From incredible Inca ruins to towering mountains, from the jungles of the Amazon to the coastal deserts, Peru overflows with beauty and adventure.
Machu Picchu is the first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of Peru, and for good reason. The world’s most famous Inca ruin is stunning and one of the most amazing sights we’ve ever seen. But there’s plenty more to explore in this remarkable country, from the mountains of the Andes to the Nazca Lines, to the Amazon jungle and Lake Titicaca. And there are also lots more Inca ruins to explore.
Itineraries
Eat & Drink
MIL – Food Lab and Interpretation Center
This beautiful restaurant sits just above the Inca ruins in Moray and takes its inspiration of experimenting with and expanding use of local Andean products from the ruins below.
Lima Restaurant Scene
We find it impossible to recommend only a few restaurants in Lima. In the past few years Lima has exploded as a foodie destination, hosting some of the best restaurants in the world.
Cicciolina
One of our favorite restaurants in Cusco, Cicciolina offers delicious Peruvian tapas.
Chicha Cusco
Chicha offers delicious Peruvian cuisine, focusing on local traditions and culture.
Zig Zag
Zig Zag offers delicious Peruvian cuisine in a charming setting, along with tasty cocktails. We highly recommend the alpaca steaks and the meat samplers.
Astrid y Gastón
Astrid y Gaston serves up delicious Peruvian food in a gorgeous 18th-century Lima mansion.
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Los Uros
The restaurant at the GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca serves up some of the best food in town in a beautiful setting with a great view of the lake.
Mojsa Restaurant
Puno isn’t a great town for food, but Mojsa is one of the city’s better restaurants and is conveniently located right off of the main square. It serves up tasty Peruvian dishes.
Hanz Craft Beer & Restaurant
This cozy spot offers a selection of local beers, inspired cocktails, pub grub, and more in a neat setting above the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s main square.
Remix Pizzería Resto Café Bar
Whether Peruvian pizza is a unique and tasty twist or a gimmick for tourists is up for debate. But Puno seems to be the capital of this cuisine, and Remix gets some of the best reviews in town. If you’re interested in trying Peru’s take on pizza, this a good place to go.
See
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is one of the most stunning places in the world. Likely constructed as an estate for the Incan emperor Pachacuti, the city of Machu Picchu was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. Perched improbably on a plateau among sheer mountains, Machu Picchu is astoundingly photogenic, but it’s even more impressive in person.
Mirador Cruz del Cóndor
This is one of the best spots in the world to see the Andean condor, the largest flying bird in the world by combined measurement of weight and wingspan.
Santa Catalina Monastery
Founded in 1579 by a wealthy window to house the second daughters of wealthy Spanish families, Santa Catalina Monastery is a city within Arequipa. With beautiful colonial architecture, winding cobblestone streets, beautiful rooms, and ornate plazas, it’s one of Arequipa’s top sites.
Larco Museum
Housed in a Lima mansion, this museum focuses on pre-Inca artifacts from all over Peru. It does an excellent job of surveying and explaining pre-Inca cultures.
Saqsaywaman
Saqsaywaman is a massive Inca citadel perched in the hills above Cusco. It’s a paradigmatic example of Inca architecture, with enormous stones expertly cut to fit together without mortar.
Ollantaytambo Sanctuary
A truly impressive ruin of an Inca city, including numerous terraces, an unfinished temple, and irrigation systems.
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Parque Arqueológico Pisac
The Inca ruins at Pisac are quite impressive. The main city sits on the crest of a hill, with terraces lining the slopes below.
Moray
These stunning Inca ruins feature circular terraced farms set against a spectacular Andean backdrop. The Inca used the varying levels to experiment with agriculture at different elevations and humidity levels.
Maras Salt Mines
These salt mines have been operating in much the same fashion since pre-Inca times. A nearby hot spring feeds the mines with warm water, which flows through pools colored brown, pink, and white.
Do
Lake Titicaca Cruise
Cruise on Lake Titicaca to see this beautiful ancient alpine lake and learn about the people who live there. Pick a cruise that takes you Uros and Taquile Island.
Lake Titicaca Train
The best way to get from Puno to Cusco is PeruRail’s Titicaca Train. It’s about a ten-and-a-half hour ride that winds through spectacular Andean scenery.
Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain)
Despite the over-tourism, Rainbow Mountain is spectacularly beautiful, and a great high-altitude hike. Make sure to see the Red Valley as well.
Stay
GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca
Hands down the best place to stay in Puno, the GHL Hotel Lago Titicaca sits on a private island that offers great views of the lake and the city of Puno. The hotel restaurant is also one of the best in town.
Hotel Aranwa Cusco Boutique
This lovely hotel has comfortable rooms, a good restaurant and bar, and a great location.
Colca Lodge Spa & Hot Springs
This beautiful lodge nestled in Colca Canyon offers great views of the canyon and Colca River, as well as access to a series of onsite natural hot springs. The hotel restaurant is also quite good.
Andenia
This beautiful hotel has comfortable rooms, gorgeous gardens, and a great restaurant with a fun bar. It’s a small property that only hosts a handful of guests. An excellent option in the Sacred Valley.
El MaPi Hotel byInkaterra
The El MaPi is good option to stay the night in Aguas Calientes before your visit to Machu Picchu. The rooms are small but comfortable, and the hotel stay typically includes both dinner and breakfast.
Hotel Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Airport
There’s not much special about the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport, except that it’s connected to the terminal with an overhead walkway. If you’re leaving early or arriving late at night, this is without a doubt the most convenient place to stay.
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Palla Boutique Hotel
This charming hotel offers cozy rooms and and a rooftop restaurant and bar with great views of the city. It’s in a central location, with most of Arequipa’s main sites within walking distance.
Sonesta Hotel Posadas Del Inca Puno
This hotel right on the shore of Lake Titicaca offers comfy lodgings and a neat outdoor area for relaxing.