From one of the 'New Seven Wonders of The World' to Amazon adventures, Peru has amazing sights every traveller should see. Make the most of your time in Peru when you add these cities to your list.

Explore the jungles of the Amazon from Iquitos, admire the views and culture of Arequipa. See beautiful places and enjoy exciting activities such as hiking, archeology, marine tours, and a whole lot of good food. This is the best of Peru, and you don't want to miss a thing!

Top Destinations

Hikers rejoice! Peru's mountains offer gorgeous sweeping landscapes, hidden pools of vibrant water, and amazing adventures. Go on multi-day hikes, soak tired muscles in hot springs, support indigenous communities at colourful markets, and more.

How diverse can your adventures be within Peru's mountain cities? Chachapoyas is a friendly town with cloud forests, mummies, and vibrant skies. The historically important town of Cajamarca boasts lovely architecture, great stories, and a delightful manjar blanco (caramel). That's just two destinations…

Mountains

Peru's coast is vibrant, varied, and anything but boring. The cities are lovely and lively, and activities can range from kayaking to jet-skiing and nature walks to exploring ancient ruins. Get ready to leave your footprints and take amazing memories...  

Enjoy beaches, mangroves, and nature reserves from the comfort of Tumbes. Visit Casma, the coastal town that's more of a desert, but still a thriving agricultural region. Take a swim within the calm waters of the crescent-shaped Punta Sal.

There's no need to choose — nature, city amenities, and outdoor attractions are waiting for you in Peru's coastal cities.

Coast

Peru adventures come in all shapes and sizes, from an afternoon bicycle tour to an entire week of trekking in the Andes. 

The wild Peruvian coast offers surfing lessons and boat tours. The Andes Mountains offer the extremes with high altitude treks, rock-climbing, and whitewater rafting. And the Amazon Jungle provides adventures into the unknown with nighttime nature walks and zip lining above the forest canopy.

Adventure

Peru's natural beauty is one of its biggest draws, with some of the country's best destinations situated in well-protected nature reserves. Wild coastline, dense jungle, and magnificent mountains all find space in this corner of South America.

Head to the Amazon for wildlife spotting, to the mighty Andes mountains for awe-inspiring views and memorable trekking, and to the charming high-altitude villages surrounding Lake Titicaca to meet the locals.

Nature

When it comes to leisure travel, Peru does rest and relaxation very well. From the city to the jungle and up into the mountains, there's a boutique hotel or ecolodge ready to offer up a sundowner, a sun lounger, and a spa treatment or two.

Imagine settling into a cosy sofa, with a pisco sour in hand, and people watching on the cobblestone streets of Cusco. Or, dream of swinging in a hammock with only the sounds of the jungle for company in the depths of the Amazon rainforest. Even with the epic views and adventures, these are the Peru moments you'll miss the most.

Rest & Relaxation

The roads to Machu Picchu, Puno, and Iquitos may be well-trodden, but that doesn't mean there aren't other paths to explore. Step off the gringo trail in Peru, and you can still explore ancient Inca history, the mighty Amazon jungle, and top beach destinations — without the crowds. 

The ancient Calca valley, the cultural city of Chachapoyas, and the coastal nature reserve of Paracas are just a few of the highlights in off the beaten path Peru.

Off The Beaten Path

Traveler's in Peru are often surprised by the diversity of foods and ingredients on offer in Peru's restaurants, markets, and local homes. With influences from Europe, Asia, and Africa, there are plenty of new tastes to discover in Peru.

Cities like Lima offer everything from fine-dining to streetside snacks, coastal destinations like Chiclayo boast the freshest seafood around, and the remote mountains and jungles provide home-cooked comfort food after days of adventure.

Culinary

Peru offers a unique opportunity to engage in a spiritual journey influenced by ancient culture and traditions, as well as numerous spiritual sites across the country. 

From shamanic ceremonies in the Amazon Jungle to yoga retreats in the mountains of the Andes. Explore towering cathedrals within the heart of the city and the ancient temple ruins of long-forgotten religions. Peru's spiritual destinations offer education and experience for the curious traveler.

Peru Spiritual Journey

Peru's beach destinations are famous for their surfing, but often hook people in with their relaxing vibes, super fresh seafood, and stunning sunsets. If you are looking for a classic beach vacation with a lot of 'extracurricular activities' to choose from, then Peru is a great choice!

Start your beach hopping in Lima and work your way up the North Coast, making stops in cities, towns, and tiny fishing villages along the way. Don't miss out on hot spots like Mancora and Paracas.

Beaches

The Peruvian Amazon covers more than half of the entire country and is one of the best places in the country to truly escape into nature. From your base in either Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado, take a journey into the rainforest and meet some of the incredible animals who call this place home.

These destinations also offer a chance to try out some sustainable accommodations, by staying in a remote jungle ecolodge.

Rainforests

Located between the coast and the jungle, at the edge of the towering Andes, the northern highlands are home to Peru's cloud forests. A unique habitat resulting from the near-constant presence of water, these areas are full of life and biodiversity.

Tarapoto, Chachapoyas, and Moyobamba are all worthy destinations to visit the cloud forests of Peru and offer plenty of unique activities and attractions too.

Cloud Forests

Amongst Peru's many magnificent mountains, you can find a volcano or two. As if the Andes could get any better? With fewer crowds than in neighboring nations, Peru's volcanoes are definitely worth a visit and boast all kinds of adventures. 

Volcano hiking, geothermal pool bathing, and awe-inspiring vistas await those who journey to Peru's volcanoes.

Volcanoes

Two of Peru's most spectacular waterfalls are an easy day trip from two top destinations: Chachapoyas and Aguas Calientes. The former is the Gocta Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the world, located in the cloud forests of the upper Amazon Basin. The latter are the Mandor Falls, just a short hike from Aguas Calientes, the launching point for Machu Picchu.

Waterfalls

The most famous of all Peru's lakes is magnificent Lake Titicaca. A place surrounded by mountains and dotted with islands, each with their own unique character. Learn the legends of the lake and the stories of the local islanders, and remember the region's beauty for a long time to come. If you visit just one lake in Peru, this surely must be it.

Lakes

When you think of Peru, you probably imagine the Andean Mountain Range and must-see archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu. However, Peru's long, dramatic coastline also hosts stellar surf spots. In fact, it may just have some of the best surf in South America. 

You can start your Peru surf tour straight away in Lima, then head north to the surf and party mecca of Mancora, dipping your toes and board into each stretch of ocean along the way.

Surfing

Step onto the cobblestone streets of Cusco or into a grand square in Lima, and you'll instantly understand the charm of Peruvian cities. The whisper of history lives on in the colonial architecture and the modern pulse of the day-to-day runs through the overflowing restaurants and lively bars. 

When you are done with the fast-paced city life, head into some of Peru's most beautiful natural destinations nearby. These Peru cities are travel hubs and worthy destinations in their own right.

Cities

Peru's nightlife offers something for everyone, from an evening stroll in a city park to dancing until sunrise in the capital's most prestigious clubs. Don't forget to try the local speciality Pisco Sour!

Live music and dancing feature in all kinds of nightlife rituals across the country. Whether you are enjoying homemade liquor and traditional instruments in Lake Titicaca or dancing in an underground reggaeton club in the city, the nightlife in Peru always has a local flavour!

Nightlife

Peru's colonial history is evident in the architecture and street design of many of its major cities and towns. From the giant cathedrals of Lima to the charming squares of smaller towns like Chincha, there's plenty to see for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts. 

Dig deeper into the history behind these architectural artefacts by hiring a tour guide or visiting one of the national museums.

Colonial

Airports in Peru range from huge international flight hubs like Lima to tiny landing strips in the middle of the jungle. Reaching many of the countries more remote regions may require flying to one of the latter airports, and you can also fly internationally from Cusco, in the southeastern Andes.

Airports

Lima

Huaraz

Huánuco

Arequipa

Chivay

Puno

Tumbes

Mancora

Piura

Chiclayo

Casma

Trujillo

Cajamarca

Chachapoyas

Tarapoto

Iquitos

Puerto Maldonado

Aguas Calientes

Cusco

Ollantaytambo

Urubamba

The Sacred Valley

Nazca

Paracas

Pisco

Travel Guide to South America - Ica, Peru

Chincha

Southern Highlands

Central Coast

High Plains

Amazon Basin

South Coast

Sacred Valley

Peru is a vast and varied country — the landscape includes mighty rivers, dense jungles, and tall mountains. Adventure tours take advantage of these natural features. On one of these tours, you might go mountain biking in the Andes or rafting in the Sacred Valley. Adventure tours are led by professional guides who prioritze safety and minimize risk. These tours are fun and suitable for people of all ages and abilities.

The Peruvian landscape is varied and includes notable features like the Andes Mountains, Amazon Jungle and Lake Titicaca, as well as lesser-known (but no less impressive) deserts, plains, and coastal areas. All sorts of micro- and macroclimates exist here, supporting an assortment of plants and animals. These tours allow you to experience nature in Peru. Tour options include bird watching, fresh water fishing, hiking, marine mammal observation, and more...

Peru's coastline extends for 1,500 miles (2,414 km) along the Pacific Ocean. There are beaches to explore, islands to visit, and more than a handful of places to get wet. Marine tours offer travelers a way to experience the ocean in Peru — these tours include snorkeling, scuba diving, sea kayaking, sport fishing, and marine mammal observation. While on one of these tours, you'll visit beautiful oceanic environments and have the opportunity to spot marine animals.

Marine

Ancient Inca pyramids. World class museums. Indigenous villages. Peru's cultural offerings are wonderful and widespread, and these tours will introduce you to some of the top attractions in this category. Guides lead the tours and provide participants with a wealth of knowledge and information.