Destination Peru

Unlike some of its more famous neighbours like Brazil and Argentina, Peru isn’t that well known outside Latin America. The two things that most people know about Peru are that it’s the home of Paddington the Bear and the location of Machu Picchu! However, Peru is a fascinating country that offers something for everyone. Essentially, Peru can be split into 3 regions: coast, forest, and mountain. Its capital city, Lima, sits on the arid coast where the average annual rainfall is lower than in Cairo! Yet, with so many different altitudes across the country, Peru is becoming renowned for its world-class produce and delicious cuisine. Indeed, the world’s top-ranked restaurant, Central, can be found in Lima. But with so many places to see in Peru, it’s likely that you won’t spend much time in the capital. Here are just a few of the fabulous places you can see in this amazing South American country.

Machu Picchu

If there’s one place in Peru that most visitors want to see, it’s Machu Picchu. Voted as one of the wonders of the modern world, this ancient Incan city can be reached by train in 2 hours from the Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. The trains are specially run for tourists and have glass ceilings and an observatory carriage to maximize the views. There’s still mystery as to why this remote mountain city, built in the 15^th century at a height of nearly 2,500 metres, was abandoned. If you want one of the most iconic photos in the world, standing with arms outstretched with the ancient city below you, this should be the first destination on your Peru wish list.

Sacred Valley

Peru’s Sacred Valley was named by the Incas because it’s river, the Vilnacota, follows a similar path to the Milky Way. Its name might also owe something to the high fertility of the valley, which allowed a wide variety of crops to be grown. There are a number of places worth visiting: Urubamba is popular for its trekking and rock climbing, whilst Ollantaytambo is tranquil mountain village where people often acclimatize for a day or so before getting the train to Machu Picchu.

Cusco

The capital of the Inca empire from the 13^th to 16^th centuries, Cusco is cool year-round so it’s best to visit in the summer. The city sitss at an altitude of 3,400 metres, so many people need a few days to acclimatize. Cusco is famous for its handicrafts, especially it’s clothing and fabrics made from alpaca fur. You can try some unusual foods here, such as alpaca and cuy (guinea pig) which have been eaten by the local Quechan people for over 1,000 years. Cusco is only an hour’s drive from Ollantaytambo and so is a good stopping off point on the way to Machu Picchu.

Caral

Although few people have heard of it, Caral is a mind-blowingly old city that dates back to the time of the Egyptian pyramids. In fact, this Unesco World Heritage site is one of the earliest large cities on the entire planet. At just a 3.5-hour drive from Lima, this pre-Incan archaeological marvel is a perfect destination for culture vultures.

Puerto Maldonado

Just a 90-minute flight from Lima, Puerto Maldonado is the gateway to the southern Amazon rainforest and only a 30-minute drive from Tambopata National Reserve, which has some of the most unspoilt forest in Peru. With over 1,000 square miles of protected land, containing lakes, rivers and forests, Tambopata is a nature-lover’s dream. In this incredibly biodiverse area you can see animals such as monkeys, sloths, and parrots. By the riverbanks you can spot capybara, which are the world’s largest rodent and the size of a Labrador dog.

Oxapampa

If you want to visit a place that stands out for its eccentricity, Oxapampa could be for you. Settled by Austrians and Germans in the 19^th century, this quaint town looks like a Swiss village that’s been dropped in the rainforest. Thanks to its heritage, Oxapampa is famous for its German-style beer and European-influenced food. Lederhosen are not compulsory, but they might help you to fit in!

Titikaka

One of the few places apart from Machi Picchu that most foreigners have heard of, Lake Titikaka is famous for being the highest lake in the world. Sitting at an altitude of 3,800 metres, Titikaka is a land that time forgot. People still cross the lake to ply their trades on traditional boats made of reeds. Popular tourist activities include fishing, kayaking and hiking. Daytime temperatures hover at around 17C all year round but temperatures plummet at night (3C in summer and -7C in winter) so you’ll need plenty of layers.

Arequipa

You might have heard of the condor, the bird with the world’s longest wingspan, but did you know that the best place to see them is in Peru? The colonial era city of Arequipa is the gateway for condor watching, although the best viewing spots are still a few hour’s drive away. Arequipa is also famous for its architecture and cuisine, including the spicy stuffed rocoto chilli peppers and hearty stews.

Ica

Peru is world famous for its surfing, which is easy to do from Lima, and the country often boasts one of the top 3 ranked surfers. But you can also try an alternative type of surfing in Peru which doesn’t require months of experience. Head to Ica, about 4 hours by car from Lima, and you can surf down the sand dunes beside the desert oasis of Huacachina. Alternatively, you can hop in a 4WD dune buggy and get driven at break-neck speed by an experienced dune-rider – it’s like a rollercoaster but scarier!

Barranco, Lima

Although most tourists skip the sprawling city of Lima and head out to the tourist spots as quickly as they can, one Lima neighbourhood is definitely worth a visit. Voted one of the world’s 50 coolest neighbourhoods by Time Out, Barranco’s endless supply of coffee bars, artisanal bakeries, and gelato shops make it a hipster’s paradise. You won’t have to look far for a sough dough loaf here and you can sample some of Lima’s best cocktails in one of Barranco’s famous rooftop bars. Barranco is also home to Central, recently voted the top restaurant in the world.

With so many places to choose from, it’s unlikely that you’ll get to tick off every destination on your wish list in one trip. But that’s OK, because you’re bound to want to visit Peru again!