The Llama Travel Blog

Ben's Journey: Peru

Written by Ben

Exploring Peru felt like stepping into a world where history, culture, and nature blend in amazing ways. From the busy streets of Lima to the quiet Sacred Valley, everything felt unique. I was constantly amazed by the diversity and richness of the country. Whether wandering through ancient ruins, tasting local cuisine, or enjoying the scenery, visiting Peru was an amazing experience.

Food

Peru is renowned for its cuisine, and it truly was incredible. My favourite dish was ‘Lomo Saltado’, a delicious fusion of Peruvian and Asian flavours. For dessert, I highly recommend trying picarones (pumpkin and sweet potato Peruvian doughnuts)—they’re simply delightful!

Tipples

When it comes to drinks, you can't visit Peru without trying a Pisco Sour. They are quintessential to the Peruvian experience (but you don’t want to have too many)! Additionally, I also had a lot of coca and muña tea, which helped with acclimatising to the high altitudes in Cusco and Puno.

Favourite Destination

I can’t put my finger on which destination I like best. Every destination on this trip was amazing, each offering a unique perspective of Peru. Lima was a fascinating capital city whereas Cusco was more traditional and bursting with culture. The Sacred Valley offered a sense of serenity amongst the most stunning landscapes and Puno provided the perfect gateway to experience Lake Titicaca.

Ben in Lake Titicaca

Kayaking on Lake Titicaca, Peru

Peruvian Highlight: The Sacred Valley

The Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba in the Sacred Valley was the highlight. This cosy hotel was a great contrast to the hotels in the city as it really is in the heart of the Sacred Valley, meaning you feel immersed in the stunning natural landscape. The rooms are all so homely and the views of the Andes from both the rooms or at breakfast are breathtaking.

Sacred Valley 1 1 1

Sacred Valley, Peru

Machu Picchu

Visiting Machu Picchu was a dream come true! It has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember and it did not disappoint. The panoramic views of the ruins are so picturesque and exploring the site really makes you experience how advanced the Inca civilisation was. I went just after they changed the regulations for visiting Machu Picchu, but it was simple to navigate (you can read more about it here).

Machu Picchu and Ben

Ben in Machu Picchu, Peru

Peru is for everyone!

Everyone should visit Peru! It has something for everyone—from food and culture to history and llamas, making it a perfect destination for any traveller.

The locals were also incredibly lovely and passionate about sharing their culture. Visiting communities in the Sacred Valley was rewarding, especially when we got to enjoy a traditional lunch prepared by locals in their dining room which was wonderful to experience.

Peruvian Guides

All the guides were incredible and as they are local to each area, so they really are so knowledgeable and passionate. They were so informative answering any questions I had and made sure everyone was well looked after.

For more information on our Peru trips, visit here.