Claire Dean
Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!
Why travel to Peru will enrich your life!
Written by:Claire Dean
Published: 2022-02-21
While Peru is not at the top of many people's travel lists to make millions, traveling in Peru will enrich you in a number of more important and profound ways. It can be life-changing for some, a trip of a lifetime for others, yet the one thing we can be certain of, is things will never be the same after a visit to this incredible country. Are you asking yourself, why visit Peru? As one of the biggest countries in South America, Peru’s landscape is diverse. In the east, you have the exotic Amazon Rainforest, which is home to indigenous tribes and unique wildlife. The Andean Mountains divide the country in half, beckoning the bravest hikers to approach them, and on the western Pacific Coast, pristine beaches and marine life dominate. Here are just some of the impressive reasons why you should travel to Peru and why it will change you and your perspective on life, forever!
Inca trail views
Some of the most breathtaking scenery you may ever see.
Peru is a geographically diverse country, boasting the perfect mixture of the coast, jungle, and mountainous regions. The north coast of Peru is blessed with some of the best surf beaches in the world and the climate is perfect all year round! If animals are your thing, then Peru is the perfect destination with one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, the Amazon jungle, forming part of its incredible geography. Most people, when they travel in Peru, of course, want to head to the incredible site of Machu Picchu, The biggest tourist attraction in Peru. This monumental Inca citadel is strategically situated in the stunningly beautiful mountains and nestled perfectly within the Andean Mountain range, traversing the whole of South America. The glaciers of the higher elevations and lush green high jungle areas of the lower regions of the Andes, combine perfectly to provide us with some of the most breathtaking views on this planet. So, Peru is naturally remarkable for its geography!
Magnificent Machu Picchu
The Living History and Culture Offer a Deeper Knowledge of How People Lived Thousands of Years Ago.
Peru is one of the few places in the world where people still use the traditions and customs of their ancestors, dating back to over 5000 years ago. The way they hand weave their clothes, using alpaca wool and the specific design of the clothing, the way they farm their land, the food they eat, their religious ceremonies, and their traditional dances, all form part of living history.
Traditional dress from The Andean communities
These activities and customs have been carefully passed down the generations to preserve these ancient traditions and are still used in their full authenticity to this day. While Peru is totally developed with all the creature comforts of today's life, you cannot help but marvel at the ancient customs that are still in their glorious evidence today.
Lake Titicaca traditions
The Diversity of Attractions and Activities Ensures that There is Something for Everyone!
While Peru has some of the best hiking in the world, this is not the only incredible activity to enjoy when visiting Peru. The coastal region has some of the best surf beaches in the world! The desert regions south of Lima offer dune buggies and sandboarding also! Lima is also considered the culinary capital of the Americas with the “foodies” amongst us flocking to Peru, to try the incredible cuisine and The Andean region, which is a massive draw for the niche traveler with some of the finest wool and weavings in the world.
Andean weavings from the Sacred Valley
The stunning archaeological sites embellish the natural geography of the country, making this a fascinating part of the world for history lovers. For nature lovers, the Amazon jungle is one of the most biodiverse places on this planet with an array of flora and fauna in all of its regions. Ah, and don’t forget to take a visit to the highest navigable lake in the world called Lake Titicaca! The adventure activities are astounding also, so much so, that I dedicated a whole section to it! (See more below).
Saqsaywaman Inca Archaeological Site
Adventure Activities are Abundant!
For the more active amongst us, the diverse activities such as rafting, grappling, climbing, caving, mountain climbing, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, hang gliding, bungee jumping, zip-lining, scuba diving, snorkeling, etc. are only some of the incredible adventure sports available on your Peru vacation. If you are an adrenalin junkie, then Peru may just be the best place on the planet for you!
Whale Spotting in the Tumbes
The Food!
Traveling in Peru will open you up to a wide array of different tastes. The incredible deliciousness and diversity of Peruvian food, combined with the abundant wealth of natural and native products growing here, it is no surprise that Peru is a top destination for “foodies” worldwide! From the top-end restaurants to the delicacies of the street vendors, Peruvian food is diverse, delicious, and delectable…. and they are only the national dishes! Peru is by far a paradise for food lovers, so be sure to try anything and everything when you travel in Peru!
Peru is known as a leading gastronomical destination in the world, with its unique combination of traditional cuisines and modern trends in food and drink. And the best part is you don’t need to go to the finest restaurant in Lima to have the best meal of your life. You’ll find great, local cuisine in every corner of the country. Because Peru has a huge variety of landscapes, it is able to source a wide range of fresh ingredients that are completely represented in the country´s cuisine.
Mixed Ceviche
The Unforgettable Stories to Share with Family and Friends
Whether you ate the pet guinea pig, which is a local Peruvian delicacy! or big fat caterpillars in the jungle called Suri or even sipped the fermented Chicha (corn beer) in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the traveler's tales of your trip to Peru will be unique, incredible and make all of your family and friends either green with envy or get them signing up for their next vacation to this original, cultural, diverse and unique part of the world.
World Class Hiking
One of the best reasons to visit Peru is to experience the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is a historical 4-day trek that goes through some of the routes that the Inca civilization used to navigate through the Sacred Valley. There are many other impressive treks in the region such as Salkantay, Choquequirao, and Ausangate to name but a few, that make the Cusco region a trekker's paradise!
Trekking Rainbow Mountain
The Amazon Rainforest is Out of This World
As you embark on a jungle tour, the flora and fauna of the surrounding landscapes and the Amazon Rainforest will cast a spell on you. You will soon begin to appreciate the journey more than the destination. Peru is nearly 60 percent Amazonian rainforest and the most famous gateway to the Amazon Rainforest is Iquitos, a city in the northern part of Peru. With no roads connecting it, the only way to get to Iquitos is either by boat or plane. Iquitos is situated next to the amazing Amazon River and thus offers visitors easier access to the magic of the Amazon.
Lake Titicaca is Where the Sun was Born!
This is commonly believed here, explaining why Titicaca is considered so sacred by the indigenous people. It’s a beautiful lake with reed islands inhabited by native communities. Nowadays, people don’t travel to Lake Titicaca to learn about the Incas, but the Uros people instead. Why? The Uros people have built over 100 floating islands on Lake Titicaca, using only native plants grown in the lake and nothing but their hands. Talk about sustainability and impressive engineering!
Llamas Grazing Near Titicaca
The mysterious Nazca Lines are Like Nothing You’ve Seen Before!
These etchings of living beings, like birds and men, on the desert beyond the city of Nazca date back to 500 BC. They are so extensive that they can only properly be viewed from above, preferably from choppers or airplanes. The Nazca Lines remain one of the world’s greatest mysteries. Researchers have been studying them for decades, but nobody has been able to explain what they are or why they were built. Why did the Nazca people make these famous geoglyphs?
Nazca Spaceman
Visit One of The Deepest Canyons in the World
Colca Canyon is a river canyon situated in southern Peru, approximately 4.5 hours away from the popular city of Arequipa. For the local tribes that live there, the Colca Canyon is known as the natural habitat for condors, a symbol of Hanan Pacha, or heavenly world, in the Inca culture.
View over Colca Canyon
These culturally rich and authentic travel experiences will combine perfectly to make for some incredible reflections and memories of your adventures in Peru. One thing is for certain; you will leave Peru more culturally, spiritually, and emotionally enriched by your Peru visit. If you are wondering why you should go to Peru, then this is just a taster of what the country has to offer. Ask us here for more incredible reasons why you plan a vacation and the reasons you should visit Peru!
