What should i do in peru

Walking through the grid pattern of streets, the houses and shops almost seem to sparkle in the sun. The architecture is mostly Spanish colonial and you can see the best examples around the central Plaza de Armas, with the cathedral, porticoes, and other neoclassical buildings. Arequipa has been named a World Heritage Site because of the colonial architecture here. You could also take this good guided tour of Arequipa to get a better understanding of the city centre and outskirts.

Many people pass through Arequipa on their way to Puno and the famous Lake Titicaca , which is another another one of the best things to do in Peru. But Arequipa is also good base to take some trips to the natural wonders just on its doorstep.

Visiting the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve takes you on a journey through almost metres of altitude. There are high imposing volcanoes, dry desert-like landscapes, expansive grasslands with local animals, and wetlands full of birds.

One of the main features for visitors are the strange rock shapes that have been created by wind erosion and now form a maze of paths through small canyons, across cliff tops, and around natural sculptures.

Most people who visit the reserve do so as part of a tour to Colca Canyon, and I would recommend this trip from Arequipa. Centuries ago, this was at the heart of the Incan agricultural industry. Terraces carved into the canyon were used to grow food that was then sent across the vast distances to feed the great empire. Different crops were planted at different altitudes, depending on where they would grow best. One of the main attractions when you visit Colca Canyon are the Andean condors, which emerge from their nests and glide above the canyon looking for food near the Cruz del Condor lookout.

Although some people do a trip here just to see the condors and then leave again, I would recommend you spend longer even overnight at Colca Canyon. There are good tours that leave from Arequipa that will arrange everything for you, such as this one , or this one that offers a transfer to Puno. The Nazca Lines are enormous markings made in the desert. Some are just straight lines or geometric shapes, but others are recognisable as animals like a spider, a monkey, a hummingbird.

The largest figures about about metres long. You can book this one in advance. Rather than just rush through, I would also recommend a side trip to the Chauchilla Cemetery , which is about 25 kilometres away from the town of Nazca.

In the excavated graves, archaeologists have found skeletons, some still with clothes and hair. Huacachina is a small village set around an oasis that offers adventures in the sand dunes — dune buggies and sand boarding, for instance.

Or you can do it as a day trip from Lima. Expect wide-screen landscapes, llama-dotted plains and valleys dotted with Adobe villages. The spectacled bear is the only species of bear in South America and one of the best known creatures of the tropical Andes. Paddington , arguably the most famous bear in the world, is a spectacled bear, famously coming from darkest Peru.

Those keen to meet his cousins, should head to the Chaparri Conservation Area. A community-owned and managed reserve, Chaparri Conservation Area covers a pristine area of grassy hills and vertical rock walls and studded with trees and cacti. A minute drive from Chiclayo, it boasts a wild population of threatened species including the spectacled bear, as well as a rescue centre for bears and other animals confiscated from illegal captivity.

Team Wanderlust 28 July 16 things you must do in Peru As Peru celebrates its th anniversary of independence from Spain on 28 July, we reveal the best experiences you can have there, from hiking to Machu Picchu to seeing rainbow mountains. Explore the real Amazon. Macaws in the Peruvian Amazon Shutterstock.

Find a way to Machu Picchu. Llamas at Machu Picchu Dreamstime. Eat adventurously. Crocodile head with sausage, Amazon market, Peru Dreamstime. Get the most out of Lima. Spend a day with the Condors. Condors soar in the sky at Colca Canyon, Peru Dreamstime. Hike and climb every mountain. San Antonio Pass, Huayhuash trek Dreamstime. Discover another side of Cusco. Get your head in the clouds. Cliff with Sarcophagi near Chachapoyas, Peru Dreamstime. Read between the Nazca lines.

Aerial view of the Hummingbird Geoglyph Shutterstock. White water raft on the mighty Rio Apurimac. Rio Apurimac Shutterstock. Celebrate the spectacular Inti Raymi Festival. Festival of Inti Raymi being celebrated at the Sacsayhuaman Shutterstock. Meet the mummies of Arequipa.

Called the next Machu Picchu, the pre-Incan wall settlement was built by the Chachapoyas culture in the 6th century AD. Though still relatively untouched, access to the fortress has been made easier in recent with the completion of a cable car route. Visit its partially restored Palacio Nik An complex to see spacious plazas and storerooms, intricate building designs and an elaborate royal burial chamber. Visit town square Plaza de Armas, check out ancient archaeological sites and wander neighbourhoods San Blas, Lucrepata and San Cristobal.

But while the traditional route, the Inca Trail, is often flooded with tourists, alternative treks Lares, Salkantay and Choquequirao are not. Consider setting aside three to four days to try those instead. The cocktail is typically made using Peruvian pisco, lime juice, syrup, egg white and Angostura bitters. The best way to fully appreciate them is from the sky. Board a flight from Pisco, Nazca or Inca and glimpse some of the most well known from the collection like the hummingbird, dog and tree.

Book a day trip here from Cusco, about three hours away, or hire a taxi and visit on your own. Be prepared for a strenuous hike to the top. While in Lima, also enrol in a cooking class and learn to make traditional Peruvian dishes. Wild camping is allowed here and allows for an even more special experience. Set up camp near herds of cows and donkeys and fall asleep to the sound of streaming river water. Photo by Lazy Dog Inn. Also known as the Mountain of Seven Colors, as well as Vinicunca in Quechua, Rainbow Mountain sits at a whopping 15, ft above sea level but is still an awesome thing to do on your Peru trip.

Once covered by snow and unknown to the population until , this geographical wonder now attracts about a third of the number of visitors as Machu Picchu. The minerals and sediments in the rock and soil have created a multi-colored landscape that makes for incredible photos. Tip: Hike to Rainbow Mountain on your last full day in Cusco instead of at the beginning of your trip. Rainbow Mountain is striped with maroon, yellow, and green colored sediments.

Photo by Brian Jeffery Beggerly on Flickr. The Huacachina Oasis is an adventure-seekers paradise. We recommend that you opt for the afternoon tour for this one because the sunset over the undulating desert landscape is spectacular. The distance between Huacachina and Lima is only miles, or a 5-hour bus ride, making it the perfect quick side-trip from Lima. Tip: Make sure to book all adventure activities with a reputable provider! Huacachina Oasis is a lush green lagoon surrounded by ft sand dunes in southern Peru.

The Paracas National Reserve and the nearby Ballestas Islands are considered to be one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world. Home to species of birds, 16 types of mammals—including the easily spotted sealion—and almost species of fish! For anyone who loves animals and nature, boat rides, or a couple of days to slow down during their Peru vacation, we think checking out Paracas is a must for your Peru trip!

Tip: Opt for a morning tour of the Islas Ballestas for a smoother boat ride and a greater chance of animal activity in the mornings. Ballestas Islands or Islas Ballestas in Paracas, Peru are home to many creatures including sea lions. Lima is famous for its food and of all the things to do in Peru, eating is 1! One of the best things to do while traveling is to get the most bang for your converted buck, and Peru is perfect for that! Check off eating at a Michelin rated restaurant from your bucket list because it is absolutely something you can do on your Peru vacation!

Tip: Reserve online with your credit card well in advance as reservations tend to fill up several months in advance! Expertly made Nikkei food can be enjoyed at the 3 Michelin-star rated restaurant Maido in Lima, Peru. Photo by Cathrine Lindblom Gunasekara on Flickr. The citadel is often covered by clouds in the morning and will clear up in the afternoon. Huayna Picchu ruins are an additional set of ruins located next to Machu Picchu mountain.

Dotted throughout the modern city of Lima are immense huacas, or pre-Incan temples. However, we recommend that you opt for a later tour and stay for dinner.

Be sure to request a seat out on the terrace, because this historical landmark in Lima is illuminated at night making for an incredible backdrop to your meal. Huaca Pucllana is a famous landmark in Lima that can be viewed and enjoyed from the restaurant.

Photo by Huaca Pucllana Restaurant. For those easily spooked, duck out early and head to the nearby Churros San Francisco for some of the best churros of your life! One of the spookier things to do in Peru is visit the San Francisco Catacombs in Lima to see the artfully arranged bones. Mancora, Peru is the go-to place for beach lovers because it draws in surfers, those looking for relaxation, and those looking for new and unique travel experiences like swimming with sea turtles!

Looking for things to do besides surfing?