Peru is an amazing country, that offers some of the worlds most impressive sights. Here’s a list of the essential things you have to see and do:
Lima: Colourful, Cosmopolitan, Colonial (And Fantastic Food)
You canāt go to Peru without visiting the countryās capital, Lima. Itās right on the sea, really beautiful, historic, and itās not called the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas for nothing! History-wise, the architecture here dates back to the 16th century. That means tons of leafy squares and stunning cathedrals in El Centro, grand lawns at Plaza Mayor, and the most amazing cobbles in the Barranco Beach district. To be honest, pinpointing the best place in Lima is pretty tough for me. I love the whole city!
If I had to pick one place though, it would be Miraflores. This seaside district is fairly upscale, but it feels laid-back. Itās got endless ceviche restaurants, bars, offbeat galleries, and little independent boutiques. Thereās a boardwalk with stunning cliff views, street performers at Kennedy Park, and a surprising amount of history at Huaca Pucllana. The ruins here date back to pre-Inca times. The whole city also has this unique buzz thatās hard to explain. From the artisan markets, art-house cinemas, and romantic parks to the nightlife, Lima is where you want to be. A stroll around San Isidroās fancy mansions is also really nice.
If youāve never tried ceviche cuisine, itās raw fish marinated in limes (and itās delicious). Lima also has its own Chinatown. Iād be doing a bad job speaking for my country if I didnāt recommend Limaās best tipple. Pisco Sours are about six times stronger than tequila so you might want to go easy, but theyāre the best cocktail around.
Iād recommend going to Lima between January and April for the best weather. The hotel Iād suggest is the Estelar Hotel in Miraflores or the Marriott in Larcomar (near Miraflores). Both have pools, although the Marriott is a bit fancier. The location for either one is brilliant, though.
Nazca: Mystery Patterns, Thermal Spas, Mummies, And Tombs
Nazca is about 500km from Peru, so easiest to fly. This region is inland. Itās all about the history, and it’s so unique. Itās also strange that nobody has any answers to the mysterious Nazca Lines. These desert-etched patterns form geometric shapes that archaeologists are still getting their heads around. Seeing them is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Most people fly over the lines. Do it, and youāll see fish and spider shapes- literally all sorts!
If youāre in Nazca, make sure to visit the desert dunes too. Cerro Blanco is actually the highest sand dune in the world. You can go dune bashing in a buggy- I did, and I definitely recommend it.
The region is also world-famous for its thermal spas. Itās home to about 500 hot springs. You can bathe in them in the full outdoors, really indulge in the wellbeing aspect, and itās a surprisingly relaxing aspect to a place most people visit with a history agenda. That part comes from the Nazca Lines, but also from tombs and real-life mummies. For this, go just outside the town to the pre-Incan Chauchilla Cemetery. The desert setting makes it really unique, but prepare to see actual skulls here!
Much like the whole of Peru, the food here is just fantastic. Barbecues here are cooked underground. Order hot-stone-cooked Pachamanca when you go. For a place to stay in Nazca, I recommend Las Dunas. Itās set in 14 hectares of greenery and the location between the Nazca Lines and Paracas Natural Reserve is perfect.
Arequipa: White Stone, Beautiful Bridges, Chocolate, And Alpaca Wool
Iāve got a lot of love for Arequipa. Surrounded by volcanoes and known for its iconic white stone, this part of Peru is a real melting pot of experiences. You can get flights direct from Lima. When I went, I visited Mirador de Yanahuaraās beautiful white archways. The panoramic viewpoints here are like nothing Iāve seen.
In terms of experiencing this town, expect authentic Peruvian tradition. The little alleys have red desert stone, the locals are wearing colourful traditional dress, and the stuff theyāre selling is the real deal. Arequipa is where you want to shop for market souvenirs and the regionās Alpaca wool. If Peruvian chocolate is something youāve eyed up in the fancy section of the supermarket, trust me. You havenāt lived until youāve tried it.
Arequipa also has the Santa Catalina monastery with tours and the townās plaza with cafes and a cathedral. The buildings have beautiful bright-blue or red paints and lovely potted flowers. If youāre in town, stop by Alpaca World to pet the animals and learn about the llamas and alpacas.
Hotels-wise, Iād recommend either El Cabildo or the Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa. Theyāre both comfortable, well-placed, and the food is great.
Cuzco/Machu Picchu: Traditional Culture And The Famous Inca Trail
Cuzco and Machu Picchu are technically two different destinations, but the first is the gateway to the second. Cuzco is mainly used to acclimatise as you go upwards towards the Inca Trail, but thereās plenty to see here. Market-filled cobbles and lively squares are bursting with tradition, and itās really nice to just watch the world go by from sunny cafes. The valley setting here is also really gorgeous.
Cuzco is where you get a real taste of local Quechua culture- from the food to the people. It doesnāt feel touristy (despite lots of people visiting it). Plaza de Armas is a stunning square which has two beautiful churches, but for something much older, take the drive out two miles to SacsayhuamĆ”n. This Inca site is crumbling, but the layout is fantastic. Other memorable moments from Cuzco for me included smoothies made by little old ladies, the daily Mercado market, and the quaint and flower-filled San Blas quarter. My top tip for a great view would be a walk up Tres Cusces. Two hotels Iād recommend for Cuzco are the Hilton Garden Inn and the Wyndham Cusco SacsayhuamĆ”n. The Hilton has lovely galleried archways with outdoor terrace seating- perfect for dinner al fresco!
If youāre in Cuzco, youāre likely gearing up for the Machu Picchu. This 26-mile Inca trail has a high altitude, although the locals have a solution. If they offer you hot coca tea, take it! The trail itself is crossed on foot, although some parts have trains. Youāre actually above the clouds here which is an amazing experience.
My Inca Trail visit made sure to tick off the major wonders. The Temple of the Sun, Royal Tomb, and Sun Gate are must-sees. The green setting of drop-down terraces is just stunning, and the backdrop peak scenery makes it such an experience. Expect a fair amount of trekking and more of a packed lunch than a fancy dining scene, but you arenāt here for Michelin-style dining. The trail is picture-perfect and utterly fascinating. No surprise why itās a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep your eyes peeled for llamas here. We often get asked about guides for anyone booking. The answer is yes- you can get local guides who know the place inside out.
Get Planning Your Peruvian Adventure
Peru is my homeland so I am slightly biased, but itās still one of my favourite places on earth. Whether youāre sampling authentic ceviche from a cafe in Lima, flying over the Nazca Lines, getting to grips with Arequipaās culture or stepping back in time on the Inca Trail, this country is unique.
So if you are considering a trip there, take a look at our Best of Peru itinerary which is quite similar to what I have shown above, it doesn’t have Nazca on there, but we can easily add that to the itinerary or make any other changes you fancy. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. Iāll be more than happy to help in any way I can, as Iād want to make sure you can get the best out of your trip.
More guides you may like
- Adventure Guides
- Peru Guides
- Guides by this author
Adventure Guides
Explore the majestic Canadian Rockies to the mind-blowing Niagara Falls, and all its vibrant cities and quaint towns.
Read MoreIn this travel guide, we'll walk you through all of our favourite must-see places in Borneo and ignite your desire to visit.
Read MoreIndia's Golden Triangle is an unforgettable introduction to the country's cultural splendour and colourful exuberance.
Read MoreWe've narrowed down the best of Thailand in to a "Top 10' list of things that you simply can't miss on your next trip.
Read MorePeru
From the soaring peaks to lush amazon jungle, every corner of South America offers epic adventures and jaw dropping scenery.
Read MoreOther Guides from this author
Why choose eShores?
One to One Service
Our experienced personal travel consultants will ensure you find the most suitable holiday, whilst taking care of every last detail. Everything from start to finish will be effortless.
100% Tailor Made
We can use any hotel, in any destination, so we will craft an itinerary to suit your exact needs. Also, as we can provide any itinerary, the only holiday we'll offer, is the one that's right for you.
Fully Protected
Our ATOL bonding provides you with the financial protection you need and as a member of the Travel Trust Association, you'll have 100% financial protection. Covering you for any eventuality.
Competitive Pricing
As a tour operator & travel agent, we'll search the market to ensure that we find you the best price. Also as an online business, we can ensure our prices are as competitive as possible.
-
Duncan
Give you exactly what you ask for!
Posted 6 days ago -
Allan
Michelle, what a star !! The first I have dealt with eShores and what a delight. Exceptional knowledge of our destination resorts, airlines and hotels. I cannot speak highly enough of such a professional setup.
Posted 1 week ago -
Anonymous
4th time using eshores and they always deliver, understanding what we're looking for and finding solutions to any difficulties
Posted 2 weeks ago -
Karen
I am very happy with the booking of our holiday. Kadie discussed with me our requirements - our preference for an airport and what sort of accommodation we would like and as far as I can tell she has followed it to the letter. We look forward to our trip in September
Posted 2 weeks ago -
Angela
Excellent Service once again from Dave at Eshores. His patience with me swopping and changing goes above and beyond. I always book with Eshores to the far east and have done several times and had Excellent holidays everytime at Excellent prices. I wouldn't book with anyone else but Dave at Eshores
Posted 2 weeks ago -
Elizabeth
Hannah and the team did an excellent job of organising our holiday in Italy, even informing us about a train strike while we there and booking us on to a coach instead. They gave us helpful directions from the airport to the hotel. The accommodation was very good with spacious rooms, delicious breakfasts and helpful receptionists giving us directions to the city centres. All in all we had a brilliant time.
Posted 3 weeks ago -
Lynwen
My travel consultant (Rachel) was so patient and understanding of my requirements and concerns. Nothing was too much trouble for her so we have our ideal package. Her knowledge of the country and local contacts were also extremely helpful. Thank you Rachel š
Posted 3 weeks ago -
CarolLynne
Michelle has been really helpful planning our trip to Australia and New Zealand . Her knowledge and advice invaluable. Iām amazed how quickly she Booked our routes and accommodation too. Feel confident we can rely on her for any further queries etc
Posted 3 weeks ago -
Andrew
Recently returned from a 17 day trip from Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam. All 7 flights and transfers were planned and executed seamlessly. The support in choosing our hotels and locations was excellent. Have just booked with EShores again for Thailand. Chris was excellent throughout
Posted 3 weeks ago -
Anonymous
Emily was a pleasure to deal with to book our holiday - friendly, efficient, called when she said she would, changed the itinerary to suit, and even gave us some helpful tips of things to do and book in advance. 10/10 so far for sure.
Posted 3 weeks ago