With more than 4,000 years of history and mystery, ancient civilizations that constructed architectural works of art, all imaginable microclimates with peculiar flora and fauna, and probably one of the best cuisines on the planet, Peru will make your mind wander and ignite a spark of curiosity. Being a country with a World Wonder like Machu Picchu, people tend to skip the other beauty that is treasured here. Sure, visiting Peru and not exploring the Incan masterpiece is close to crazy. Nevertheless, this yet-to-be-properly-discovered country has plenty more to offer. Here are some of the reasons that always take us back to this majestic South American country.

Admire the Rocks!

The rocks literally rock here! The craftsmanship of the Incas is probably best recognized with Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. All the stones were immaculately cut to fit together without needing to use mortar. To build a gargantuan edifice like this – more than 550 years ago on an altitude of 8,000 feet – is praiseworthy! Keep in mind that no wheels were used to transport those heavy rocks. Until you stumble upon its glory, it is impossible to explain the emotions and the stunning beauty that you will experience almost immediately. Luckily for us, the Incas did not stop their architectural endeavors here, and decided to treat the world with more excellent venues such as Sacsayhuaman (fortress-temple complex), Pisac (hilltop citadel with ancient temples), Moray (concentric terraces once used as an agricultural laboratory), and Maras (salt mines dating back to Incan times), just to name a few. The one that always makes my imagination run wild is the Nazca Lines, which are a series of large ancient geoglyphs representing animals and plants. Some of them are more than 1,200 feet long or wide. We dare you to stay immune to a sight of an enormous rock shaped llama or monkey created more than two millennia ago!

Soak Up the Majestic Nature!

Under its own rooftop, Peru houses the highest navigable lake in the world (Lake Titicaca), the longest river in the World (Amazon river), one of the deepest canyons in the world (Cotahuasi Canyon), and arguably the best waves to surf in the world. The world’s largest rainforest, the Amazon, covers nearly half of the country, and it is home to plants and animals that do not live anywhere else on Earth. The above mentioned Lake Titicaca is a perfect place to contemplate on how to create and live on floating islands solely made out of reeds. The indigenous people of Uros are believed to be descendants from the earliest inhabitants of the lake who managed to preserve the floating lifestyle for many hundreds of years. Their homes, boats, and the ground they walk on are all made from Totora reed.

As you continue to observe this mesmerizing country, you will encounter high mountain peaks with unbelievable views.  The Andes Mountains can easily be a hikers paradise, but visitors are always blown away by Vinicunca – a rainbow mountain! For years it has been covered by snow and hidden from bystanders, but as the global temperatures rose, it presented itself with stripes of mineral deposits painted across sandstone rock. It looks like a bunch of extremely talented five-year-olds decided to paint a work of art. As a cherry on top, with abundant rainforests and 90 distinct microclimates, Peru counts among the 10 most biologically diverse countries in the world. While wandering around, you will encounter wildlife like jaguars, bears, llamas, alpacas, and anacondas. The variety of nature and wildlife found will leave you breathless and jam your memory card with more photos than you need.

Feast on the Local Delicacies!

It is not by chance that, in almost every survey of the best restaurants in the world, there are always a couple of Peruvian joints. Some of the master creations we urge you to try are ceviche (national raw fish dish), cuy (guinea pig), anticuchos (beef heart), picarones (doughnuts), and papas (potatoes) in a million variations. It goes without saying that the country is abundant with fruit such as aguaje, guava, mango, and many more. When it comes to beverages, you will be offered a Pisco Sour, and we advise you to try it. It’s a combination of liquor, lime juice, syrup, ice, and egg white. Interestingly enough, one of the most expensive coffees in the world originates from Peru. It is made from the animal dung of a coati after it has eaten ripe coffee cherries. The growers then wash, roast, and export the beans that emerge partially fermented. For all coffee aficionados out there, enjoy your cup of Peruvian joe, just don’t think too much about where it came from. Another beverage commonly consumed in Peru is Mate de Coca. While indulging in this unique herbal tea, be aware that it is made from leaves of the coca plant which have been used in the Andean world for thousands of years. Coca leaves have been used as a stimulant to overcome fatigue and they are particularly effective against altitude sickness. Of course, there are also different illegal usages of the leaves, but we do not need to say more on that. To conclude, be prepared for a sensory overload while putting your taste buds to the test with the local cuisine. 

Learn About and Respect the Local Traditions!

Peru has the second largest community of shamans in the world, and their practices have been utilized for more than 3,000 years. Since most of the population can’t afford or does not have access to doctors, the natives often turn to a shaman’s spiritual healing. Almost every weaving technique known today has been invented by the Peruvians. To create a traditional poncho, it takes around 600 hours over a period of six months. Peruvians are generally given one poncho upon entering adulthood, and it is expected to last a lifetime.

If you are looking for a more dynamic activity, visit Peru and check out the traditional scissor dance! The name comes from the pair of polished iron rods, resembling scissors blades, wielded by each dancer in their right hand. The dancers must strike the blades together in time to the rhythm of the accompanying musicians, while performing a choreographed duel of step-dancing, acrobatics, and increasingly demanding movements. While spending time in the country, try to immerse yourself in the local traditions and mingle with the natives. It will be a formative experience and a memory you will cherish.

Visit Peru!

From captivating nature, across delicious cuisine, to enchanting vistas of the former Inca civilization, it is all there waiting for you. In addition, the country and its 30 million people have a lot more stories to share. So travel there, hear them out, and become the main character in your own Peruvian story. Visit Peru and understand everything we’ve said about this South American gem. 

Check out our Peru packages: Peru Highlights and Peru Essentials