One of the most popular destinations for anyone visiting Peru is Machu Picchu, however, it’s not the only attraction this South American country has to offer.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t include the Inca Trail as part of your Peru tours. Make sure it’s number one on the list, but remember to include one or more of the following.
Hike the Rainbow Mountain
This journey will be a day-long trek at more than 14,000 feet, but when you get to the rainbow-colored mountain it’ll be a scene you won’t forget.
You’ll be walking along a dirt path that winds between looming green peaks and eye-catching red rock but the route is gorgeous. Along the way, you’ll also find yourself walking past local villages built from local stone and alongside glittering mountain streams.
Sacred Valley
If you haven’t got the time to visit Machu Picchu, one alternative is to see the Sacred Valley. This tourist location includes an impressive Inca City known as Ollantaytambo and it’s a great place to explore.
Dune Hiking
Did you even know that Peru has a desert? Well, it has and it’s a massive 188,700 square kilometers. While there’s nothing quite like hiking to the top of a dune to watch the sun go down, it’s also great fun riding around on a dune buggy.
The dunes in Peru are high enough to get your heart pounding. It could well be one of the most thrilling rides you’ve ever taken.
Huacachina
This is the name given to a village that’s been built around a natural lake. It also happens to be located in the middle of the desert known as the Oasis of America.
The location is very beautiful and should be added to your list of things to do in Peru. Massive dunes surround the lake and along the shoreline, there are plenty of restaurants, guesthouses, and hotels where you can relax and chill out for a while.
Sandboarding
If you prefer to explore the dunes without the help of an engine, why not try sandboarding instead? If you’re already an expert snowboarder, you’ll soon get to grips with riding the sandy waves and carving out edges.
Nazca Lines
The Nazca Lines are possibly the coolest thing you can see in Peru. To date, nobody has been able to explain these ancient geoglyphs, which makes them all the more amazing.
From the air, you can see 70 different plant and animal drawings along with hundreds of lines and other geometrical shapes. Some of the lines are 10 kilometers long and speak over hundreds of square kilometers.
A few of the most notable figures are a lizard that measures 180 meters long, a condor with a 130-meter wingspan, and several other animals including a killer whale, spider, hummingbird, and a monkey.
It is thought that these unusual lines date back to 500 BC in Nazca culture. The Lines are one of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Peru.
These intricate designs, created by primitive humans, reach 370 meters and have lasted for 2500 years.
Lake Titicaca
The picture at the top of the page is Lake Titicaca. It’s located at the border with Bolivia and is known for being the highest navigable lake in the world. It’s located at 3,812 meters in the Andes.
Apart from its height, Lake Titicaca is also somewhere where you can discover more about the culture of Peru. One memorable part of this visit is bound to be the famous floating houses.
The floating islands have been created by the Uros people out of reeds. Entire communities live their lives on the lake. As old rotting reeds float away, new reeds have to be added.
The best way to appreciate the lake is to take a boat trip to the islands and surrounding villages. While the floating islands are a popular attraction, the real charm of the area lies in the small villages lining the hills along the shores of the lake.
Paragliding Miraflores in Lima
If you’re a bit of an adrenalin junkie and are looking for something more adventurous to do, paragliding is for you. Peru is one of the easiest places to go paragliding and Lima is a city you should fly over. Walk down the cliffs at Miraflores and you’ll find plenty of guys willing to take you.
Pisco and the Ballestas Islands (Isla Ballestas)
Sometimes referred to as the “poor man’s Galapagos,” the Islas Ballestas are home to hundreds of thousands of birds, pelicans, dolphins, penguins, and large colonies of sea lions.
You can take a boat tour from Paracas and Pisco to the islands, leaving in the morning. The tour will take you past a hillside geoglyph, known as the “Candelabra.”
As you can see, there’s so much more to Peru than Machu Picchu. If you love an adventure, take a hike along the infamous Inca Trail to Machu Picchi. But don’t forget to include some of the suggestions above.
