Mar 2026
South America · Peru
South America
Peru
Peru has enough gems to keep even the most restless traveler interested for weeks on end. It's also one of the most diverse countries ecologically with more than 10 biomes including coastal desert, mountain valleys, and tropical rainforest.
Top Locations
Machu Picchu: The crown jewel of Peru, if not the entire continent of South America. It's one of the 7 New Wonders of the World and the reason millions of tourists each year flock to Peru. In my opinion, it's absolutely worth the hype. I also highly recommend hiking in this region, whether that's the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trail, or one of the alternatives. There are shorter options to hike sections of these trails if you're strapped for time.
Cusco & the Sacred Valley: Cusco was the Incan capital and the heart of the empire. Nowadays, it hosts a blend of Incan and Spanish colonial architecture. The Sacred Valley is a cultural hotspot in Peru, with traditional villages showcasing ancient traditions. A highlight is a visit to Sacsayhuamán, where giant boulders weighing over 100 tons are precisely placed to fit together so tightly that no mortar was needed.
The Amazon Rainforest: Peru contains 13% of the Amazon Rainforest within its borders. There are three primary access points: Manu National Park and Puerto Maldonado in the South and Iquitos in the North.
Rainbow Mountain(s): Vinicunca earned the nickname Rainbow Mountain due to its colorful stripes (naturally colored mineral layers). It's an incredible sight to see but not for the faint of heart as it sits at 17,000 feet of elevation. Later, other "Rainbow Mountains" were discovered nearby, including Palccoyo and Pallay Punchu.
Huacachina: Peru's desert oasis. Perfect for sandboarding or gazing up at the stars.
Lima: A world class culinary destination. Be sure to try the Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese fusion) cuisine and the ceviche while you're here.
Paracas: Where the desert meets the ocean and the gateway to nearby Ballestas Islands, where you can find sea lions, penguins, and massive bird colonies.
Arequipa: A beautiful colonial city with a volcanic backdrop. It's also the resting place for Juanita, a perfectly preserved Incan girl who was sacrificed over 500 years ago on Mount Ampato.
Colca Canyon: One of the world's deepest canyons, at nearly twice the depth of the USA's Grand Canyon. Colca Canyon is well known for its population of condors.
Cordillera Huayhuash: A spectacular mountain range that's considered off the beaten path for Peru.
Recommended Reading
My favorite non-fiction book of all time is Kim MacQuarrie's The Last Days of the Incas I raved about it to my dad and he read and enjoyed it as well. It gives such great context about the Inca's fight against the Spanish and is truly such an unbelievable story. It's the perfect read before a trip to Peru.
I also read Mark Adam's Turn Right at Machu Picchu It was good, but I much preferred The Last Days of the Incas. It's a completely different vibe though, and if you're looking for something lighter, this is a good pick.
Altitude Warning
Peru is a high altitude destination, with Cusco at 11,000 feet above sea level and Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) as high as 17,000 feet above sea level. I highly recommend getting a prescription for Acetazolamide to help with the side effects of altitude sickness. I can't emphasize this enough, especially if you plan to visit Rainbow Mountain.
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Roundups and multi-destination stories that include Peru.
