Things to Do in Peru

Things to Do in Peru | Things to see in Peru

As Operator Travel Agency is the first to admit that the main reason we visited Peru was experiencing the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. After all, this is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and has become one of the most renowned tourist attractions on Earth!

Trekking challenges have become great unforgettable experiences of wandering along the legendary Inca Trail to the lost city of the Incas.  

We have no doubt that Machu Picchu has all the glory rightfully, but there is much more to Peru and you will see other archeological sites, ruins, villages, customs, festivals, tourism, boating, etc.

Peru Offers Much More than Just Machu Picchu!

Experience the Inca Quarry Trek

The next oldest point is via Inca Quarry near Machu Picchu, which is an alternative path and an attractive route to the busy Inca Trail. Cachicata is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This trek leads through the terraces of Huaro Condor, waterfall, Inca ruins, terraces, Inti Punku (Sun Gate), a part of the original Inca trail, as well as quarries. On the trek, you can enjoy observing the nature of the Andean highlands that surround it. Later on, you continue by visiting the Ollantaytambo archeological site to later take a train to Aguas Calientes, a town with hot springs. On the last day, you visit the Lost Inca City - Machu Picchu.

Hike the Colca Canyon in Arequipa

If you are a visitor to the Colca Canyon, you must be careful not to get lost in the spectacular scenery that surrounds it. It is three times as deep as the Grand Canyon of the States, although the walls are not as vertical or dramatic! The Colca River descends from 3,500 meters above sea level to 2,200 meters in Chivay, Cabanaconde. The canyon is also known for being home to the rare Andean Condor, a huge bird with the largest wingspan of any land bird, which usually flies at an altitude of 3,200 meters.

You can book multi-day tours and/or sightseeing trips to the "White City" of Arequipa, being the second-largest city in the country. There is a trail take leads you through the remarkable Misti volcano of 4,900 meters a.s.l., before descending into the lush impressive Colca Valley below. You can see mountain villages there, but the most popular place is the town of Chivay, known for its natural hot springs and wonderful views that every visitor admires.

Touring the Floating Islands on Lake Titicaca at Puno

It boasts the title of the largest lake in South America and also the highest navigable lake in the world! The air is magically clean and the dazzling sunlight bathes the highlands of the Altiplano on the surface of the lake, where we can see flashes of deep water. Horizons stretch almost indefinitely! Ancient burial towers can be seen here as well as crumbling colonial churches. The floating islands are home to the Uros tribe, an ancient pre-Inca civilization.

The port of Puno is an ideal starting point to visit the faraway islands across Lake Titicaca formed artificially of reeds where Uros people lived for centuries. Walking the floating islands invites us to see the interesting lives of the aboriginal people's perspective. It feels strange for the first time to enter an island consisting of reeds, handmade by its inhabitants. 

The best way to travel to Pune is by bus from Cusco (assuming you want to visit it after exploring Machu Picchu) or from Arequipa. There is no need to make reservations in advance, as it is easy to book day boat trips to the floating islands of the lake.

Inca Trail Trek

The Classic Inca Trail To Machu Picchu is the most famous and popular Machu Picchu hike and even one of the most favorite treks on the planet!!! Discover one of the most pristine Peruvian landscapes and experience an Andean journey to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Hike the Classic Inca Trail leading through high mountain passes, highland meadows, and tropical cloud forests. This 4-day trek to Machu Picchu ends up entering the Inca sanctuary through the famous Sun Gate ("Inti Punku" in Quechua native language). Be one of the many adventurers from around the world, who has successfully done this moderate to difficult Machu Picchu 4 day hike!

Enjoy the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with many archaeological Inca sites along the way and travel completely in touch with Mother Earth ("Pachamama" in Quechua) revealing to you its surrounding snow-peaked mountains, mountain rivers, and amazing diversity of flora and fauna. This 4 day Inca Trail hike is absolutely stunning!! Join the group and tie up your shoes!!

Exploring Deep Peru: Salkantay Trek

This is one of the most interesting and important Inca Trail Alternative Treks you can make, due to its wide diversity of flora and ecosystems. It gives you access to an Inca site laid on top of a mountain and just in front of the back of the Machu Pichu Mountain. The trail finally gets you to Aguas Calientes located at the foot of the historical and archeological site of Machu Picchu, where we board an early bus uphill to see the sunshine and avoid crowds whilst touring Machu Picchu with one of our English speaking and knowledgeable Tour Guide.

Discover the Machu Picchu of the Northern Peru: Kuelap & Chachapoyas

This highland jungle citadel Kuelap was built by the Chachapoyas culture 1,000 years before Machu Picchu was built! For its enormousness is called Machu Picchu of Northern Peru. Indeed it has the potential to become the second most important tourist destination of the country!!!

Climbing in Huaraz

Join an ice-climbing expedition to see some of the most beautiful peaks in the world such as Huascaran or Alpamayo, or just go for a day-climb, for example, to the stunning Lake 69! All of these sites are placed in the Huascaran National Park and belongs to the Cordillera Blanca!

River Rafting

You find the best white river rafting opportunities near Cusco, Arequipa, Tarapoto, or in the Apurimac Canyon when rafting the wild Apurimac River! Before each rafting tour, you are always given an instruction talk and provided with modern rafting equipment. In Peru, you can find diverse rapid classes that suit every skill level!

Jungle Lodges

There are loads of eco-lodges situated in the Peruvian part of the Amazon Rainforest, the world´s most diverse eco-system called the "Lungs of the World". From there, you can search for many rainforest animals such as the Giant river otters, black caimans, snakes, pumas, monkeys, capybaras, sloths, a huge number of birds and fishes, etc. You also find here the biggest number of plant species along with over 500 hundred-year-old trees!!

Islas Ballestas

The islands are called the "Galapagos of the Poors" as its entrance fee and tours are not even a fraction of Galapago's prices while you can find there almost the same fauna! The islands are home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, cormorants, gulls, and a big number of other marine birds. Take a boat tour there to see the Candelabro, a huge petroglyph on a nearby shore!

Ayahuasca or San Pedro Ceremony

Participate in a shamanic ceremony by investigating one of the country's hallucinogenic potions that have been used by Amazonian shamans for centuries!

Flying over the Nazca Lines

Nazca Lines is a set of enormous petroglyphs created by ancient pre-Incan Nazca culture! The petroglyphs, which display a monkey, spider, hands, orca, fish, fisherman, shark, lizard, many geometric lines, etc., are located in a desert near the town of Nazca covering many square miles! To fully appreciate the Nazca Lines, you need to take a flight on a tiny aircraft.

Mountain Biking

This sport takes off in many areas of the country! Try to bike around the coast-line near Lima, among Cusco's archaeological sites, or in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Sandboarding

This is a favorite activity when in the desert oasis of Huacachina near Ica city! Try giving a ride on sand dunes as this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Tasting Wine and Pisco in Ica

Head for Ica to get a taste of Peru's largest vineyards! Sample the Fond du Cave and a variety of Pisco drinks at the modern facilities of Ocucaje. You can also visit some of the rustic smaller vineyards and distilleries using unchanged methods since Colonial times.

Language Schools and Volunteering

Whether you like to learn a new skill, a new language, or just want to help people in need, there are many options in Peru! For the best of them, try to contact a language school or voluntary organization in Cusco, Huancayo, Lima, Cajamarca, or Huaraz.

Surfing the Longest Waves

Peru can offer one of the best surfing opportunities! You can give a try to this most popular coast sport either close to Lima's beaches (a bit crowded though) or better in Huanchaco, a beach just a few minutes faraway from Trujillo. Or even better, make a trip to Chicama for the world's longest left-breaking wave!