Top 15 Things to Do in Peru: Unmissable Experiences & Tours

Best Things to Do in Peru | Expert Travel Guide by Tierras Vivas

Like most travelers, Machu Picchu was the reason we came. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World — it was never going to be easy to skip.

The Inca Trail challenged us in all the right ways, and arriving at the lost city after days of trekking felt like something out of a story. Completely worth it.

What we didn't expect was everything else. Peru kept revealing itself long after Machu Picchu: ruins tucked into hillsides, villages where ancient traditions are still very much alive, festivals, boat trips, moments that had nothing to do with any itinerary. Come for the citadel. Stay for the rest.

Peru has much more to offer than just Machu Picchu!

Experience the Inca Quarry Trek

The next oldest route is the Inca Quarry Trail, which offers an alternative to the popular Inca Trail and provides stunning views of Machu Picchu. Cachicata is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This trek leads through the Huaro Condor terraces, a waterfall, Inca ruins and terraces, and Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), which is part of the original Inca Trail. There are also quarries along the way. As you trek, you can enjoy the scenery of the surrounding Andean highlands. Later, you will visit the Ollantaytambo archaeological site before taking a train to Aguas Calientes, a town with hot springs. On the last day, you will visit the Lost Inca City of Machu Picchu.

Hike the Colca Canyon in Arequipa

If you are visiting the Colca Canyon, be careful not to get lost in its spectacular surroundings. Although the walls are not as vertical or dramatic, it is three times as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States. The Colca River descends from 3,500 metres above sea level to 2,200 metres at Chivay and Cabanaconde. The canyon is also home to the rare Andean condor, a huge bird with the largest wingspan of any land bird. It usually flies at an altitude of 3,200 metres.

Multi-day tours and sightseeing trips to the 'White City' of Arequipa, the second-largest city in the country, are available to book. A trail leads you through the 4,900-metre-high Misti volcano 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, which is known for its natural hot springs and the wonderful views that visitors love.

Take a tour of the floating islands on Lake Titicaca in Puno

Not only is it the largest lake in South America, it is also the highest navigable lake in the world! The air is magically clean, and dazzling sunlight bathes the Altiplano highlands on the lake's surface, where flashes of deep water can be seen. The horizons stretch almost indefinitely! Here, ancient burial towers and crumbling colonial churches can be seen. The floating islands are home to the Uros tribe, an ancient pre-Inca civilisation.

The port of Puno is the perfect place to start a visit to the remote islands of Lake Titicaca, which were formed artificially from reeds and have been home to the Uros people for centuries. Walking across the floating islands gives us an insight into the lives of these indigenous people. It feels strange the first time you enter an island made of reeds, handmade by its inhabitants. 

The best way to travel to Puno is by bus from Cusco (assuming you want to visit after exploring Machu Picchu), or from Arequipa. There is no need to make reservations in advance, as day boat trips to the floating islands can easily be booked on the day.

Inca Trail Trek

The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most famous Machu Picchu hike and one of the most popular treks on the planet! Discover some of the most pristine landscapes in Peru and experience a journey through the Andes to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Hike along the classic trail, passing through high mountain passes, highland meadows and tropical cloud forests. This four-day trek ends with an entrance to the Inca sanctuary through the famous Sun Gate ('Inti Punku' in the native Quechua language). Join the many adventurers from around the world who have successfully completed this moderate-to-difficult four-day hike to Machu Picchu!

Enjoy the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, passing many archaeological sites along the way, and connect with Mother Earth ('Pachamama' in Quechua), surrounded by snow-capped mountains, mountain rivers and an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. This four-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 alternative treks on the Inca Trail, due to the wide diversity of flora and ecosystems it offers. It gives you access to an Inca site located on top of a mountain, right in front of Machu Picchu Mountain. The trail finally leads you to Aguas Calientes, located at the foot of the historical and archaeological site of Machu Picchu. There, you can catch an early bus uphill to see the sunrise and avoid the crowds while touring Machu Picchu with one of our knowledgeable English-speaking tour guides.

Discover the Machu Picchu of northern Peru: Kuelap and Chachapoyas.

The Kuelap citadel, located in the highland jungle, was built by the Chachapoyas culture 1,000 years before Machu Picchu! Because of its size, it is known as the Machu Picchu of Northern Peru. It has the potential to become the country's second most important tourist destination!

Climbing in Huaraz

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

River Rafting

The best white-water rafting opportunities can be found near Cusco, Arequipa and Tarapoto, or in the Apurimac Canyon on the wild Apurimac River! Before each tour, you will receive a safety briefing and be provided with modern rafting equipment. Peru offers diverse rapid classes to suit every skill level!

Jungle Lodges

There are plenty of eco-lodges in the Peruvian part of the Amazon rainforest, one of the world's most diverse ecosystems and often referred to as the 'Lungs of the World'. From there, you can search for a variety of rainforest animals, such as giant river otters, black caimans, snakes, pumas, monkeys, capybaras, sloths and a wide range of birds and fish. The area is also home to the largest number of plant species, as well as over 500 hundred-year-old trees!

Islas Ballestas

The islands are known as the 'Galapagos of the Poor' because the entrance fee and tours cost a fraction of the price of those in the Galapagos, yet you can find almost the same fauna there! The islands are home to sea lions, Humboldt penguins, cormorants, gulls and many other species of marine bird. Take a boat tour to see the Candelabro, a huge petroglyph on the nearby shore!

Ayahuasca or San Pedro Ceremony

Take part in a shamanic ceremony and investigate one of the hallucinogenic potions used by Amazonian shamans for centuries!

Flying over the Nazca Lines

The Nazca Lines are a series of enormous petroglyphs created by the ancient pre-Incan Nazca culture. The petroglyphs, which depict a monkey, spider, hands, orca, fish, fisherman, shark and lizard, as well as many geometric lines, are located in a desert near the town of Nazca and cover many square miles. The best way to appreciate the Nazca Lines is to take a flight on a small aircraft.

Mountain Biking

This sport is becoming increasingly popular in many areas of the country! Why not try cycling along the coastline near Lima, among the archaeological sites near Cusco, or in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?

Sandboarding

This is a popular activity in the desert oasis of Huacachina, near the city of Ica! Try riding the sand dunes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Tasting Wine and Pisco in Ica

Head to Ica to experience Peru's largest vineyards! Sample the Fond du Cave and a variety of pisco drinks at Ocucaje's modern facilities. You can also visit some rustic, smaller vineyards and distilleries that have used the same methods since colonial times.

Language Schools and Volunteering

If you want to learn a new skill or language or help people in need, there are plenty of opportunities in Peru! To find the best ones, try contacting a language school or voluntary organisation in Cusco, Huancayo, Lima, Cajamarca or Huaraz.

Surfing the Longest Waves

Peru offers some of the best surfing opportunities around! You can try this popular coastal sport either close to Lima's beaches, which are a bit crowded, or in Huanchaco, a beach just a few minutes away from Trujillo. Even better, take a trip to Chicama to surf the world's longest left-breaking wave!