Whatever your go-to activity is when traveling, you can rest assured that Peru has it, but the most important thing is to plan, so you know you are in the right region at the right time of year, for the right activity. When these three aspects align, you’ve got yourself an incredible experience in the making, so let us give you an insight into the 8 best activities Peru has to offer.
Chapter Trail
8 of the best adventures in Peru
Not many countries come close when you think of all that Peru can offer the traveler, including hiking, biking, rafting, rock-climbing, and even paragliding, so why not try them all. You may be forgiven for thinking that once you have seen the famous archeological sites as well as the fantastic landscape of this awesome country, you have done it all, but wait there is a lot more to be discovered.
For the thrill-seekers, adventurers, and fun lovers out there, read on, because you will not want to miss out on these 10 best activities in Peru, and better yet, for some local knowledge on even more activities to do, contact our Local In-Destination Experts.
Hike the Inca Trail
This could quite possibly be the number one activity on your list already, and we don’t blame you for making it a priority. Hiking the Inca Trail is an experience everybody should encounter once in their life, purely for its heritage, its views, and its cultural experience, not to mention that you end up at the stunning Machu Picchu citadel, once you reach the final point. The hike takes about four days, however, it can be extended to five to allow extra time and to take a slower pace, so make sure to do what is right for you, to make sure you get the best out of this epic Peruvian activity.
Some alternatives to the Inca Trail include the Salcantay Trail, Lares Trail, Vilcabamba Trail, and Choquequirao Trail, all of which have their epic selling points, so do not be disheartened if you don’t get to take on the Inca trail the first-time round, it just means you will have a great excuse to plan yet another great Peruvian adventure.
Climbing in Cordillera Blanca
The Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range in the world has an extension of 180 km, and in it are grouped more than 60 peaks over 5,000 meters, more than 30 that exceed 5,500 m and many others over 6,000 m. Here is the Huascarán 6,768 m, the highest altitude in Peru and the fifth highest in America.
The Cordillera Blanca is a paradise of natural beauty: magnificent snow-capped mountains, rivers, streams and glacial lakes. The paradise dreamed by climbers from all over the world.
Andean Rivers
The impressive Colca River runs through one of the world’s deepest canyons, and once you see its wild side, you will want to get involved. Look out for the most famous route, which is 40 km long, beginning in Chivay and passing through Cabanaconde and Tapay. It is ideal for beginners and experts, as there are different grades of rapids to suit all levels.
Also, the Apurimac canyon is one of the world’s top ten rafting rivers. It combines exhilarating rapids with stunning scenery and lies just three and a half hours from Cusco, deep in the heart of a 3000 m canyon.
Catch Some Surf
It is not a shock to hear that Peru is one of the best countries in the entire world for top-class surf, and every surfer knows this, however, if you are new to surfing and fancy getting a piece of the saltwater action, you can do just that here. With thousands of miles of coastline, you can find great swells any time of the year and some of the best spots to look are Puerto Malabrigo, Mancora District, Lobitos District, and Huanchaco.
Cycle in the Andes Mountains
The Peruvian Andes is a cyclist’s dream, with the many quiet unpaved roads available to enable you to discover the region spectacularly. It is one of the best countries in the world for dirt road touring, but it is not for the faint-hearted so make sure you are prepared and know what to expect from this activity. The Peruvian Andes is a huge area, so getting from point A to point B can take time, as well as many routes being tough and challenging, but you will be rewarded by unsurpassable mountain views and a truly serene atmosphere here.
If you find yourself near Cusco and fancy going off-road, try this adrenaline-filled mountain biking tour or even this awesome mountain bike the Inca avalanche tour.
Wildlife Spotting in the Amazon
The Peruvian part of the Amazon is the second-largest portion after Brazil, so you can imagine just how much there is to see and do in the world’s most famous rainforest. It is home to the pink dolphin, jaguars, sloths, piranhas, howler monkeys as well as 3,000 freshwater fish species and 370 reptiles, so you will have the best opportunity to spot a variety of wildlife in this region. This Amazon trip is just the ticket for epic wildlife spotting.
Overall, the Amazon, which is sometimes referred to as the lungs of the earth, is home to 3940 unique and threatened species and some super dangerous ones including the green anaconda, electric eel, and poison dart frogs. If you are heading into the Peruvian Amazon, the two best spots are Iquitos in the North and Puerto Maldonado in the South.
Uros Islands & Lake Titicaca
During a trip to Peru, you will no doubt, find yourself on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, which is home to 70 manmade islands known as Uros Islands. The inhabitants of the islands are indigenous to the area and still fish and hunt in the traditional way. Discovering these truly unique islands is an activity not to miss out on. As well as Uros, make sure to take a boat trip to the other islands including Taquile Island, Isla del Sol, Isla de la Luna, Amantani, and Suriqui.
