Hello, my Wonder friends, how have you been? As Winter approaches the Southern Hemisphere, many travelers are flocking to South America to enjoy the cool climate and explore its many wonders.
One of my favorite South American countries to visit is Peru, and here is an article in which I will share my 5 Must-See Destinations of Peru for you to include in your next visit.
I hope your hiking boots are ready because we’re going to be doing a lot of hiking and urban exploring, my wonder friends, enjoy!
Machu Picchu, Wonder of the World
Yup. Let’s get the big one out of the way. You know this is the one you came to Peru for. The one and only Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
What can I say about Machu Picchu that hasn’t been said before? It’s truly one of the most breathtaking monuments to the ingenuity of mankind. Imagining the ancient Incas carrying the materials to build a city nestled atop the high-altitude mountains is a testament to humanity’s ability to find a way.
But contrary to popular belief, Machu Picchu isn’t located next to Cuzco, and you’ll have to plan at least 2 days to get from Cuzco to Machu Picchu and back, so bear this in mind when planning your Peru Itinerary.
Tip of Wonders: Making a reservation for Machu Picchu well in advance, as well as transportation to get there (read more on this in next month’s article), is highly advised.
The most important thing? Make a reservation to climb Huayna Picchu, the big mountain that is in the backdrop of every single Machu Picchu photo. You’ll love the view from the top!
The Colorful Rainbow Mountain
After Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, known as Vinicunca or Winikunka, is next on the list for one of Peru’s Must-See Destinations. Located 2 hours away from Cuzco, it is one of the most popular daytrips for those seeking outdoor adventures and friendly llamas.
Its distinct seven colors are formed due to the mineralogic compositions of the slopes, and they make for the perfect destination for photography lovers, even more so when you add the friendly locals and their llamas that you’ll find at the top selling souvenirs.
The hike from the base to the top of Rainbow Mountain shouldn’t take you over 90 minutes, and it is relatively easy as long as you are in good physical condition and don’t suffer from altitude sickness. I know you can do it, my wonderful friends!
Tip of Wonders: Public transportation to Vinicunca is unreliable, so your alternatives to get there are either via a Day Tour from Cuzco or as part of a bigger tour of Peru, such as the Peru Luxury Tours offered by Peru Grand Travel. They are a reputable tour operator who offers Peru Travel Packages along the best places of Peru, such as Huaraz, Lima, Paracas, Ica, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno, and Cusco, including Machu Picchu Travel Packages.
I recommend you to spend a few days in Cuzco getting acclimatized to the altitude since Rainbow Mountain’s elevation of 5,036 metres (16,522 ft) above sea level is even higher than Machu Picchu, so there is a risk of feeling altitude sickness.
The Mystical Floating Islands of Lake Titicaca
Considered the highest altitude navigable lake in the entire world, Lake Titicaca sits at an elevation of 3,812 meters above sea level and is home to the Uro people, an indigenous people of Peru and Bolivia who live on reed-made islands.
To visit Lake Titicaca is to immerse yourself in a new world, the world of the Uros. Luckily, you can not only explore the reed islands and take a ride on their reed boats, but you can also book a homestay to spend the night on one of the many islands of the lake to enjoy traditional food and hospitality.
And if you’re also visiting Bolivia next, don’t forget to visit Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), located in the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca. You’ll love hiking it and befriending the cute llamas that call it their home!
Tip of Wonders: The closest city to Lake Titicaca is Puno, located 5 hours away from Arequipa and 7 hours away from Cuzco, making it the perfect place to spend a few days either after or before visiting Machu Picchu.
Lake Titicaca’s altitude is greater than Cuzco’s, so you need to take it slow so you can acclimatize properly to the weather. Take it easy and enjoy the many wonders that the floating islands of the Uros have to offer, my friends!
Colca Canyon, Nest of the Condors
Located near Arequipa, Peru’s 2nd most populated city after Lima, Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world with a depth of 1000 – 2000 m (3300 – 6600 ft), and is home to the condor, the largest flying land bird in the Western Hemisphere.
If you’re lucky, you can watch condors up close in their natural habitat without even needing binoculars or zoom lenses! They’re so used to flying up and down the Colca Canyon that all you need is patience, and you’ll be rewarded with watching condors fly right above you.
And while you’re there, be sure to visit the nearby towns to buy textiles and souvenirs crafted by Peruvian artisans. If you’re headed towards Peru’s coldest regions, you’ll need a warm poncho, my friends!
Tip of Wonders: While it’s possible to explore the Colca Canyon as a day trip from Arequipa, I recommend the longer tour that has you hike down to the bottom of the canyon, spend a night with a local community, and then hike up at dawn.
When I last visited Peru, I went with Peru Hop (read more about it in next month’s article) and together with a very cool crew, we backpacked up and down Colca Canyon. It was such a cool team bonding experience, and the friendships made lasted forever!
The Wildlife of the Peruvian Amazon
Did you know that over 60% of Peruvian territory is covered by the Amazonian rainforest? Yes, believe it or not, Peru is mostly forests and not mountains.
Peru is also the nation with the largest number of bird species in the entire world, and number 3rd when it comes to animals, including the capybara that everyone loves. How cool is that?
Visiting the Peruvian Amazon is the best way to end any trip to Peru, and it shouldn’t be missed for anything in the world. You’ll love it!
Tip of Wonders: Iquitos is the most popular access point to the Peruvian Amazon, but it’s not the only one. My friend Jess from A Passion and a Passport recently visited Puerto Maldonado to explore the Peruvian Amazon, and she loved it.
In any case, please be sure to be up to date with your yellow fever and malaria vaccinations before visiting the Peruvian Amazon. And please, don’t touch the wild animals! Respect their ecosystem and they’ll respect you.
I hope you have enjoyed this article about the 5 Must-See Destinations in Peru. Don’t forget to subscribe to get more awesome updates and tips straight to your email!
Have you ever been to Peru? Would you like to? What were your favorite Destinations in Peru? Share your thoughts and let me know what you think!
Until next time, my friends!
