Peru is an ancient society with thousands of years of rich history and culture. From ancient civilizations, to the Spanish conquistadors, Peru has seen it all. Its landscape varies from rich verdant forests, to deserts and mountains. Peru is a once in a lifetime travel destination, and it is recommended that any so-called traveller goes there at least once in their life. Peru is one of the safest countries in South America, and therefore the most frequently visited. With so much to do, and so much to see, you can become lost and potentially want to stay forever!
With so much to see on a trip to Peru, it can be hard to know where you should visit, and where you should not. Here are the places in Peru you absolutely need to visit!
Take a Tour
Taking a tour of Peru can be a fantastic way to see every single sight in half the time. A professional tour guide will ferry you around by bus and air, meaning you will not have to rent a car and drive, nor worry about taxis from place to place. The professionals of https://www.southamerica.travel/south-america are one such travel agency dedicated to facilitating tours around South America, and you should find one for your trip to Peru! Travelling by tour guide is a great way to see the sights.
Another way to do so is backpacking. A trend has started with many adventurers setting out on foot to traverse Peru’s diverse landscapes, and providing you stick to main roads and public routes, is a very safe way to travel. You should always check with your local consulate as to whether or not it was safe at the time in which you intend on travelling, as unfortunately, many South American countries grow very unstable, very quickly.
Visit Lima
Lima is Peru’s capital city and boasts beautiful Spanish architecture and design. There are many museums in the city, which are very popular, and feature many Incan artifacts. The Museo Larco museum has many indigenous artifacts, and beautiful verdant gardens with a delicious restaurant. Lima has many white-sanded beaches and a beautiful coastline. Lima also has an ancient clay pyramid, Huaca Pucllana, which is a very popular tourist destination, and serves as a reminder of Peru’s ancient past. Lima is a very safe city, but as with anywhere in South America, you should keep your money fastened in a zipped bag to your stomach. Pickpockets are out there.
Visit Cusco
Cusco is an ancient Incan city, designed with traditional Incan architecture, and colonial architecture. It is a must-see destination whenever you visit Peru. It has a very European feel to it, and the city itself is one of the most romantic in South America. The Inkaterra La Casona is one of the absolute must-see places, and you should stay there if you can. It is a 16th century house converted into a hotel. Much like Lima, watch out for pickpockets and do not carry big amounts of cash around on you, and if you do, do not display them openly.
The Rainbow Mountain
The Rainbow Mountain is on the outskirts of Cusco, the last city mentioned. It is a very popular tourist destination. The Rainbow Mountain is called that because, well, the mountain looks like a rainbow! Vertical shades of different colors run up the rock face. The mountain’s distinct coloration was formed from years of weathering and mineralogy. Up until 2015, the rainbow mountain did not exist, but as snow began to melt, the mountain’s hidden beauty was revealed for all to enjoy.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a 14th century Incan settlement atop a mountain. It is a beautiful example of Incan architecture, and one of the most visited sites in Peru. It boasts a temple dedicated to worshiping the sun. It is a fantastic and beautiful place you will likely never forget visiting. It was built for a king and is commonly confused with ‘The Lost City of The Incas’ as it was completely unknown up until 1911. It was known locally, however, but for some reason the conquistadors never found it, and it was abandoned shortly after being built. Machu Picchu is a breathtakingly beautiful Incan settlement. To truly experience Machu Picchu, one should take the Incan trail up the mountain. To avoid altitude sickness, you should stay in a village halfway up the mountain for a few days until you adjust, then walk to the top.
Now you know the best places to visit in Peru. Peru is a vast, stunning country, with a hugely diverse climate. You can find some of the most beautiful ancient sights in South America on its rocky and rugged plateau. A visit to Peru will never be forgotten. Peru is indeed one of the best places to visit for tourists. When you go there, you can also buy a Peruvian chullo for a souvenir. Find out more about this in our article, What’s the Story Behind Peru’s Iconic Chullo Hats?