Every traveler's dream is to one day go to Peru, the colorful country of South America, and see Macchu Pichu. Peru is one of the most popular touristic destinations in the world with its many mysterious ruins from the Inca Civilization and its predecessors, its magnificent nature adorned with mountains, valleys, deserts and Amazons, and its cuisine that is gaining increasing popularity, and it definitely deserves this popularity!
If traveling to Peru is among your dreams, this article is for you!
What You Will Find In This Article
Best Time to Go to Peru
Let's clarify the best time to go to Peru. The country is spread over a wide geography, there are different factors affecting the climate such as deserts, ocean and Amazons. But you better plan your plans according to Machu Picchu. From June to September, the dry season, that is, the period with the least amount of rain, is the best time to enjoy nature for the region including Machu Pichhu.
How to Get to Peru
Unfortunately, there is no direct flight from Turkey to Peru. For this reason, you can reach Peru by making more than one transfer via other South American countries such as Brazil and Chile. This is one of the factors that increase Peru travel expenses.
Must-See Places in Peru
After a short introduction, we can move on to the places I would recommend you to see in Peru. Let me not pass without mentioning that the order of the places below is determined according to the route you will start your trip to Peru from Lima, the capital of Peru.
1. Lima, Capital of Peru
The best place to start touring a country is its largest city or capital. Almost a third of Peru, where approximately 33 million people live, 10 million people live in Lima, the country's largest city and capital. When you land in Lima, the crowd, traffic, chaos, smells of delicious food and the historical city center await you.
The Spanish colonial old town center will take you on a tour through history, while the oceanfront Miraflores district will introduce you to Lima's new modern and bohemian face. When you go to Lima, taking a food tour and enjoying delicious seafood are among the activities that can be added to your list.
2. Paracas National Reserve
Considering that you started your Peru trip from Lima, you can choose Paracas National Reserve, which is 250 kilometers from Lima, as your second stop. Located by the ocean, the national park is a region that can be visited both by land and by sea, with its rich archaeological sites, stunning scenery and wildlife. It is possible to reach the Ballestas Islands, which are located within the conservation area, with the magnificent rock formations formed by the ocean waves and home to many sea animals, by boat trips. During the boat trip, you can see that the Nazca lines are similar to the rocks in this region.
3. An Oasis in the Desert Huacachina
One of the most fun places in Peru is definitely Huacachina. Don't bother to pronounce it the first time, you won't be able to. Very close to the city of Ica in southwestern Peru, Huacachina consists of an oasis surrounded by sand dunes. You can take a walk on these dunes, do sand surfing, and join a desert safari with a 4-wheeled vehicle called a Buggy. The most beautiful hours of the oasis, which hosts many entertaining activities, are the sunset hours, do not miss these hours.
4. Nazca Lines
I don't think there is anyone who has not read the Chariots of the Gods book by Erich Von Daniken and is not curious about the Nazca Lines. The best way to see the huge animal figures and geometric patterns, the mystery of which is still unsolved, is to join the tours with small planes. If you say you can't afford a plane, it is possible to see three figures from an observation point on the Pan American highway. But if you are not on your lucky day like me, you will come across a sandstorm, flights will be cancelled, you cannot see the lines even from the observation point.
5. Gateway to the Sacred Valley: Cusco
Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is today Peru's most touristic city. It is possible to find direct flights to Cusco from many neighboring countries and countries. Cusco is the entry point to Machu Picchu and the magnificent Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of travelers' main stops in Peru. When the Spaniards invaded the country, they destroyed the centuries-old Inca Temples and Palaces and established the present city of Cusco on it. Around the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city, many hotels, hostels, restaurants, cafes, tour companies are ready to welcome thousands of tourists who come to see the Inca artifacts. Just above the city, Sacsayhuaman district, considered an engineering marvel from the Incas, is within walking distance. And unfortunately, it is also known as "Sexy Woman" in English, as it is difficult to pronounce, as tourists should remember.
Cusco is also the center of Quechua culture in the Andes. You can find many items of Quechua indigenous handicrafts in the bazaars in Cusco. Cusco is also a paradise for nature lovers, walking routes and hot springs in the vicinity also create attraction. The only downside is that it can cause altitude sickness due to its altitude of 3400 meters.
6. Sacred Valley of the Incas
The valley, located between the Andes Mountains, starting from Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire, and continuing to Aguas Calientes, the exit point to Machu Picchu, is called the Sacred Valley of the Incas. There are many Inca cities and ancient ruins on the valley. While the Sacred Valley hosts many activities such as nature walks, rock climbing and rafting, handicraft markets where you can see the best examples of Quechua culture are set up in the cities located in the valley.
Tucked along this mysterious route are magnificent colonial towns, remote villages, colorful markets, and fascinating Inca ancient ruins such as the castles of Pisac, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo. Make sure to take time to explore the erasian hills in the city of Pisac and browse the village's famous handicraft market.
Another way without crossing the Sacred Valley is to follow the walking path called the “Inca Trail” or the “Salkantay Trail”. You can choose routes of 4 days or longer, and you can reach Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, at the end of a magnificent walk in the Andes. Please note that you may need to make a reservation months in advance, especially during peak season, as there is a limited number of people to participate in these walks.
7. Travelers' Kaaba Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, is undoubtedly one of the must-see places in Peru. The ancient city, which was built on a hill at an altitude of 2430 meters between the Andes Mountains, was built in such a sheltered place that no one even knew about its existence for centuries.
The best time to go to the well-protected city today is sunrise, after watching the sunrise over the hills surrounding the ancient city, you will find yourself in a fairy tale world. After visiting the agricultural terraces and irrigation system, living areas, temples, fountains and baths, you should choose one of the two hills to see Machu Picchu from the top. You have to climb the hills of Huayna Picchu or Wayna Picchu and come back to the city by noon, because in the afternoons, a sea of clouds covers the city, which poses a safety risk to wander around the hills.
There is also a person restriction for exiting Machu Picchu, so I recommend that you buy your ticket in advance. You can buy your ticket from the website.
How to Get to Machu Picchu, How Much Does It Cost?
Where to Buy Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket?
8. Arequipa and Colca Canyon
Arequipa is Peru's second largest city. It is known as the "White City" because of its houses built with white volcanic rocks. This is a city where you can find the traces of the Inca at least, surrounded by volcanic mountains, at an altitude of 2380 meters, with colonial architectural features.
The main reason travelers come to Arequipa is to visit Colca Canyon, one of Peru's top tourist attractions. The canyon, which goes down to a depth of 3.270 meters, is considered among the deepest canyons in the world. Those who love trekking and nature sports should not forget to add Colca Canyon to their Peru route.
9. Lake Titicaca and Puno
Puno is the port city used for transportation to the floating islands in Lake Titicaca. As in many parts of Peru, Puno is another point where you have to fight altitude sickness with its very high altitude of 3800 meters.
You can reach the floating islands in Lake Titicaca, known as the highest navigable lake in the world, by boats departing from the port of Puno, and you can see this different life, the Uros Indians living in the reeds.
10. Peruvian Amazons – Iquitos
Although every part of Peru offers different beauties, the Amazons may be the most special region because it makes you feel like you are in a documentary. Iquitos is the capital of the Loreto region, which covers most of the northern part of the Peruvian Amazon. Iquitos, a town founded by a hunter-gatherer tribe, is currently the largest city in the world without road access.
Although getting to Iquitos is a little tricky – you have to fly or go by boat – the result is well worth it. The surrounding forest offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the country. This is the home base for boat trips along the Amazon River to spot monkeys, crocodiles and the notorious anacondas. Don't forget to also visit the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve near Lagunas.
I had not been to Peru since I entered the Amazons from Bolivia during my trip to South America. One more time now.
Peru is one of the most special countries in the world, one of the countries that is at the top of the list of travelers. The natural and cultural richness offered by each region of the country certainly makes it deserve this reputation. Machu Picchu alone is enough to include this magnificent country in your travel plans.
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Edited version of this article Skyroad Magazine Published in the March 2021 issue.
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