Traveling To Peru Is Much More Than Visiting Machu Picchu

What comes to mind when you listen to Peru? Yes, we know, Machu Picchu! And this is the most recognized place in the country, such as the Statue of Liberty in New York or Big Ben in London. However, traveling to Peru allows you to discover many other treasures, and that is what we want to show you.

Travel to Peru beyond Machu Picchu

Peru is the cradle of Inca culture, a natural and historical jewel that hides wonderful corners that are worth visiting. We want to show you some of them and explain things that you cannot stop doing in this beautiful country.

Of course, this does not mean that if you go to Peru you return home without having seen Machu Picchu, that would be almost a crime! But these are other places that you should not miss:

Cuzco

It is, perhaps, the second most famous place in Peru. Considered the cultural capital of the country, it is one of the most beautiful cities in America. In fact, its old town is a World Heritage Site.

Former capital of the Inca people, to this day few remains of that time are preserved. But some of them are very interesting, like the twelve-angle stone, which is part of a palace wall. And very close you can visit the ancient city of Sacsayhuamán, one of the treasures of the Inca Empire.

But there is much to see in Cuzco, from the Plaza de Armas to colonial-era palaces. Nor should you miss the San Pedro market, the Temple of the Moon or the Santo Domingo convent.

Iquitos

The Amazon is another of the areas that you cannot miss. Obviously not the whole, but at least part of it. An ideal entry would be through Iquitos, since from there guided tours are made that can last several days and it is an area of ​​the jungle in which dangerous species are not known.

To get to Iquitos from Lima you can only do it by boat or plane, since crossing the jungle is an adventure that cannot be done without knowledge of the area. Therefore, do not enter it without a guide.

From Iquitos they will take you up on a raft that will take you down the largest river in the world. On the way you will enjoy the most exotic fauna and flora you can imagine.

Colca Valley

The Colca Valley is another gift that Mother Nature gave to Peru. Not only because it is a wonderful natural enclave it deserves a visit, but also because it is home to the most famous bird in South America: the condor.

One recommendation is that if you suffer from altitude sickness you should take measures to avoid it. On the way to this fabulous natural space, you will pass through sections that are between 4 and 5 thousand meters in latitude.

This, without a doubt, is an idyllic corner where you can see very, very different landscapes.  Large pastures full of alpacas, snow-capped volcanoes or lush forests will follow your gaze. It will seem to you to be in paradise.

Titicaca lake

And of course we cannot travel to Peru and overlook one of the most famous lakes in the world. This is the highest navigable lake on the planet, located at 3,800 meters of altitude. It is difficult to know where the lake ends and where the sky begins.

You can hire an excursion that takes you through it. And don’t miss the islands of the Uros. They are artificial islands created from an aquatic plant and that are inhabited! It is quite an experience to know how its inhabitants live. In them there are houses, schools and even small sports fields.

You see that, although when traveling to Peru it is mandatory to visit Machu Picchu, there is much more. In this country there are countless places to see. Its history, its nature, the hospitality of its people and many other reasons are enough for you to get to know Peru more thoroughly.