Are you thinking about visiting Peru but still not sure how to get around?
Luckily, you came across this article, because here we’ll give you almost all the answers you need.
Here we offer you a list of nine unmissable stops in Peru and show you how to bring them all together into one unforgettable experience.
9 amazing places you can’t miss in Peru
1. Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is probably at the top of your list of things to see in Peru.
And for good reason: the Inca ruins of this incredible city are one of the country’s most famous attractions.
Machu Picchu is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This is where the Lost City of the Incas was found, a place that truly feels out of this world. It’s hard to understand how the Inca Empire managed to build this city clinging to the side of a mountain, with terraces cascading down the valley.
If we can talk about it and admire its architecture today, we owe it to Hiram Bingham, who discovered the ruins at Machu Picchu in 1911 and spread its fame as the Lost City of the Incas, since until then it had remained hidden for hundreds of years.
In short, it’s an extraordinary place that you absolutely cannot miss.
2. Hiking the Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is one of the most famous and iconic treks in the world.
The Inca Trail is at the top of many travelers’ bucket lists. The classic Machu Picchu trek takes just three days to reach the Inca ruins, but it is very challenging.
You’ll need to hike for nearly seven hours a day, so many people choose to book a longer tour.
3. Rainbow Mountain hike
We think the hike to and from Rainbow Mountain is one of the best things to do in all of Peru.
It’s a one-day trek at an altitude of over 4,000 meters, following a dirt path between towering green peaks and striking red rock formations. It’s an incredible route that passes through local stone-built villages and mountain streams before arriving at the colorful mountain landscape. And no, don’t expect the overly edited, ultra-bright rainbow colors you see on Instagram! Even so, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
4. Cusco
Cusco is a beautiful colonial city and the starting point for trekking to Machu Picchu. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cusco is also a destination you absolutely have to visit. Located at 3,300 meters above sea level, it is one of the most beautiful towns in Peru and well worth spending a day in.
Don’t miss Plaza de Armas, where you can explore the Cathedral of Santo Domingo and the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús.
5. Sacred Valley
If you can’t trek to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is a great option. Ollantaytambo is an impressive Inca town that you’ll have the chance to explore. Surrounded by the Andes, it’s also possible to walk along its agricultural terraces set among the Andean mountains.
6. Huacachina
Huacachina, in Peru, is a village built around a natural lake in the middle of the desert and is known as the Oasis of America. It’s an incredibly beautiful place to add to your list of things to do in Peru.
Hotels, restaurants, and guesthouses line the lake, which is surrounded by enormous dunes. In short, it’s the perfect place to relax for a while.
7. Dune excursions
Many people don’t realize that Peru has a desert. In fact, before getting to know Peru well, we had no idea ourselves! And what a desert it is: a vast expanse of sand covering an impressive 188,700 square kilometers.
8. Nazca Lines
Wondering what to see in Peru that will leave you speechless? The Nazca Lines might be the answer.
These ancient geoglyphs in the Nazca Desert remain unexplained: it is believed that the Nazca Lines were created around 500 BC by the Nazca culture. They are a wonder of the world and one of Peru’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
How could ancient people create intricate desert drawings stretching up to 370 meters in length? And how have they survived 2,500 years of erosion, rain, wind, and time? You have to see them with your own eyes.
9. Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca lies on the border with Bolivia and is the highest navigable lake in the world, at 3,812 meters in the Andes. A trip to Lake Titicaca is a chance to immerse yourself in Peruvian culture and see the famous floating homes of the lake.
The Uros people live on floating islands made of reeds, creating entire communities on the lake. New reeds are constantly added to the top, while the old decomposing reeds drift away.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve talked about some of the must-see places in Peru.
So if you want to experience this incredible country on an equally incredible tour, take a look at our itinerary! At Sto Gran Tour, we offer adventure trips to Peru, stopping at the most iconic places in this destination.
So, what are you waiting for?
