The moment Peru is mentioned, images of the Incan lost city of Machu Picchu comes to mind but there is more to Peru than ancient ruins. Peru is a land of variety, it is packed with rich culture and history that includes delicious Peruvian cuisines and fun festivals, its nature ranges from the lush tropical Amazon rainforest to the snow caped mountain peaks of the Andes with fascinating wildlife living in all of its climates and of course there are lots of ancient ruins to explore.

Most visitors to Peru are attracted by their desire to see Machu Picchu and undoubtedly it is the main highlight of Peru but there are many more wonderful ancient ruins to visit that are overshadowed by Machu Picchu’s famous reputation. Some of the other sites that should be included when visiting Peru are the Nazca Lines, Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo, and Chan Chan.

Second in popularity for visitors to Peru is to go on a rainforest adventure in the Peruvian Amazon. Most Amazon adventures starts from the city of Iquitos by traveling along the Amazon River to a wilderness lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve or the Manu National Park. Spending time in the Amazon Rainforest is all about seeing the abundant wildlife of one of the world’s few unspoiled natural environments.

Historical sites, nature and wildlife may be the reasons that most people travel to Peru but it is impossible to overlook the country’s culture because it is on display everywhere you look. Seeing the culture is one thing but don’t miss out on tasting its unique cuisine and timing your visit during one of the festivals will be an unforgettable experience.

Seeing Machu Picchu and spending time in the Amazon Rainforest are experiences that should be at the top of every travelers “to do” list but no visit to Peru is complete without taking part in its culture.

Must See Attractions

Visiting historical sites and wildlife viewing are at the top of everyone activities when traveling to Peru. These two activities are very different and not all people are interested in doing both. Some people are only interested in seeing the historical sites and others are only interested in spending time in nature and seeing the vast amount of wildlife. My interest includes both activities but they are so different that I took separate trips, one to see historical sites and one for wildlife viewing.

Absolutely travel to Peru to see the historical sites and to view the wildlife but the country’s culture is another top reason to visit Peru. My list of must see attractions of Peru include historical sites, nature, wildlife and cultural activities.

My two standout experiences in Peru are no surprise, they are seeing Machu Picchu and spending time in the Amazon Rainforest.

People from across the world travel to Peru for the sole purpose of visiting Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. I was no exception, my first trip to Peru was because of my desire to see Machu Picchu. The ancient ruins was mysterious and it was located high in the lush cloud forest of the Andes Mountains. Exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu was wonderful but my most memorable experience was my first sight of Machu Picchu.

Hiking along the Inca Trail in the Andes Mountains was one of my lifetime experiences but coming over the mountain ridge and see my first sight of Machu Picchu was thrilling. There have been times in my travels where I saw something so amazing that it stopped me in my tracks and I just stood in awe to try and let the experience sink in, my first sighting of Machu Picchu was one of those times.

One year later, I made my second trip to Peru so that I could experience the most untamed jungle in the world, the Amazon Rainforest. My experience in the Amazon Rainforest was spending 10 days at a primitive campsite (no electricity) about 100 miles from the closest town. Hiking through the most biodiverse jungle in the world and seeing plants and wildlife that can’t be seen anywhere else on earth was amazing but my most memorable experiences of my time in the Amazon Rainforest was taking a two day jungle survival hike.

While my jungle survival experience only lasted for two days and one night it taught me a lot about the rainforest. It is one thing for a guide to tell you about things that can be eaten but it is totally different for those fruits, plants and insects being the only things there are to eat. I remember more about my time in the Amazon Rainforest than I do any other trip that I have taken.

I have been to seemingly countless places around the world but two of my most memorable experiences have been to hike the Inca trail into Machu Picchu and to explore the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. Seeing famous places are exciting but creating memorable experiences are times that you will remember forever!

Places to See

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Events to Enjoy