What To Do in Peru that Isn't Machu Picchu

Amazon Jungle

What else is there to say except that it is the Amazon jungle, the place you probably marveled at as a child. With its mega biodiversity, a wealth of natural resources, and the planet's lungs. Come to the Peruvian Amazon and see one of the most critical places in the world in all its glorious prowess. 

 

Peruvian Amazon

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of the Incas and home to the Uros people, who call the highest navigable lake in the world home. The Uros people continue to live in many traditional ways, including living on floating islands made of reeds. In contrast, the Quechua communities live in a distinctive way that their ancestors always have done.

 

Lake Titicaca

 

Rainbow Mountain

This mountain is indeed rainbow-colored. While there aren't any bright greens or yellows, obvious striped patterns create a stunning visual effect. Not only is the climb up to Rainbow Mountain at 5020 meters elevation, but you can also appreciate the sacred Apu of Ausangate and witness living Andean communities of Alpaca farmers and weavers participating in Rainbow Mountain win their daily life.

 

Rainbow Mountain

 

Chan Chan

The largest adobe city in the world was once a bustling city outside present-day Trujillo. In its day, before the Inca conquest of Peru, it was the largest city in the Americas. Chan Chan, the one-time capital of the Chimú kingdom,  is just three miles northwest of Trujillo and would have, during the halcyon days of the empire's height, contained an array of gold and silver – later plundered by the Spaniards. These days, the most striking features are the earthen walls adorned with geometric reliefs and depictions of animals and mythological figures.

 

Chan Chan

 

Moras and Moray

Located in the Sacred Valley outside Urubamba, you can do these two Inca sites in one trip because they're so close together. Moray is an incredible feat of agricultural ingenuity, with nearly 100 large terraces that rise and fall in elevation and which were used as places for crop experimentation. The Incas were incredible at growing enough food to sustain their large empire, and this is where they perfected their craft. At Maras, you can see remarkable salt pans that offer visitors jaw-dropping beauty and plenty of souvenir salt. 

 

Moray, Sacred Valley

 

Kuelap

In the northern Amazonas region of Peru lies the white-washed colonial city of Chachapoyas. This city is surrounded by archaeological ruins, some even older than Machu Picchu. The archaeological site of Kuelap is a walled city with hundreds of buildings from an ancient civilization built before Machu Picchu. The natural beauty and ancient wonders surrounding Chachapoyas are plenty, and this is a not-to-be-missed destination on your trip to Peru! Equally awe-inspiring is the hike to one of the world's tallest waterfalls, Gocta Falls. This majestic two-level waterfall drops a powerful surge of water over 2,500 feet. It will take your breath away, even from a far distance. The hike is quite strenuous and not for the faint of heart. You are often on a steep rocky surface surrounded by the thick Amazon jungle that shelters toucans and howler monkeys.

 

Kuelap

Huascaran National Park

Located in the Central Andes, Huaraz is the perfect base camp for hikers, outdoor adventurers, and mountaineers. Huascarán National Park has over 600 glaciers, 300 glacial lakes, hundreds of snow-capped peaks, and over 25 trekking routes. The region's most popular hikes include the one-day Laguna 69 trail. However, don't be fooled by this hike's popularity, as it's still quite challenging. The hike is 7.5 miles roundtrip and gains 800 vertical feet of elevation. The Laguna 69 hike ends at the crystalline-blue Laguna 69, which contrasts beautifully with the tundra and snow-capped mountain views. It's arguably the world's most photogenic lake!

 

Laguna 69

 

Choquequirao

This is considered Machu Picchu's sister site, and it has a similar construction to Peru's most famous attraction and sits atop a mountain with stunning views of the valley. While Machu Picchu has become relatively easy to visit, Choquequirao certainly hasn't. It involves a grueling hike to the top, and the ascent in altitude can be intense, but the solitude and scenery make up for the difficulty in getting there.

 

Choquequirao

Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon is the world's second canyon and twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the US. Colca Canyon offers numerous hiking opportunities with amazing views and is one of the best places in the world to see Andean condors. A green oasis at the bottom of the canyon is a much-needed resting point. If you decide to stay overnight, there are even rustic accommodations with a pool for relaxing before you hike back out of the canyon. 

 

Colca canyon

Northern Beaches

Start your off-the-beaten-path Peru itinerary in the North. Many visitors to Peru miss out on this part of the country and all the sun and surf it provides. For one of the best surf spots in Peru, check out the small beach town of Lobitos. Hidden in an arid desert, Lobitos is home to many waves that all break in different swell sizes. It makes it a perfect destination for advanced surfers. Or, if you are new to surfing, consider a stop in Puerto Malabrigo, known to the locals as "Chicama ". This small coastal town in northwestern Peru is located in the La Libertad Region. It is about 40 miles north of the city of Trujillo. Chicama is home to the longest left-breaking wave in the world – perfect for beginner surfers. If you are seeking something more social, head to the hip beach town of Mancora for beach parties, surfing, kitesurfing, swimming with sea turtles, and lazy pool days. Whatever Peruvian beach you choose, the water is beautiful and provides a much-needed escape from the heat.

 

Punta Sal, North Peru
 

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