Explore Peru: What To See and Do Across This Stunning Country

Wander the inimitable Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s central colonial square - it is a hive of activity at all hours of the day, and a great place to sit and watch the world go by. It’s bordered on one side by the Cathedral, which was completed in 1654 and is now a UNESCO heritage site. Be sure to head inside to see the splendid 1753 work of Marcos Zapata - the presence of roasted guinea pig on the table of this last supper makes it uniquely Peruvian.

Although it’s less imposing, the Church de La Compañia de Jesus is also well worth a visit, with its gloriously ornate Spanish Baroque architecture. Be sure to head uphill to spend some time in the San Blas neighborhood: the walk is worth it, thanks to great sunset views, cool bars and a slew of independent shops and boutiques.

Despite being located within a short walk of the Plaza de Armas, San Pedro Market is an entirely different experience: an assault on all of the senses. As you approach, the streets are lined with vendors in traditional dress, selling everything from fruit to bags of nuts; venture further into the market and prepare to be immersed in a slice of authentic Peruvian life, complete with guinea pigs impaled on skewers for roasting. There are many more palatable options, however - try the lomo saltado (beef) or some fried chicken, or grab a butifarras (toasted ham sandwich) - and wash it all down with a fresh juice or smoothie. This is also the place to come for souvenirs, ranging from fridge magnets and pachamama dolls to alpaca sweaters - don’t be afraid to haggle.

Located around 3.5 hours from Cusco, this day trip involves an early start (around 2am) but, as painful as this may sound, it is worth it for the opportunity to be one of the first people on a mountain that can, these days, be somewhat overrun with Instagrammers trying to nail the perfect shot. Hidden under layers of ice until global warming revealed its multi-hued flanks in 2015, Rainbow Mountain was at first only reachable by a grueling 7-hour hike, but a recently constructed road has made access much easier. Already showing signs of over-tourism, be mindful of the fragility of this landscape of multi-colored sediment - and look for tour operators equipped with supplemental oxygen, as the altitude (you reach an altitude of 15,000 ft above sea level) can really hit hard on the 3-hour hike to the summit.

This old Incan fortress, destroyed by invading Spaniards, is massive on a scale that really helps to understand the ingenuity and industry of the Incas; it’s also a fascinating insight into how their world collided with that of the Spanish conquistadors. Only about one-fifth of the original structure remains, but the sheer size of the stones (some weigh several tons) used in its construction is a fascinating insight into Incan engineering, as are the curious shapes of some of the stones and the way they seem to fit seamlessly with others. Thanks to its elevation, Sacsayhuamán is also an ideal spot from which to survey the whole of Cusco. If you plan your trip for the end of June, you’ll be able to partake in the celebration of Inti Raymi, a celebration of the sun that was last held in the presence of the Emperor Inca in 1535.

Just an hour from Cusco, the Pisac Ruins are one of the most exceptional sights in the Sacred Valley, and the first town on the route. The site is a massive five times the size of Machu Picchu, with steep architectural terraces carved into the sides of the mountains. You can hike to the top of these for sensational views of the surrounding landscape; the ascent takes about two hours from the Plaza de Armas. Along the way, you will see a strategically placed fortress looking out towards Cusco, as well as a temple. Buildings throughout the site clearly demonstrate that the city served multiple functions, with various structures used for religious, agricultural and military purposes. Along the way to Machu Picchu, also located in the Sacred Valley, you should also stop in Ollantaytambo, a fortress of Inca resistance with fabulous views of the valley.

If you choose to hike to Machu Picchu, you will not only have the opportunity to acclimatize en route, but also to encounter Dead Woman’s Pass, with its challenging paths and fabulous views, as well as the iconic Sun Gate, from which you achieve your first glimpses of Machu Picchu. Many travelers try to time their arrival at this point with sunrise.

This is a hike where it is worth remembering that the journey is as important as the destination. Although the magical expanse of Machu Picchu is the jewel in the trek’s crown, don’t be so fixated on that endpoint that you fail to give attention to the ruins, greenery, wildlife and steep paths that form the backdrop to your trek.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu PIcchu consists of buildings ranging from temples to baths, as well as dwellings. The architecture is indicative of the excellence of Incan masonry, with clean lines and seamless connections.

Bear in mind that access to Machu Picchu is limited to a certain number of visitors per day, to limit erosion and damage to the site - plan in advance.

You can travel by train from Cusco to Machu Picchu or hike the 26 mile long Inca Trail. The former takes around 5 hours and the hike takes 4-5 days: either way, you will need to be acclimatized, as Machu Picchu sits 7,000 feet above sea level.

Located about 250 km south of Lima, the Nazca Lines are giant line drawings - geoglyphs - etched into the ground. They depict various plants, animals, patterns and shapes, and were created over 2000 years ago, but their purpose has been the source of debate ever since they came to public attention (thanks to aviation) in the early 20th century. Due to the sheer size of the lines - some of the straight ones are 30 miles long - the best way to see them is from the air or, alternatively, from one of the nearby hilltops. Preserved largely thanks to the area’s climate conditions, featuring little rain and wind (and therefore erosion), the fact that the lines can be seen from space has led to a number of theories around alien interactions, but the most likely explanation is that the lines were created for the purposes of water rituals.

Located 18 miles away from the city of Nazca, and last used for burial in about the ninth century, this eerie cemetery was plundered by grave robbers for years until 1997 when Peruvian law was updated to protect it. Currently, efforts are being made to restore the cemetery to its original state, and the remaining bodies and bones are either on display, or have been returned to the tombs. The climate, plus the efficiency of the ancient burial practices used on the bodies, has resulted in astonishing levels of preservation, with many still in possession of their hair and skin.

After sampling the Pisco sours in Lima, you can enrich your Peruvian experience by visiting a winery in which Pisco, the brandy which is the cocktail’s key ingredient, is made. There are five protected winemaking regions in the country - one of these, Lunahuana, makes a popular day trip from Lima, but there is more than enough in the area to keep you occupied for a longer stay, including a number of adventure sports activities. There are five wineries on the Lunahuana Route: Bodega El Sol, Bodega Santa Maria, Bodega De La Cruz, Bodega de la Motta and Viña Los Reyes. You’ll learn about the varieties of Pisco, the making process and, of course, have the opportunity to sample some Pisco for yourself.

There’s more to Pisco than - well, Pisco. This old port town is the gateway to a series of islands - Las Islas Ballestas - which are sometimes referred to as ‘the poor man’s Galapagos’ but which have a delightful array of wildlife to be seen from an organized boat tour. Look out, in particular, for penguins, seals and the blue-footed booby. This area is also the gateway to the Paracas National Reserve, which covers 827,800 acres of coastal desert and marine habitat, with vast, scenic beaches and starkly beautiful landscapes. While you’re here, you’ll likely see El Candelabro, a huge and solitary geoglyph akin to those at Nasca.

Ica’s lushness is attributed to the Incan construction of a canal to channel water from the Andes to irrigate the desert landscape: a move that later enabled the Spanish to plant multiple vineyards. You can certainly spend a pleasant day or two touring these bodegas. One popular choice is El Catador; its decor and style has a certain eccentric and old-fashioned appeal, and tastings tours are available all year round. Time your visit for the February-March harvest and you may even get the opportunity to take part in crushing the grapes with your bare feet. If you prefer an experience less messy, Tacama’s pink exterior walls are the perfect backdrop for a photo - and its wines are as sweet as its appearance. Also popular is Hacienda La Caravedo, which has been producing wines since the late 17th century, and Bodega Lazo, which has the added appeal of being small and family run, and of storing their pisco the authentic way, in vats crafted from clay.

Thanks to its remoteness (it is accessible only by boat or plane) and the fact of its opulent architecture, a remnant of the successful rubber trade that once existed here, Iquitos is worth a visit in its own right. However, its primary allure for travelers is that it is the gateway to huge swathes of virgin rainforest. Delve deep into the region by staying at a jungle lodge at a distance from the city and even beyond the main waterways: here you will maximize your chances of pink river dolphins. Take a guided tour, on which you can expect to see wild animals, piranhas and birds; there is also a canopy walkway located 35m above the ground and extending to 500m in length.

Located a 40 minute flight away from Cusco, this region was created as a national park in 1973 and later, in 1987, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of the world’s most closed-off communities live within its 1.5 million hectares, in settlements virtually uncontacted by anyone else. The area is also home to wildly diverse landscapes, from lofty cloud forests and crashing waterfalls in the High Plains, to humid, sticky rainforest at an altitude of just 300m. Naturally, these geographical contrasts mean that there is an abundance and variety of flora and fauna to be experienced: there are over 200 types of mammal, including the capybara, giant otter and black spider monkey. Expect also to see macaws and caiman.

Located in the southeastern region of the country, the Tambopata National Reserve boasts incredible biodiversity, with 1200 species of butterfly alone, not to mention 180 species of fish, 632 species of bird and 103 species of reptile. Although a few indigenous people still live on the outskirts, the only inhabitants within the reserve itself are rangers and researchers. In terms of activities and adventures - which include canoeing around the lakes, exploring the rainforest canopy via an elevated walkway and witnessing the spectacle of animals and birds feasting upon the collpas (mounds of mineral-rich clay) the driest months in the area are April to November.

The drive from Lima to Chanchamayo will take you at least a day (it is 300 km away by road) but is worth it, if only for the wonderful variations in landscape that you’ll witness en route, from snow-frosted mountains to dusty deserts. The Chanchamayo region, also known as La Selva Central (the central jungle), is a vital area of fruit growing (particularly oranges and pineapples) and coffee production, so don’t miss the opportunity to sample both during your stay. The region is particularly popular with birdwatchers, but come here also for spectacular hiking, surrounded by verdant mountain scenery and crystal-clear, rushing rivers.

It’s unclear what the purpose of Cerro Sechin was before it fell into disuse in 800 BCE, but its outer walls are emblazoned with bas-relief sculptures expliciting both victorious warriors and gruesome scenes of their slaughtered victims. Their victims are shown being disembowell, having their eyeballs unapologetically removed and in various poses with severed body parts. It’s unclear what the purpose of the site was although experts have speculated that the outer wall of the ruins was added later to commemorate a great victory over an enemy or the crushing of a popular rebellion by the ruling elite. The Cerro Sechin Ruins were left undiscovered for over 2000 years until they were rediscovered by Peruvian archeologists Julio C. Tello and Toribio Mejía Xesspe.

Situated more than 3,000 meters above sea level, Huaraz is backed by the majesty of the Cordillera Blanca to the east. Its proximity to a range of hiking trails means that backpackers are well catered to: expect to find a surprisingly active nightlife. For a taste of authenticity, head to the central market where rural farmers come from far and wide to sell their produce and where traditional dress is worn authentically - not as a tourist gimmick. Also, be prepared for row upon row of raw meat, dangling from hooks as the smell can get a little overwhelming. In the surrounding streets, you’ll also find a range of artisanal goods, ranging from woolen items and leather goods to woven ponchos and rugs.

The fact that this region of the country is often referred to as “the Switzerland of Peru” is indicative of the type of landscape you can expect to find here. From one-day hikes to longer expeditions, the scenery is jaw dropping. Those with eight days to spend in the area should trek the Cordillera Huayhuash, a 130 kilometer circuit through remote, mountainous landscape with views of glassy lagoons and snow-dusted peaks.