1. Dive into the true heart of the Amazon
Peru is the birthplace of the Amazon River, emerging in Carhuasanta and snaking its way through the Andes before plunging into the vast Amazon basin. It’s the only country where you can experience every stage of the river’s life.
The Peruvian Amazon, especially around Manu National Park, is a raw explosion of biodiversity. Think over a thousand bird species, two hundred types of mammals, and a soundtrack of wild nature that never hits pause. Hop on a canoe, spot caimans, and let the jungle wrap around you. Whether you’re drifting down the river or joining a local volunteering project, this must do in Peru takes you straight to the soul of the wild.
2. Choose your own path to Machu Picchu
You already know it’s a must do in Peru, but how you get there makes all the difference. Machu Picchu isn’t just a destination—it’s a reward. And the journey can be just as epic.
The classic Inca Trail? Four days of stone steps, cloud forests, ancient ruins and high-altitude magic. It’s legendary, but spots sell out fast. Missed it? No drama. Try the Choquequirao Trail—remote, wild, and whispering history with every step. The Lares Trek? It’s the people’s route, a cultural dive into Andean life. Want to level up? Saddle up for the Salkantay Trek. It’s tougher, higher, and trades ruins for raw nature—15 ecosystems and jaw-dropping views no crowd ever claps eyes on.
3. Eat like you’ve got nothing to lose
Peruvian cuisine isn’t here to play nice. From roasted guinea pig to potatoes that smell like a chemistry experiment gone rogue, eating here is a must do in Peru for anyone with guts—and a fork.
Cuy, the infamous guinea pig, reigns in the highlands. Skip the tourist traps in Cusco and the Urubamba valley. Go deeper. Find the smoke-stained kitchens and backstreet joints where it’s cooked the old way. Not up for rodent roast? No hay problema. Head to Arequipa, where the food comes with a side of volcano views and history carved in sillar stone.
And let’s talk potatoes. 10,000 years of cultivation, 3,800 varieties, and textures you didn’t know existed. Peruvians don’t just eat potatoes—they’ve elevated them to an art form. From jungle to coast, Peru is now a heavyweight on the global foodie scene. Young chefs are rewriting the rules and serving up dishes that’ll blow your palate wide open.
4. Squeeze every drop out of Lima
Most people rush through Lima chasing Machu Picchu or the Andes, but skipping the capital? That’s a rookie mistake. Exploring Lima is a must do in Peru if you want the full picture.
This city isn’t just a layover. It’s where coastal breezes meet colonial charm, and within a few hours you’ve got access to jungle thrills, mountain escapes, and rivers that don’t know how to behave. Craving adrenaline? Lunahuana’s got white-water chaos and vineyards to calm the nerves. Want something ancient? Tarma’s adobe vibes go pre-Colombian, with jungle hikes and South America’s deepest cave around the corner.
Stuck in the city? Don’t sulk—walk. Join a free (yes, free) tour of Lima’s UNESCO-listed colonial core with Inkan Milky Way. All they ask is a tip if you liked it. And you will.
5. Spend a day with the kings of the sky
Way down in the south, where volcanoes whisper and ancient secrets sleep in ice, lies Colca Canyon—twice as deep as the Grand one and home to the true rulers of the Andes: the condors.
Watching them in flight isn’t just cool, es un espectáculo. And it’s a must do in Peru you won’t forget. Make your way to Cruz del Condor at sunrise. That’s when the show begins. These giants don’t flap—they glide. They dance with the thermals, soaring right above your head, pulling stunts that make drones look clumsy. Then, like magic, they vanish into the depths of the canyon.
6. Uncover the real magic of Cusco
Most people bolt through Cusco chasing Machu Picchu, but slowing down here? That’s a must do in Peru if you want the good stuff.
Grab a Boleto Turistico and unlock 15 historic treasures. Then hike up to Sacsayhuamán, a stone fortress with views that silence the loudest minds. Walk back through San Blas—Cusco’s artsy soul, where galleries, crafts, and crooked alleys tell their own stories.
Escape the city into the Sacred Valley. Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero—they’re not just names, they’re living history. Hit Chinchero on a market day and dive into colors, flavors, and handmade everything. And don’t skip Maras. Those salt pans? Pure visual poetry.
7. Decode the desert’s greatest riddle
The Nazca Lines stretch across the coastal desert like ancient whispers written in stone. Spanning over 400km south of Lima, they’re a must do in Peru for anyone who likes their history served with a side of mystery.
Massive geoglyphs of monkeys, hummingbirds, and human figures etched by the Nazca people—centuries before the Incas were even a thought. The arid climate has kept them freakishly well preserved, as if time itself respected the artwork.
Hop on a flight and see them from above. Were they messages to the gods? Giant calendars? Alien landing pads? Carl Sagan had his theories. Now it’s your turn.
8. Witness the fire and glory of Inti Raymi
Forget New Year or Carnival—if there’s one party that’s a must do in Peru, it’s Inti Raymi. For over five centuries, this nine-day explosion of colour, music, and ancestral pride has lit up the streets of Cusco.
Rooted in Inca tradition, it’s a bold plea to the Sun God for good harvests. The climax hits on 24 June at the mighty ruins of Sacsayhuamán, where the past comes roaring back to life.
Expect warriors in gold, high priests in feathers, processions, chants, and enough local food and drink to keep Pachamama smiling for days. This isn’t a festival—it’s a full-blown spectacle.
9. Come face to face with frozen sacrifice in Arequipa
Arequipa might charm you with white stone facades and colonial beauty, but dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover a must do in Peru that chills to the bone—literally.
The Santa Catalina convent is a sunlit maze of color and silence, a world within the city. But the real shock waits in the Santuarios Andinos museum, where the past stares back through glass.
Here lies Juanita, the ‘Ice Maiden’—a 550-year-old child sacrificed to the gods, perfectly preserved by volcanic snow. Alongside her, more mummified offerings remind you that these mountains held more than just beauty—they demanded blood.
10. Sail into the wild at the Ballestas Islands
Dubbed the Galápagos of Peru, the Ballestas Islands are a must do in Peru for any wildlife junkie. Just off the coast near Pisco, these jagged outcrops are bursting with life and raw beauty.
Sea lions sprawl like lazy kings, penguins waddle through chaos, and the skies pulse with wings—albatrosses, boobies, pelicans, and more. Beneath natural arches and inside sea-carved caves, thousands of animals find shelter and feast from the rich waters.
Catch a boat from Paracas and witness nature doing its thing, full throttle. And while you’re there, don’t miss the giant Paracas Candelabra carved into the hills—nobody knows who made it, but it’s a welcome sign for every explorer.
