The Dead Woman's Pass: Do You Have What it Takes?

Peru is home to several wondrous sights that are the top of many travelers’ bucket lists. This complex and stunning country is home to colonial-heritage cities, dense Amazon rainforest, and a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and cultural attractions. Things to do in Peru range from exploring the dense jungle and deep canyons of the north to city-hopping and admiring pre-Columbian artwork on the coast so you will need a Peru travel itinerary that focuses on your tastes. Whether you’ve got just a few days spare to focus on one area of Peru, or you’re lucky enough to have a few weeks set aside for traveling, there’s plenty of Peru adventures to choose from. Peru itineraries will have you hiking through Manu National Park, one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet, sampling ceviche, the country’s national dish and finding your way to the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu on an adventure of a lifetime!

Is this the year that you finally make travel a priority and start ticking those long dreamed of lands off your bucket list? With travel more accessible than ever before, chances are your dream destination list is getting longer and longer, making it increasingly harder to decide where your next vacation should be. We’ve put together this guide to help you discover the best places to visit. Whether you are travelling on a shoestring budget to cheap holiday destinations or seeking a bit of luxury, and no matter if you are travelling solo or bringing the whole family along, we’ve got all the top, must-see destinations right here. You simply have to decide which to visit first.

Sharing borders with Jordan to the east, and Israel and the West Bank to the west, the Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth. Known for its hypersaline mineral-enriched waters, it is a popular tourist trap among travel-weary visitors, who come here to relax and rejuvenate. The best and the fastest route to the Dead Sea is from Amman, Jordan’s capital located just 55 km away. Starting your trip to the Dead Sea from Amman will also allow you to tick off some of the best highlights in Jordan. Besides, Amman is also a great starting point for budget-conscious travelers. However, for anyone who wants more action, joining an exhilarating Amman to Dead Sea tour is another way to get there.

Located in the imposing Cordillera Blanca, Laguna 69 is considered to be one of the exquisite lakes, out of more than 400 lakes in the Huascarán National Park. Reaching Laguna 69 makes for a tough but rewarding one-day hike. Simply given the number 69 at the time of the creation of the park, the name has stuck on. The day hike up to this sublime body of water high in the mountains has become one of the most popular Cordillera Blanca hiking trails.

Located in the region where the tropical Andes meet the Amazonian lowland forest and covering almost two million hectares, Manu National Park in Peru is one of the world’s greatest biodiversity hotspots. Recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1977, the area is home to a staggering variety of plant and animal species, including giant otters, capybaras, peccaries, tapirs, jaguars, caiman, 13 different species of monkeys, over 1000 species of birds and over 1300 species of butterflies. Manu National Park is divided into three zones, the ‘cultural zone’, the ‘reserved zone’ and the ‘restricted zone’. Visitors are permitted to enter the cultural zone independently, where there are several native communities that welcome tourists. Access to the reserved zone is only possible through one of a very small number of tour companies that are allowed to operate there. The restricted zone is an area of pristine forest still home to a number of uncontacted tribes and is not open to tourists.

September brings the joys of spring in Peru. The weather is warm and remains dry in most parts of the country, making it an ideal time to explore the country. Visiting major attractions like Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley is more manageable during this time of year. Moreover, sparse foot traffic means that you have better chances of capturing picture-perfect images during your trip to Peru in September.

For those who feel the magnetic pull of the mountains, Peru is an inescapable destination. With an astounding 33 peaks above 6,000 m and many above 5,000 m, the Cordillera Blanca, in particular, carries some of most beautiful and dangerous mountains in Peru. In the nearby Cordillera Huayhuash lies many other majestic but unforgiving mountains; insolently daring the bravest to climb.While the ascent of many of these dangerous mountains can only be considered by experienced mountaineers, for mere mortals it can be a memorable experience just to see them. Here is a brief introduction to 10 of the intriguing mountains in Peru and how to reach them.

Machu Picchu is undeniably Peru’s premier tourist attraction and few visitors to the country fail to make their way to the hilltop ruins of the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Almost everyone has seen pictures of the enigmatic ruins nestling on their perch on top of a mountain, surrounded by swirling wisps of cloud. However, not everyone is so familiar with the highlights and unmissable sights within the complex. Here are 13 things to do in Machu Picchu to make your visit worthwhile (in no particular order). Note: Since Machu Picchu has seasonal weather, please do read our guide on the best time to visit Machu Picchu that can help plan your next adventure!

October is the last month of the dry season in Peru. Mild temperatures and a rare chance of precipitation mean that this is the perfect month to visit the country. From big religious celebrations to stunning hikes and whale-spotting, October offers plenty of activities for all in Peru!

Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular and scenic mountain passes in the whole of Africa, the Sani Pass lies between South Africa and its small landlocked neighbour, Lesotho. As the only road that crosses the summit of the Drakensberg mountain, the pass attracts adventurous travellers from across the world who wish to traverse the breathtaking natural scenery this precarious mountain has to offer. Whilst the route itself is short, it packs a big punch with its unforgettable views and the kudos of having conquered the highest and most iconic pass that a trip to South Africa has to offer — a must for any adventurous bucket list!

April marks the end of the wet season and the beginning of sunny days in Peru. This is one of the best months to visit the country as the weather is perfect for hiking. However, despite this being an ideal time to explore highlights like the Sacred Valley, the tourist traffic is still sparse compared with other months, making your trip much more enjoyable.

Whether you’re an avid hiker or an enthusiastic traveller or both, traveling to Peru is probably on your bucket list. A mesmerising country with vastly varying landscapes, Peru is a country to be explored. No one can say they are truly acquainted with this beautiful country until they’ve explored the glorious Cordillera Blanca. These mountain ranges represent a whole new world, where forests submerged in cloud, the world’s deepest canyon and mystical remains of ancient worlds are nestled among the 5000+ m peaks. Peru treks are truly some of the most striking in the world. Peru has something to offer everyone, so why not find out which treks are best for you? Before embarking on a trekking trip in Peru it’s important to consider some questions: When is the best time? What level of fitness do you need? What can you do to prepare for altitude sickness? And most importantly, what if you don’t want to do the Machu Picchu trek? Read on to find out about 10 treks in Peru that take you beyond the Inca Trail. Overview map of the 10 best treks in Peru