Peru is a fascinating destination due to its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, ancient Inca ruins like Machu Picchu, the historic city of Cusco, the vast Amazon rainforest, the enigmatic Nazca Lines, and a vibrant food scene in Lima, offering something for every type of traveler; from adventure seekers to history buffs and nature lovers.

The main mountain range in South America, the Andes Mountains, run along the western coast of the continent, stretching from Venezuela in the north to the southern tip of Chile and Argentina. The Andes mountains run through the middle of Peru, from north to south. The high attitude of Andes and heavy rainfalls in Amazon create many rivers feeding into Amazon. They are the predominant source of sediments and mineral nutrients to the river’s main stem, and Andean tributaries form productive corridors extending across the vast Amazonian lowlands.

Key attractions of Peru:

Ancient Inca Ruins: Machu Picchu, the iconic Inca citadel, considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is a major draw for its stunning mountaintop location and impressive architecture.

Cusco: The former Inca capital, offering a blend of colonial architecture and indigenous culture, with easy access to nearby archaeological sites.

Amazon Rainforest: Explore the diverse ecosystems of the Amazon jungle, with opportunities for wildlife viewing and indigenous community visits.

Lake Titicaca: The high-altitude lake straddling the border with Bolivia, known for its floating islands and unique culture.

Nazca Lines: Mysterious geoglyphs etched into the desert, visible only from the air.

Lima: A vibrant capital city with a thriving culinary scene, colonial architecture, and coastal attractions.

Diverse Landscapes: Peru boasts a range of environments from the Andes mountains to the desert coast and lush rainforest.

Lake Titicaca

I started my Peru trip by flying into Lima. My first stop was Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest lake navigable to large vessels, lying at 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) above sea level in the Andes Mountains of South America, sits on the border between Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east. It is a good place to acclimate to high altitude before my Inca trail hike. Puno is a city on the edge of Lake Titicaca. The nearest airport is at Juliaca, one hour from Puno by car. An one and half hour flight took me from Lima to Juliaca where a taxi was waiting for me.

The Uros people live on Lake Titicaca on the “Floating Islands” which are small, human-made islands constructed by the Uros people from layers of cut totora, a thick, buoyant sedge that grows abundantly in the shallows of Lake Titicaca. The Uros harvest the sedges that naturally grow on the lake’s banks to make the islands by continuously adding sedges to the surface. Uros also built Reeds Boats with totora. I booked one of the lodges on the “Floating Islands”. My taxi driver brought me to meet the owner of the lodge who was waiting on a boat at Puno. A quick twenty minutes boat ride brought me to the lodge. It is a serene experience to watch sunrise and sunset on Lake Titicaca!

The owner of the lodge took me on a short boat tour around Uros Islands and saw the Uros community from water. I didn’t do any physical activities at such a high attitude location. There were a family from Netherland Kayaking on the Lake. Seems one of the kids had some issues breathing after 30 min kayaking.

Cusco

I took the PeruRail Titicaca Train from Puno to Cusco. This train is one of top train travel experience in the world. Embarking on an unforgettable journey aboard the Titicaca train, traversing the breathtaking Majesty of the Andes landscapes between Cusco and Puno is an unforgettable experience. Over the course of eight hours, I crossed the towering Peruvian Andes, reaching the former Inca capital: Cusco. The train cart has observation dome and car. A delicious breakfast was serviced soon after boarding. After breakfast, it is time for the show! A vibrant showcase of traditional music and dances from the highlands was performed live on board. The show was extremely good with participation from follow passengers. Lunch was a three course gourmet indulgence. Every dish is carefully crafted to showcase the most authentic favors of Peruvian cuisine. Afternoon has more Peruvian music and a comforting afternoon tea. If you ever visit the area, this train experience is definitely worth taking.

Cusco is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Sacred Valley of the Andes mountain range. The city is the seventh most populous in Peru; in 2017, it had a population of 428,450. Its elevation is around 3,400 m (11,200 ft). Cusco is actually higher then Machu Picchu. Many people stay in Cusco sight-seeing for a few days and get acclimated to high altitude before hiking the Inca Trail or taking PeruRail train to Machu Picchu.

The city was the capital of the Inca Empire until the 16th-century Spanish conquest. In 1983, Cusco was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO with the title “City of Cusco”. It has become a major tourist destination, hosting over 2 million visitors a year and providing passage to numerous Incan ruins, such as Machu Picchu, one of the Seven modern wonders of the world and others. Since Cusco has been inhabited for thousands of years, there are many interesting sights. One can easily spent a week, at least 3 days, just for Cusco sights.

I first visited Sacsayhuaman, a walled complex outside Cusco. The Killke people, occupied the region from 900 to 1200 CE, constructed the fortress about 1100 CE prior to the arrival of the Inca in the 13th century. The Inca later expanded and occupied the complex in the 13th century. There are ruins of an ancient temple, roadway and aqueduct system at Saksaywaman. The temple covers some 2,700 square feet and contains 11 rooms thought to have held idols and mummies, establishing its religious purpose. This indicates a longtime religious as well as military use of the facility.

The Cathedral of Cusco or Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption is the main temple of the city of Cusco, and houses the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Cusco. It is located in the Plaza de Armas at the center of Cusco.

Qorikancha, “The Golden Temple”, was the most important temple in the Inca Empire. Most of the temple was destroyed after the 16th-century war with the Spanish conquistadors. The Spanish settlers took it apart to build their own churches and residences. Much of its stonework was used as the foundation for the seventeenth-century Santo Domingo Convent.

A narrow valley in the Andes of Peru, north of the Inca capital of Cusco is called The Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stretching from Pisac to Ollantaytambo, this fertile valley is irrigated by the Urubamba River. The Chanapata civilization first utilized this area starting at around 800 BCE because of its rich soil used for agriculture. The Qotacalla civilization lived in the Sacred Valley from 500 to 900 CE. The Killke civilization then flourished in the Sacred Valley from 900 until it was absorbed to the Incan Empire in 1420. The Incan Empire ruled this area for little more than 100 years until the arrival of the Spanish. All these civilizations left a rich collection of archaeological sites. Today the valley is still rich in agriculture and farming, with many modern towns.

Sacred Valley has many villages and towns, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, and Chinchero, each with its unique attractions. The ancient Inca archaeological site at Pisac perched high above town is well worth the visit.  The train station in Ollantaytambo is an important transit point for travelers taking the train to Machu Picchu. The ancient salt mine at Moray located near the village of Maras is a popular destination on Sacred Valley tours.

Machu Picchu

The undisputed number one attraction of Peru is Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru on a mountain ridge at 7,970 ft. Often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, it is the most familiar icon of the Inca Empire . It is located 80 kilometers northwest of the city of Cusco . The leading theory is that Machu Picchu was a private city for Incan royalty. The names of the buildings, their supposed uses, and their inhabitants, are the product of modern archaeologists based on physical evidence, including tombs at the site. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls . Its three primary structures are the Temple of the Sun , the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Intihuatana .

There are a couple of ways to reach Machu Picchu. One is to follow the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu which is a hiking trail that terminates at Machu Picchu. It consists of three overlapping trails: Mollepata, Classic, and One Day.

Mollepata is the longest of the three routes with the highest mountain pass and intersects with the Classic route before crossing Warmiwañusqa. Located in the Andes mountain range, the trail passes through several types of Andean environments including cloud forest and alpine tundra. Settlements, tunnels, and many Incan ruins are located along the trail before ending the terminus at the Sun Gate on Machu Picchu mountain. The two longer routes require an ascent to beyond 4,200 metres (13,800 ft) above sea level, which can result in altitude sickness. Mollepata trail is a 7-day trekking. The “Classic Inca Trail” starts from one of two points: 88 km (55 miles) or 82 km (51 miles) from Cusco on the Urubamba River at approximately 2,800 metres (9,200 ft) or 2,600 metres (8,500 ft) elevation, respectively. Trekkers normally take four or five days to complete. The One Day trail starts from Km 104. Because of its popularity, the Peruvian Government instituted controls to reduce human impact on the Inca Trail and the ancient city. Anyone wishing to hike the trail must get a permit beforehand.

I did the one day hike. First I took a train ride to the Km 104. The train stops for a few minutes to unload people doing the hike. I highly recommend to book an organized hike. The tour company will prebook the permit for you. It is also safer to hike with a guide as you will hike at a high attitude. The guide can help you in case of emergency. The hike is 8-9 hours long. The hike is very nice with beautiful sceneries. There are also beautiful Inca ruins, The Wiñay Wayna ruins, on the Inca Trail that are located before Machu Picchu. The hike is tough. Bring at least half gallon of water with you. At the end of hike, you enter through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu. There are two circuits at Machu Picchu, Circuit 2, also known as the Classic Route, and Circuit 1, also known as the Panoramic Route. The Classic Route is the most popular and recommended circuit, and it allows visitors to explore 80% of the Machu Picchu Citadel. It includes access to the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Sacred Rock, and the classic photo spot below the House of the Guardian. It takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Circuit 1: Panoramic Route takes visitors to the Machu Picchu Mountain, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the citadel and its surroundings. It also includes the classic photo spot at the Casa del Guardian sector. It takes about 3 hours to complete. The two circuits require two different permits. I did both circuits. They provide different sceneries.

The other option is to take a PeruRail train. The train route to Machu Picchu connects Cusco to the town of Aguas Calientes. Most of people departs from train station at Ollantaytambo. You either take a taxi from Cusco to Ollantaytambo or join an organized tour. The tour company will include the transportation from Cusco to Ollantaytambo in the tour package. Once you get off the train at Aguas Calientes, you take a bus to the Machu Picchu citadel, which takes about 25 minutes. On my way back, I did the train route.

There are several other mountains worth visiting besides Machu Picchu. I climbed up the Huayna Picchu which was very challenging. But the view on the top is magnificent.

Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon rainforest is a moist broadleaf tropical rainforest in the Amazon biome that covers most of the Amazon basin of South America. This region includes territory belonging to nine nations. The majority of the forest, 60%, is in Brazil, followed by Peru with 13%, and Colombia with 10%. There are many ways to experience Amazon, on boat cruising through the rainforest, or staying in a town then taking day trips, etc. Peruvian Amazon and Ecuador Amazon can be experienced intimately as the rivers are narrower in upper Amazonian regions.

I did a six day tour of Manu Biosphere Reserve which is a sprawling national park just outside of Cusco. Manu Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning Andean highlands, cloud forest and lowland jungle. It’s known for its rich biodiversity, notably hundreds of bird species, including macaws, which feed at clay licks at sites such as Blanquillo. Boats run along the Manu River, past dense Amazonian jungle that is home to jaguars, black caimans and spider monkeys. I saw hundreds of wildlife every day. It is the best experience I have ever had.

I flied to Puerto Maldonado from Cusco. One unique attraction of this place is the Collpa Chuncho – Macaw Clay Lick. Every morning, thousands of macaws come to Collpa Chuncho to eat clay because it is rich in sodium and acts as a natural detox. They eat clay from the exposed river banks to neutralize the toxins produced in their bodies. It is beneficial and taken as a supplement for the better health of macaws. I took the Tambopata 3 Days 2 nights with Chuncho Macaws clay lick by JunglePro. JunglePro has its own lodge in the rainforest, Finca Sachavacayoc. There are hundreds of monkeys on the lodge ground. The tour covers most of Tambopata National Reserve. They run a full river journey to the biggest Chuncho Macaws Clay Lick to observe Macaw Lick. They took you to the remotest Sachavacayoc Lake, the always surprising pristine Condenado Lake, and of course the popular Sandoval Lake depending how many days you chosen.

Back to Lima, the Capital of Peru, many sights, attractions, and activities are awaiting you. Lima has a rich collection of museums. The leading museum is Larco Museum, a privately owned museum of pre-Columbian art. The museum is housed in an 18th-century vice-royal building. It showcases chronological galleries that provide a thorough overview of 5,000 years of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Museo Oro del, the Gold Museum, is a Peruvian archeology and war museum. It houses over 7,000 gold artifacts belonging to pre-Columbian cultures and made out of precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum, in addition to multiple textiles, ceramics, mummies and other valuables. Four pre-Incan cultures are featured in the collection: Vicus, Moche, Sican and Chimu. Additionally, items belonging to the Inca Empire are also featured.

Lima also has a nice central square, Parque del Amor, with many colonial buildings, together with some colorful neighborhoods like Miraflores and Barranco. There are a couple of Inca ruins inside the city promise, Archaeological Sanctuary of Pachacamac, if you don’t to venture out of the city. Caral, The Oldest Civilization of America, is two hours outside of the city. Venturing outside to the desert, you will find Huacachina Oasis. To the ocean, you will find Ballestas Islands and Paracas Reserve.

Much to my surprise, Lima has a thriving culinary scene. “Central”, voted the #1 Best Restaurant in the World, features a menu took form that takes diners through myriad different Peruvian ecosystems, categorised by altitude – from below sea level in the Pacific Ocean to the high peaks of the Andes. Each dish reflects the origin of its ingredients, from Dry Valley (shrimp, loche squash, avocado) to Amazonian Water (pacu fish, watermelon and coca leaf). Other top restaurants are Maido (#5) and Mayta. Maido has a Japan meets Peru fusion menu. Another interesting activity is Dinner Show and Peruvian Dance and Paso Horses, which showcases the dances from three regions from Peru, Andes, Amazon and Coast regions.

Before heading home, pay a visit to mysterious Nazca Lines. The Nazca lines are a group of over 700 geoglyphs made in the soil of the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were created between 500 BC and 500 AD by people making depressions or shallow incisions in the desert floor, removing pebbles and leaving different-colored dirt exposed.  The lines depict a variety of subjects, including animals, plants, flowers, and geometric shapes. Some of the animals include monkeys, hummingbirds, lizards, pelicans, and even a killer whale. There are many theories about the purpose of the Nazca Lines, including religious use, encouraging rainfall, or as an astronomical calendar. However, no theory has been proven. You can take a day tour to Nazca Lines from Lima.