Top 10 Peruvian Experiences
What To Do In Peru?
Home to grand peaks of the Andes, the Amazon Rainforest, and holding the secrets to the lives of the ancient Inca civilisation, Peru is a country of incredible history, fascinating wildlife and beautiful natural landscapes. Most people travelling to Peru want to see Machu Picchu, and we don’t blame them; the citadel perched high in the mountains is a sight to behold. But this country can offer you so much more.
To show you what’s possible, our Latin America travel experts have put together a list of their favourite Peruvian activities.
To show you what’s possible, our Latin America travel experts have put together a list of their favourite Peruvian activities.
- Step Aboard the Belmond Andean Explorer
- KM104 Hike to Machu Picchu
- Chinchero Ruins and Sunday Market
- Climb Huayna Picchu
- White Water Rafting on the Urubamba River
- Visit the Floating Islands of Uros at Lake Titicaca
- See Condors Flying in the Thermal Air in the Colca Valley
- Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- A Luxury Northern Amazon River Cruise
1. Step Aboard the Belmond Andean Explorer
One of the world’s highest and most luxurious trains, the Andean Explorer promises a sleeper train journey like no other. The train itself is ornate, sophisticated and tastefully decorated, so beautiful, in fact, that people often remark that it’s hard to believe they’re even on a train.
Wide windows adorn the carriages, allowing you to take in the views of Peru’s mountainous landscape. Snaking through the Andean highlands, you’ll enjoy unrivalled levels of comfort, service and dine like royalty in the train’s restaurant.
Wide windows adorn the carriages, allowing you to take in the views of Peru’s mountainous landscape. Snaking through the Andean highlands, you’ll enjoy unrivalled levels of comfort, service and dine like royalty in the train’s restaurant.
2. KM104 Hike to Machu Picchu
Hiking the Inca Trail is a bucket list experience. If you have the time and the inclination, you can enjoy a multi day trek through the high Andes to Machu Picchu.
For those who prefer a shorter hike, starting at KM104 is ideal. Boarding the early morning train to Aguas Calientes, you will disembark with your private guide at KM104 and spend the day hiking to the Inti Punku Sun Gate.
The hike will take between five and eight hours and your reward for those efforts - the most mesmerising views down over the 500-year-old Incan architecture of Machu Picchu.
For those who prefer a shorter hike, starting at KM104 is ideal. Boarding the early morning train to Aguas Calientes, you will disembark with your private guide at KM104 and spend the day hiking to the Inti Punku Sun Gate.
The hike will take between five and eight hours and your reward for those efforts - the most mesmerising views down over the 500-year-old Incan architecture of Machu Picchu.
3. Chinchero Ruins and Sunday Market
If you want to experience authentic Peruvian culture, then the market town of Chinchero is ideal.
Much of the Chinchero archaeological site is now beneath a colonial church, however, agricultural terraces remain and your private guide will divulge all we know about what the Incas originally built here.
The market is full of local people selling beautiful, vibrant hand woven textiles, as well as bread, cheese, and fresh fruits and vegetables - this isn’t just a place for the tourists.
Much of the Chinchero archaeological site is now beneath a colonial church, however, agricultural terraces remain and your private guide will divulge all we know about what the Incas originally built here.
The market is full of local people selling beautiful, vibrant hand woven textiles, as well as bread, cheese, and fresh fruits and vegetables - this isn’t just a place for the tourists.
4. Climb Huayna Picchu
After your private tour of the ruins of Machu Picchu, enjoy a different perspective of the Incan citadel by climbing Huayna Picchu Mountain.
Every year, thousands of visitors travel to Machu Picchu, walk to Huayna Picchu, and take in the breathtaking vistas of the valleys and mountains around them.
Although not very difficult, the walk to Huayna Picchu is steep at several points. The climb takes roughly two hours, and once there, you will have a birds eye view of the Incas' lost metropolis.
Every year, thousands of visitors travel to Machu Picchu, walk to Huayna Picchu, and take in the breathtaking vistas of the valleys and mountains around them.
Although not very difficult, the walk to Huayna Picchu is steep at several points. The climb takes roughly two hours, and once there, you will have a birds eye view of the Incas' lost metropolis.
5. White Water Rafting on the Urubamba River
Thrill-seekers, you need look no further for a Peruvian activity to get your adrenaline pumping. The Urubamba River flows through the Sacred Valley and is perfect for a white water rafting trip alongside some spectacular scenery.
As you enjoy tackling class II - IV rapids, your raft bobbing up and down through the water, you’re flanked by Peru’s signature majestic hillsides. Of course, you’ll stop for an al fresco lunch to refuel too.
As you enjoy tackling class II - IV rapids, your raft bobbing up and down through the water, you’re flanked by Peru’s signature majestic hillsides. Of course, you’ll stop for an al fresco lunch to refuel too.
6. Visit the Floating Islands of Uros at Lake Titicaca
Hundreds of years ago, the Uros people, an indigenous Peruvian community, built floating islets from totora reeds in an effort to protect themselves from Inca attack. Today, the community continues to construct and live on these man-made islands in Lake Titicaca.
Hop on a boat and visit for a couple of hours, or, if you want to truly immerse yourself in the Uru culture, we can arrange for you to stay with a local family, learning to fish with them and enjoying food together.
Hop on a boat and visit for a couple of hours, or, if you want to truly immerse yourself in the Uru culture, we can arrange for you to stay with a local family, learning to fish with them and enjoying food together.
7. Visit Awamaki Organisation in the Sacred Valley
As part of our commitment to sustainable travel, we support Awamaki, a non-profit enterprise which creates various programmes that promote financial and educational independence for local women through the creation of heritage textiles.
You can see the organisation’s work first hand, learning more about local weaving and spinning, and even trying your hand at spinning on a drop spindle and weaving a bracelet.
After spending time with the artisans, you can join them for a traditional lunch in their home and visit the textile markets nearby.
You can see the organisation’s work first hand, learning more about local weaving and spinning, and even trying your hand at spinning on a drop spindle and weaving a bracelet.
After spending time with the artisans, you can join them for a traditional lunch in their home and visit the textile markets nearby.
8. See Condors Flying in the Thermal Air in the Colca Valley
Known as the King of the Andes, the Andean Condor has a wingspan of around 10 feet and is the largest flying bird in the world.
Watch as they spread their enormous wings, soaring through the air in search of food and effortlessly navigating the hot air that rises from the ground here.
In order to preserve energy, the condor rarely flaps its wings and watching as they glide through the air before you is both beautiful and hypnotic.
Watch as they spread their enormous wings, soaring through the air in search of food and effortlessly navigating the hot air that rises from the ground here.
In order to preserve energy, the condor rarely flaps its wings and watching as they glide through the air before you is both beautiful and hypnotic.
9. Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
This trek packs an enormous amount of history into a four day trail through the Sacred Valley, culminating at Machu Picchu, the famed city of the Incas.
This is a strenuous hike but with ruins, half a century old, along the way and surrounded by Andean peaks, it’s easy to enjoy for those with a good level of fitness.
When you arrive at Machu Picchu, unbelievably breath-taking whether shrouded in cloud or basking in the sunlight, you’re overwhelmed by its majesty. Finish with a tour of the site before taking some well-earned rest!
This is a strenuous hike but with ruins, half a century old, along the way and surrounded by Andean peaks, it’s easy to enjoy for those with a good level of fitness.
When you arrive at Machu Picchu, unbelievably breath-taking whether shrouded in cloud or basking in the sunlight, you’re overwhelmed by its majesty. Finish with a tour of the site before taking some well-earned rest!
10. A Luxury Northern Amazon River Cruise
Explore one of the world’s most famous rivers in the lap of luxury. In the morning, you’ll wake and watch through your cabin window as the sun shines over the glistening river. Throughout the day you’ll enjoy excellent service and delicious cuisine interspersed with Amazonian exploration, before putting your feet up in your spacious cabin.
Enjoy the adventure that cruising the Amazon brings: kayaking, night-safaris by boat, paddle-boarding, or disembarking and discovering the rainforest on foot, but without compromising on comfort.
Enjoy the adventure that cruising the Amazon brings: kayaking, night-safaris by boat, paddle-boarding, or disembarking and discovering the rainforest on foot, but without compromising on comfort.
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