21 Peru Travel Experiences
- By:
Johanna Alvear
It’s often said that Peru is a destination best explored with all five senses: tasting fragrant street foods in busy markets, listening to the whisper of the Andes in a secluded valley, or feeling the soft breeze of the Pacific against your skin as you glide over a coastal cliff. If you’re traveling with family or a loved one, and you crave experiences that go beyond typical sightseeing, consider the following 21 ideas. Each one reflects a personal favorite that we’ve enjoyed and hope they inspire you, too.
1. Wander Lima’s Local Markets With a Chef
Imagine stepping into a vibrant labyrinth of colorful fruits, baskets piled high with ají peppers, and the hum of banter between vendors and shoppers. Lima’s local markets in Surquillo are an incredible place to learn about Peru’s culinary soul. The best part? You’ll get to sample things you’ve never tried before, all while hearing stories of family recipes and cooking traditions that have been perfected over generations.
2. Enjoy a Private Pisco Session in a Cozy Lima Bar
When people think of Peruvian drinks, Pisco is usually at the top of the list. If you’re curious to do more than just sip a pisco sour, slip into a low-key bar in Barranco or Miraflores for a private tasting session. An expert bartender will walk you through different pisco varieties: puro, acholado, or maybe even a flavored infusion with local fruits. You’ll learn exactly why this grape-based spirit has such a passionate following, and how each style can be transformed into a unique cocktail.
3. Take Flight Over the Nazca Lines in a Small Plane
The Nazca Lines have been puzzling archaeologists and travelers for decades. The best way to appreciate their scale and precise design is from above. A quick flight in a small plane from Pisco reveals massive figures: a hummingbird, a monkey, a condor, and more. While the ride can be a little bumpy, the spectacle is worth every moment.
You can only appreciate the infamous Nazca lines from the air!
4. Sail to the Ballestas Islands Near Paracas
If you’ve ever imagined gliding across calm waters and spotting penguins sunning themselves on rocky outcrops, the Ballestas Islands will fulfill that dream. Often referred to as a budget-friendly alternative to the Galápagos, this protected marine zone is home to sea lions lazing about on the beaches, playful seabirds swooping overhead, and the occasional school of dolphins passing by.
5. Race Across Ica’s Desert Dunes in a Buggy (Then Sandboard)
Heading inland, you’ll find a different sort of playground in the vast desert around Ica and Huacachina. Picture strapping into a dune buggy that revs its engine and darts across golden slopes at exhilarating speeds. You’ll climb up impossibly steep dunes, pause at the top, and then hurtle back down. It’s heart-pounding, laughter guaranteed. For the truly adventurous, there’s sandboarding: lie flat on the board or stand up if you’re more daring, and glide down the sand for an adrenaline rush you’ll never forget.
6. Explore the Sillar Quarries Near Arequipa
Arequipa is often called the “White City” because of its distinctive volcanic stone architecture. If you join a half-day tour of the sillar quarries on the outskirts of town, you’ll see where this famous stone is mined. Watching local artisans cut and shape blocks with time-honored techniques feels like stepping into a scene from centuries past.
The White City is carved from volcanic stone.
7. Spend a Night on a Floating Reed Island in Puno
Imagine waking up on a gently bobbing island made of woven reeds, where each step has a slight, spongy give beneath your feet. That’s life on the Uros Islands of Lake Titicaca. Spending a night here is far more than just a novelty, it’s an immersion into a way of living preserved from generation to generation. Sharing a meal of trout or quinoa soup with a local family feels like opening a window into a culture that thrives on resourcefulness, hospitality, and an incredible relationship with nature.
8. Paddle a Kayak on Lake Titicaca
If you’re already at the highest navigable lake in the world, why not dip your paddle in those legendary waters? Kayaking across the glassy surface of Titicaca is as tranquil as it sounds. You’ll drift along, occasionally passing a group of reeds or spotting birds you might not have expected to see at such a high altitude.
9. Sit With Weavers in a Small Cusco Village
Venturing into the villages around Cusco is like stepping back in time to an age when nearly every household spun its own alpaca or sheep’s wool. You’ll sit cross-legged with local weavers as they deftly manipulate yarn, forming intricate patterns on a backstrap loom.
Keeping this tradition alive, away from machines, is preserving ancient Indigenous Peruvian culture for future generations.
10. Take a Short Quechua Lesson in Cusco
A little language goes a long way, especially in the highlands, where Quechua phrases still ring out in markets and homes. Learning even a handful of words can open doors, spark smiles, and earn you a genuine sulpayki (thank you) from the locals.
11. Try Your Hand at Chocolate Making in the Sacred Valley
Chocolate lovers, brace yourselves: Peru grows some of the finest cacao in the world, and in places like the Sacred Valley, you can visit an artisan workshop that lets you roast, grind, and blend your very own bar. The hands-on experience is surprisingly calming. When you taste your creation, you’ll appreciate the effort and creativity that goes into every chocolate bar you see on the shelves back home.
12. Arrive at Machu Picchu at Dawn
Machu Picchu might be on every traveler’s wish list, but there’s a world of difference between arriving in the bustling midday crowds and standing at the ruins’ gates at first light. At dawn, you might catch wisps of morning fog dancing around the ancient stone walls before the sun breaks through and bathes everything in golden light. It’s quiet, almost meditative, and you’ll have a window of time to let the history of the place truly sink in.
The world-famous spot for admiring Inca ruins is a truly awe-inspiring sight.
13. Float Along an Amazon River at Night, Spotting Caimans
Venturing into the Amazon after dark might sound daunting, but it’s an experience that forever alters how you see the rainforest. Armed with a flashlight, you’ll glide along calm waters, scanning the shoreline for the unmistakable glimmer of caiman eyes. The night air hums with insect calls and the occasional echo of distant wildlife.
14. Hike to a Clay Lick in the Amazon and Watch Macaws Feast
Continuing with the Amazonian wonders, an early morning trek to a clay lick reveals one of nature’s most dazzling displays. Vivid macaws, parrots, and parakeets flock to these spots to feed on mineral-rich clay. The jungle is barely waking up, and here you are, witnessing a brilliant swirl of colors and motion.
15. Glamp Under the Stars in the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley offers a harmonious blend of natural splendor and cultural wealth. For travelers who want to soak it all in without giving up certain comforts, glamping is the perfect option.
Connecting with nature can be luxurious!
16. Pedal Along Lima’s Malecón in Miraflores
If you’d prefer a relaxed urban outing, rent a bike in Miraflores and follow the Malecón, a scenic clifftop promenade overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You’ll pass manicured parks, families out for a stroll, and even a few paragliders soaring above.
17. Paraglide Over the Lima Coastline
Feeling more daring? Paragliding over Lima’s coastline is the same scenic route you’d see while biking but from a thrilling bird’s-eye perspective. An instructor manages the takeoff and landing, so all you have to do is lean back, enjoy the breeze, and take in the view.
18. Tour an Artisanal Winery in Ica
Peru’s desert region might not be the first place you associate with wine, but Ica has a long tradition of grape cultivation that goes hand in hand with its famed pisco. An artisanal winery tour invites you to stroll through dusty vineyards, and sample both sweet and dry Peruvian pisco and wines.
Heritage can also be tasted. And Peru has endless options!
19. Sail on a Reed Boat on Lake Titicaca and Chat With the Maker
While many travelers see these iconic reed boats from afar, actually stepping onto one offers a new perspective on craftsmanship. The builder might explain how the reeds are harvested, layered, and replaced over time to keep the vessel afloat.
20. Ride a Horseback Trail in the Sacred Valley
Horseback riding amid the towering Andes can feel downright cinematic. On a well-kept Peruvian paso horse, you can follow trails that lead past traditional farmland or Inca terraces.
21. Walk High Above the Jungle on an Amazon Canopy Bridge
In the Amazon, life teems at every level, and a canopy walkway brings you face-to-face with tree-dwelling creatures you’d never see from the forest floor. Suspended bridges let you peer into the dense foliage for capuchin monkeys, colorful toucans, and maybe even the occasional sloth.
Canopy bridges give you a different Amazon experience.
Each of these 21 experiences opens a new window into Peru’s multifaceted soul, and there’s so much more like the famous Inca Trail, magical lodges with llamas… It’s a country where ancient traditions and modern flare exist side by side, where the land itself ranges from desert dunes to high Andean peaks and the world’s most diverse rainforest. Exploring Peru with an eye for authenticity means diving into every aspect–cultural, culinary, natural–while maintaining a comfortable pace that suits couples and families alike.
If any of these ideas spark your sense of wonder, consider getting in touch with our team. We’re here to help you weave together a travel itinerary that captures the best of Peru, from the markets of Lima to the star-filled skies of the Sacred Valley. After all, the real beauty of travel lies in those magical moments you’ll remember long after you’ve unpacked your suitcase.
Did you like this blog? You might also like:
- Peru Train Travel: A Magic Journey Through the Andes
- How to choose the best Peru and Machu Picchu tour?
- A Guide to an Eco-Friendly Travel in Peru
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