If you’ve not yet visited Peru it is likely that you’ve only heard about Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. While Machu Picchu as well as the Incas are among the most famous aspects of Peru There are many other reasons to travel to Peru.
Being one of the largest nations of South America, Peru’s landscape is varied. To the East, there is the stunning Amazon Rainforest that is home to indigenous tribes as well as distinctive fauna. Its Andean Mountains cut the entire country in two and beckoning hikers of all levels to explore them. Likewise, in the west, along the Pacific Coast, pristine beaches and marine life are the main attractions.
The reasons to visit Peru
It is a Peru tour guide divided into two sections, the firstly, the fantastic reasons provided in Living out Lau and then details and tips for travelers. Peru is such a large country that it requires multiple trips to get to know the entirety. When you visit Peru be sure to take your time exploring from the jungles to deserts, and from the mountains to the ocean, since, in a nutshell Peru offers everything. Are you excited to explore Peru? Let’s go.
1. Discover Machu Picchu
Let’s discuss that elephant at: the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Machu Picchu is the biggest tourist attraction in Peru with over 1 million people every year. Apart from being among the Seven Wonders of the World It is also a current UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As you may have guessed, Machu Picchu is a citadel constructed in the Incas in the 15th century. It was then abandoned in the 16th century , when the Spanish conquistadors arrived to Peru. It is unclear what the reason was for why Machu Picchu was abandoned, however, many experts believe the Inca inhabitants from Machu Picchu went to aid in the fight against the Spanish.
The Incas were ultimately defeated in the end and Machu Picchu was abandoned. But what is what makes Machu Picchu so unique when contrasted with others Inca settlements is the fact that Machu Picchu was never discovered by the Spaniards.
It was perched over high on the Andes Mountain above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was almost unnoticed to anyone except the people living there. Machu Picchu came to light several hundred years later exactly the way it was discovered (minus the tiny amount of weathering) This makes it among the most preserved Inca ruin sites on Earth.
2. Visit the Capital of the Inca
Cusco was the capital city of the ancient for The Inca Empire, Cusco can be considered one of the most appealing reasons to visit Peru. The city’s historic center Cusco is preserved with its original Inca beauty. In fact, many of the first Inca structures can be found in Cusco and offer visitors an opportunity to see the amazing methods of construction used in the time of the Incas.
The most well-known Inca attraction within Cusco is Qorichancha which means”the Golden Temple in Quechua, the indigenous language spoken by the Incas. It was the main religious site of the Incas in which they could worship one of the most famous gods that was Inti the Inca sun god.
Two kilometers away from the main square of the historical center, visitors can be able to see the Sacsayhuaman Inca ruin, which is being one of Cusco’s fortresses. that are located in Cusco. The is a hilltop Inca Citadel located on top of an incline, it was among the most stunning citadels constructed in the past, particularly when you consider how more than 100 tons of huge stone were transported without technology. The citadel is awe-inspiring with panoramas over Cusco and the magnificent Andean mountain ranges.
Be aware of the altitudes when you visit Cusco. It is located at 3,400m high It is an altitude which can easily trigger altitude sickness. We suggest picking any of our hotels located in Cusco with oxygen enrichment!
3. Savour some of Best foods in The World
One of the most compelling reasons to travel to Peru is the food and cuisine, particularly if you’re an avid foodie. Since Peru offers a vast array of scenery, it is capable of sourcing a broad selection of fresh ingredients. In addition to hundreds of years of culinary perfection, Peru is home to some of the most delicious dishes around the globe.
The most important city in Peru, Lima, is always voted as the culinary capital city of Latin America. Lima hosts two of most popular restaurants in the world, Central as well as Maido.
Cusco is also among the most popular locations to taste traditional Peruvian food. Here you can taste cuy (guinea pig) is a delicacy from the past which was once the principal source of protein for village dwellers in Cusco’s Andean Mountains.
One of the most delicious dishes that you can try when visiting Peru can be Peruvian ceviche (not to be confused with regular ceviche) is ceviche is the main dish in Peru. Ceviche is a dish that is that is made from raw fish, which has been marinated in strong Peruvian limes. Limes are so strong that they kill all bacteria in the fish, basically “cooking” this dish. This is a dish that lets the flavor of natural ingredients shine. Simple, yet strong.
4. Take a trip to One among the Tallest Waterfalls in the World
If you imagine Peru Do soaring waterfalls pop into your head? I doubt it. Did you have the knowledge that Peru is the home of many gigantic waterfalls like The Gocta Waterfalls?
It is believed that the Gocta Waterfalls, or Catarata de Gocta in Spanish is among the highest waterfalls in the world with 771 meters of height. At the time it first was discovered it was the 3rd most awe-inspiring waterfall on earth however, it’s now between third and sixteenth according to how it is measured.
The waterfall is situated inside the Amazonas region of Northern Peru, the Gocta Waterfall is surrounded by the jungle and mountains, providing an incredible and breathtaking scene.
The greatest thing about Gocta Waterfall is that Gocta Waterfall is you can walk to a variety of parts of this waterfall. The most popular is a three-hour trek beginning at Cocachimba until the base of the waterfall and you’ll be able to be awed by Nature’s power. Be sure that whatever you bring is waterproof , or doesn’t get damaged by water!
5. World Class Hiking
One of the top reasons to go to Peru is to explore one of the most well-known Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is the Inca Trail is an historic four-day hike that follows certain routes the Inca civilization took to travel across and through the Sacred Valley.
The trail begins through the snow-capped mountains of Urubamba Range and ends in the dense clouds of Peru. On the way, you will be able to explore more than five Inca ruin sites and discover the background of the biggest civilization of the time in Pre-Columbian America.
The day before the final day when you arrive at Machu Picchu not through the entryway, but instead by The Sun Gate. It was historically the only area where visitors could gain entry to Machu Picchu, and many tourists were turned away due to their absence of royal status.
Inca Trail is a cultural and historical journey that comes with an exciting trek and stunning mountain views. Its singularity alone is reason enough for going to Peru! We do need to remind to book the Inca Trail for at least six months prior to departure is highly advised. This is a well-known attraction that is not to be understated.
When we first visited Peru we did not book in advance and were unable to walk the Inca Trail However we booked a number of day trips in the Sacred Valley, including some long hikes through the Sacred Valley. It was a decent second option to the well-known hike towards Machu Picchu.
6. You can go sandboarding at Huacachina
If you’re a fan of snowboarding, but you don’t enjoy the cold, one of the reasons you want to go to Peru is snowboarding in Huacachina. Huacachina is a small town situated in the southwest region of Peru. It is only 4 hours from Lima.
This village has been described as the sole nature-based oasis of South America, and the tiny lake’s contrast to the dunes is what makes the surroundings more stunning.
Huacachina is the home of the largest dunes of sand that are found in South America, making it ideal for sandboarding or riding Dune Buggies. Before you go, consider whether you’d like to sandboard standing or sit upon your stomach. Take care in this case since the only way to stop is by using your body to serve to act as brake.
7. Take a journey into the Amazon Jungle
The majority of people visit Peru to visit Machu Picchu as well as its amazing alpine treks But did you have the knowledge that Peru has a high percentage of Amazonian forest? Within this Peruvian Amazon Forest are 3940 distinct species, as well as many indigenous tribal groups, a few of which are accessible by tourists.
The most well-known gateway into Amazon Rainforest is Iquitos which is a city located in northern Peru. Since there are no roads to connect to it, the only option to reach Iquitos is via plane or boat. Iquitos is located near the magnificent Amazon River, and thus gives visitors a better chance to experience the beauty in the Amazon.
There are tours available for visitors to take them through the different regions in the north Peruvian Amazon Rainforest, such as meeting tribes of indigenous people and staying at one of the lodges in the jungle, and exploring the animals.
For Peru adventure tours like this contact River Explorers today…
8. Meet Cute Little Fluffy Alpacas
Peru has more than 70% of the world’s population of alpaca which is a camelid mammal, whose habitat is within the Andes Mountains. Alpacas are considered sacred in Inca culturebecause they believed alpacas were gifts given by Pachamama (Mother Earth).
Their fur has been considered to be considered to be one of the best sought-after textiles throughout the history of humanity. Some historians believe alpaca fur has been used to make money to exchange.
Alpaca material is said to be extremely comfortable and light due to the hollow space within the fiber. It is also recognized as soft and water-resistant, which makes it a perfect fabric for a variety of articles of clothing. Indeed among the top sought-after souvenirs of Peru is related to alpaca products. In all the shops there are alpaca sweaters, scarves Hoodies, ponchos and much more! We own a few caps that we love from our Peru travels.
9. Rainbow Mountain
When visiting Peru taking a photo of an alpaca essential. There are adorable alpacas at many of the places in Peru including Rainbow Mountain and Colca Canyon. They are even spotted along with their owner in the streets lined with cobblestones of Cusco eager to be taken pictures (and be tipped)!
In the context of Rainbow Mountain this colorful mountain is yet another reason to place Peru on first on your list of destinations. It’s now as popular as Machu Picchu or Peru’s Sacred Valley, but you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit it. There’s an entire article on how to hike and how to book an Rainbow Mountain trip – What is to expect when hiking Rainbow Mountain Peru
If you’re one of those who loves to try new cuisines when traveling The taste of the alpaca’s meat will amaze you. The meat of alpacas is said as being slender and soft with a touch of sweetness. Many people like it as high-quality beef. However, just like beef, the different pieces of alpaca come with distinct textures and flavors therefore, make sure to have a good cut when you choose to try them.
10. Find the Most Navigational Lake of the World
One of the most impressive things about Peru are Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake with a depth of 3,812 metres high. While that may be its most well-known characteristic, Lake Titicaca is believed to be the place of birth for the Inca civilization.
Today, most people don’t go towards Lake Titicaca to learn about the Incas however, they prefer instead, they visit the Uros people do. Why? It is because the Uros people have constructed more than 100 floating islands in Lake Titicaca, using only indigenous plants that are grown in the lake, and only their hands. Talk about sustainable and amazing engineering!
The majority of Uros residents have left the islands floating in the water, however there are still a few who live on the islands. A large island can hold up to 10 families , while the smallest one will accommodate around 2 or 3. There is even schools in one island. How awesome is that?
If you want to know the more you can on Lake Titicaca, the Uros people, and their importance to the culture, the tour with local guides is highly suggested. There’s numerous tours that depart from the city on the lake, Puno!
When should you visit Peru
Peru is located in Peru is located on the West Coast of South America that extends all the way from Pacific Ocean through the Andes Mountains and into the Amazon basin. It is located between Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile providing Peru the largest area and climate variations.
The most popular time to go to Peru is from the months of May through September, as it’s an ideal time to visit every region.
The Peru summer runs from December through March. It is the hottest time to visitPeru, but it also is the time of rain.
The best time to visit Peru is in the winter months between May and September. It is the time when it is most humid and also the dry season.
The ideal time to enjoy the conditions for a trip to Machu Picchu is from April through November. It is however crowded, and you must reserve your tickets in advance.
The Amazon Rainforest is extremely humid and hot. From May through September, it’s extremely humid with temperatures that exceed 30 degrees. It’s extremely wet from October to April.
The desert of Huacachina is hot and dry and is a great place to visit anytime of the year, as it doesn’t alter much.
The Andes can be extremely cold, and the coastline is prone to varying temperature and weather.
From December through March, it’s a bit chilly and wet but you can still hike the trail if you prefer to avoid crowds.
How to Travel Around Peru
Peru has five international airports. However, you will likely fly into the capital city of Peru, Lima via North America or Europe. While traveling through Peru we traveled using a train, bus and even a plane. We have personally found each of them suitable to meet our particular requirements however, the plane was our transport of choice.
Air Domestic flights are getting more affordable and it’s more safe and efficient to travel by plane between Lima towards Cusco as well as to the Amazon Rainforest than taking a bus across the Andes. There are frequent flights departing from Lima Airport. Lima Airport to hubs and major cities across the nation.
If you are looking for domestic airline travel, look for the majorstays of Peruvian airlines, such as Taca, LAN Peru, and Peruvian Airlines.
By bus – travel by bus in Peru has been criticized for being dangerous and recent accidents have only added to the image. There are many good bus company options that offer luxury buses that are very comfortable. Make sure you choose a reliable bus company. Two excellent options for travel by bus in Peru are Cruz del Sur or Peru Hop. Bus travel is probably the most affordable option for domestic travel in Peru However, it could be unreliable.
While taking public transport, keep an watch over your valuables since petty theft is commonplace in stations for trains and buses. I would not recommend booking overnight buses because crime is more prevalent during the night. Our buses were booked for well-traveled routes in daylight hours.
Train: We traveled by train from Aguas Calientes to see Machu Picchu and if you don’t want to hike the Inca Trail it is an excellent method to reach Machu Picchu. Train travel isn’t the most popular mode of transport in Peru since trains have to traverse the high Andes Mountains but there are some routes you can travel on if you are looking to experience the trip.
Here are a few good reasons to go into Peru for 2023. We hope that this guide to travel will inspire you to travel and explore the world!