The 10 best experiences you can have in Peru

09.11.2023 - 14:27 / lonelyplanet.com / Lake Titicaca

Peru may be known as one of the cradles of ancient civilization, but its topography also makes it a wonderland of adventure.

The icy mountain peaks of the Andes draw trekkers and climbers, the untamed desert coast is lapped by world-class waves for surfers and for explorers, there’s the Amazon – a vast mass of wetlands and rainforest brimming with monkeys, macaws and slinky, rare felines.

Gear up – Peru is a wild ride! Make the most of your trip with our guide to the country's very best experiences.

A winding footpath climbs from the depths of the Urubamba Valley, through vaporous cloud forests, alongside the ruins of ancient way stations. For the Incas, this roadway was the main entry point to the exquisite estate of Machu Picchu .

For the thousands of travelers who hike the trail every year, it is a pilgrimage – a rugged four-day trek through sumptuous scenery and the final stop is the most spectacular archaeological site in Peru.

Planning tip: If planning to go during high season (June to September) be sure to purchase your entry ticket to the Inca citadel online and in advance, as waiting to do so in person can run the risk of tickets being sold out.

According to Andean belief, Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun. Lay your eyes on the sapphire-colored waters of South America’s largest lake and it’s hard not to feel a certain magic.

Spending the night on one of the floating islands is the best way to experience this place – life in its small rural settlements is lived according to the rhythm of the seasons. The best part? Sunset, surrounded by the lake’s gleaming waters.

The Amazon Basin is known for its intense biodiversity and riotous rainforest wilderness. Parque Nacional Manu protects one of its wildest, most remote corners.

Located at the watershed of the Rio Manu, one of the many tributaries that eventually leads to the Amazon River, this wet web of rivers is a feast for wildlife spotting – from tapirs to ocelots to flocks of brilliant, cackling macaws.

Planning tip: Keep in mind that visiting during the high water season (December to May) provides more possibilities to navigate through small tributaries by kayak, whereas the low water season (June to November) is ideal for trekking through the rainforest.

The Cordillera Blanca , a majestic mountain range at the heart of Peru, can make the most devoted couch potato want to strap on a pack and go.

A network of craggy peaks covered in dollops of gleaming white snow draws dedicated high-altitude trekkers who wind through alpine lakes and diminutive Andean villages. If the altitude doesn’t take your breath away, the vistas certainly will.

Planning tip: From Lima, take an eight-hour bus ride to the mountain town of Huaraz –