Along South America’s western coast sits one of the most indelible countries on the planet. Thanks to its rich history, natural wonders and landscapes, and local dishes, Peru has transfixed visitors from near and far.
The country isn’t just rife with biodiversity, curious history, and adventurous things to experience it also has a rich, living culture that seamlessly weaves the past into the present and future.
From surfing sand dunes and trekking Machu Picchu to feeding llamas and alpacas, here are the top 10 things to do in Peru.
1. Explore Lima’s Cultural Center
In the capital city of Lima, you will be rewarded with well-preserved colonial architecture and a fascinating look at the country’s past in the Historic Centre. Be sure to meander around The Plaza de Armas (a UNESCO World Heritage site), marvel at the Baroque-style San Francisco Monastery, and stroll through the courtyard of the Santo Domingo convent.
2. Surf on Sand Dunes in Paracas
Less than four hours south of Lima sits Paracas, a desert oasis that is unlike any other destination. Love wildlife? You can kayak with flamingoes or take a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands, which are home to thousands of birds and mammals like penguins, sea lions, and pelicans. Don’t miss a tour of the sand dunes in an off-road jeep. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even fly down the desert’s peaks on a sand board.
3. Visit an Urban Park
Located in Miraflores, The Love Park is as the name suggests, arguably the most romantic place in the city. Surrounded by colorful mosaic walls reminiscent of Barcelona’s Parc Guëll, locals and tourists flock here to kiss under the famous “The Kiss”statue and watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
4. Hike to the Top of Rainbow Mountain
The hike to and from Rainbow Mountain is a day-long trek at over 14,000 feet, tracing a dirt path between looming peaks of green and startling red rock. It’s a gorgeous route, passing local villages built from stone and glittering mountain streams.
5. Visit Machu Picchu
Of course, no visit to Peru is complete without a trip to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly hike, take the trail to Inti Punku (The “Sun Gate”). This archaeological site is located at the final section of the Incan Trail at what was once the main entrance into Machu Picchu. The sun passes through the gate each year on the summer solstice.
6. Hike Through an Archaeological Site
A trip to Moray, just northwest of Cusco, is a real treat. Located on a high plateau at about 11,500 feet, the site is home to interesting Incan ruins. While you’re here, you’ll see several terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is nearly 100 feet deep and has stone steps that take you to the bottom.
7. Visit Huacachina
Huacachina, Peru is a village built around a natural lake in the middle of the desert called the Oasis of America. It is an incredibly beautiful location and a must add to your list of things to do in Peru.
Hotels, restaurants and guesthouses line the lake that is surrounded by the massive dunes.
They tower over the entire Oasis and you can climb up and do some sand boarding directly from your hotel’s backyard.
8. Taste Salt at Maras
Maras Salt Mines are home to thousands of individual handmade salt pools that date back to Incan times. To this day, people in the community harvest the salt from them. The color varies from pond to pond, depending on where the salt is in the production process.
Bear in mind that tourists are no longer allowed to walk directly by the salt mines due to contamination, so you can only view the plots from above. Afterwards, you can peruse the shops for wooden pan flutes, tchotchkes, or salt harvested directly from the mines.
9. Discover the Differences Between Llamas and Alpacas
Visit Awana Kancha, a living museum in the Sacred Valley, to get an in-depth understanding of the differences between llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. You can even feed these adorable creatures stalks of long grass by hand.
The cultural project also has a number of workshops, including weaving demonstrations (where you watch women weave wool on wooden looms) and an introduction to the Quechua language.
10. Picnic at an Alpine Lake
Bordered on one side by the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, and lush, rolling fields of corn and crimson-coloured quinoa on the other, the Piuray Lagoon is postcard-perfect. The mile-long lake an hour outside of Cusco is popular amongst tour operators for its recreational opportunities, including kayaking, fishing and stand-up paddle-boarding, while landlubbers will appreciate its potential for scenic picnics.
