooked a soy sauce broth – it’s irresistible!
Sleep at a local family home on Lake Titicaca
One of the best experiences you can have in any country is having the opportunity to live directly and spend the night with a local family. In Peru, I recommend you do it on an isolated island in the middle of Lake Titicaca, Puno. Titicaca Lake is the highest navigable lake in the world, located between Peru and Bolivia. It’s a unique and peaceful place that can provide you with a precious opportunity for peace and relaxation. On one of its islands, Amantani Island, you’ll have the opportunity to stay with a local family in an extremely authentic environment.
You can book a tour that includes transportation and accommodation or get the boat ticket directly at the port of Puno and book accommodation directly with the family.
There is so much to see and do in Peru and this post has only just scratched the surface. You should allow at least two months to experience the country fully.
If you have time and you like sports, also try to visit a soccer game. Peruvians might not be leading the online sportsbooks, but their soccer or football matches, has always a crazy overwhelming atmosphere that you can only find in South America.
Good luck and have a safe trip!
This is a collaborative post.