The 10 Best Things to Do in Peru
Here at Travel Differently, we love Peru. This incredible country offers so much to see and do, so here we take a closer look at the best things to do and the best places to visit in Peru. They range from well-known big hitters such as Machu Picchu and the Amazon jungle to lesser-known gems, like hiking the “other” Rainbow Mountain or spending time with a Misminay community. If you’re wondering what to do in Peru, these are our top suggestions for your bespoke trip.
Take a look at our tailor-made Peru holidays to get excited about your next adventure.
Written by Sam, Travel Differently’s founder and Peru specialist
Originally published 7th April 2025. Last updated 28th October 2026
In this guide: Machu Picchu · Cusco · Sacred Valley · Rainbow Mountain · Amazon · Cycling · Lima food · Lake Titicaca · Ballestas Islands · Inca Trail
When to Go at a Glance
| Experience | Best months | Good to know |
| Machu Picchu | April to October | Busiest June to August |
| Inca Trail | April to November | Closed in February |
| Peruvian Amazon | May to September | River cruises: June to November |
| Lake Titicaca | April to October | Busiest July and August |
1. Visit Machu Picchu
We can’t talk about what to see in Peru without mentioning Machu Picchu. This ancient Inca city really is one of the wonders of the world, an incredible, spiritual and mysterious site that keeps drawing people from around the globe. While we don’t love the term “bucket list travel”, a visit to Machu Picchu is a definite.
You can arrive by train, or hike the iconic Inca Trail to the site. Arriving at Machu Picchu for the first time really is one of those pinch-me travel moments. We always include a private guided tour, to give you the best and most bespoke experience. Where possible, your guide will avoid the crowds and take you to viewpoints for amazing pictures, and to soak up the magical energy.
Take your time to meander through the famous citadel, past the terraces, historic ruins and local llamas, all set against the backdrop of the imposing Huayna Picchu mountain.
How do you get to Machu Picchu?
You can take the train to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo or Cusco, or include the journey in a trek. More on the Inca Trail below.
When is the best time to go to Machu Picchu?
Between April and October, which is the dry season. That said, Machu Picchu is pretty much a year-round destination, which is one of the wonderful things about a holiday to Peru. The busiest months are June to August, so if you can travel outside them you’ll have a quieter visit.
How do you book Machu Picchu?
Our Peru experts will arrange your entry ticket to Machu Picchu. Daily tickets are limited, so it’s best to book your holiday well in advance to secure the day and time you prefer. Our team will talk you through your trip, dates and preferences, and secure the golden tickets for you.
Include a private guided visit to Machu Picchu on our Slow Travel: Peru In-Depth holiday (21 days from £4,550pp)
2. Explore Cusco
Cusco is an incredible city and a must-visit on your trip to Peru. This imperial city of the Incas is rich in culture, colour and places to explore. One of our favourite things to do in Cusco is to head out with an expert guide to visit the iconic local market, a genuine destination for Peruvians, where you’ll see the colours, scents, flavours and traditions of both past and modern Cusco.
Continue to Sacsayhuaman, built with enormous blocks of stone on the outskirts of the city. Amble through the cobbled streets, soaking up amazing views, and experience the artisan neighbourhood of San Blas. Visit the cathedral and Plaza de Armas, all the while chatting to a friendly local guide who can point out the best places to grab some local cuisine and a pisco sour. A dream day in Peru.
How many days do you need in Cusco?
We always suggest a minimum of 3 nights in Cusco. As with all our slow travel holidays, the longer you have in Peru the better, and there’s so much to do in this fascinating city that you could easily spend a week here and not run out of places to explore.
Is Cusco a walkable city?
Yes, Cusco is compact and walkable, and all the main highlights are fairly close together, though the altitude means you’ll want to take it slowly at first. We always suggest a walking tour with a guide as the best way to see the city. It’s also a perfect way to go at your own pace, stopping for lunch and a drink to watch the city go by.
3. Visit the Sacred Valley
One of our absolute best things to do in Peru is to visit the Sacred Valley, and we often suggest guests leave a week to explore it fully. The valley stretches between Machu Picchu and Cusco, and is vast and varied in its natural scenery and mixture of cultures and traditions. This is the real Peru.
In the Sacred Valley you’ll find valleys peppered with unique villages, colourful markets and, of course, historic Inca ruins. There is so much to do, from active adventures like hiking to rich and deeply immersive cultural experiences.
One of our favourite things to do on a Peru holiday is to spend time with a traditional Andean community. The Misminay community lives in the stunning mountains of the Sacred Valley and offers a warm welcome on this unique tour. They’ll show you traditional Andean customs and talk about their way of life and heritage, and you can have a go at cooking, brick making, textile weaving, Quechua lessons or an Andean blessing. The tour embraces our ethos of slow, immersive travel that connects you with local people and surroundings, a genuine and meaningful experience not to be missed.
Spend time in the Sacred Valley on our Peru, Ecuador and Galapagos Adventure (22 days from £5,950pp), and speak to our experts about adding a visit to the Misminay community.
How high is the Sacred Valley compared to Cusco?
The Sacred Valley sits at 2,000 to 3,000 metres, lower than Cusco, and is a great place to acclimatise at the start of your Peru holiday. We suggest starting here for 4 or 5 nights to get used to the altitude.
Should I stay in Cusco or the Sacred Valley?
If you want to include the Sacred Valley in your Peru holiday, we’d recommend staying in one of the beautiful boutique properties like El Albergue or Sol Y Luna. That gives you more time to explore all the valley has to offer, and helps keep more of your holiday spend in the local area.
4. Hike the ‘other’ Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain in Peru is famous for its Instagram-worthy colours and stripes. While it is visually impressive, we prefer to suggest a less visited option. As our name suggests, we like to Travel Differently. Mount Palccoyo is a fantastic alternative to the often over-touristed Rainbow Mountain, and we think our guests will love it.
After being picked up by your private guide in Cusco, you’re driven for around 3 hours through unreal Andean scenery to the small town of Combapata, where the journey to Palccoyo, the “coloured mountain”, begins. You’ll learn why the mountain has such unique colouring, then hike to the stone forest and the breathtaking viewpoint of the snow-capped Mount Ausangate. Bring a good camera, as this will be one of the highlights. Your guide will make sure you go at your own pace, soak it all up and have enough time to appreciate the sight.
Palccoyo is a high-altitude hike, with viewpoints at around 4,900 metres, higher than any point on the Inca Trail. The altitude is the main challenge here rather than the distance. The walk takes around 2 to 3 hours at an easy pace, and we rate it as moderate. We recommend spending a few days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley first so you’re acclimatised, and speaking to your doctor if you have any concerns about altitude.
Why is Rainbow Mountain in Peru colourful?
Rainbow Mountain and its equally colourful alternative, Palccoyo, get their distinctive colouring from minerals and sediments that have built up over millions of years, creating the stunning layered look of reds, yellows, purples and greens.
Speak to our Peru experts about adding Palccoyo to your tailor-made Peru holiday.
5. Take a Peru Amazon Tour
The Amazon jungle is one of the best places to include in your Peru holiday. It’s perfect for those who love outdoor adventure, hiking, wildlife and birds, and for feeling like an Amazonian explorer. There are some incredible lodges to stay in, which put you right in the heart of the action.
The Guardian featured one of our Peru holidays in 2024 which includes an incredible stay at Hacienda Concepcion Lodge, a perfect base to look for monkeys, turtles, parrots and caiman. Spend your days exploring the jungle by foot and boat, always keeping an eye out for lesser-spotted creatures.
One of the best things to do in the Peruvian Amazon is to visit a macaw clay lick, and it’s a great way to travel differently. This adventure lasts around half a day and is one of the most spectacular wildlife sights you’ll see. Thanks to the nutrients in the soil of the cliffs (most likely salt), the lick attracts hundreds of birds, from macaws to mealy parrots. The thick jungle is suddenly filled with loud, distinctive macaw screeches, a unique and memorable wildlife experience, and something really different and authentic for a family holiday to Peru.
What are the best months to visit the Amazon in Peru?
May to September. Hiking conditions are better, wildlife sightings are greater, and there are far fewer mosquitoes.
What is the best month to cruise the Amazon River?
June to November are the best months for an Amazon River cruise, because of the water levels. There are a number of boats to choose from, from luxury cruise ships to more wildlife-focused, basic boats. Speak to our Peru experts to talk through the options.
Stay at Hacienda Concepcion Lodge on the holiday The Guardian featured, our Peru, Ecuador and Galapagos Adventure (22 days from £5,950pp).
6. Go Cycling in Peru
At Travel Differently, we think one of the best ways to see a country is on the back of a bike. One of the most unique experiences in Peru is a cycling adventure around Maras and Moray, which takes you away from the crowds to see these iconic sights differently. You start with your professional cycling guide in Moray, an incredible amphitheatre of circular terraces that connects us to the intricate engineering of the Inca civilisation. Explore on foot, then have your safety briefing, learning about your bike and the route ahead.
There are a few ways to do this tour, depending on your fitness. You can take a leisurely ride along country trails near Huaypo Lagoon or, if you prefer a challenge, descend through the Inca salt mines. Whichever you choose, you pass through the imposing Plaza of Maras to soak up Inca traditions and life.
It’s a thrilling day out exploring the gems of the Sacred Valley, combining nature, history and biking, with a well-deserved delicious lunch and a cold beer waiting at the end.
If you love active trips, we can include this bike ride in our Peru Active Adventure holiday (14 days from £3,900pp). Just speak to our team about how best to fit it in.
7. Eat Your Way Around Lima
Lima is widely thought of as the foodie capital of Peru (if not South America, shh, don’t tell Buenos Aires). It’s an exciting and vibrant city, great for culture, architecture and, of course, food. Restaurants in Lima regularly feature in the world’s best restaurant rankings, and it’s easy to see why.
Fresh, locally sourced ingredients, traditional recipes and methods, and modern twists attract talented chefs from around the world, and visitors who love foodie holidays. As well as the renowned restaurants, be sure to try our street food experience in Lima. With a private food guide, this tour takes you into the history of Lima through its flavours, walking through the historic centre to discover the stories and recipes that make this city a food capital.
On this private street food tour you’ll discover 14 flavours with a Peruvian soul and learn about the mix of Chinese and African influences, trying delicious bites along the way. You end in the beating heart of Lima’s food scene, the main market, full of colour, aromas and atmosphere, to sample some of Lima’s best street food.
What is popular food in Lima, Peru?
Ceviche, ceviche and more ceviche. Lima is one of the best places in the world to try fresh, delicate ceviche, which is perfect as a starter or a main course. Also try lomo saltado, a beef stir fry, and causa, a chilled layered potato dish. Cuy, or guinea pig, is a Peruvian classic for the adventurous. For much more, see our guide to the best foodie experiences in Peru.
Eat your way around Lima on our Slow Travel: Peru In-Depth holiday, which includes our Introduction to Peru Gastronomy tour, 21 days from £4,550pp. Speak to our experts about adding the street food tour.
8. Kayak on Lake Titicaca
In the past, visits to Lake Titicaca have been heaving with tourists, which takes away from the authenticity of the experience. Alongside our ground team in Peru, we now suggest ways to enjoy the lake away from the busiest spots. Lake Titicaca has long been one of the most important and mystical highlights in Peru, and is the highest navigable lake in the world, at 3,812 metres above sea level.
Our immersive 2-day private tour takes you into the heart of the lake, away from the masses, to see the cultures and traditions of the lake communities. Hop in your kayak and paddle towards the famous floating islands of Uros, past incredible flora and fauna, onwards to Llachon, and on to Amantani for a delicious local lunch made with locally sourced food. Then slip on your hiking boots for a thrilling trek to Pachatata.
On the second day you head back out on the lake in your kayak, onwards to Taquile Island, soaking up the culture, sights and sounds before another delicious lunch and the journey back to Puno. It’s a fantastic way to experience the beauty of Lake Titicaca on your Peru holiday.
What is the best time of year to visit Lake Titicaca?
April to October. Try to avoid the peak months of July and August where possible, and speak to our Peru experts, who can design your tailor-made trip around your preferences.
How many days do you need at Lake Titicaca?
2 to 3 days is a good length of time for an introduction. Our cultural immersion and kayak tour takes 2 days, which is perfect, but if you have time to extend it, even better.
Add Lake Titicaca to your trip on our Peru, Bolivia and Chile holiday (22 days from £6,990pp), and speak to our experts about adding the kayak tour.
9. Take a Boat Trip to the Ballestas Islands
One of our more unusual Peru tours is a private boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, which are teeming with sea lions, Humboldt penguins and birds. It’s perfect for a real change of scenery in Peru.
On the way to the islands you can see the gigantic and mysterious Candelabro geoglyph, the “Candlestick”, carved into the hillside. Bring a good camera and binoculars for a really unique day of archaeological and natural discovery. If you love birdwatching on holiday, this trip is a must.
What are the best Ballestas Islands highlights?
Birds are the main draw. You’re likely to see a huge diversity of species, including red-legged cormorants, Peruvian boobies, Inca terns, Peruvian pelicans and, of course, many penguins.
How do you get to the Ballestas Islands?
You take a boat from Paracas, on a wildlife-watching tour that takes around 2 hours. To reach Paracas it’s best to start from Lima, where your guide will pick you up for a drive of around 3 to 4 hours. Much like the Galapagos, the area is heavily protected and visitors must not step on the islands themselves, which is vital to protect the delicate ecosystem and wildlife.
Add the Ballestas Islands to your tailor-made Peru holiday. Speak to our experts about including a boat trip from Paracas.
10. Hike the Inca Trail
Hiking the Inca Trail is one of the most iconic and memorable travel experiences in South America. The best Inca Trail tours are run privately, with professional local guides. You’ll need a good level of fitness, as the difficulty can change with the weather and conditions. On our 4-day, 3-night Inca Trail trip, you follow in the footsteps of the Incas as they journeyed to Machu Picchu, passing the impressive ancient road system their empire built. The trail immerses you in the Andean world, and along the way you learn the history, visit archaeological sites and experience the varied ecosystems and wildlife.
If you want to avoid the crowds of the Inca Trail and do things differently, we suggest our 5-day, 4-night trip. It starts the trail on the opposite side of the river, so you avoid some of the more congested sections and towns, and see lesser-known archaeological sites, quieter viewpoints, far fewer tourists and more peaceful camps. You visit Kintu, an Andean community, before ascending to the first and highest pass, with spectacular views of the “cloud mattress”.
Both options are amazing ways to experience the Inca Trail. On each you camp, using comfortable equipment, and enjoy delicious fresh Peruvian food. The views, the scale of the place and your guides make for a memorable trip, and it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Peru. Want to know more about the best hikes in Peru? Read our Ultimate Hiking Guide of Peru.
How high is the Inca Trail?
The highest point is 4,215 metres. At this point you get an incredible view of the Valley of the Incas.
How long is the Inca Trail?
The total walking distance is around 45 km. Our classic Inca Trail tour takes 4 days and 3 nights, or you can opt for our more immersive 5-day, 4-night option.
How hard is the Inca Trail?
Moderate. With a good basic level of fitness you shouldn’t find it too hard, but the altitude and the long climbs make it harder than the distance suggests. Our Peru experts will talk you through the details and check the options suit you, and before the hike begins our guides give you a full safety briefing and check in with you regularly.
When is the best time to do the Inca Trail?
April to November, which are the driest months. December to March is the rainy season, and the trail doesn’t run at all during February. Speak to our Peru experts about your preferred dates and we’ll plan how best to include the Inca Trail in your Peru holiday.
Hike the Inca Trail on our Peru Active Adventure holiday (14 days from £3,900pp).
Frequently Asked Questions
Our 10 favourites are visiting Machu Picchu, exploring Cusco, discovering the Sacred Valley, hiking the “other” Rainbow Mountain, an Amazon tour, cycling around Maras and Moray, eating your way around Lima, kayaking on Lake Titicaca, a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands and hiking the Inca Trail.
Spending time with the Misminay community in the Sacred Valley, where you can try cooking, brick making, textile weaving, Quechua lessons or an Andean blessing, is one of our favourites. You can also visit Cusco’s local market and the artisan neighbourhood of San Blas, take a street food tour of Lima, and join a kayak tour of the lake communities on Lake Titicaca.
Hiking Palccoyo, the “other” Rainbow Mountain, visiting a macaw clay lick in the Amazon, taking a boat trip to the Ballestas Islands, kayaking on Lake Titicaca and walking the quieter 5-day Inca Trail route are all away from the usual crowds.
We suggest at least 3 nights in Cusco and 4 to 5 nights in the Sacred Valley, and we don’t typically suggest fewer than 14 nights in South America. Our guide to how long you need in South America explains what each length of trip allows.
Peru is pretty much a year-round destination. April to October is the dry season and best for Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, the Inca Trail runs from April to November, and the Amazon is best from May to September. June to August is the busiest period. Our guide to the best time to visit South America goes into more detail.
Cusco sits at around 3,400 metres, so we suggest starting in the lower Sacred Valley for 4 or 5 nights to acclimatise. Speak to your doctor before you travel if you have any concerns about altitude.
Yes. Machu Picchu has a limited number of daily tickets and Inca Trail places are limited too, so it’s best to book well in advance. We arrange your entry tickets as part of your holiday.
See the Real Peru
Peru really is a wonderful country to discover, with endless unique and exciting places to visit and tours to try. While you’ll want to tick off the classics from your bucket list, be sure to travel differently and see the real Peru.
Looking to plan your active holiday in Peru and wondering what to include? Take a look at our Peru Active Adventure (14 days from £3,900pp), or combine Peru with other countries on our Peru, Ecuador and Galapagos Adventure (22 days from £5,950pp) or our Peru, Bolivia and Chile holiday (22 days from £6,990pp). All of these can be tweaked and designed just for you, so you can hike the Inca Trail, try ceviche in Lima and jump on a bike around the remote Peruvian countryside.
For more planning help, read our guide to the best foodie experiences in Peru, our guide to the 10 best things to do in Ecuador if you’re pairing the two countries, and our comparison of the best South America multi-country holidays.
Speak to our Peru experts about your tailor-made holiday to Peru.
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