Beyond Machu Picchu, there is so much more to see during your Peru vacation.
If you’re thinking about traveling to Peru, you already know that you want to see the famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. But what other places are must-see Peru destinations? There is so much to see that it can make planning your Peru holiday really challenging. Below, our travel professionals offer their top tips for travel in Peru:
Lima: Most trips to Peru begin and end at Lima airport. But many travelers are discouraged by how enormous Peru’s capital is, and don’t spend time there. You should try to spend a day or two in Lima at the beginning or end of your vacation, and experience at least one world-class museum, as well as all the top Peruvian cuisine you can eat! Check out the Larco Museum, with its beautiful collection and picturesque gardens, explore Lima’s historic center, and visit some of the restaurants, bars and cafes that have made Lima the World Travel Awards “Best Culinary Destination”.
Lake Titicaca: The world’s highest navigable lake is situated in southeastern Peru on the border with Bolivia. Amid spectacular scenery, on this lake that was sacred to the Incas you can visit manmade floating islands and spend time with textile-making islanders directly descended from the Incas!
Nazca: The world-famous Nazca Lines, traced on the surface of Peru’s coastal desert over hundreds of years, long before the arrival of the Spanish, have fascinated and baffled travelers and scientists alike for generations. The only way to fully appreciate these gigantic marvels is via an exciting flight over the desert in a light aircraft! Unmissable!
The Amazon: Most visitors come to Peru to experience the culture and history of the Andes, without knowing that 60% of Peru lies in the Amazon basin. From Cusco, it is just a short journey by plane, road and boat to some of the best-preserved tropical rainforests found anywhere on Earth! At the end of your Peru trip, try to spend at least a few days in Tambopata National Reserve or Manu National Park!
Cusco: No trip to Peru would be complete without a visit to Cusco, once the capital of the great Inca empire and now South America’s most important travel destination. Cusco’s beautifully conserved historic center offers Inca period and colonial-era splendors, and great food and souvenir shopping! And, of course, Cusco is the starting point for the train to Machu Picchu or the world-renowned Inca Trail, as well as the scenic Sacred Valley of the Incas!
If you’d like to experience the destinations and activities mentioned in this article, contact us and we’ll help you create your Peru vacation!
