This trek usually entails six days of hoofing it through some of the highest elevations of Peru, but the climbs are well-rewarded with stops at hot springs, beautiful lakes, and a. along the way. The South American bean that looks like cotton candy and tastes like ice cream. 7. These dances are best caught around Christmas during the Atipanacuy festival in cities like, You’re going to hear a lot about Machu Picchu when you’re in Peru—and for good reason! Running with scissors might be dangerous, but the Quechua make dancing with scissors into something majestic. A market for witches is hidden within a train station. Bolivia and Peru were two peas in a pod in that respect. There’s a famous train service in Peru known as the, which is one of your options for getting to Machu Picchu. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re the hardcore backpacking type, you’ll be in heaven. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. The Circuito Magico del Agua (Magic Water Circuit) is a playful combination of entertainment and waterpark located in the centre of the city. This is a place where you will meet the most experienced paragliders in Lima. Away from the traditional sights of the cities and the archaeological sites that have become world-famous, there are areas of the country that are really unexplored and uncharted by tourism. Lets take a look at all the fantastic things their are to do and see. Peru is waiting! If relaxing off the beaten path is on your list of things to do in Peru, crashing at an eco-farm is a step in the right direction. Tripsavvy's Editorial Guidelines. Men hunted, women gathered, right? Chifa means “eat rice in Mandarin”. design a custom itinerary suited to your unique travel style. Some people can say they’ve seen Machu Picchu, but very few can say they’ve walked all the way there. Peru used to be one of the most backward countries in Latin America. There’s always so much to do for any visiting family. And with so many mountains and varieties of terrain, it’s a great place for both seasoned and novice riders. Pro tip: Your Peruvian trip planner can help you book with the right horseback riding tour. Learn the best things to do in Peru that are still unique. Go on a treetop walk to catch a glimpse of this hidden world in the treetops of the Amazon—via suspension bridges dangling nearly 100 feet in the air (don’t look down). Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. Work with a local to plan your trip. Not only does the Amazon Rainforest take up half the country, but excursions into the jungle from the Peruvian side are usually inexpensive and tons of fun. The pisco sour consists of pisco mixed with lime juice, simple syrup, bitters, ice, and a … From Parque del Amor, this hotspot is just a short walk away towards the north. Feeling the need to just get away and unplug? For even more amazing things to do in Peru. Have a Peruvian local iron out your travel plans to include coffee farms all over the country! It’s one of the new, While most people will take trains to the nearby city of Aguas Calientes and then make a short climb up to the famous Incan citadel, you should consider taking the scenic route to Machu Picchu instead via the, The Inca Trail is a four-day trek starting just outside of Cusco that snakes through the mountains and ends at Machu Picchu. Cusco, Peru. Fact: alpacas are adorable. Fact-Checked by. These tamarins have an affinity for disturbed rain forest. Another classic Chinese dish in Peruvian cuisine is lomo saltado, a beef stir fry. If riding on four-legged creatures isn’t your thing, opt for two tires instead. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Not only moneywise, but it is rich in culture and heritage too. But if you want to make your own speculations, seeing them from the air is really the way to go—flights can be booked from Paracas. Hiking the Inca Trail There may be other trails in Peru, but none can match the beauty and history of the Inca Trail. People don’t usually think Peru when they think Amazon, but they should. There’s a famous train service in Peru known as the Inca Rail which is one of your options for getting to Machu Picchu. Who knows! We have reviews of the best places to see in Peru. Keshwa chaca, among the last handwoven Incan bridges, crosses Apurimac Canyon in Peru. The trail takes you through scenic Peruvian countryside as well as other Incan ruins, like Runcuracay. Peru has some of the gnarliest mountain biking in the world! The Sacred Valley is one of the best places to see by horseback, but there are also plenty of other great horseback treks in the High Andes and Colca Canyon. We’re not sure you’ll master the art during your trip to Peru, but it’s still worth diving in and learning a thing or two. Winner will be selected at random on 01/01/2021. Tony Dunnell & Steph Dyson. Many of … Worry not—we’re here to help you narrow it down with these 15 amazing things to do in Peru! Updated 08/21/20. If riding on four-legged creatures isn’t your thing, opt for two tires instead. There are great spots just outside of Lima and Cusco, but one of the most unique places to bike is the Maras Salt Pans. The Larco Museum is one of the finest in the country, housing over 4000 years of Peruvian history and built over the remains of a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid. Surrounded by snowy mountains and farmland, Urubamba is the ideal place to refresh your mind with mountain air, amazing views, and delicious food (all sourced from the surrounding farms and communities). Museo de la Nacion is also the largest museum in Lima, followed by the Peruvian National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History. Some farms, like. Its pulp tastes just like the creamy spread. Don't miss out on these incredible adventures that Peru has to offer. It’s a fairly difficult trek, so make sure you're up to the task before setting out. As one of the most recognizable tourist attractions in the world, the legendary Incan city of Machu Picchu needs little introduction. Pre-civilization boredom? Ready for rainforests, ancient cultures, and landmarks shrouded in mystery? . The Inca Trail is a four-day trek starting just outside of Cusco that snakes through the mountains and ends at Machu Picchu. Join Atlas Obscura for a globe-trotting learning adventure. 4. Peru is relatively safe to travel but like all places use regular caution and common sense. Peru is the wealthiest country in the world. The top museums to visit are Larco Museum, MALI and Museo Oro. The mortal remains of an estimated 70,000 people lie in the basement of a monastery in Lima, Peru. One of the most fascinating places to visit and must on your list of things to see in Peru is Lake Titicaca. There will be plenty of people offering you a chance to take pictures with an alpaca (for a small fee), but visiting an alpaca farm like the, just outside of Cusco lets you get up close and personal with tons of alpacas at once. Peru is one of the top 20 coffee producers in the world, which means its a great place to flex your coffee connoisseur muscles. View of the Rainbow mountains near Cusco. , a small Quechua community in the Sacred Valley to the north of Cusco, is the perfect place to learn more about the ancient art of Andean weaving. If you go for it, though, rest assured the pristine views make it super worth it. While you can find Peruvians enjoying everything from salsa to 80’s rock, it’s their local criollo music that’ll really have you moving and grooving. It turns out that boards are meant for more than just waves and ski resorts: they can be used the shred on sand dunes too! More on the many museums of Cusco as we go through this list of exciting things to do – the Inka History Museum is definitely a highlight and is one of the few not included on the Boleto Turistico Del Cusco, the tourist ticket that includes a number of attractions, more info here. Lake Titicaca – Uros Islands. When it comes to alcohol, Peru is famous for the pisco sour. The Sacred Valley is one of the best places to see by horseback, but there are also plenty of other great horseback treks in the High Andes and Colca Canyon. The intricate stonework of Machu Picchu serves as a testament to Incan engineers. The most amazing place to hike in Peru is probably the Rainbow Mountains (also called Vinicunca) in Ausangate, not far from Cusco. 8 Cool Things to do in Peru. 1 Top ten things to do in Peru. A group of geometric shapes etched into the desert by pre-Inca civilizations in Peru, the Nazca lines have left modern-day humans baffled for centuries. , but don’t wait too long—it does fill up! Go on a treetop walk to catch a glimpse of this hidden world in the treetops of the Amazon—via suspension bridges dangling nearly 100 feet in the air (don’t look down). This time our explorers have decided to visit Peru and provide our readers with the best and unique things to do in the country. It’s home to grand sights like Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and much more. Running with scissors might be dangerous, but the Quechua make dancing with scissors into something majestic. Giant ancient line art drawn in the Peruvian desert so large that it can only be fully seen from the sky. There are quite a few places ideal for horseback riding in Peru, and you can choose between going out for days at a time or just a one-day ride. Huacachina, a tiny oasis town in southwestern Peru, is one of the best places to load up in a dune buggy, tear off across the desert, and board down some dunes. You can book tickets on Incarail’s website, but don’t wait too long—it does fill up! These dances are best caught around Christmas during the Atipanacuy festival in cities like Lima and Arequipa. This 10-minute experience is one of the most unique things to do in Lima. Most Peruvian coffee farms are small estates way up in the Andes, which means you can get an up-close view of how your cup of joe starts out while soaking in some incredible views. One of the most colorful hikes (literally) in Peru is the Ausangate Trek. Peru is home to many indigenous cultures, each having their own unique expressions of dance—but if we had to recommend one to see, it’d be the Quechua Danza de Tijeras. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. For even more amazing things to do in Peru, connect with a local to plan your trip. , also have homestays on-site so you can sleep, tour, and drink plenty of coffee all on the same farm. : Locals know all the best dunes to shred, why not reach out to a. when planning your own sandboarding excursion? It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re the hardcore backpacking type, you’ll be in heaven. Goodbye guidebooks! Definitely put at least one trek on your list of things to do in Peru. Tracking down local creole music in big hubs like Lima isn’t too tricky, just listen for it coming from clubs near the city center like, Fact: alpacas are adorable. Cusco, the gateway to Machu Picchu, sits at 11000 feet and is full of fun things to do as you adjust to the altitude.Capital of the Inca empire, Cusco’s faces still reflect the beauty of the Incas and their culture. And with so many mountains and varieties of terrain, it’s a great place for both seasoned and novice riders. This tangy fruit flavors everything from ice cream to cocktails. OK, visiting Machu Picchu is a given, but there's a lot more to Peru than the magnificent Inca citadel. to hook you up with a trusted guide and tour! To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. . can help you book with the right horseback riding tour. Fact: Peru is the best place to see them! Splashing in the fountains is just one of the fun things to do in Lima, Peru! 1. Visiting this iconic spot is among the most memorable things you can do in Peru. You can spend days in Huilloc, slowing down, joining the locals in their tasks, and learning more about the Quechuan love for nature and weaving. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). There are quite a few places ideal for horseback riding in Peru, and you can choose between going out for days at a time or just a one-day ride. Always take registered taxis and never get in a two-door vehicle. 3. If you go for it, though, rest assured the pristine views make it super worth it. Seeing the alpacas on a farm not only lets you feed and meander with them, but you’ll also get to. See Peru like a local. Palomino is also known as the Galapagos of the poor. One thing is for sure, you won’t be let down by the views from the sailboat! From countless World Heritage Sites (hello, Machu Picchu) to unique artisan markets and fantastic restaurants, here are the best things to do in Peru. Planning a trip to Peru in 2021? The sweet potato donuts are an integral part of the Afro-Peruvian community. If you can stomach the height, some of the best walks can be done in the, Peru is one of the top 20 coffee producers in the world, which means its a great place to flex your coffee connoisseur muscles. Reach out to a local trip planner to hook you up with a trusted guide and tour! Lots of interesting info on the way the Incas lived, including agriculture, various artefacts and some ancient mummies. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in December. Seeing the alpacas on a farm not only lets you feed and meander with them, but you’ll also get to experience alpacas, and all their cuddly glory, in a context that celebrates them as a greater part of Peruvian culture. You’ll see a unique side of a destination and travel independently—all while saving time and money in the planning process. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. Get inspired now, book when you're ready. Peru is home to many indigenous cultures, each having their own unique expressions of dance—but if we had to recommend, It’s essentially a dance battle between teams, often from different villages, meant to show off athletic prowess and musical ability all while the dancers wield a pair of scissor-like rods in their right hands. Valley, the Amazon is a place where you can sleep,,... 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