Don’t get me wrong, I loved Machu Picchu. It made our time in Peru unforgettable and quite the experience.
But it wasn’t all Machu Picchu during our Time in Peru. There is so much more that tourists can see and do to get the best experience from Peru.
Flying, train rides, taxi and collectivos make getting around Peru very easy, but not quick. With the Andes and miles of mountains it will take longer to get from point A to point B, but take in the views, natural beauty and weather that Peru has to offer during your time in Peru.
What to do in Peru:
White Water Rafting on the Urubamba River
Urubamba River is one of the most popular rivers in Peru. It is able to produce class level rapids from III to V, but one of the best things is the vast landscape that surrounds the river. Adventure seekers only, rafting is safe but there are chances a person may fall out of the raft.
- TripAdvisor has many rafting tours with great reviews and I highly suggest doing this with a tour for safety reasons.
Rainbow Mountains
The name is pretty self explanatory. The Rainbow Mountains are situated in the Cusco Region, 5,200 miles above sea level and located in the Andes. Miles of vast colors, in the sandy mountains, make for a great view for the day.
- Tourist can get to Rainbow Mountain by taxi or join a tour found on TripAdvisor.
Sand boarding in Huacachina
Huacachina is a small village in Ica Province and 5km from the city of Ica. It is surrounded by sand dunes that are several hundred feet high and a natural small lake in the center. The lake area is called the “oasis of America”. Huacachina is a tourist hub for the desert sand, sand boarding and dune buggies. This is one adventure to not miss out on, check out the “need to knows” of Huacachina!
- Sand boarding and Sand Buggy tours can be booked at TripAdvisor and it is not advised to go out into the desert by yourself at night.
Amazon Forest
With two entrances, Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado, the Amazon Forest is a must visit while in Peru. The Amazon forest has high temperatures, high humidity but great biodiversity. Due to this, Peruvians are found not to live in this area which makes it greatly untouched.
- Once getting to the two main towns, tourist can book a tour on arrival or Glamp in the Peruvian Amazon.
Lake Titicaca Floating Islands
Lake Titicaca is a large deep lake, largest lake in Southern America by volume of water and surface area. The biggest Peruvian city near by is Puno, located on the western banks. It is in Puno that tourist can take boats to the manmade islands of Lake Titicaca. These manmade islands are constructed by the Uros people that cut totora, a thick buoyant reed, to help make the islands float on the lake.
- Locals can take tourists in a boat upon arrival or book on TripAdvisor before your arrival.
Ballestas Islands
Ballestas Islands, sometimes called Poor Man Galapagos, are small islands on the south coast of Peru near Paracas. The islands are composed mainly of rock formations and are an important sanctuary for marine fauna. Notable species include; guanay guano bird. the blue footed booby, tendril, Humboldt penguins and two varieties of seals. While on the way out to the islands it is possible to see dolphins as well. Only access to the islands are by tour boats lasting around 2 hours.
- Tours booked on TripAdvisor come with hotel pick up in many locations.
Nazca Lines
Nazca Lines are a series of large ancient geoglyphs seen in the Nazca Desert. Peruvians believe the lines were created by the Nazca culture between 500 BC and 500 AD. Between the towns of Nazca and Palpa, the Nazca Lines were designated UNESCO Whole Heritage Site in 1994. The largest figures are up to 370 m long and are geometric shapes, zoomorphic designs of animals and phytomorphic shapes. The best way to see these ancient designs is by a helicopter tour, but tourist can also see them on foothills and other nearby high places.
- Tourists may book tours at TripAdvisor before their arrival or they may take a taxi out to higher land or foothills to see the Nazca Lines.
Explore Lima
Lima is a huge city, 9.75 million people to be exact, and this city has so much to offer; food, cultural tours, surfing, and specialty neighborhoods. Barranco is a neighborhood with a big park and a lot of bars, while Miraflores has the seaside Mall and corporate businesses. Lima isn’t just a gateway to Machu Picchu or other activities, it has so much to offer and will take a few days to see it all.
- Lima has a huge airport to fly into.
Explore the Sacred Valley
Many believe Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley are the same thing. But the Sacred Valley has so many sites to see and an area not to miss. Going with a tour or by yourself, you won’t be disappointed.
