Bucket List Things to Do in Peru
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn us a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!
If you’re about to book a trip to Peru and plan everything around Machu Picchu, pause for a second, because some of the most beautiful places in Peru aren’t the ones everyone talks about.
When most people think of Peru, the images that come to mind are Machu Picchu, alpacas, and maybe the Amazon Jungle. I’ve been to Peru twice and travelled through a lot of the country, and I can tell you there’s so much more to explore beyond the usual highlights. From stunning landscapes to vibrant cities and hidden gems, Peru completely surprised me in the best way.
In this guide, I’m sharing my ultimate bucket list of things to do and see in Peru, including the experiences I loved, the ones I’d skip, and what makes each place worth your time.
Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Peru
This list has a variety of things to do in Peru and includes turquoise glacial lakes, colourful mountains, sand dunes that remind me of the desert from Aladdin and boat tours that take you to see penguins and sealions plus so much more!
Everywhere in Peru is so insanely beautiful and I wish I could say “just do them all,” but I know that’s not always possible. If I had to pick just one experience from this list (not including Machu Picchu), it would be the Ballestes Islands Boat Tour in Paracas.
If you are short on time and cannot choose what to do, this tour from Lima encompasses Huacachina and the Ballestes Islands all in one day! My friends did this one and said it was fully packed but so worth it!
Rainbow Mountain: Alpacas, a rainbow mountain & a Red Valley
My trip to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley absolutely blew me away! I knew that Rainbow Mountain would be beautiful but I completely was not expecting to love Red Valley even more! Rainbow Mountain is exactly how the name sounds, a colourful mountain due to the vibrant stripes of minerals that it is made up of.
This is one of the best day trips from Cusco, however you need to make sure you pick the right tour to avoid the crowds. If you do want to visit Rainbow Mountain, I recommend this tour which gets you there before the crowds, includes breakfast and lunch and also takes you to Red Valley which is definitely a must do!
Oh! And there are alpacas everywhere on the way up and at the top which is quite a sight!
Tip
Rainbow Mountain is located at high altitude (going up to 5,200m / 17,060 ft). For this reason, the hike is quite tough and I found that I had to go super slow with lots of rests. It’s totally worth it though in my opinion and your guide should have oxygen with them in case you feel like you need it.
Huacachina: A land of massive sand dunes
Huacachina is one of the most unique places that you can visit in Peru. It is a small desert oasis surrounded by HUGE, towering sand dunes. We could see the dunes from our window of our hotel room and it felt like we were on the set of an adventure movie. Very very cool.
I had fun hiking up to the top of the dunes and getting some pretty epic sunset photos but you can also go sand boarding or even sand skiing and riding in dune buggies.
Cusco: The town with the most character
Cusco is one of my most favourite towns in the entire world! It’s beautiful, full of culture and history, has incredible food and there is so much to do there. Cusco is also the gateway to Machu Picchu so if you are visiting the famous ruins, you’ll most likely be staying in Cusco for a few nights.
I have been to Cusco twice now and spent around 3 days there each time which I think is the perfect amount of time. During your stay, make sure to wander the cobblestone streets of the historic centre, explore the local markets (San Pedro Markets) and stop in one of the many cute cafes for a cup of Peruvian coffee. The local Incan ruins (Saqsaywaman) are not to be missed for any history lovers and foodies will love the Peruvian food at restaurants like KusyKay.
Cusco is also the perfect base for day trips to other incredible spots like the Sacred Valley, Humantay Lake or Rainbow Mountain. Cusco has a piece of my heart and I’m sure it will steal yours too.
Barranco in Lima: Best coffee shops, music, bars & art
Lima was my biggest surprise when I was in Peru. I wasn’t planning on enjoying Lima at all, in fact, I was kind of dreading it until I was introduced to Barranco, Lima’s arts district, which is where I ended up staying.
Barranco is located on the coast, and is full of the cutest cafes, bars and restaurants, and I swear there was music playing literally everywhere in the evenings. It was a total vibe!
The Amazon Jungle: Adventure, Sloths & Anacondas
Dave and I did an Amazon Jungle tour back in 2017 and oh my goodness was it an experience! It is a memory that I will always cherish, but it was also something that got me WAY out of my comfort zone. I may be from Australia but that doesn’t mean I’m fine with creepy crawlies!
To visit the Amazon in Peru, you will need to book a tour. This is the one we did and it was really great. We stayed in the jungle for 3 nights at the eco lodge which was basic but so nice! Over the 4 days, we saw capybaras, loads of monkeys, macaws, toucans, lots of different spiders and caiman.
Paracas & the Ballestes Islands: The Galapagos of Peru
Paracas is a beautiful, small coastal town that felt like a bit of a hidden gem to me. II actually only came across it while looking at sandboarding tours in Huacachina, and one of the itineraries included a boat tour to see penguins and sea lions in a place called Paracas.
I ended up staying overnight in Paracas at THE CUTEST family-run boutique hotel and spent time exploring the Paracas National Reserve by Go-Kart which was so much fun and completely brought out my inner child. I also did the Ballestes Islands Boat Tour which absolutely blew me away. Seeing sea lions sprawled across the rocks and penguins diving into the water felt surreal.
The Sacred Valley: Salt mines, ruins, local towns & markets
The Sacred Valley is an easy day trip from Cusco and one that I have actually done twice. If you are spending time in Cusco, I think that a trip to the Sacred Valley is totally worth it.
Depending on what tour you choose, you’ll see a mix of incredible spots including the salt mines in Maras, ruins of Pisac and Ollantaytambo and a handful of traditional towns and local markets along the way. What I love most about the Sacred Valley, is that you get so much variety in one day – dramatic landscapes, fascinating Inca history and a glimpse into local life.
If you’re short on time in Cusco, this is one of the easiest ways to see multiple highlights in a single day, and it gives you a great introduction to the history and culture of the region before heading on to places like Machu Picchu. This is the tour that I did and loved.
Huaraz: The Switzerland of Peru
Huaraz is the place that got away from me. It was originally part of my itinerary on my last trip to Peru, but getting there would have meant a huge stretch. A 7.5-hour bus ride each way from Lima just to stay for one night didn’t make sense… but it’s right at the top of my list for next time.
Huaraz is often described as the Switzerland of Peru due to it’s dramatic mountains and turquoise glacial lakes. The area is a dream for hikers, with countless trails to choose from, including famous Laguna 69 hike, which is known for its insane blue water and alpine views.
Colca Canyon
Colca Canyon was another place that I just couldn’t squeeze into my itinerary this time around because it was a bit too far out of the way but it’s one of the most impressive natural landmarks in Peru and on my bucket list for next time. It’s one of the deepest canyons in the world and you even have the chance to see condors soaring overhead.
Colca Canyon is located near Arequipa, around a 1.5-hour flight from Lima or Cusco, followed by a few hours of driving to reach the canyon itself. Most people visit Colca Canyon on a 1 day tour from Arequipa, which typically includes scenic viewpoints, small traditional villages, and condor spotting at Cruz del Cóndor.
If you have extra time in your Peru itinerary and want to experience a quieter, less touristy side of Peru, Colca Canyon is a great choice!
Humantay Lake: A stunning glacial lake
I saw Humantay Lake on the Salkantay Trek but you can also do it as a standalone hike on a day trip from Cusco through a tour like this one.
Humantay Lake sits at 4,200m / 13,780 ft elevation so you have to pace yourself when hiking up to it. Even if you are reasonably fit, the altitude can make the short hike feel deceptively tough. The effort is absolutely worth it though! When you reach the lake, the gorgeous turquoise colour doesn’t look real, especially on a clear day when the snow-capped mountains are reflected in the water.
If you are visiting on a day trip from Cusco, expect an early start and a long drive before the hike even begins. Tours typically include transport, breakfast, and lunch, making it one of the easier high altitude experiences to logistically plan.
This is one place where acclimatising in Cusco beforehand for a couple of days really matters. The amount of time you take to rest and acclimatise beforehand can make a huge difference to how enjoyable the hike feels and many people choose to rent a horse for the final climb.
Nazca and the mysterious Nazca Lines
Nazca is one of the most underrated places on this list in my opinion but it is not for everyone. If ancient history and unanswered questions do not interest you, this is probably a skip. If you are trying to figure out if visiting Nazca is worth it for you, read this blog post on my full experience.
Nazca is best known for the Nazca Lines, a collection of enormous geoglyphs etched into the desert floor over 1,500 years ago which are shrouded in mystery. The shapes include a hummingbird, monkey, astronaut (my favourite) and more which can only be seen from the air due to their huge size.
If you do visit Nazca, you absolutely need to do the flight over the Nazca Lines. There are a few lines which you can see from a viewing tower, but the most famous and impressive ones you can only see from a flight.
Machu Picchu (obviously)
No trip to Peru is complete without visiting Machu Picchu. It is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world and one of the seven wonders and yes, it truly is as impressive as everyone says.
Machu Picchu is often visited as a day trip from Cusco or as the final day on a multi-day trek like the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek. Because daily visitor numbers are limited, Machu Picchu operates on timed entry slots and set circuits, so booking your train, entry ticket or guided tour (my recommendation) in advance is essential, especially in peak season.
I have done both the Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu and both were absolutely incredible but overall I think I preferred the Inca Trail. Arriving at the Sun Gate at sunrise above Machu Picchu was a truly magical experience.
My thoughts
There is so much to see and do in Peru and honestly, I think the hardest part is choosing what to not see. For me I cut out Colca Canyon because it was a little too out of the way and Huaraz because I live in Canada and felt like seeing the desert and ocean over mountains this time around. However, Huaraz will be first on my list for my next trip to Peru.
You can’t go wrong with any of these places in Peru. They are all stunning and unique in their own way. Have you been anywhere not on this list? Let me know in the comments!
I had SUCH a magical trip to Peru and have visited quite a few different places! Here are some more guides to help you plan your trip of a lifetime:
- How to Spend a Magical 3 Days in Cusco
- Best Day Trips From Cusco, Peru
- Things to do in Cusco for First-Timers
- Unique Places to Stay in Cusco
- An Incredible Lima 1 Day Itinerary
- Best Things to do in Lima Peru
- Where to Stay in Lima (I found the best place ever)!
- Is Lima Worth Visiting: My Honest Review
- Is Cusco Worth Visiting?
- Best Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco
- Where to Stay in Huacachina
- How to Get to Huacachina from Lima
- Huacachina Peru: Is the Desert Oasis Worth it?
- Is Rainbow Mountain Worth It? What I’d Do Differently After Visiting
- Are the Nazca Lines Worth Visiting?
📌 Like it? Pin it!
