South America Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips!

Aaah. Peru. Where do we even begin? The heart of the Great Inca Empire. The Land of the Incas. Home to the world-famous Machu Picchu. Not interested? How about sheer natural beauty in the form of the Great Amazon, exotic jungles, or breathtaking peaks. Still, need inspiration? What about fascinating walking trails. Rich and varied Peruvian gastronomy. Resurgent cities.Irrespective of where your interests lie, Peru always manages to entertain you with all sorts of sights and attractions that are sure to transform you into one of the most influential travel personalities on social media. Provided you manage to come back to reality and remember to click photographs! While the options are just about endless when it comes to things to do in Peru, we have managed to shortlist a few that become a part of most traveler itineraries in the country. Don't blame us if your hands are itching to book your next tour to Peru after reading this article!

There are many options to travel from Lima to Machu Picchu but journeys usually include a combination of plane, bus and train. From Lima, all travellers will first need to make their way to Cusco by plane or bus, from where most will continue on to Ollantaytambo. From there, the final stop is Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo or Machu Picchu Town, the base for visiting Machu Picchu itself.Aguas Calientes is normally reached by train. For those planning to arrive at Machu Picchu on foot via the Inca Trail, there is no need to go further than Cusco since most Inca Trail treks start and end at in Aguas Calientes. We break down the travel routes and options for you.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is best known to the world as the home of Peru’s pre-eminent tourist attraction, Machu Picchu. Many visitors head straight there without stopping to investigate the surrounding region. However, travellers with time to devote to a more thorough investigation of the ancient heart of the Incan Empire have the chance to discover many wonders seen by far fewer outsiders.The Sacred Valley was incorporated early into the expanding Incan Empire and with its relatively low altitude and benign climate, it soon became an important agricultural area for the Inca. The Valley also controlled access to the lowland jungles from where fresh fruit and other products flowed into Cusco. The Valley’s fertility, as well as its strategic importance and proximity to the capital, meant that the surrounding area was soon endowed with many important monuments, towns and fortifications, the ruins of which still exist today. The attractions of the Sacred Valley are not restricted to ruins, though, and many other places of interest, varied adventure activities and a thriving local culture await those willing to linger and explore.

Only a short bus journey from the world-famous tourist attractions of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, the Colca Canyon tour has increased greatly in popularity in recent years and many visitors include it in their Peru trip. Here is all you need to know to organise a guided tour, a trekking trip or independent exploration.

Peru has been attracting millions of visitors and tourists for years. After all, the country does have a lot to offer. It is a hiker’s dream, and the adventure of a lifetime for history buffs. However, there is one portion of the beautiful Andes that is much less explored — the Central Andes.Lying between Huaraz and Cusco, this area has some of the most stunning views to offer, and some of the greatest escapades in the world. The best part is that it hasn’t turned into a tourist bait yet, so you will get to explore it at your own pace, without having to worry about fighting off throngs of people! Are you ready to explore the path less taken? Let’s step into some of Central Andes’ greatest spots!

The Amazon has caught the collective imagination of people for the longest time. It has inspired explorers, discoverers, biologists, anthropologists, marine scientists, authors, artists, and countless other people. It is a diverse area, rich in biodiversity and in culture. While most people go to Brazil to explore the Amazon, a trip to Peru offers a quieter alternative route. You can experience the beautiful rainforest by foot or through the river.Peru has been fierce about protecting its rainforests when compared to many other South American countries. This makes it the best possible location for you to observe the beautiful rivers and impenetrable jungle that has made the Amazon this popular. So, what places should you be visiting when you’re in the Amazon? Here’s a list of 5 destinations for you to gain inspiration from!

Lima is one of the largest cities on the South American continent, a vast agglomeration and home to an estimated 10 million people. Founded in 1535, it is a city that is rich with history, cultural heritage and culinary traditions and it is also one of the most exciting destinations to visit on a Peru trip. Here is a list of ten things to keep you busy while you are there.

For those looking for an authentic and challenging alternative to the overcrowded Inca Trail, the Choquequirao trek, taking you out to the lesser-known ruins of Choquequirao, could be the perfect option. For trekkers wishing to really test themselves, this can be turned into a longer trek of around nine days that passes Choquequirao and continues right on to Machu Picchu itself. Due to the scenic vistas and challenging trekking trails, this trek is also considered as one of the best treks in Peru.

Cusco is Peru’s most compelling city, combining layers of history from the days of the Incan empire, through the Spanish colonial period and right up to modern times. It is a place of grand monuments from the Spanish period juxtaposed with atmospheric Incan alleys. A city imbued with an almost tangible sense of history and a special mystical charm — a not-to-miss during a trip to Peru.In no particular order, here are the top 12 things to do in Cusco from visiting ancient ruins to attending weaving classes!

Over the last decade or so, the rest of the world has begun to wake up to something Peruvians have always known: theirs is a diverse and exciting cuisine the equal of any other. Foodies around the globe have taken note of Peruvian cuisine, which blends influences from many different countries with the huge variety of locally-available ingredients. Peruvian food reflects the great cultural diversity of the country and which is also generally healthy – as well as simply being a pleasure to eat.

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

Is there any city on earth more mysterious than Machu Picchu? Despite being one of the ‘New’ Seven Wonders of the World, the Peruvian citadel ruins date back to 1450 and were hidden away for nearly four centuries. You don’t need to be an archaeologist to appreciate a visit to this “lost” city of the Inca civilisation. Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the UNESCO World Heritage Site each year to explore the beautifully restored temples of Machu Picchu’s upper urban sector and the agricultural warehouses of its lower sector—not to mention the incredible Andes views. Reachable by train or, if you’re feeling adventurous, a trek via the Inca Trail, the spectacular views are a must-see during your visit to Peru.