If you’ve not yet visited Peru most likely, you’ve only heard about Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Although Machu Picchu as well as the Incas are among the most famous aspects of Peru There are many other reasons to go to Peru.
As one of the largest nations of South America, Peru’s landscape is varied. To the East, there is the stunning Amazon Rainforest that is the home of indigenous tribes and distinct species of wildlife. In the west, the Andean Mountains split the nation in two and beckoning hikers of all levels to climb them. at the Western Pacific Coast, pristine beaches and marine life are the main attractions.
The reasons to visit Peru
The Peru tour guide divided into two sections, the first , are the incredible reasons outlined by living out Lau and the second part is details and tips for travelers. Peru is such a vast country that it will take multiple trips to get to know the entirety. When you visit Peru ensure that you travel for a long time from the jungles, to the deserts and mountains to the ocean since, in a nutshell Peru is a place that has everything. Are you eager to discover Peru? Let’s go.
1. Discover Machu Picchu
Let’s talk about that elephant at: the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Machu Picchu is the biggest tourist attraction in Peru and attracts over 1 million tourists every year. Apart from being among the Seven Wonders of the World It is also a current UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As you may have guessed, Machu Picchu is a citadel constructed in the Incas in the 15th century. But, it was demolished during the 16th century, after the Spanish conquistadors arrived to Peru. There is no clear reason for what the reason was for why Machu Picchu was abandoned, however, many experts believe the Inca inhabitants from Machu Picchu went to aid in the war against the Spanish.
The Incas were ultimately defeated which is why Machu Picchu was abandoned. But what is what makes Machu Picchu so unique when it is compared to different Inca settlements is the fact that Machu Picchu was never discovered by the Spaniards.
It was perched over high on the Andes Mountain above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu was almost unnoticed to anyone except the people living there. Machu Picchu came to light many years later exactly the way it was discovered (minus the tiny amount of weathering) which makes it among the most preserved Inca ruin sites on Earth.
2. Visit the Capital of the Inca
Cusco was the capital city of the ancient in Cusco, which was the capital city of Inca empire Cusco has to be one of the most appealing reasons to visit Peru. The city’s historic center Cusco is preserved with its original Inca beauty. As a matter of fact, a lot of the first Inca structures can still be found in Cusco and offer visitors an opportunity to see the amazing techniques employed to construct the Incas.
The most well-known Inca site located in Cusco is Qorichancha that translates to”the Golden Temple in Quechua, the native language of the Incas. It was the center of religion of the Incas in which they could worship one of the most revered important gods that was Inti the Inca sun god.
Two kilometers away from the central square in the historic center, visitors can discover the Sacsayhuaman Inca ruin, which is among the many fortresses that are located in Cusco. The high hill Inca Citadel is perched on an incline, it was among the most impressive citadels that were built in the past, particularly when you consider how more than 100 tons of huge stone were transported without technology. The citadel has panoramic perspectives across Cusco and the magnificent Andean mountain ranges.
Beware of the altitudes when you visit Cusco. It is located at 3,400m high It is an altitude which can quickly cause altitude sickness. We suggest choosing among the accommodations in Cusco with oxygen enrichment!
3. Savour some of Best food in The World
One of the most compelling reasons to travel to Peru is its cuisine and cuisine, particularly if you’re an avid foodie. Since Peru offers a vast array of landscapes, it’s in a position to access a vast selection of fresh ingredients. In addition to hundreds of years of culinary excellence, Peru is home to some of the finest cuisines anywhere in the world.
The most important city in Peru, Lima, is often voted the gastronomic capital city of Latin America. Lima hosts two of top 50 restaurants in world, Central as well as Maido.
Cusco is also among the top destinations to taste traditional Peruvian food. Here you can taste cuy (guinea pig) is a delicacy from the past that was once the primary source of protein for people living in the villages of Cusco’s Andean Mountains.
One of the best meals that you can try when visiting Peru can be Peruvian ceviche (not to be confused with regular ceviche) it is ceviche is the main dish in Peru. Ceviche is a food composed of raw fish that has been marinated in strong Peruvian limes. Limes are so strong that they kill all bacteria in the fish, effectively “cooking” this dish. It’s a meal that lets the flavor of natural ingredients shine. Simple and yet robust.
4. Discover some among the Tallest Waterfalls in the World
If you imagine Peru Do soaring waterfalls pop into your head? I’m sure not. Did you have the knowledge that Peru is the home of many gigantic waterfalls like The Gocta Waterfalls?
It is believed that the Gocta Waterfalls, or Catarata de Gocta in Spanish is one of the highest waterfalls in the world with a height of 771 meters. At the time it first was discovered it was the third tallest waterfall anywhere in the world however, it’s now between the third and 16th position, dependent on the way it is measured.
The waterfall is situated within the Amazonas region of Northern Peru, the Gocta Waterfall is surrounded by mountains and the jungle, giving an incredible and breathtaking scenery.
The most appealing aspect of this waterfall Gocta Waterfall is you can walk to a variety of parts that make up the falls. The most popular is a three-hour trek beginning at Cocachimba until the base of the waterfall and you’ll be able to be awed by Nature’s power. Be sure that whatever that you carry is water-proof or won’t get injured when wet!
5. World Class Hiking
One of the top reasons to take Peru adventure tours is to explore Peru’s well-known Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This Inca Trail is an historic four-day hike that follows certain routes the Inca civilization took to travel across in the Sacred Valley.
The hike begins by taking you through the snow-capped mountains of Urubamba Range and ends in the thick clouds of Peru. Along the way, visitors will be able to explore more than five Inca ruin sites and discover the story of the most important Empire that existed in Pre-Columbian America.
The day before the final day on the last day, you can enter Machu Picchu not through the entry point, but rather by The Sun Gate. It was historically the only location where you can enter Machu Picchu, and many tourists were disqualified due to their absence of royal status.
Inca Trail is a cultural and historical adventure that is accompanied with a thrilling hiking experience and breathtaking mountain views. The uniqueness of the trail alone is reason enough to consider traveling to Peru! We do need to inform to book the Inca Trail at least 6 months prior to departure is highly advised. It is a worldwide attraction that is not to be overestimated.
When we first visited Peru We didn’t make reservations in advance, and therefore were not able to walk the Inca Trail However we did book several day trips in the Sacred Valley, including some lengthy hikes in the Sacred Valley. It was a great alternative option in comparison to the well-known hike towards Machu Picchu.
6. Get Sandboarding Huacachina
If you’re a fan of snowboarding, but you don’t enjoy the cold, one of the reasons you want to go to Peru is snowboarding in Huacachina. Huacachina is a tiny village located in the southwest part of Peru. It’s only four hours from Lima.
This village has been described as the one nature-based oasis of South America, and the tiny lake’s contrast to the dunes is what makes the scenery more stunning.
Huacachina is home to the largest dunes of sand located in South America, making it ideal for sandboarding or riding Dune Buggies. Before you go, consider whether you’d prefer to sandboard standing or sit upon your stomach. Take care when you do this because the only method to stop is by using your body to serve to act as brake.
7. Discover the Amazon Jungle
Many people travel to Peru to visit Machu Picchu as well as its amazing alpine treks But did you consider that Peru is home to more than 60 percent Amazonian forest? Within this Peruvian Amazon Forest are 3940 distinct species, as well as many indigenous tribal groups, a few of which are accessible by tourists.
The most well-known entrance into Amazon Rainforest is Iquitos located in northern Peru. There are no roads that connect Iquitos, the only method to reach Iquitos is via boat or plane. Iquitos is located next to the magnificent Amazon River, and thus allows visitors to more easily access the wonders in the Amazon.
There are tours available for visitors to take them through the different regions in the north Peruvian Amazon Rainforest, such as visiting indigenous tribes and staying at one of the lodges in the jungle, and observing the animals.
8. Meet Cute Little Fluffy Alpacas
Peru has more than 70% of the world’s population of alpaca the camelid mammal, whose habitat is that of the Andes Mountains. Alpacas are considered sacred in Inca tradition, since they believed alpacas were gifts given by Pachamama (Mother Earth).
Their fur has been considered to be considered to be one of the best sought-after textiles throughout the history of humanity. Some historians believe alpaca fur has been used as a form of currency to exchange.
Alpaca material is said to be extremely light and warm due to the hollow space within the fiber. It is also recognized as soft and water-resistant. This makes it a perfect fabric for a variety of articles of clothing. Indeed it is among the well-known souvenirs of Peru is related to alpaca products. In every shop you can find alpaca sweaters, scarves Hoodies, ponchos and much more! We own a few caps that we love from our Peru travels.
9. Rainbow Mountain
When visiting Peru making sure you take a picture of an alpaca an absolute must. You will see adorable alpacas at many of the places in Peru including Rainbow Mountain and Colca Canyon. They are even spotted along with their owner in street cobblestones in Cusco and waiting to be taken pictures (and given a tip)!
When we talk about Rainbow Mountain this colorful mountain is yet another reason to place Peru on high on your travel bucket list. It’s been as busy as Machu Picchu as well as Peru’s Sacred Valley, but you must not overlook the opportunity to visit it. There’s an entire article on how to hike and reserve the Rainbow Mountain trip – What is to expect when hiking Rainbow Mountain Peru
For those who like to try new cuisines while traveling the flavor of the alpaca’s meat will amaze you. The meat of alpacas is said to be supple and lean with a touch of sweetness. Many people like it as high-quality beef. However, just like beef, the different portions of alpaca’s meat have distinct textures and flavors and tastes, so ensure you obtain a quality cut if you choose to try them.
10. Find the Most navigable lake in the World
One of the most fascinating things about Peru can be found in Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake that is 3,812 meters high. Although it isn’t the most famous aspect, Lake Titicaca is believed to be the site of the birth of the Inca civilization.
Today, most people don’t go towards Lake Titicaca to learn about the Incas instead, they visit instead, they visit the Uros people do. Why? Why? Uros people have built more than 100 floating islands in Lake Titicaca, using only indigenous plants that grow in the lake, and all they have is their hands. Talk about sustainability and incredible engineering!
A majority of Uros residents have left the islands floating in the water, however there are still a few who live on the islands. A large island can hold up to 10 families , while the smallest one will accommodate between 2 and 3. There is even schools located on the island. How awesome is that?
If you want to know details on Lake Titicaca, the Uros people, and their importance to the culture, the tour with local guides is highly suggested. There’s numerous tours that depart from the city on the lake, Puno!
When should you visit Peru
Peru is located in Peru is located on the West Coast of South America that extends all the way from Pacific Ocean through the Andes Mountains and into the Amazon basin. It is divided by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile providing Peru an enormous landscape and climate variations.
The most popular time to travel to Peru is between the months of May through September since it’s an ideal time for every region.
The summer in Peru runs from December through March. It is the hottest time to travel, however it also is the time of rain.
The best time to visit Peru is in the winter months from May to September. It is the time when it is most humid and also the dry season.
The ideal time for conditions for a trip to Machu Picchu is from April until November. It is however crowded, and you’ll need to reserve your tickets in advance.
The Amazon Rainforest is extremely humid and hot. From May until September, it can be very humid, with temperatures that exceed 30 degrees. It’s extremely wet from the month of October until April.
The desert of Huacachina is hot and dry and is a great place to visit anytime of the year, as it doesn’t alter much.
The Andes can be extremely cold, and the coastline is prone to varying temperature and weather.
From December until March it’s a bit chilly and wet however you are still able to hike it if you wish to see fewer people.
How to get around Peru
Peru has five international airports. You will likely fly into the capital city of Peru, Lima via North America or Europe. When we were in Peru we traveled via train, bus, and even a plane. We’ve personally found each suitable for our specific requirements, but the plane was the transport of choice.
In the air Domestic flights are getting cheaper and it’s more secure and quicker to travel by plane to Lima towards Cusco as well as to the Amazon Rainforest than taking a bus journey through the Andes. There are frequent flights from Lima Airport. Lima Airport to hubs and major cities across the nation.
If you are looking for domestic airline travel, look for the majorstays of Peruvian airlines like Taca, LAN Peru, and Peruvian Airlines.
By bus – travel by bus in Peru is regarded as being dangerous and recent accidents have only added to the reputation. There are reputable bus companies alternatives with luxurious buses that are very comfortable. Make sure you choose a reliable bus company. Two excellent options for travel on buses in Peru are Cruz del Sur or Peru Hop. Bus travel is probably the cheapest method of traveling domestically in Peru however it can be unreliable.
If you travel on public transport, keep an the eye on your belongings because petty crime is commonplace at stations like train and bus stations. I would not recommend booking overnight buses since crime is more prevalent during the night. Our buses were booked for well-traveled routes in daylight hours.
On Trains: We rode the train from Aguas Calientes to see Machu Picchu and if you don’t want to hike the Inca Trail This is an ideal option to travel to Machu Picchu. Train travel isn’t the most popular mode of transport in Peru because trains must travel through the mountainous Andes Mountains but there are some routes are available if are looking to experience the trip.
Here are a few good reasons to go into Peru for 2023. We hope this guide has encouraged you to go out and discover the world!
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