The Sacred Valley Tour: A Must Stop Before Machu Picchu

Home to the world-renowned Inca Trail and the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru has a rich culture and history that is as complex as the intricate weaving of Andean textiles. The South American country has it all, from awe-inspiring landscapes and lost civilizations to vibrant festivals marking old-world rites and out-of-this-world cuisine. Ancient sites like the massive pre-Columbian ruins of Chan Chan Kuélap reflect bygone eras, while the beautiful ‘White City’ of Arequipa boasts breathtaking Baroque architecture. And if you are looking for adventure, there is a wide array of things to do in Peru, from white-water rafting on glacier-fed rivers and paragliding over the Amazon rainforest to trekking along the world-renowned Inca Trail. Deciding where to go beyond the mystical Nazca Lines and the colonial charm of Cusco can be daunting. To simplify your journey, here is our list of the top 10 places to visit on a Peru tour.

Peru is one of the most compelling destinations in South America. Not only is it among the safest and easiest countries in the region for travel, but it is also blessed with a diverse range of attractions to appeal to all tastes. From ancient archaeological ruins to world-class hiking opportunities and dense jungles teeming with wildlife to sophisticated city-dining, Peru truly has something for everyone. Here are the 15 best attractions in Peru that should not be missed, in no particular order.

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!

June is the start of Peru’s dry season. This is when peak-season crowds are yet to settle in, which means that it will only be you and a few others exploring the Andean highlands, gazing at the iconic Machu Picchu, and wandering down the streets of Cusco. Clear skies and moderate temperatures during this month make city sightseeing tours in Peru a pleasant experience. Even the Peruvian Amazon, which stays warm and humid through much of the year, sees less rainfall during June, making it ideal for wildlife spotting.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

For any hiker attempting the Inca Trail, one name inspires a sense of anxiety and foreboding above all, and that is the Dead Woman’s Pass, or Warmiwañusqa in Quechua. At 4,215 m above sea level, the pass has gained a fearsome reputation among trekkers. Everyone starting the Inca Trail is aware that day two will inevitably lead them up and over this infamous pass. Failure to cross the pass will mean being defeated by this classic Peru trek and a return to Cusco without reaching Machu Picchu.

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.