Things to Do in Peru

There was once a time when a city in Peru was one of the largest known cities in the Americas. For nearly 600 years, the sprawling city was the seat of an Empire that extended for hundreds of miles, and its residents were masters of engineering techniques unknown to the rest of the world. No, we’re not talking about Machu Picchu, the ruin so often equated with Peru. Rather, this massive city was Chan Chan, a complex of adobe and sand.

Set on the outskirts of modern day Trujillo, Chan Chan was the seat of the Chimu Empire from 850-1470 AD. At its height, it’s believed to have housed up to 60,000 residents before being conquered by the infamous Inca.  With its wide open courtyards, narrow alleyways, and walls which reach heights of over 30 feet, the city of Chan Chan once covered an area of nearly 8 square miles of desert. Today, the Tschudi Palace area is open to visitors to walk in the footsteps of the Chimu, although an increase in rains that have been blamed on El Niño threaten to erode the site. For now, the city of Chan Chan is one of the most awe-inspiring wonders found anywhere in Latin America, although there is an unsettling degree of fear that it one day could be reduced to mud.

Step inside the huge cathedral via one of its three grand doors and you'll find a lofty interior of white and gold with soaring ribbed ceilings, mosaic chapels, and pillared aisles. See the many paintings that line the walls, and view the cathedral's main attraction: the elaborate marble tomb of Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, who laid the structure's first stone in 1535.

Often visited on walking and sightseeing tours of Lima, the cathedral is a popular landmark in the palm-filled Plaza de Armas (check it out at night to see the church brilliantly illuminated with floodlights). Entry includes a guided tour and a visit to the cathedral's museum.

A cluster of tiny islands off the Peruvian coast, the Ballestas Islands (Islas Ballestas) are often touted as the “Peruvian Galapagos,” famed for their spectacular variety of birdlife and rugged coastline of soaring cliffs, rocky beaches, and remote sea caves. 

It’s possible to visit the Ballestas Islands on a 2-hour speedboat tour from Paracas or combine a scenic boat ride with a private tour of the mainland Paracas National Reserve. If you’re visiting from Lima, a full-day Ballestas Islands tour typically takes in the highlights of the Paracas peninsula before continuing to nearby sights like Chincha, the Nazca Lines, or the Huacachina sand dunes. 

The Ballestas Islands are located along the Pacific Coast of Peru and the closest mainland town is Paracas, Pisco, in the Ica region. The only way to visit is on a boat tour, leaving from San Martin Port in Paracas and typically lasting two hours. From Lima, it’s about a 4-hour drive south to Paracas. 

December to February is the most popular time to visit the islands, and it coincides with the breeding season for the local sea lion population. But it’s worth a visit anytime of the year, barring extreme weather conditions. 

Wildlife lovers will be in their element on a Ballestas Islands tour—the rocky islands are home to thousands of birds, sea lions, and penguins. As you pass the landmark Candelabra rock formations and cruise around the islands, look out for Peruvian pelicans, red-legged cormorants, Inca terns, and Peruvian boobies, as well as the island’s famous colony of Humboldt penguins.

For those wishing to avoid heavily touristed Taquile Island, but still enjoy a smoothly operating system of homestays and a taste of traditional lake lifestyle, Isla Amantani is the perfect option. The 26- mile (38-km), four-hour trip and dearth of infrastructure (electricity, running water, automobiles) has kept the island of some 3,600 Quechua-speaking people somewhat isolated from Titicaca’s tourist industry.

Amantani has been communally owned since shortly after Peru’s independence from Spain, after which the indigenous residents—used as poorly paid labor by landlords of European descent—took a page from their oppressors’ own handbook and staged a revolution of their own. Ever since, the island has been run as something of a commune, a tradition that extends to today’s tourism.

Upon arrival, visitors are assigned to a family and its small adobe home; some are much nicer than others. Toilets look modern, but don’t flush; you’ll use buckets of water provided. Your host family also provides simple meals, made with locally available foodstuffs such as potatoes, quinoa, eggs and perhaps lake trout. Some guidebooks recommend bringing fruit, cooking oil, rice or sugar—all difficult-to-obtain delicacies in this isolated spot—as gifts.

Your family can also arrange guided hikes, perhaps even in English, around the scenic island. There are two mountains, Pachatata (Father Earth) and Pachamama (Mother Earth), terraced with beautiful farms, which you can climb—slowly, remember your altitude. Pre-Columbian temples top both peaks and are still used on traditional feast days. 

As on Taquile, Amanti islanders knit and weave the region’s renowned textiles, which are offered for sale around the island. Host families will typically dress visitors in traditional clothing for a nightly dance, accompanied by a local band.

Cayma is one of the 29 districts that make up Peru’s Arequipa Region. Some 75,000 people call this place, which covers approximately 246 square-kilometers, home. Adventurous travelers can trek to the top of nearby El Misti, the most popular climb in the area. Those who prefer a more leisurely outdoor adventure can stay close to city center with a number of stunning local parks, including Señor de la Caña, Urbanización Tronco de Oro and Urb. La Explanada.

Towering over Arequipa’s main plaza, Plaza de Armas, is the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa. The history of this great cathedral dates back to 1544 when the first church was built on the square, and over the years, fire, earthquakes and volcanic activity have partially destroyed the structure. The latest disaster happened in 2001, when an earthquake completely toppled one tower.

Today, the fully restored basilica looks as good as new. Besides serving as the seat of the Archbishop, the neo-renaissance structure is also notable for being the only cathedral in Peru that stretches for the entire length of its plaza and is said to house the largest organ in South America, an import from Belgium. The Museum of the Cathedral, one of the most important of Arequipa’s museums, displays a collection of liturgical objects, vestments and religious paintings that help paint a picture of the city’s 400-year history.

Lima’s most bohemian district, the lively coastal neighborhood of Barranco first became popular towards the end of the 19th Century, drawing an influx of poets, writers and artists to the seaside resorts of Las Sombrillas and Barranquito. Although it was integrated into the capital territory in 1860, Barranco retains its village-like feel, with its striking colonial architecture and brightly painted buildings standing in stark contrast to the modern high-rises of neighboring Miraflores. 

Best explored on foot, the elegant Plaza San Francisco is the starting point for a walking tour, home to the 19th century Iglesia San Francisco, and encircled by boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Nearby, the Bajada de los Baños ravine is the most popular hangout during the daytime, where the flower-lined Puente de los Suspiros (Bridge of Sighs) makes a romantic spot for watching the sunset. The area is also a fashionable destination after dark, with numerous dance clubs, bars and music venues running all the way down to the waterfront.

Barranco’s arts scene is also still thriving, with over a dozen art galleries dotted around the area, including the Museo Pedro de Osna and the Mario Testino museum, an abundance of colorful street art, and regular street fairs and folk music festivals.

The textile mill at Awana Kancha is an entertaining and culturally-rich stop on the journey between Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Set 30 minutes outside of the Cusco city center, this popular artisan outpost is a budget-friendly place to experience alpacas and Andean culture.

With no entry fee, visitors to Awana Kancha can marvel at traditionally-dressed women and the colorful textiles they spin before your eyes. Using the wool of alpacas, llamas, guanacos, and vicunyas, the women create patterns using natural dyes that have existed in the Andes since the time of the Inca. What’s more, in addition to the textiles, visitors have the chance to hand-feed llamas or nurse baby alpacas with milk from a bottle. 

The name Awana Kancha literally translates as the Palace of Weaving, and the fine works of handicraft which are on sale at the co-op are arguably nicer than you’ll find in larger markets. Everything from scarves to sweaters and alpaca wool hats can be purchased directly from the women who wove them, and the wool comes directly from the same alpacas you just finished feeding alfalfa in the yard. An intriguing and authentic outpost, a stop at Awana Kancha should be on any itinerary between Cusco and the Sacred Valley. 

As the oldest known city in the Americas, the archeological site of Caral is among Peru’s most impressive ruins and makes a popular day trip from nearby Lima. The UNESCO World Heritage listed site covers an area of around 60 hectares in the arid Supe Valley and was first inhabited between 2600 BCE and 2000 BCE. 

Although initially discovered back in 1948, recent excavations of Caral revealed an elaborate complex of temples, sunken plazas and some of the largest terraced pyramids in the world, leading archeologists to ponder the possibility of Caral being the fabled ‘Mother City’ of ancient civilizations. Now open to the public, the site has garnered acclaim for its beautifully preserved ruins and intriguing collection of artifacts, which include a quipu (a unique knot system used by ancient Andean civilizations) and a number of musical instruments fashioned from animal bones, but significantly, no trace of warfare or weaponry. 

Located in Lima’s Plaza de Armas, the Archbishop’s Palace is an extraordinary example of neo-classical architecture. Rising next to the Lima Cathedral, this plot of land has been the Archbishop’s residence since Francisco Pizarro decreed it as such in 1535. The building, however, is relatively new, constructed in 1924 after the previous building, which had stood for years, was in dire need of repair. In addition to the soaring and intricately carved façade, there are spectacular carvings on the cedar balconies that hang above the front door.  On the palace interior, light filtering through stained glass windows falls softly on marble staircases that are lined with duel wooden balconies. With its regal—almost museum-like—quality, it’s hard to imagine that anyone is actually fortunate enough to live in the palace, which is still the home of Lima’s Archbishop and holds offices for the Cardinal of Peru. Guided tours of the palace are available for a deeper insight to the building, and it’s a captivating sight even from the exterior when exploring the Plaza de Armas. 

If you're visiting Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there’s a good chance you'll pass through the small pueblo of Aguas Calientes en route. This gateway town to Peru’s famous Incan ruins sits nestled in a valley of cloud forest, where a series of natural hot springs gives the town its name.

The majority of travelers to Peru come to see the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, and almost all of them will spend at least a little time in the town of Aguas Calientes. The train taking passengers from Cusco to Machu Picchu stops at Aguas Calientes, where day-trippers then board a bus to the ruins. Visitors on overnight itineraries, including those hiking the Inca Trail, often spend the night in the village before rising early to catch the sunrise at Machu Picchu. 

The easiest way to reach Aguas Calientes is by train, several of which depart Cusco daily for the journey of one hour and 45 minutes. A bus runs from town up to Machu Picchu.

Aguas Calientes enjoys the best weather from June to August, the busiest season for vacationers. While things are quieter from October to April, this is the rainy season, so expect regular downpours. 

Aside from the thermal baths, Aguas Calientes highlights include a hike to the summit of Putucusi Mountain, which offers stellar views of Machu Picchu on a clear day. You can also visit the Butterfly House, Machu Picchu Museum (Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón) and nearby botanical gardens, or the Gardens of Mandor (Los Jardines de Mandor) with its waterfalls. 

Some call this unusual neighborhood of 74,000 the “Venice of the Amazon,” which is more than a little misleading. The famed “floating barrio” is quite poor, and would be considered a shantytown on dry land. Nevertheless, the fact that the modest thatch-roofed homes, restaurants and bars rise and fall with the river, atop balsawood “foundations,” make Belen one of Iquitos’ top tourist attractions.

Hire a canoe and guide to take you through the canals, past homes, businesses, schools and churches gently rocking atop the water. A sturdier city center rises on stilts from dry land (during dry season, anyway). There, you can visit the famed Belen Street Market on Pasaje Paquito, known for herbal medicines and healing elixirs, made with natural rainforest products, that are brought in daily from more than 150 native communities upriver.

After shopping for unusual fruits, fish and more, you’ll head back onto the water. Several floating restaurants cater to tourists with fresh fish dishes and cold beer, perfect after a day of exploring. Remember that this is a very poor neighborhood, so leave your valuables at the hotel and be alert for pickpockets and petty thieves, particularly at the market.

Travelers heading to Peru’s spectacular Colca Canyon will almost certainly spend some time in the town of Chivay, 100 miles (60 kilometers) outside of Arequipa. As the first main tourist town in the valley, Chivay has many hotels, hostels, restaurants and shops selling high-quality Alpaca wool handicrafts. At the center of the city sits Plaza de Armas, a charming little plaza housing Our Lady of Assumption church and a market at its corner selling a little bit of everything (including lots of cheap and tasty eats). 

A few minutes outside of Arequipa, the Termas La Calera (La Calera Hot Springs) have a series of indoor and outdoor heated pools perfect for a soak after a day of sightseeing, as well as lockers and showers for post-soak refreshment.

Set high in the peaks of the Peruvian Andes, Alpamayo is regarded by climbers as the most beautiful mountain in the world. Topping out at 19,500 ft. (5,909m) above sea level, Alpamayo is a serious climb for fit and experienced alpinists—but also enough of a straightforward climb that athletic travelers that hire a guide have a chance of reaching the summit.

Climbing the mountain can take 8-10 days depending on fitness and conditions, but if you don’t feel the need to reach the summit but still want to experience the beauty, you can book an 11-day circuit trek that encircles Alpamayo’s base. In a country with such a wealth of treks, this circuit can arguably compete with some of the best hiking trips in Peru, where views look out at the tallest tropical mountains found anywhere in the world, and explores the heart of a Quechua culture that still thrives up here in these hills.

The mighty Amazon River and its enormous, thickly forested basin are the heart of South America and the guardian of 20 percent of the Earth’s fresh water. Visitors from around the globe come to Iquitos to cruise the river’s storied waters and catch a glimpse of diverse fauna both above and below the surface.

While there are several ways to experience the Amazon and its unparalleled biodiversity, most travelers opt for a boat trip along the basin’s famous river. Cruises generally last three to four days and run through the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, offering the chance to explore on guided walks through the rain forest, take motorboat tours of the tributaries, go piranha fishing, or simply enjoy the scenery from the deck of your cruise ship. Those who prefer to spend more time on dry land can opt for a multi-day jungle adventure, which may include a short boat trip on the Amazon as well as jungle treks, night walks, and the opportunity to spot wild pink river dolphins.

Most Amazon River cruises and excursions in Peru depart from the town of Iquitos. The port city is only reachable by plane or by boat, with numerous flights daily from Lima.

With only a 10 percent difference in rainfall between the Amazon basin’s wet and dry season, there isn’t really a bad time to visit. Temperatures are generally cooler during the high-water season (November to May). December, June, and August tend to see the most visitors.

The Peruvian Amazon ranks among the best places on the planet to capture photos of animal species such as monkeys, birds, iguanas, pink dolphins, and even the occasional jaguar. To maximize your chances of getting great shots, bring along a DSLR camera with a long lens of at least 300 millimeters and as low an f-stop as you can afford. Don’t forget extra batteries and SD cards. 

There are few places more perfect for chocolate lovers than the ChocoMuseo in Barranco. Travelers can tour the chocolate factory and watch expert artisans craft dark, milk and white chocolate delights by hand, or participate in one of the museum’s unique workshops that grant visitors an opportunity to create rich chocolate truffles or transform cocoa beans to bars under the direction of master chocolatiers. A world-class café offers up chocolate-themed pastries, desserts and beverages, and a well-stocked chocolate shop is lined with shelves of locally sourced treats. Interested travelers can even tour nearby cocoa plantations and learn how local farmers grow and harvest these prized beans to provide pastry chefs and cooks with one of the world’s most coveted ingredients. A visit to ChocoMuseo Barranco is the perfect way for chocolate lovers to spend an afternoon experiencing the wonder of this rich and delicious delicacy with all of their senses.

Visit to buy vegetables from the local traders and Andean handicrafts from the Quechua stallholders. The handwoven textiles are a particular highlight and a proudly preserved Inca tradition. The highlanders trade their woven crafts for the fruit and vegetables grown at lower altitudes. Travelers will also find jewelry, pottery, toys, rugs and musical pipes for sale at the market.

The Inca Trail might be the most popular trek in the Peruvian Andes near Cusco, but an arguably equally impressive (and certainly less crowded) trail leads visitors to Ausangate. Nevado Ausangate, the highest mountain in southern Peru, peaks at 20,945 feet (6,384 meters) above sea level. On a clear day, the snow-topped peak can be seen from Cusco.

The Ausangate Trail, named after the peak, takes five to six days, plus travel time to and from Cusco from the trail head. The trail begins in the brown grasslands of the Andean plateau and crosses four high-altitude passes, covering some of the most stunning terrain in the Cusco region. The trail, much of it at altitudes of more than 13,100 feet (4,000 meters) passes high alpine lakes, glacial valleys and small villages where alpacas graze freely and residents still dress in their traditional attire.

Located just up the coast from Lima, the seafront town of Callao has been Peru’s most important port since the colonial era and remains the capital’s principal cruise port, receiving thousands of annual visitors. With easy transport links to the center of Lima, most cruise travelers find themselves heading straight into the city, but there are still a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Callao itself. 

Explore the imposing Real Felipe Fortress, built during colonial times to protect the shores from pirate invasions and named after King Felipe V of Spain; hit the beach at La Punta; or discover Callao’s rich maritime history with a visit to the Abtao Submarine Museum and the Naval Museum. Callao is also the starting point for cruises to the Pacific islands of Palomino, Cabinzas and El Frontón, renowned for their variety of birdlife and sea lion colonies and a popular day trip from Lima.

If you’re looking for an atmospheric spot to watch the sunset in Lima, there are few lookouts as romantic as the Bridge of Sighs (Puente de los Suspiros), the principal landmark of Lima’s Barranco district and even immortalized in song by renowned Peruvian singer Chabuca Granda. Built in 1876, the wooden bridge runs across the high banks of the Bajada de los Baños ravine between the streets of Ayacucho and La Ermita, and joins the pretty red chapel of La Ermita to the Parque Municipal. 

The iconic bridge is most renowned for its views along the Bajada below, a scenic walkway that leads down to the seafront, and the colorful colonial houses that line its banks, many of which have been transformed into bars, restaurants and music venues. Taking an evening stroll across the Bridge of Sighs has long been a favored pastime for local lovers and legend dictates that if you make a wish and cross the 31 meter long bridge without taking a breath, your wish will be granted.