Peru

One of the most cosmopolitan cities on its continent, the Miraflores neighborhood in Peru’s capital of Lima is a hub for city walking with its parks, artisanal craft vendors, and acclaimed cuisine. The narrow streets of Cusco, Peru’s famous mountain city, are also great to stroll. In addition to these cities, Peru has an abundance of pre-Incan treasures which are fascinating to explore. These ruins include the ancient Chimor city of Chan Chan, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chavin de Huantar, and the walled city of Kuelap.

It’s important to remember that the sun is strong in Peru, both in the Andes and the desert, so it’s a good idea to bring sunscreen. Though Miraflores in Lima is generally safe, there is occasional pickpocketing in Lima and Cusco, so if you’re concerned it may be a good idea to buy a secure belt to keep your money in.

There are countless treks in the mountains of Peru, the most famous being the Inca trail. It is 26 miles through fantastic cloud forests and awe-inspiring Incan ruins leading to the famous lost city, Machu Picchu. The trail takes a total of 4 days and is generally timed so that you arrive at the monumental Machu Picchu near sunrise. It’s important to note that this trail is closed for cleanup during February, and that you must book pretty far in advance and obtain a permit for the trek.

If that seems like too much bureaucracy, there are some great alternatives to the Inca Trail. The 5-day Salkantay trek is a less crowded journey that also ends in the famous city of Machu Picchu. It begins in the town of Mollepata and, like the Inca Trail, it is an ancient footpath that weaves through the Andes. The 4-day Lares trek is a moderate hike which takes you through remote and authentic indigenous communities in Cusco’s Sacred Valley, starting from Pumahuanca and ending at the hot springs of Lares.

Other popular treks are the stunning Cordillera Blanca in Huaraz; Colca Canyon in Arequipa, which is Peru’s third-most visited tourist destination; the 5-day Ausangate trek near Cusco; and the 4-day Choquequirao trek that ventures into the Apurimac Canyon.

The following is a list of what to pack for Machu Picchu, but it would really come in handy on any hike in the Peruvian highlands: it’s good to bring snacks as well as a tip for your guide, a headlamp, toiletries, warm clothes, hiking boots, water purifying tablets, and rain gear, as even during the dry season you might see rain in the mountains. It’s also important to note that the Andes are exceptionally high, and any trek will be made more difficult by the altitude. Usually, it’s a good idea to spend a few days before your trek in the mountains, just letting your body adjust to the altitude.

While there aren’t as many set paths, there are a number of tour operators in Peru offering treks into the pristine Amazon jungle. Manu National Park is one popular rainforest destination. Just four hours from the capital, the coastal desert city of Ica offers the Paracas National Reserve. Since it is a marine park you can’t exactly trek through it, but day tours are offered via boat and seals, sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and more can be spotted.

If you trek in the lowland jungles, you’ll have slightly different concerns than some of the mountain treks. Don’t forget that the rainforest is a huge ecosystem and every creature, even if it’s very tiny, can protect itself well! For example, leeches are not something you’d want to mess with. While leeches are not the absolute worst experience you could have, they’re still highly unpleasant.

Also, your typical hiking boots are not the best option in the tropical rainforest due its very high humidity. Since normal hiking boots are made of leather, some organisms could find them attractive and move in there. If this happens, then after only a few days of trekking, you’ll basically need to throw them away. When I was preparing for my first jungle experience, I searched far and wide to find the type of boots which would be the best for me. Then, I recalled that the US army had created jungle boots specifically for its soldiers when there was a war in Vietnam. I googled this and ended up buying a pair of these boots. After I did few treks in them, I realized that I had made a very smart choice. The boots are made with an artificial fabric and materials which get dry much quicker than normal hiking boots (which is ideal, considering humidity). They also have very good ankle support and they are tall, so you can wear your leech socks and you won’t be afraid of getting bitten. But of course, light trekking boots with synthetic material would be also a good option, especially if the trek is short.

Other items mentioned below are also musts for jungle trekking. Garbage bags, for example, could be very useful when you have a boat ride somewhere in the depths of the jungle, or if you go during the rainy season. If you put all your bags in separate garbage bags and seal them with a sealing tape, it keeps them from getting wet if it’s raining. I usually use 2-3 garbage bags for each of my bags - a solution which costs much less than a raincover for your bags. Additionally, considering how heavy the rain in the jungles can be, a raincover won’t really help you at all!

An ancient mystery, these intriguing drawings of animals and symbols adorning the stark desert sand near Nazca, Peru are unlike anything else in the world. There are a variety of tour operators running tours from the city of Nazca itself as well as from the capital, Lima and the cities of Pisco and Ica.

While the desert city of Nazca gives off an interesting vibe, the best way to see the lines is from above in an airplane tour. The tours should take less than half a day, but it’s best to reserve them in advance since the Nazca lines are a popular attraction.

The largest lake in South America and the world’s highest navigable body of water, Lake Titicaca is a site to see. On the border between Peru and Bolivia, ancient Andean belief systems hold this serene lake in esteem as the birthplace of the sun. It remains a place of deep highland culture, and the nearby town of Puno is a great place to experience this firsthand via festivals and marketplaces.

Boats will take tourists out to the lake and offer them a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. There are also famous floating islands inside the lake which traditionally belong to the Uros people. About a 40-minute boat ride from Puno’s port, you can tour these islands, learn about the Uros culture and see how they live. You can even take a ride in their traditionally-made reed boats!

It’s quite cold at the lake and the altitude can really mess with travelers. If you get headaches at Lake Titicaca, it means that the altitude is affecting you. Water can help with this, so be sure to stay hydrated on your visit. Locals also have their own methods which may help you to adjust to the altitude, including drinking coca tea or chewing on coca leaves.

Peru is one of the world’s best surfing countries due to the constant Pacific swell which blesses its northern beaches, and there are a plethora of places where you can engage in this popular sport. Mancora, Peru has the longest waves on the planet and is a magnet for surfing and kitesurfing. Windsurfing is popular in Chicama, and you can windsurf, kitesurf, and regular surf in Lobitos and in Pacasmayo. Other beaches for surfing include Huanchaco, Punta Negra and San Bartolo.

Unlike Ecuador, its neighbor to the north with warm waters, the ocean in Peru is surprisingly cold due to the Humboldt current, so it’s necessary to wear a wetsuit for any surfing or similar activities. Surf shops will likely have wetsuits that you can rent along with a board, but it will be easier and more comfortable if you bring your own. It will be your size and you know that it’s of a good quality.

Peru’s best beaches are generally considered to be on its northern coast. Mancora is a popular honeymoon destination while the beaches at Zorrito have the added attraction of nearby hot springs. Huarmey offers great beaches alongside archaeological sites while San Juan de Marcona offers uncrowded beaches and neat rocks that look like animals. If you don’t want to venture far, Peru’s capital of Lima has its own beaches, though they get quite crowded.

Already a desert, the heat in this sandy paradise is unrelenting, so it’s important to stay hydrated and to put sunscreen on as you relax.

Indigenous peoples make up 45% of Peru’s population, so there are a lot of different local cultures that you can explore including the Achuar, Aguaruna, Ashaninka, Aymara, Huambisa, Shipibo, and most prominently, Quechua. There are many traditional communities dotting the Andes mountains of Peru, and if you go on any mountain treks, you’re likely to stay in these communities and get to know them. It is also possible to arrange tours of traditional communities in the Andes and the Amazon.

There will be lots of kids, so it’s always nice to have small presents for them as well as for the adults, to forge a friendly connection. This is especially true if you are staying for more than a few hours. Don’t forget to wear proper clothing (long sleeve shirts are better than tanks) to show respect to the people. If you stay overnight, it might be a good idea to bring some food and drinks, like alcohol and cigarettes; regarding this issue, you should consult with your guide before you go.

Another somewhat unique adventure Peru has is sandboarding. Imagine snowboarding, but in the dry desert heat and on sandy dunes. You can sandboard on the giant dunes near the oasis town of Huacachina, Peru, which is adjacent to the city of Ica. You’ll need to book with a guide to partake in this exciting activity, and they should provide all the gear necessary. However, be sure that you’ve got enough water and that you’re wearing plenty of sunscreen!

The adventure in Peru truly never stops! As well as the waves, you can also hit the waters of some of Peru’s most spectacular rivers for rafting, kayaking, and canoeing. You can kayak the Cotahuasi and Apurimac rivers through the deepest canyons in the world, though this adventure is for experienced kayakers only. The Apurimac is considered one of the best places to raft in the world, and it has classic Class IV and V waters.

You can also find tours to take you rafting or kayaking on the Class III or IV waters of the famous Urubamba River. If jungle is more your style, head to the Class III waters of the Tambopata River and spend several days rafting through remote, untouched rainforest. Lake Titicaca provides a more tranquil setting to kayak, and you can use traditional reed canoes as well.

Cycling is yet another adventure sport that Peru excels at. Noted for some of the best dirt road cycling in South America, the High Andes passes in Peru provide some pretty tough routes. For adventurous cyclers with a lot of time, it is possible to bike from one side of the country to the other in 2 or 3 months.

Otherwise, there are bike tours available in pretty much every region of the country, so where you go should depend on what you want to see. It must be said, however, that coastal regions are flat and thus easier for beginners, despite the hot desert conditions. Arequipa, Ica, Pasco, Junin, and Lake Titicaca are all popular cycling destinations. There are also cycling tours that lead from Cusco in the Andes down to several sites in the rainforest, including Manu and Puerto Maldonado.

There are a lot of places in Peru that you can motorbike. Some of the best tours include stops at Machu Picchu, the Nazca lines, Colca Canyon, and Cusco. One tour does all of the above, embarking from the city of Arequipa, which is known for its delicious regional cuisine. If you want to do a tour of the country by motorbike, be sure to bring waterproof gear that is also warm, as the highlands can get quite cold. Waterproof boots and rain-proof gloves are also recommended.

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. The following vaccination recommendations are taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage.

Of course, Peru is a country where you can have some qualified help. However, in some remote areas it will take a while to get proper treatment. Sometimes, not you but some of your traveling buddies might need help. Make sure you have something in advance against the following symptoms: