If you’ve never been to Peru most likely, you’ve heard of 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 however, there are many more reasons to go to Peru.
As one of the largest nations of South America, Peru’s landscape is varied. The east is where there is the stunning Amazon Rainforest that is home to indigenous tribes as well as distinctive species of wildlife. Its Andean Mountains split the nation into two halves inviting the most adventurous hikers to explore them. Likewise, in the west, along the Pacific Coast, pristine beaches and marine life abound.
Motives to Travel to Peru
The Peru tour guide divided into two sections, the firstly, the fantastic reasons outlined by living out Lau and then travel tips. Peru is such a vast country that it will take multiple trips to get to know the entirety. If you decide to visit Peru ensure that you travel for a long time from the jungles, to the deserts and 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 talk about our elephants in, the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Machu Picchu is the biggest tourist attraction in Peru and attracts over 1 million people every year. In addition to being one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a modern-day UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You may already know, Machu Picchu is a citadel constructed during the time of the Incas in the 15th century. But, it was demolished in the 16th century , when the Spanish conquistadors arrived to Peru. It is unclear what the reason was for why Machu Picchu was abandoned, but many experts believe the Inca inhabitants from Machu Picchu went to aid in the fight against the Spanish.
The Incas were defeated, in the end and Machu Picchu was abandoned. What is what makes Machu Picchu so unique when contrasted with different Inca settlements is the fact that Machu Picchu was never discovered by the Spaniards.
The ruins were perched on in the Andes Mountain above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was almost unnoticed to anyone except the people living there. Machu Picchu became known many years later, exactly as 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
As the city that was the capital in Cusco, which was the capital city of Inca empire Cusco can be considered one of the most appealing reasons to visit Peru. Cusco’s historical center Cusco retains a lot of its original Inca appeal. In fact, many of the first Inca structures can be found in Cusco and offer visitors an opportunity to see the amazing techniques employed to construct the Incas.
The most well-known Inca site within Cusco is Qorichancha which means”the Golden Temple in Quechua, the native language of the Incas. It was the center of religion of the Incas where they could honour one of the most famous gods that was Inti the Inca sun god.
Two kilometers away from the central square in the historic center, tourists will be able to see the Sacsayhuaman Inca ruin, among the many fortresses in Cusco. The high hill Inca Citadel located on top of the top of a hill, it was among the most stunning citadels constructed with the greatest care given to how 100 tons of massive stone were moved with no modern technology. The citadel has panoramic perspectives across Cusco and the breathtaking Andean mountain ranges.
Be aware of the altitudes when you visit Cusco. It is located at 3,400m high this is an altitude that could easily trigger altitude sickness. We suggest choosing any of our hotels located in Cusco that offer oxygen enrichment!
3. Enjoy some of Best foods in The World
One of the top motives to visit Peru is its cuisine particularly if you’re an avid foodie. Since Peru is home to a wide variety of landscapes, it’s capable of sourcing a broad variety of fresh and delicious ingredients. Together with centuries of culinary excellence, Peru is home to some of the most delicious dishes around the globe.
In fact, the most important city in Peru, Lima, is often voted the gastronomic capital city of Latin America. Lima has two of the most popular restaurants in the world, Central as well as Maido.
Cusco is also among the top destinations in the world to sample the indigenous Peruvian food. In Cusco, you can taste cuy (guinea pig) which is a popular delicacy which was once the principal source of protein to the people living in the villages of Cusco’s Andean Mountains.
One of the best meals for you to taste in Peru can be Peruvian ceviche (not to be confused with regular ceviche) is one of the most popular dishes in Peru. Ceviche is a food composed of raw fish that has been that is marinated with strong Peruvian limes. Lime juice is so powerful that they kill all bacteria in the fish, effectively “cooking” this dish. This is a dish which lets the flavours of natural ingredients shine. Simple, yet strong.
4. Take a trip to One among the Tallest Waterfalls in the World
If you think about Peru adventure tours, do soaring waterfalls spring to mind? I doubt it. Did you have the knowledge that Peru is the home of many huge waterfalls, including 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. The moment it was first discovered it was the 3rd most awe-inspiring waterfall on earth however it’s currently between the third and 16th position, according to how it is measured.
The waterfall is situated within the Amazonas region of Northern Peru, the Gocta Waterfall is surrounded by the jungle and mountains, providing an incredible and breathtaking scene.
The most appealing aspect of Gocta Waterfall is that Gocta Waterfall is you can climb to different areas that make up the falls. The most well-known option is a three-hour trek beginning at Cocachimba up to the bottom waterfall and you’ll be able to experience how powerful nature is. Be sure that whatever you bring is waterproof , or doesn’t get injured when wet!
5. World Class Hiking
One of the top reasons to go to Peru is to explore one of the most famed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This Inca Trail can be described as a historic 4-day trek that takes you through certain routes the Inca civilization took to travel throughout in the Sacred Valley.
The hike begins by taking you through the snow-capped mountains in the Urubamba Range and ends in the dense forests of the cloud in Peru. Along the way, visitors are able to visit over five Inca Ruins and learn about the background of the biggest Empire that existed in Pre-Columbian America.
The day before the final day on the last day, you can enter Machu Picchu not through the entryway, but instead via The Sun Gate. It was historically the only location where you can enter Machu Picchu, and many tourists were turned away due to their absence of royal status.
Inca Trail is a cultural and historical adventure that is accompanied with an exciting hiking experience and breathtaking mountain views. Its singularity alone is reason enough for traveling to Peru! We do need to remind about booking your trip to 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 overestimated.
On our first trip to Peru we did not book in advance, and therefore were not able to trek the Inca Trail However we did book several day tours in the Sacred Valley, including some long hikes through the Sacred Valley. It was a great alternative option in comparison to the well-known trekking route towards Machu Picchu.
6. Get Sandboarding Huacachina
If you’re a fan of snowboarding, but you don’t enjoy the cold, then one your main reasons for visiting Peru should be snowboarding in Huacachina. Huacachina is a tiny village situated in the southwest region of Peru. It is only 4 hours from Lima.
This village has been described as the one nature-based oasis of South America, and the tiny lake’s contrast with dunes is what makes the surroundings more striking.
Huacachina is home to the largest dunes of sand located in South America, making it ideal for sandboarding or riding dunes buggies. Before you visit, determine whether you’d prefer to sandboard standing or sit in your stomach. Take care when you do this since the only way to stop is by using your body to act as brake.
7. Discover the Amazon Jungle
The majority of people visit Peru to see Machu Picchu or its breathtaking alpine trekking However, did you consider that Peru is home to more than 60 percent Amazonian forest? Within this Peruvian Amazon Forest are 3940 distinct species as well as thousands of tribes indigenous to the region, a few of which are accessible by tourists.
The most well-known entrance for travelers to access Amazon Rainforest is Iquitos 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 wonders in the Amazon.
Tours are available to take them through the different regions of northern Peruvian Amazon Rainforest, such as meeting tribes of indigenous people and staying at one of the lodges in the jungle, and observing the animals.
8. Meet Cute Little Fluffy Alpacas
Peru hosts more than 70 percent of the population of alpaca which is a camelid mammal that lives in within the Andes Mountains. Alpacas are revered in Inca culturebecause they believed the animals were gifts of Pachamama (Mother Earth).
Their fabric is considered to be one of the best sought-after materials in the history of the world. Some historians believe alpaca fur has been used as a form of currency to exchange.
Alpaca material is said for being extremely light and warm due to the hollow space within the fiber. It is also recognized as soft and water-resistant. This makes it the perfect fabric for all kinds of clothing. In reality among the top well-known souvenirs of Peru is related to alpaca products. In every shop there are alpaca sweaters, scarves Hoodies, ponchos and many more! We own a few caps that we love from our Peru excursions.
9. Rainbow Mountain
When visiting Peru making sure you take a picture in a photo with an Alpaca essential. You will see adorable alpacas at many of the tourist attractions in Peru like Rainbow Mountain and Colca Canyon. They are even spotted together with their owners on street cobblestones in Cusco and waiting to be taken pictures (and given a tip)!
When we talk about Rainbow Mountain this colorful mountain is yet another reason to place Peru on high on your travel bucket list. It’s now as popular as Machu Picchu as well as 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 to Expect While Hiking Rainbow Mountain Peru
If you’re one of those who loves to try new cuisines when traveling the flavor of alpaca meat is sure to surprise you. The meat of alpacas is said as being slender and soft with a touch of sweetness. A lot of people like it as high-quality beef. Like beef, various pieces of alpaca come with different tastes and textures and tastes, so ensure you have a good cut when you choose to try them.
10. Find the Most navigable lake in 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. Although it isn’t the most well-known characteristic, Lake Titicaca is believed to be the site of the birth of the Inca civilization.
Nowadays, no one travels towards Lake Titicaca to learn about the Incas instead, they visit instead, they visit the Uros people do. Why? Why? Uros people have built more than 100 floating islands in Lake Titicaca, using only indigenous plants that grow in the lake, and only their hands. Talk about sustainability and incredible engineering!
The majority of Uros residents have left the islands floating in the water, however there are still many who live on these islands. The typical island can hold up to 10 families , while the smallest one will accommodate between 2 and 3. There is even schools in one island. How awesome is that?
If you want to know details on Lake Titicaca, the Uros people, and their significance to culture, taking the tour with local guides is highly suggested. There’s numerous tours that depart from the city on the lake, Puno!
When is the best time to visit Peru
Peru is located in Peru is located on the West Coast of South America which extends all the way from Pacific Ocean through the Andes Mountains up to the Amazon basin. It is located between Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile which gives Peru an enormous landscape and climate variations.
The most popular time to travel to Peru is from the months from May to September since it’s an ideal time to visit all regions.
The summer in Peru runs between December and March. This is the warmest season to visitPeru, but it also is the season of heavy rain.
The peak season to visit Peru is in the winter months from May to September. It is the time when it is most humid and also the dry season.
The ideal time for conditions when you can visit Machu Picchu is from April through November. It is however crowded, and you’ll need to make reservations well in advance.
The Amazon Rainforest is humid and hot. From May through September, it’s extremely humid with temperatures that exceed 30 degrees. It’s very wet from October to April.
The desert of Huacachina is hot and dry and is accessible at anytime of the year, as the climate doesn’t change too much.
The Andes can get extremely cold, and the coastline can experience a variety of conditions and temperatures.
From December through March, it’s a bit chilly and wet however you are still able to hike it if you wish to see fewer people.
How to get around Peru
Peru has five international airports. However, you will likely fly into the capital city of Peru, Lima via North America or Europe. When we were in Peru we traveled using a train, bus and even a plane. We’ve personally found each of them suitable to meet our particular requirements, however, the plane was our transport of choice.
Air Domestic flights are getting cheaper and it’s more safe and efficient to travel by plane to Lima in Peru to Cusco and Cusco to 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 like Taca, LAN Peru, and Peruvian Airlines.
By bus – travel by bus in Peru has been criticized for being dangerous, and recent incidents have heightened the reputation. There are reputable bus companies options that offer luxury buses that are very comfortable. Make sure you choose an established bus company. Two options for travel by bus in Peru are Cruz del Sur or Peru Hop. Bus travel is probably the cheapest option for domestic travel in Peru However, it could be quite a hassle.
While taking public transport, keep an the eye on your belongings because petty crime is commonplace in stations like train and bus stations. I wouldn’t recommend booking overnight buses since crime rises in the evening. Our buses were booked for well-traveled routes in daylight hours.
Train: We traveled by train from Aguas Calientes in order to visit Machu Picchu and if you don’t want to hike the Inca Trail it is an ideal method to reach Machu Picchu. Train travel isn’t the most popular method of transport in Peru since trains have to traverse the high Andes Mountains but there are several routes that you can travel on if you would like to experience Machu Picchu.
These are just a few reasons to go into Peru for 2023. We hope this guide has will inspire you to travel and discover the world!
