Bucket List Peru

Inca Trail

Yes, it's famous, yes it's touristy, yes it's expensive and yes it's on most people’s Peru bucket list……. guess why? It's incredible!!!!! From start to finish, the whole of the Inca trail, or as colloquially known as “Inca TRIAL” is the experience of a lifetime, there really is nothing quite like it! The 4 day Inca trail option involves mind-blowing scenery, ancient Inca architecture, a lot of trekking, massive steps, Sacred mountains, historical uniqueness, a few tears, emotional fulfilment and of course the maximum “bragging rights” ever! The Inca trail is life-changing in many ways and has to be up there as one of the best adventures in Peru. Do book ahead though, permits sell out really quickly, do get in shape, the experience will be so much better for it, do take a lot of selfies…you will regret it if you don’t, do take a reward for climbing the “Dead woman's pass”, do boast about it to everyone you come across…you’ve earned it!

Inca Trail

Try the national  Peruvian dishes

Peru is very proud of its culinary prowess and why shouldn't it be! It is the culinary capital of the Americas, after all, with a huge array of fresh produce and gourmet delights to make you salivate! Ceviche is the coastal classic and Cuy, or guinea pig (yes the pet!) is the Andean favourite. The Amazon region is proud of its Juane and Suri (look up what Suri is!) and in all regions, you can wash it down with an Inca cola, Pisco sour or Chicha Morada. Peruvians take their food VERY seriously, so we recommend that you do too! Not only will your taste buds thank you for the experience, but you will be taking part in a huge cultural, historical, family orientated tradition and is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in authentic Peruvian culture.

Ceviche

Go condor spotting

This magnificent bird is native to Peru and can be found in the plummeting canyons of Peru. These humungous condors can measure up to 3 metres long with a wingspan of about the same, and are one of the largest birds in existence! It's amazing that they can actually get off the ground! Colca Canyon in Arequipa is a popular hotspot to see things incredible birds and the canyon itself is the perfect, beautiful backdrop for these amazing creatures. If you are short on time, check out the Apurimac canyon a couple of hours away from Cusco and the viewpoint of Chonta, which will allow you to marvel at their incredible feats of aviation, soaring above one of the deepest canyons in the world.

Condor over Colca

Visit the Amazon

The Amazon Jungle is known as the “lungs of the world”, and it is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. If you want to connect with nature, then this has to be a destination at the top of your list. The number of different animal species is mind-blowing and the Amazon jungle is sooo original and sooo different to other geographical regions, that it has to be experienced. You can take it as busy or as relaxed as you like with an abundance of activities such as caiman spotting, parrot viewing, giant water otters and if you are lucky a jaguar or two, all in their natural habitat. It is the perfect digital detox and the perfect way to reconnect with the mother earth, in a world where we are obsessed with technology and development. The Amazon jungle has its unique way of gently making you switch off and appreciate this amazing planet that we live on.

Parrots on a claylick in Tambopata

Visit the floating Islands on Lake Titicaca

These unique spongy, floating reed islands are the home to the native Aymara and Quechua people of the altiplano who live totally independently on their islands, that they have built themselves from the reeds and grasses of the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. These friendly locals will let you experience a little of their world, from their incredible, brightly woven dress, their fishing techniques and reed boats made from the same material as the island themselves. They even cultivate their own vegetables and potatoes on these incredible floating marvels of ancient Peruvian construction.

Floating Islands on Titicaca

Visit a traditional festival

Check out the calendar of yearly festivals (there are many to choose from)and make sure you go to one! This incredible mixture of culture, history, traditional and catholic religions, dance, costume, traditional dress, food and drink and a deity or two, is the perfect way to appreciate some of the authentic ancestral customs of the area and have a jolly good time while doing so! In The Andes, Easter and the month of June, are the perfect time of the year to join in a local festival, such as Inti Raymi, the Inca festival of the sun. It is the best way to make new friends, experience the traditional Peruvian festival to the maximum and have an amazing time. This unique and authentic experience is the perfect fusion of cultural and historical Peruvian activities and it would be a crime to miss out!

Inti Raymi - festival of the sun

Visit a stripy coloured mountain

Rainbow mountain has rapidly become one of the major attractions in Peru. Due to global warming, the Vinicunca rainbow mountain was only recently discovered (literally) in the past 7 years, 2015 to be exact. When then snow melted, a magnificent rainbow coloured mountain was revealed. The colours are formed by sediment and extreme weather conditions that have formed over time

The overlapping of the Nazca plate and the South American plate was the start of the rise of the Rainbow Mountain. With this subduction, the mountain began to rise and form the Andes mountain range. This produced significant volcanic activity and introduced rare and varied mineralogy to the Andes, with different layers of sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, halite, gravel, clay and other minerals, which were compacted on top of one another, to form different layers.

If you prefer the lesser travelled route, then the Palccoyo Rainbow mountain may be the better option. With spectacular views of the snow-capped peak of Apu Ausangate, pastoral scenes of Quechua-speaking communities, farming their llama and alpacas, and impressive multi-toned mountains without the crowds, this area offers true perspective of the geographical region and local life in general.

Red coloration of sedimentary layers often indicates iron oxide rust as a trace mineral. Additionally, the bright yellow coloration could be due to iron sulfide as trace minerals within the pore cement. High altitude is another important factor. Due to the harsh environment of the area, there is almost no vegetation.

Vinicunca- Rainbow Mountain