What to see and do in Peru, the richest country in the world

Lima is usually the start of any trip to Peru. The Peruvian capital is an ideal first contact with the South American country. In it you will not only find a beautiful city but it is also one of the main gastronomic destinations in the world. Its heart is the Plaza de Armas. In its historic center you will also find some of the most famous churches in Lima, such as La Merced and the Convent of San Francisco. Of all its museums, we have special devotion for the Larco, which exhibits one of the best collections of pre-Columbian art to see in Peru. Next to the ocean, there are two of the best-known neighborhoods: Miraflores and Barranco. In the first you can visit the imposing archaeological zone of Huaca Pucllana (the most important of the Pyramids of Lima) and the Park of Love. In the second, hipster style, you have the Bridge of Sighs and street art. The ideal ending to any route in Lima is the Magic Water Circuit, a nighttime show of water, light and sound in the Parque de la Reserva.

Cusco, which in Quechua means "navel", the ancient capital of the Inca civilization, is not only the starting point to visit Machu Picchu, but it is one of the most historic and incredible places to see in Peru. This city is the ideal place to soak up Quechua culture. One of the first activities to do in Cusco is to walk through its historic center. Located at about 3,400 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Andean mountain range, it was the historical heart of the Inca people, especially during the period of Inca Pachacutec. As soon as you arrive, you will realize that it is a place full of history and tremendously diverse. To start your visit, there is nothing better than spending some time in its lively Plaza de Armas, where the church of the Company of Jesus and, of course, the cathedral are located. The interior of the latter is impregnated with the religious syncretism that permeated Peru after the conquest. At that stage, many important buildings were literally built on top of other Incas. The best example is the spectacular Temple of Qorikancha Santo Domingo. You will see how the Inca constructions were founded on enormous blocks of stone, although the most popular is the Stone of the 12 Angles, you cannot miss the archaeological zone of Sacsayhuaman. It is one of the famous 4 ruins of Cusco and there you can enjoy, in addition to giant stones, an incredible view of the city.

Machu Picchu is the travel dream of all of us who go to Peru. This ancient Inca city, built implausibly on top of a hill, escaped the Spanish devastation and remained hidden in the vegetation. It was not until 1911 when it was "rediscovered" (although the locals knew perfectly well of its existence) and it soon became a desired place for explorers and adventurers. Today that has not changed, being one of the most visited places in the world. This ancient Inca citadel has been a World Heritage Site since 2007. It is also one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, along with such incredible places as the Colosseum in Rome or the Chinese Wall. It is believed that Machu Picchu was built around 1,450 AD, the time of the Inca Pachacutec. Due to its remote location, it was kept secret during the Spanish conquest. What is one of the most important and tourist archaeological areas in the world is at 2430 meters above sea level, in the middle of the jungle. There are several ways to get to Machu Picchu. The most common way is through a train that goes from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and from there go up to the Inca city on foot or by bus. A cheaper option is to go to Hidroeléctrica by van, and then trek for around 3 hours to Aguas Calientes. Also, you can reach Machu Picchu by following the Inca Trail, which connects the city of Cusco with Machu Picchu. If you are looking for adventure during your trip to Peru, it is an ideal option. It should be noted that only through this route of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can you have a view of the Inca citadel from the Intipunku (gate of the sun). The classic trekking is 4 days and the highest point of the Inca trail is at 4,224 meters above sea level.

Sometimes the names given to places create such high expectations that they end up disappointing us. But in this case the name is very well placed. The sacred valley is known as the territory where the Incas built their most important settlements, taking advantage of the fertile lands that accompany the Vilcanota River, near the capital of the empire "Cusco". Although times have changed, today you can still feel the importance that this place had in its day, and that it contributed to the Inca civilization spreading across a good part of the continent. Today, the Sacred Valley is one of the most touristic places to see in Peru and not only because it is next to Machu Picchu. In fact, you can get there directly from Ollantaytambo by train. The places that you cannot miss in the Sacred Valley are the archaeological zones of Pisac, Moray and Ollantaytambo. All of them are of Inca origin and are among the most famous in the country. The beautiful traditional town of Chinchero and the salt mines of Maras are also very worthwhile. In the latter, a highly appreciated salt is collected.

Divided between Bolivia and Peru, and at about 3800 meters above sea level, is Titicaca lake. It is one of the most interesting places to see in Peru, both for its incredible landscapes and for the different cultures that inhabit its islands. Visiting Titicaca lake, the highest navigable lake in the world, spending the night on one of the famous islands made of reeds and learning more about the life of the locals, is an incredible experience. In the place you can visit different islands, such as the Uros Islands, Titicaca lake has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.

• The Uros Islands: Artificially created with a species of reed called totora. Although about 200 people of Aymara culture live there, they are eminently touristic.
• Taquile: It is home to around 2,200 people of Quechua culture. In addition to its natural beauty, the island is famous for its textile art, protected by UNESCO.
• Amantani: Inhabited by people who speak Quechua but are ethnically Aymara, and vegetarians. It has large agricultural terraces, the Pachamama and Pachatata mountains and spectacular sunsets.

Arequipa is called the White City because the old town was built with the white volcanic rock "Sillar" from the nearby Misti Volcano. Dominated by the volcano, with a rich history and climate, there is no doubt that Arequipa is one of the most charming cities in Peru. Its heart is the Plaza de Armas, colonial style and where, in addition to palm trees and a fountain, you will find the Cathedral Basilica of Santa María. In this area everything is built in white ashlar, the stone that characterizes the town and whose quarries can be visited on the outskirts with an excursion along the Arequipa ashlar route. White, but also tremendously colorful is the Monastery of Santa Catalina, founded in the 16th century. Walking through its beautiful streets today is one of the best things to do in Peru, especially if you like photography. Another essential in Arequipa is the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries. There you can see the famous Juanita mummy, which was sacrificed in the 15th century in this same area.

Take advantage of your time in Arequipa to take an excursion to the Colca Canyon. Admire the flight of the Andean condor, a bird sacred to the Inca culture and respected throughout the country. The best place to see them spreading their wings is at the Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor, located at the top of the canyon itself, with incredible views. Located at more than 5,000 meters above sea level, the Colca Canyon is about 100 kilometers long and almost 3,400 meters deep. Thus, it is not only one of the tourist places to see in Peru, but also one of the largest canyons in the world, along with the Blyde River in South Africa and the Grand Canyon of Colorado, among others. In this fertile valley you will see numerous pre-Inca terraces, you will enjoy the view of the volcanoes at the Patapampa Viewpoint, and you can even bathe in hot springs. Even so, the big star of the area is the largest bird in the world: the Andean condor. You will see how incredible it is to observe its flight, passing near you, from the Mirador de la Cruz del Cóndor. Without a doubt, one of the most unforgettable plans to do in Peru. Other animals that you can see are vicuñas. They are, especially, in the magnificent Salinas National Reserve, which is usually crossed on the way. The Colca Canyon is also a very culturally rich area. Its main populations are the typical Andean towns of Chivay, Maca and Cabanaconde.

Without a doubt, exploring the Peruvian jungle is something unique. Rarely before have you visited a place so quiet and where you will feel so free in nature. The most popular places in the Peruvian jungle are Puerto Maldonado and the Manu National Park. Get ready for traditional jungle food, unrivaled flora and fauna, and interesting indigenous tribes. Keep in mind that the Amazon Rainforest occupies approximately 60% of the total Peruvian territory, so there is no shortage of places from which to explore it. The most accessible of all the Manu National Park and the Tambopata National Reserve located between the departments of Puerto Maldonado and Cusco. Touring the Amazon is one of the most special plans you can do in Peru, especially if you are looking for adventure! In this enormous area, around the Amazon River (the largest in the world), one of the greatest biodiversity on the planet is also concentrated. To give you an idea, the largest number of bird species and the third largest number of mammal species live there. To visit the Amazon during your trip to Peru you have two options: Starting from Cusco, there are excursions to the Amazon jungle of Peru in the areas of Puerto Maldonado and Cusco. Its most relevant point is the Tambopata National Reserve and the Manu National Park. In the northern part is Iquitos, the largest isolated city by road in the world. Although it is actually so "deep" in the jungle that it is only possible to get there by boat or plane, almost 500,000 people call it home. Whether you choose Puerto Maldonado / Cusco or Iquitos, you can kayak, bird watch, different walks, boat rides, etc.

The Nazca lines are considered one of the greatest mysteries of humanity. To this day, neither the origin, nor the function nor the symbology of these gigantic ancestral drawings is clear, which creates an aura of mystery that makes your hair stand on end. In the middle of the desert, there are more than 70 geoglyph drawings of people and animals, among which the most notable are the figures of a hummingbird, a monkey, a spider or a pelican (among others). Drawn between the years 500 B.C. and 500 for the Nazca culture over about 750 km2. It is believed that they could have been part of a cult of the god of water, particularly important in such an arid climate, or have been used as an astronomical tool by pointing to important coordinates in the sky. Some of them can be seen from a watchtower, but the best way is, of course, to fly over the Nazca lines with a small plane. Once you have finished the view of the Nazca lines, you can complete your excursion by stopping by the María Reiche or Antonini museums. You can also visit the Chauchuilla cemetery, where you can explore the unique open-air tombs of the Wari civilization, with their mummies still preserved in the fetal position.

The area, between the desert and the ocean, is home to one of the richest ecosystems on earth. This is due to the cold Humboldt Current, which transports a large amount of plankton right to this point in the Pacific. You will notice it on the way to the Ballestas Islands, where you will see (in addition to the very famous geoglyph of the candelabra), a multitude of sea birds. Once there, get ready to enjoy the penguins and sea lions that you will have just a few meters away. The other essential place is the Paracas National Reserve. It is a protected area of ​​335,000 hectares that covers the desert, the sea and some islands. There you will find fossils, dunes, cliffs and wild beaches, where the force of the ocean meets the different colors of desert sand. Paracas is more than the base for two of the best tours in Peru. Although the town does not have the majesty of other tourist places in the country, it is very pleasant to take a walk along its boardwalk and, of course, enjoy fish chicharrón on some of its terraces.

The largest oasis in America is 75 kilometers from Paracas, on the outskirts of the city of Ica. Huacachina is, basically, a lagoon surrounded by vegetation and dunes, which has become one of the most popular tourist places in Peru. This is because there, in addition to a multitude of restaurants and cafes, you will find various leisure options. If you want something relaxed, to rest from the trip, you can lie down in the shade of a palm tree. If you prefer to release adrenaline, this is the right place. And the buggy tour (also known as sand dune) through the Huacachina desert is, without a doubt, the most fun activity in this area of ​​Peru. Another star activity is sandboarding, that is, jumping down the dunes (which can reach 500 meters high) lying or sitting on snowboards. To end such an intense day, there is nothing better than enjoying the sunset with views of the oasis.

Peru is a country crossed by the Andes mountain range, one of the most important in the world along with the Alps and the Himalayas. Therefore, it is not surprising that mountaineering or trekking is the main objective on the route of many travelers. Being the variety of landscapes and levels impressive, the two main points would be the white mountain range (from Huaraz) and the Vilcabamba mountain range (from Cusco). In addition, it has Huascarán, which is the highest mountain in the country at 6,768 meters. Cusco has the best-known hikes in Peru. Most of them are currently very popular such as Vinicunca the mountain of 7 colors, Palccoyo the new mountain of colors, trek to the Quelccaya Glacier, etc. Also in Cusco there are different more demanding hikes such as the Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu, which is considered one of the best hikes in the world that culminates in none other than the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, it is the only hike that has a direct connection with the inca city Another well-known hike is the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu that runs through snow-capped mountains and impressive lagoons, the Ausangate trek, a walk between turquoise lagoons, impressive snow-capped mountains and colorful mountains, the Lares trek, a cultural walk that dives into the depths of Cusco, being able to appreciate traditional villages that were not lost. their customs despite the time people native to the area who maintain their daily lives as in times past, hike to Choquequirao on this hike you will find impressive Inca ruins, impressive landscapes, known as the sister citadel of Machu Picchu. There are walks of different durations and for all types of levels. It is advisable to have a minimum of physical fitness, and of course also have the appropriate equipment. Remember to take into account altitude sickness in Peru: Always take a couple of days to acclimatize in Cusco or Huaraz before starting your route, hydrate and rest.

In Peru you eat wonderfully, it is no longer a secret. Peruvian gastronomy is considered one of the best in the world, so one of the best things you can do between one visit and another will be to taste different Peruvian dishes along your journey. Peruvian cuisine is increasingly fashionable outside its borders, and cities like Lima or Arequipa are among the world's gastronomic capitals. Therefore, enjoying good Peruvian food is an essential thing to do in Peru. The secrets of this success are, in addition to the quality of the ingredients, the cultural mix and the geographical variety of the country. Most of its recipes can be classified into the three regions that Peru has: Food from the coast, food from the mountains and food from the jungle. The fishing wealth of the waters of the Peruvian Pacific, along with a great influence of Japanese gastronomy (when mixed with traditional gastronomy, it brought Nikkei cuisine), which turn ceviche, a recipe based on marinated raw fish, into the dish. more representative than eating in Peru. On the other hand, a lot of food is produced in the Andean valleys. The most popular is perhaps the potato, of which there are more than 3,000 varieties. In the Amazon rainforest, for its part, other types of crops grow such as cassava or all types of tropical fruits. Ceviche, causa limeña, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, arroz con pollo, papa ala huancaína, etc. They are some of the dishes that you have to taste and better if you accompany it with a chicha morada, a pisco sour or an inca kola that are representative drinks of Peru.