Travel Tips

PERU TOP 10

16th April 2019 April 22nd, 2019 No Comments

10 great reasons to visit Peru
Photos of the Incas, llamas and deep, dark jungles create a magical image of Peru. But there is much more for you to discover in this diverse and fascinating country, with sights, activities and culture that more than competes with all other South American destinations. Whether you are looking for a luxury tour, a family holiday or a back-packer trip, there are many reasons to visit Peru.

A paradise for hikers
Peru’s distinct regions provide excellent trekking options for both experienced and occasional hikers. There are plenty of trails to choose from, ranging from one-day to multi-day treks with overnights. Some of the most popular hiking spots are:

Inca trail and alternative treks to Machu Picchu
High-altitude trekking in Huaraz
Walking through the descent to the Colca Canyon near Arequipa
Demanding alpine hikes on Alpamayo Circuit in the Cordillera Blanca
Multi-days-hiking in the Peruvian Amazon
Geographical diversity
Peru has a unique and stunning geographic diversity to offer through its three regions: the Pacific coast, the Andean highlands and the Amazon jungle. Even during a short visit, Peru’s diversity is more than obvious. A 14 hours bus ride takes you from the desert on the coast to the cool heights of the Andes, before it takes you down to the great Peruvian Amazon jungle.
Tours of the Amazon can then take you even further into the jungle, or you can hop on a passenger ferry and travel on the Amazon River all the way to the coast of Brazil.

Vibrant cultural festivals
The Peruvian year is full of colorful festivals. During the “Semana Santa”, the week leading up to Easter Sunday, religious processions are blocking the streets with a fascinating blend of colonial and indigenous traditions. Cusco celebrates the great Inca festival Inti Raymi on June 24, making this a popular time to visit Peru and Machu Picchu. In the jungle, the festival in San Juan marks a day of wine and relaxation along the river followed by an epic night of dancing.
Do not forget Peru’s Independence Day on July 28. Military parades are marching through the streets in day-time and endless festivities and fireworks will ensure a long and lively night.

Peruvian hospitality
Whether they are quiet and reserved or smilingly helpful, Peruvians are always happy to welcome tourists to their proud country. With just moderate basic knowledge of Spanish, you will never get away from a little small talk in a bar or restaurant over a beer or freshly squeezed juice. Peruvians also love to dance, so be prepared to be invited to the dance floor when you visit a place with music and dance.
Keep in mind that people rarely speak English, especially in the provinces. It may seem like a tough task, but learn some Spanish words and you will reap the rewards when you put your foot on Peruvian soil.

Peru’s amazing wildlife
With eight national parks, nature lovers have more than enough reasons to visit Peru.

Highlights:

Manu National Park, the largest biosphere reserve in Peru, with more than 1000 species of birds
Tingo Maria National Park with its cave dwellings and guácharos
Huascaran National Park, home of pumas, jaguars, tapirs, llamas and many more
Paracas National Reserve, a protected marine ecosystem including Humboldt penguins, sea lions, dolphins and turtles
Titicaca National Reserve helps to preserve Peru’s most mysterious lake and its surrounding environment
Extreme Sports
Those seeking adrenaline rushes will not be bored in Peru. There are lots of things to do:

Paragliding by the coast in Lima
Sandboarding on the dunes close to Huacachina
Take a sand buggy for a ride in the desert
Surf on the waves along the Peruvian coastline
Mountain and ice climbing in the Cordillera Blanca range
River-kayaking in the Amazon
Rafting in the Sacred Valley
Mountain biking in the Andes on winding paths
Peru’s pre-colonial ruins
Machu Picchu may be the “jewel” among Peru’s historic sites, but it is certainly not the only one in Peru’s archaeological diversity. A large selection of fascinating ruins are scattered around the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, but also many other places have pre-colonial buildings in its vicinity. Highlights:

The mysterious Nazca Lines
The impressive Inca ruins near Cusco – Saqsayhuamán
Moche ruins near Trujillo
Ancient tombs near Chiclayo
Kuelap fortress near Chachapoyas
Culinary delights
The Peruvian cuisine has quickly made its mark on the global culinary map, and with good reasons. Travellers can enjoy a wide range of regional delicacies, including the continent’s finest ceviche (raw seafood in a marinade), traditional specialties as alpaca steak and grilled Cuy (guinea pig) and tasty, leaf-wrapped Peruvian snacks as Juanes, tamales and humitas.
For samples of oddities in the menu, dip in a pot of roasted ants or close your eyes before forcing down a juicy jungle worm.

An affordable experience
Budget backpackers can live very cheaply and take advantage of the low prices. With simple lunches for less than 3 USD, 10 USD for a night at a hostel and cheap long-distance buses, you can easily cope with a “low” budget from the Pacific coast to the depths of the Amazon jungle.

Mysterious Peru
Peru has a rich tradition of healers and spiritual advisors, from the “curanderos” in the Andes to the Amazon “shamans”. You may take a spiritual journey with an ayahuasca ceremony, or perhaps let a guinea rubdown clean impurities from your body.

wp.mark

Leave a Reply