Peru Off The Beaten Path
PeruFor every destination that you could name in Peru, there are ten more that you've never even heard of. These off the beaten path destinations offer all of the majesty and wonder of famous places like Machu Picchu and Cusco with half the crowds. Untouched jungle, empty beaches, and quaint, quiet towns await those who step off the gringo trail.
Discover the cloud forests of Moyobamba, unwind on the laid-back beaches of Punta Sal, meet the artisans of the Mantaro Valley, and explore the first Andean cities of ancient Calca.
Off the beaten path destinations in Peru may be set in isolated locations and have more rustic hotel options, but are always worth the journey. As such, they align well with curious and adventurous travelers.
Peru Highlights
A curated look at the best Peru has to offer. These are the destinations that consistently stand out — places with real character, great experiences, and something worth going out of your way for.
Paracas
The word Paracas means "rain of sand," named after the sandstorms found in this coastal part of Peru. Hidden beneath the sand is a rich history that merits The Paracas National Reserve, a marine wildlife and historical destination.
Explore DestinationPuerto Maldonado
Puerto Maldonado is a small town in the southern Peruvian Amazon that’s just a half-hour plane ride from Cusco. The nearby lodges offer travelers an accessible and affordable experience in the Amazon.
Explore DestinationNazca
The south coast of Peru was home to extraordinary pre-Columbian civilizations, including the Nazca, who are best remembered for their cryptic geoglyphs: huge line pictures of animals, etched across 190 square miles (500 sq km) of desolate desert land. The Nazca lines can be seen via a plane tour, or in part from nearby hills.
Explore DestinationChivay
Chivay, a traditional market town set in a picturesque patchwork of agricultural farmlands, constitutes the main hub of the Colca Valley. Chivay acts as a gateway for exploring the beautiful Colca Canyon.
Explore DestinationChiclayo
Chiclayo is located in a green valley along Peru's North Coast. It provides respite from the arid coast and is well known for its historical sites, agriculture, and high-quality restaurants.
Explore DestinationHuaraz
Huaraz offers travelers a true Andean experience in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca. It has a vibrant city center, traditional culture, and an absolutely gorgeous setting.
Explore DestinationTrujillo
Trujillo is a sunny and well-preserved city that boasts a large central plaza and beautiful colonial architecture. Its hidden chapels, inner gardens, and various plazas provide a great canvas for photographers and travelers interested in Peru’s colonial past.
Explore DestinationChachapoyas
The indigenous population of the city of Chachapoyas has a reputation for being some of the most friendly and hospitable people in Peru. While in Chachapoyas, which is famous for its cloud forests, visitors can delve into the rich history of the “cloud people,” including visits to an immense stone ruin known as the “Machu Picchu of the North,” and also see some of the most impressive mummies in Peru.
Explore DestinationHuánuco
Huánuco is a midsize town located in the Huallaga Valley. It provides travelers with a good place to stay while en route towards destinations in the Amazon Basin.
Explore DestinationTarapoto
Tarapoto is a large town in Peru’s Northern Highlands. Tarapoto acts as a gateway to the northeastern high jungle and is a short, one-hour flight from Lima. This area has good food, lovely landscapes, and unique birds.
Explore DestinationCasma
Casma is a small and unassuming town in Peru’s North Coast region. The archeological sites of Sechín and Las Aldas are close by.
Explore DestinationPisco
Situated on the western coast of Peru’s lowlands, Pisco started out as a fishing village. Nowadays, it’s best known for its vineyards, growing the grapes that make up the main ingredient in pisco, Peru’s famous grape brandy. Peruvians have strict rules when it comes to the harvest of grapes and the preparation of the liquor. Pisco is a cherished recipe, and has become increasingly popular all over the world. If you want to sample the national beverage, get it from the source. Pisco is also a perfect base camp for exploring the nearby Paracas National Reserve, and its stunning variety of birds and other animals.
Explore DestinationCalca
Located on the northern tip of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Calca offers pristine hikes and opportunities for mountain biking through an ancient valley. Calca is a great place to get an idea of what indigenous Andean cities would have looked like before the Spanish arrived. There are two main plazas in the center of town, a traditional feature of Inca city planning – cities planned by the Spanish typically have only one plaza.
Explore DestinationHuancayo
Huancayo is a midsize town situated in Peru’s Mantaro Valley. The town itself is fairly nondescript, but it provides travelers with wonderful access to the cultural and naturally impressive Mantaro Valley.
Explore DestinationPunta Sal
Punta Sal is a laid-back beach along Peru’s North Coast. The beach is lovely and peppered with a few resorts, but not much else.
Explore DestinationFeatured Peru Trips
Browse our handpicked selection of Peru itineraries, each crafted by local experts who know the country inside out. Whether you're after adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, we have a trip tailored for you.
A Family Wild at Heart
Explore some of Peru’s most exciting destinations when you and your family enjoy delicious cuisine, stunning scenery, and bucket list-worthy sites.
A Family Journey of a Lifetime
Anywhere made this so easy! No glitches in our travels at all. From the hike to Machu Picchu to speeding through sand dunes in a buggy, the entire experience was out of this world.
The Heart of The Incas
Trips like this don't cross your path every day. To get to the heart of Incan culture, you should taste their food, walk in their footsteps, and touch the sky.
Culinary Curiosity in Peru
Savor the Peru in all its glory with a combination of culinary and outdoor adventures. This tasty trip for two is just the vacation you need.
Wow, We Did it!
Excellent coordination and very helpful staff throughout the trip. Sara is the boss...she has good command of all aspects of our trip and provided the necessary help & support ...right from planning stage to boarding our flight back to US.
Peruvian Highlights for One
Take yourself to a whirlwind adventure through one of South America’s most vibrant countries with this ‘best of’ expedition through Peru.
Our Quest for Peruvian Adventures
The three of us have been dreaming about this trip for a long time. Everything was well arranged. We just had to be dressed, wait for our ride, and enjoy.
Romantic Journey to Machu Picchu
Peru is a beautiful country and we’re blown away by all the things we’ve seen. We were caught completely by surprise by the breathtaking coastline views.
The VIP Experience in Peru
I really could not be happier. The Anywhere Team made me feel like a VIP my entire time in Peru. The hotels were very nice & safe. The food was fantastic. Transportation was smooth, nice trains, safe airlines. I recommend Peru to all travelers!
We Conquered Huayna Picchu
This was a very personal experience and Anywhere.com does an amazing job of having agents who are cultured and/or very familiar with the country to which you wish to visit. This allows the agent to listen to what you want to experience and then match you up with the right outfitter, vendor, excursion group, etc...I felt like Sara Nizama truly listened to my wants/needs and made them a reality. I am so happy with my Peru experience, thanks to Sara and her team. I want to go back soon and explore more of Peru with the help of Sara and her team. Thank you!
Insider-led Peru Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Get StartedPrivate drivers; English-speaking available.
Avoid the crowds in private day tours.
Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.
Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.
24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.
Insider-led Peru Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
Real Voices, Real Benefits
We believe travel is more than ticking destinations off a list – it's about discovering new places deeply, feeling connected wherever you go, and knowing you have a trusted team of local experts behind you every step of the way.
