The most beautiful places to visit in Peru

In this post I’m going to talk about some of the best places to visit in Peru. I have visited once and I can’t wait to go back! I have a huge plan for everything I want to explore and I cant wait. It is one of the countries on top of my list for places I want to revisit. Peru has everything! Stunning scenery, beautiful cities, delicious food, really nice people and great night life. I feel like people always visit the same places when going to Peru, therefor I have added a few places that I have never seen anywhere else in a guide to Peru. I hope you enjoy this post on the best places to visit in Peru.

The Ausengate region

Before embarking on a for day hike in the Ausengate region, I honestly didn’t know much about it. All I knew was that we would finish the trip at the rainbow mountain, which was something I was really excited about. This area is incredibly beautiful. You are constantly surrounded by mountains, you will pass small villages, river streams, wildlife and much more. It is the best hike that I have ever done in my life. Without a doubt. The mountains are picture perfect, and create some dramatic backdrops. The nights are filled with views of the stars above and no sound but the rustling wind. This is one of the best places to visit in Peru.

Cusco

Cusco is probably one of the coolest cities I have ever visited. And one of the best introductions to a city I have ever had! Not two minutes had gone by since I arrived, when I was asked if I wanted to join a football game, with the rest of my hostel. Of course I said yes, and within minutes realized why you are discouraged to do physical activities on your first day in Cusco. Located in an altitude of +3000 meters, the air in Cusco is much thinner, resulting in less oxygen. I could feel that. That being said, Cusco was amazing. I loved just wandering around the small alleys, buying food from the food trunks, visiting the local markets and buying the crafts. Cusco is a city I would love to come back to.

The best places to visit in Peru

Machu Picchu

I obviously can’t make a list like this without including Machu Picchu, and it is without a doubt one of the best places to visit in Peru. It is true that you will have to share the experience with lots of others. However during my visit, I didn’t find it to be too bad, as it is quite a large area. As long as you arrive early enough and get a spot in front of the line, you will be able to almost have some of the spots to yourself. At least it can feel like it for some time. I opted to take the train there instead of hiking, and once there, chose to walk up from Aguas Calientes instead of taking the bus. Many other people had the same idea though, but luckily I was in quite a good shape back then, and was able to overtake a lot of people.
Machu Picchu is as beautiful as you have heard anywhere else, so I dont have to go into too much detail. Just make sure you visit.

Huacachina

I loved my few days in Huacachina! Huacachina is this little oasis town it seems, nestled in the desert. There are lots of cool hostels in the city, and every hostel offer some great activities inside of the dunes. I opted to explore on my own though, and just wandered into the desert looking for great photos. In the evening, make sure you venture up on top of one of the highest dunes, to experience the sunset. Sit for some time after the sun has gone down, and watch the transition to night time.

The following places I haven’t actually visited myself, but I have done a ton of research, and added all of the places to my list of places to visit in Peru, for my next trip.

Arequipa

Arequipa is a beautiful town with a stunning city centre with lots of stunning buildings.. Here you will be able to get by in a bit of a slower pace. Arequipa is a great city to simply wander around and observe, and perhaps gather some energy after what is sure to have been a hectic few weeks. Also, nearby are the two stunning volcanoes, Misti and Chachani, which you are able to see from the city. It is worth getting closer by, in order to catch them in all of their beauty.

Lake Titicaca

This magnificent sight is located in an altitude of 3800+ meters which makes it one of the highest located lakes in the entire world. Lots of people live in the lake, creating their own small communities, and experiencing their daily life is super interesting. Imagine taking a boat to school every morning!
The lake is located in between Peru and Bolivia, which for many makes it an easy jump off point to the other country. The lake is beautiful in every direction and you will be sure to have an amazing experience here.

Huaraz

This is the trekking capital in Peru. You will experience endless opportunities when it comes to trekking. Some include the Alpamayo, Santa Cruz and of course the Huayhuash trek. I haven’t done any of them yet, but dream of doing all three! You will have some absolutely incredible vistas in this part of Peru, and though getting to them is often exhausting, it will be absolutely worth it. You are surrounded by snow covered peaks almost everywhere you look. Wildlife, flaura and fauna and beautiful blue lakes. You will have an incredible time in Huaraz, the most difficult part is to choose which trek you actually want to do.

The amazon

Does this even need an introduction? One of the most well known places in the world, the Amazon is a must visit for any traveler to Peru. That said, I didn’t visit the Amazon from Peru, however from Ecuador and Venezuela. I have been three times in total, but obviously the experience will always be different depending on the place of your stay. Doing some research, I realized that there are so many places to book your stay within the Amazon and most offer the same tours. Jungle hikes, trips down the river, wildlife spotting, meeting with local families and so on. It is an absolutely amazing experience.

Mancora

Something completely different than anything on this list. A beach town. Peru really does have it all, and the diversity of this country keeps amazing me. There is not much to do here but relax and enjoy your time. It is a beautiful beach town, with access to lots of different beaches. If you want to be a bit more adventurous however, why not take a dance or kite surfing class.

Chopicalqui

Rather close to Huaraz, this is a beautiful but strenous hike. Quite a few people try to tackle the entire mountain and climb to the top, but arriving at base camp is almost equally beautiful, and definitely advised, if you are not an avid hiker. It is a bit off the regular tourist trail, but it is a stunning site. If you are not into hiking, you can also choose to take a car as close to the mountain as possible, and simply marvel at the sight. There are some great photos to be had here.

Paron Lake

This beautiful crystal blue watered lake is also located quite close to Huaraz. It is a stunning siight, and though it requires a hike to get there, it will be completely worth it. The stunning lake is surrounded by mountains, creating for some spectacular sights. If you are in the Huaraz area, you have to make this lake a priority to visit. It will be one of the most beautiful sights you have laid eyes on.

Gocta Falls

This is a sight that many tourists miss, due to its locations. It is a bit “out of the way” for many visitors. However if you manage to get there, it will be one of the most beautiful waterfalls you have ever experienced. It resembles the waterfall from the movie “Up” and is a truly stunning sight. The drop of water is huge, and going in the right season, you will have a powerful stream of water rocketing towards the ground.
If you are in the country for the long term I would definitely advise going here, as it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Peru.

There you have it! My list of the most beautiful places to visit in Peru. I hope you have found this article helpful. If there are any other places you would like to add, I would love to know!