The Ultimate Peru Bucket List

Written by Nathalia

Peru is far more than just Machu Picchu – it’s a country full of incredible diversity and hidden treasures. From vibrant coastal towns to vast desert landscapes, and remote mountain villages, Peru offers an endless array of experiences. While the iconic Machu Picchu is a must-see, there’s so much more to uncover. Exploring Peru is a journey through history, culture, and stunning natural beauty, from the bustling streets of Lima to the serene Sacred Valley. Every moment in Peru is unforgettable, and here are twenty places you should visit and activities you should try when travelling in Peru according to Llama Travel, a Peru holidays specialist sending people to Peru since 2002.

1. Eat in Lima

If there’s one reason to visit in Lima, it’s the food. Recently, Peruvian cuisine has gained international attention, with Central in Lima voted the world’s best restaurant, and many others in the top 50 list. Thanks to diverse ingredients like world-class seafood, colourful corn, and tropical fruits, Peruvians have always enjoyed excellent food. Lima’s dining scene has exploded in recent years, with locals flocking to both traditional picanterías and innovative new restaurants. Be sure to try ceviche, anticuchos, and papa a la huancaína. Lima is now a destination in itself, offering some of the best food in the world.

Mercado de Surquillo, Lima

2. Discover Lima’s history and museums

Get to know the rich history of Lima, the ‘City of Kings’, by taking a tour of pre-Inca Huaca Pucllana and the city’s historic centre. Then head to the heart of Lima to explore the eerie catacombs of the San Francisco Monastery and the stunning Basilica cathedral, where conquistador Francisco Pizarro rests. The museums are also top-notch, with the Museo Larco hosting a fabulous set of exhibits, including a fascinating erotic pottery collection. Lima, often overlooked, is a vibrant and modern capital that contrasts with Peru’s natural wonders.

Main Square, Lima

3. Explore the Inca capital of Cusco

Start by discovering modern-day Cusco with a visit to the bustling San Pedro Market, a local market where you can sample exotic fruit and soak up the colours, flavours, smells and traditions of Cusco, then get sent back in time when visiting Cusco’s most interesting ancient Inca sites. See Qorikancha, the Inca temple of the sun, and explore the incredible citadel and fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which stands above the city – the location for a vital battle between the Incas and the Spanish Conquistadors.

Plaza de Armas, Cusco

4. Visit Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas

Abandoned by the Incas, untouched by the conquistadors, and rediscovered in 1911, Machu Picchu is one of the world’s great wonders, combining stunning archaeological ruins with breathtaking mountain scenery. Remaining well-preserved, the site was never found or looted by the Spanish. You can explore this iconic "lost city" on a day trip from Cusco or extend your stay by spending a night nearby. Known as the most famous archaeological site in the Americas, Machu Picchu, meaning ‘old peak’ contrasts with the adjacent Huayna Picchu, or ‘young peak’, creating an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Machu Picchu

5. Climb Machu Picchu Mountain

The main area of Machu Picchu is compact, and a three-hour tour covers it well. However, the site offers more than just the main ruins. Our favourite part is the climb up Machu Picchu Mountain, which, though challenging, rewards you with the best views. The trail begins 15 minutes from the entrance and is steep but well-maintained. As you ascend, stunning views of the ruins and the Urubamba River unfold, especially near the summit. The climb takes 1.5 to 2 hours, with a 600-metre vertical ascent, so good fitness is required. Don’t forget to take plenty of water and snacks for the hike – you won’t regret it!

Mountain Hikes in Machu Picchu

6. Stay overnight in the magical Sacred Valley

Soak up the magical atmosphere of the Peruvian countryside with an overnight stay in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Relax in the gardens of your beautiful hotel in the heart of the valley. Visit the salt evaporation ponds of Maras, the amphitheatre-like terraces of Moray and the Andean community of Misminay, and discover why the Sacred Valley was known as ‘the breadbasket of the Incas’.

Sacred Valley

7. Explore Ollantaytambo, the living Inca town

Located in Peru’s Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, known as 'the living Inca town,' offers some of the best-preserved examples of Inca architecture still in use today, although slightly modified. Wandering through the town and its ruins provides a unique glimpse into what an Inca settlement once looked like. Situated northwest of Cusco and surrounded by the Andes, Ollantaytambo marks the end of the paved road in the valley. It’s also a key stop for all trains heading to Machu Picchu, making it a must-visit destination.

8. Take the famous four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The famous four-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a popular trek, crossing high mountain passes and ending at the iconic ruins. Part of an extensive network of Inca trails, it offers stunning scenery, from 4,200m peaks to cloud forests. The trail also provides historical context for Machu Picchu, with ruins along the way revealing its connection to other Inca sites. While the trek is beautiful, with diverse flora and the chance to spot condors, it’s not a secluded walk—up to 500 people, including porters, start the trail each day. Expect incredible scenery, but not solitude.

Inca Trail

9. Board the Train to Lake Titicaca

Watch a panorama of changing landscapes from the comfort of your first-class carriage that takes you from Cusco to Lake Titicaca. Riding aboard the Titicaca train, enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal and watch from a glass-walled observation car as the scenery changes from rugged mountains to rivers and vast open plains.

10. Stay in a remote lodge in the Amazon Rainforest

The Peruvian Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on earth, home to remarkable vegetation, birdlife, and wildlife. Its inaccessibility has left much of the jungle untouched and pristine. Staying at a jungle lodge is a fantastic way to experience the Amazon in comfort, with accommodations built from local materials. Expert English-speaking guides lead excursions through the forest, along rivers, and lakes. Llama Travel offers three lodge options, catering to different comfort levels and regions of the Amazon, ensuring a memorable and immersive jungle experience.

11. See condors fly over the Colca Canyon

Overlooked by two of Peru’s highest volcanoes and surrounded by stunning landscapes and beautiful snow-capped ranges, el Cañon del Colca is one of the greatest, and the second deepest (after nearby Cotahuasi Canyon), canyons in the world. A trip to the Colca Canyon is an unmissable adventure with impressive varieties of flora and fauna, green valleys, mighty rivers crossing the Andes and thousands of impressive pre-Inca terraces all to be discovered. Most impressive of all, watch the giant Andean condors rise up on the thermals and glide by only metres away.

12. Kayak on Lake Titicaca

Paddle through the reeds of Lake Titicaca, bathed in early morning light as you make your way across the highest navigable lake in the world. Kayaking is a more adventurous yet peaceful way to explore Lake Titicaca, accompanied only by your qualified guide and the sounds of nature.

Kayak in Lake Titicaca

13. Relax in coastal Paracas

Peru offers a diverse range of experiences, from Inca ruins and the Amazon rainforest to stunning mountains and colonial cities. However, with so much to see, the pace can be intense. For a more relaxing couple of days, Paracas is ideal. Just under 4 hours from Lima, this sunny fishing village sits in a beautiful bay and enjoys warm weather year-round. Paracas is home to some of Peru’s best hotels, perfect for unwinding by the pool or partaking in spa treatments. You can also take a boat trip to the nearby Ballestas Islands and spot penguins, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds.

Sunset in Paracas

14. Fly over the Nazca lines

The Nazca Lines are 2000-year-old etchings in the face of the desert. Mystery surrounds these giant geoglyphs, which were created by the Nazca people between 500 BC and 500 AD. Some of the etchings depict lifeforms such as animals, plants, birds, and insects, while others form geometric shapes and straight or wavy lines up to 40 miles long. The best way to appreciate the lines is from above, and a 90-minute flight allows you to do just that.

Nazca Lines, Peru

15. Visit Santa Catalina Convent in Arequipa

Undoubtedly one of the most interesting colonial buildings in Peru, the convent was shrouded in secrecy until the majority of it was opened to the public in 1970. However, a part of the complex is still used by nuns and cannot be visited. The convent is extensive, covering a whole city block, and is often described as a city within a city. The convent has been shaken by the numerous earthquakes to hit Arequipa, and several areas have suffered damage. However, the buildings have been reconstructed, and are a delight to wander around.

Monastery of Santa Catalina de Siena in Arequipa

16. Try a Pisco Sour overlooking the Pacific Ocean

When we think of Peru, we think of the classic Pisco Sour, which is considered the country's national drink. Made from Pisco, the local grape brandy, egg white and lemon juice, you’ll likely be offered various pre-dinner glasses during your time there, and you’re sure to should enjoy them!

Pisco Sour

17. Visit the gruesome painted friezes at the Temple of the Moon in Trujillo

Trujillo, Peru's third-largest city, is located in the La Libertad region, known for sugar cane production, and has a rich pre-Hispanic history. The Moche culture, one of Peru’s most important ancient civilizations, originated here, and the fascinating Temple of the Moon contains well-preserved friezes of Aiapaec, the beheading god, holding up his trophy heads. Later, the Chimú culture built Chan Chán, the largest pre-Hispanic city in Peru, which was abandoned before the Spanish arrived.

18. See the treasures discovered in the tombs of the Señor de Sipan

Since the discovery of the Señor de Sipán tomb in 1987 several other important tombs have been found at the site. The site of Sipán, also known as Huaca Rayada, was the administrative centre of the Moche culture in Lambayeque between 300AD and 700AD and was also the burial centre for its leaders. The awesome treasures found in the various tombs are displayed in the Tumbas Reales de Sipán museum in nearby Lambayeque, with the gold and coral pieces as impressive as anything found anywhere in the world.

Sipan Golden Mask

19. Relax on Mancora Beach

Mancora is a welcoming beachfront town with a laid-back vibe that is difficult to resist, with some of the best beaches in Peru. Popular amongst local surfers, there is always some action happening here, whether it be an intense round of bat & ball or a trail of horse riders making their way across the sands. Even the least active of travellers will be content here, thanks to the warm ocean temperatures and the informal seaside restaurants serving affordable local seafood dishes with great views and ambience. The best beach in the area is Las Pocitas Beach, a few kilometres south of Mancora.

20. Selfie with a Llama

When in Peru... you must take a selfie with a llama!