Best Things to Do in Peru: 20 Experiences You Can’t Miss

Peru is a vast, diverse country and there are so many things to do there that a simple article wouldn’t be enough to cover them all! The country is rich in history and its landscapes are covered with lush nature. There are 84 different life zones and exploring them can take you from thick amazon rainforest, to the towering Andean highlands and the coastal desert! And then there is the food, the people and of course, the culture!

In this guide we will see the 20 best things to do in Peru. It will be a blend of popular and more unique activities, including iconic landmarks and luxury experiences. We will discuss those activities on a region by region basis and then we will offer some tips on the best time to visit Peru, how many days you need to get a good look at the country and some tips to make your trip as smooth as possible.

Let’s dive in!

The highlights of Peru combine the best of history, culture and dramatic scenery. Here you will find the ancient Inca civilizations, their ruins hidden in the colossal Andes, stunning high-altitude lakes and beautiful sacred valleys. These must-see sights are among the best places to visit in Peru and will be the most iconic moments on any first-time trip.

The ultimate Peru experience is to visit Machu Picchu. You can take the luxurious train with spectacular views, hike the Inca Trail for several days or arrange private guided tours for a more personalized experience. While the altitude is noticeable at 2,430m (7,970ft), visitors who have acclimatised in Cusco or the Sacred Valley will find it much less of an issue. Pre-booking your ticket is essential as the number of tickets available are limited and sell out extremely quickly. Be especially mindful of peak season.

Cusco combines Inca and colonial styles, making it one of the most fascinating cultural & historical experiences in Peru . Spend time around the central Plaza de Armas, try some local food at San Pedro Market and get lost in the maze of ancient cobble stone streets that fill the old city. The altitude of 3,400m (11,150ft) can also take some getting used to, so be sure to factor in a day of acclimatisation. Cusco is a great place to use as a base while you acclimatise and then move on to Machu Picchu.

Known for its lower altitude and greater expanses, the Sacred Valley offers a gentler pace than Cusco. Here you will spend more time in Pisac with its impressive agricultural terraces and the local market, and explore the well-preserved Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. The valley is home to many boutique hotels and amazing views of the Urubamba river, which makes it an excellent choice for a more leisurely excursion. It is also a smart decision before heading to Machu Picchu, allowing you to acclimate to the higher altitude.

The Maras Salt Mines consist of thousands of concave shallow basins that have been used since pre-Inca times for salt extraction. Barely 20 minutes from there, you will find Moray an interesting example of ancient agricultural experimentation for adapting crops to different altitude zones, carried out by the Incas and pre-Inca cultures. Visiting both is an excellent way to see how resourceful people have always been!

Lake Titicaca is situated at an altitude of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet) and is therefore the highest navigable lake in the world. It is an extremely culturally important site, and you can visit the famous Uros floating islands, villages with homes built out of reeds. It is common for tours of the lake to include a boat trip to visit some of the local communities and to meet the local people.

Lima is a common destination on Peru travels. The coast capital of the country is known for its unique food scene, dramatic ocean scenery and vibrant neighbourhoods. You can stroll along the cliff sides and enjoy high-end cuisine or check out local markets and trendy art areas. Here are the best things to do in Lima.

Taking a stroll along the Malecón in Miraflores, a 4-kilometer oceanfront promenade that hugs the cliffs of Lima, offers breathtaking views of the Pacific. It passes through a few of the city’s parks, including Parque del Amor, and is also great for a jog or bike ride, as well as offering an occasional front row seat to see paragliders diving from the cliffside. One of the easiest ways to take in the beauty of Lima’s coastline, especially during sunset.

Lima has come to be regarded as the culinary capital of South America, making it perfect for food & wine experiences in Peru. Food here is a heady mix of the old and the new, and there’s plenty of emphasis on fine dining. You can taste elegant, multi-course tasting menus, plenty of amazing ceviche and notice the clear influence of Japanese and Chinese cuisine, amongst other international trends.

Indeed, several of the best restaurants in Latin America are situated here, which adds to Lima’s status as a culinary destination in and of itself. Be sure to book ahead when trying to secure a table at the hot spots. Discovering the local cuisine is easily one of the top things to do in Peru.

Lima’s creative district, Barranco, sits just beyond Miraflores and is famous for its street art, colonial mansions and laid back attitude. There are plenty of small galleries, unique shops and cafés to spend hours meandering round old houses. In the evenings, there is a good selection of low key bars and clubs as well as more upmarket options. Barranco is also a much more local area than Miraflores, so is a great option if you want to get a feel for the real Lima.

The Cusco and the Sacred Valley region is home to many of Peru’s most amazing experiences. In addition to the historical tours of Machu Picchu and other sites, these excursions allow you to immerse yourself in impressive landscapes. Below are the best things to do in Cusco and the best things to do in the Sacred Valley as well.

One of the most comfortable and scenic ways to reach Aguas Calientes, this train journey is a highlight of luxury travel in Peru. Traveling along the Urubamba River that winds its way through the Sacred Valley, the scenery changes constantly.

Popping in and out of tunnels, between steep embankments and dense jungle foliage, the train bursts through a tunnel only to reveal another spectacular and dramatic landscape a few meters further on. Because of its high demand, we advise you to book in advance, in order to reserve a seat in the highest quality trains.

Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca is famous for its natural mineral colours and its height. It is recommended to stay for a couple of days to acclimatize. We highly recommend you book a private tour or a small group tour so you can walk at your own speed and get to the summit at your own time. Although it is a challenging hike, the stunning views of the entire Andean range will reward you!

This Incan fortress sits atop a hill just above the city of Cusco and is one of the most impressive ruins in the world. The grounds here are filled with precise-cut stone walls made out of huge blocks. Some of them weigh over 100 tons! These ruins are a quick day trip from Cusco and have some of the best views of the city and its landscape. A private guide can shed light on the function of the Sacsayhuamán as a military and religious site.

Many who travel to Peru often miss out on the less mainstream activities that offer truly different perspectives on the country. These experiences take you out of the tourists traps, exposing you to quite a different Peru, from the desert landscapes to the rainforest or from the breathtaking views over canyons to immersive cultural engagements.

View the Nazca Lines from the air and see the enormous figures and designs on the desert floor. Air tours depart from Nazca and nearby airports and last about 30 - 45 minutes. These designs were made by people thousands of years ago and their purpose remains a mystery to this day. The air can get bumpy sometimes, so choose a reputable operator, and preferably go for a morning departure.

If you're looking for a taste of adventure, the oasis of Huacachina is an absolute must. Tours here involve careening up and down the sides of the enormous dunes in specially-outfitted dune buggies, and then sandboarding them down. We recommend going in the late afternoon as it is the coolest part of the day and the light is at its best. Huacachina can easily be one of the most fun things to do in Peru!

The Amazon offers incredible nature & wildlife experiences in Peru, with lush rainforest and guided jungle tours. Tambopata is a bit easier to get to, whereas Manu is further away and has an even greater biodiversity. You can stay in eco-lodges, ranging from a comfortable option to a more luxurious one and will participate in a number of activities, such as a boat tour along the river, canopy walks and wildlife spotting, including monkeys, birds and caimans.

Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world and also one of the best places to see Andean condors flying. Watching them from Cruz del Condor is spectacular and is best in the early morning when tourists are less frequent. The area is also a beautiful patchwork of hillsides covered in terracing for agriculture and villages. The Canyon is most often visited from Arequipa as a day trip.

Arequipa is a city with a completely different tempo, amazing colonial and modernist architecture, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature within easy reach. Arequipa certainly has plenty of history and culture to offer and the colonial atmosphere and impressive food scene make the city an unforgettable stop on any Peru trip.

Arequipa’s historic center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Constructed from white volcanic stone, known as sillar, it gave the city a uniform and beautiful appearance. The main square is known as the Plaza de Armas and is surrounded by a series of stunning archways, the magnificent Arequipa cathedral and beautifully preserved colonial architecture. The area is very easy to walk around and offers spectacular historic monuments, restaurants and great views. The majestic El Misti volcano dominates the city.

This impressive Monastery of Santa Catalina dominates the city with its impressive pink sandstone and blue walls. Its maze of narrow streets, cloisters and peaceful courtyards presents a fascinating terrain. The Monastery’s layout is similar to that of the city itself, composed of streets, squares and cells making up a veritable mini-city at the heart of the urban centre. Although the Convent has opened its doors to visitors, its overall structure has been preserved while creating spaces large enough to allow tourists to visit without running into each other, as long as they choose a convenient time.

Known for some of the most incredible cultural sites in the world, Peru is home to a wide range of landscapes and experiences from hiking through the mountains to wildlife spotting along the coast and relaxing on the sun-kissed beaches of the north. Off the beaten track, there is a selection of unique experiences that allow you to delve into Peru’s lesser-known regions.

For those interested in quieter trekking, the Salkantay and Lares treks offer an excellent adventure travel experience in Peru, compared to the Inca Trail. Salkantay focuses on the mountain range itself, with its glaciers and high passes, while Lares concentrates on the local communities, with visits to indigenous villages. These treks can also be done as guided, fully-inclusive expeditions using campsites or local quality lodges. Less crowded and more flexible than the Inca Trail, they allow a more intimate and peaceful exploration of the Andes.

A small area of coastline desert on the south coast of Peru, where the land has been eroded by the sea, creating an interesting desert of coastline environment. The Ballestas Islands which are located off the coast, are also part of the Paracas National Reserve. These islands are a wildlife refuge and the variety of marine life here is incredible. A 2-hour boat trip will bring you close to sea lions, as well as huge colonies of Humboldt penguins and seabirds, making it a great option for family travel in Peru and ideal when traveling to Peru with kids. You can also visit Huacachina on a day trip from Lima, a magnificent lake surrounded by sand dunes.

The climate for the northern part of Peru including the coast of Máncora and Tumbes is warm and constant throughout the year. Air and water temperatures are in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s Fahrenheit (mid 20’s to 30’s Celsius) with low levels of precipitation throughout the year. The area enjoys a lot of sunshine, calm seas and there are a growing number of new luxury class hotels. After an intense trekking tour in the Andes or Amazon, it can be an excellent place to relax, especially for romantic honeymoons in Peru.

Although you can see the highlights in a week, it is much more enjoyable with a bit more time, especially for relaxed senior travel in Peru. With a good itinerary, you can visit Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu in about 7 days. But in 10 to 14 days you will be able to visit the Sacred Valley, Arequipa and the Amazon in a more relaxed way.

The dry season in Peru is from May to September and this is generally considered the best time to visit. The weather is ideal for trekking and to visit the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. In the Andes daytime temperatures range from 15 - 20°C (59 - 68°F). The climate on the coast is pleasant year round with Lima having average temperatures ranging from 18 - 28°C (64 - 82°F).

A little bit of research can make a world of difference when planning your trip to Peru. Here are a few tips to get you started.

So many things to do in Peru! Grand monuments, vibrant cities, historic old towns, breathtaking and diverse landscapes and an amazing cuisine can all together create a trip you will never forget! Peru is a destination that blends together iconic landmarks and unique experiences that you can’t easily find in other countries. With some good planning and preparations, you will have a truly once in a lifetimeIf reading this guide has opened your appetite for a trip to Peru but don’t know where to start, then share your thoughts and expectations with Tailored by Locals! A local expert will then design a private itinerary based on your own needs and travel style.