Best travel experiences in Peru

If you are looking for inspiration or just to get a feel of the country, check out these top experiences when travelling in Peru.

01 - Pisac Market

Andean markets serve as true community hubs – not to mention excellent places to sample local goods and produce – and Pisac’s thriving morning market is one of the best.

02 - Kuelap

The ruined citadel of Kuelap is one of the most fascinating archeological sites in the Andes.

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03 - Lagunas de Llanganuco

The deep blue of these lakes in the Cordillera Blanca changes with the weather.

© Peto Laszlo/Shutterstock

04 - Huacachina

The sacred healing lagoon Huacachina, ringed by palm trees and hidden among massive sand dunes, draws sandboarders and dune-buggy riders from all over the world.

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05 - Uros islands

One of Lake Titicaca’s many treasures, the man-and-woman-made floating villages on the Uros islands have existed in the lake since Inca times.

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06 - Andean agricultural terraces

These mountainside terraces in the magnificent Cotahuasi and Colca canyons give evidence of the impressive organization of pre-Conquest native societies.

07 - Trujillo

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Though it doesn’t attract the hype of Lima or Cusco, Peru’s third city Trujillo charms with its colonial architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

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08 - Ballestas Islands

Often called the Peruvian Galapagos, the Ballestas Islands islands located off the coast of Pisco are teeming with bird and marine life.

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09 - Try Ceviche

Peru’s national dish is a refreshing treat – fresh fish soaked in lime juice and chillies.

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10 - Rainforest canopy walkways

Peru’s jungle can be viewed at its best from the Amazon’s longest tree-top canopy walkway, reaching 35m above ground at the Amazon Explorama Field Station.

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11 - Reserva Nacional Paracas

Just a few hours out of Lima, Paracas is a coastal wildlife haven, boasting some fantastic beaches alongside archeological sites.

12 - Cordillera Blanca

The glacial scenery of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range is among the finest and most accessible on the planet.

13 - Arequipa

This white stone city of Arequipa, beautiful and intriguing, is watched over by the awesome, ice-capped volcano of El Misti.

14 - Ayacucho

Bustling streets, impressive churches, passionate religious processions and unique artesanía make the Andean city Ayacucho a standout.

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15 - Sacsayhuaman

The zigzag megalithic defensive walls of the Inca temple-fortress Sacsayhuaman are home to the annual Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun.

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16 - Chavín de Huantar

Dating back over 2500 years, the large temple of Chavin de Huantar has many striking stone carvings and gargoyles, both externally and within its subterranean chambers.

17 - Puerto Belen

A frenetic, floating jungle port that has been called the Venice of the Peruvian jungle.

18 - Go surfing in Mancora

Peru’s most popular surfer hangout Mancora features gorgeous beaches and buzzing nightlife.

19 - Valley of the Pyramids

Over twenty adobe pyramids built by a pre-Inca civilization surround a sacred mountain at Túcume in the northern deserts.

20 - See the Nasca Lines

Take a helicopter tour to get the full impact of the intricate symbols of the Nasca lines, etched into the deserts of southern Peru.

21 - Colca Canyon

Twice the size of the Grand Canyon, the enormous Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, is also one of Peru’s biggest destinations.

22 - Machu Picchu

With mysterious temples and palaces nestling among hundreds of terraces, this fabulous Inca citadel is awe-inspiring.

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Travel advice for Peru

Find even more inspiration for Peru here