Are you traveling to Peru and want to make sure you don’t miss any of the best things to do? This bucket list includes all the top landmarks and activities in Peru, selected by a Peruvian (me) who has done them all and is sharing the best ones here.
If you are a bucket-list person, you will find this list very useful for you trip to Peru. From history and culture, to nature, festivals and flavors, learn about all the things that you must see and try when you visit Peru.
Historical & Cultural Landmarks
- Machu Picchu: Explore one of the 7 World Wonders of the Modern World.
- Cusco’s Historic Center: Discover this enchanting city, mix of Incan culture and colonial heritage.
- Nazca Lines: Overfly these mysterious ancient lines in the desert and spot “the astronaut”, “the hummingbird” and “the monkey”.
- Sacred Valley: Explore its Incan sites and vibrant local communities.
- The Candelabra: Take a boat in Paracas and appreciate this huge enigmatic figure on a cliff.
- Visiting the Moche Route: Explore the ancient Moche civilization’s legacy through the Sun and Moon Pyramids, and the museum of El Brujo.
- Maras Salt Mines: Walk around this patchwork of pink salt ponds that have been harvested since the times of the Incas.
- Uros Floating Islands: Visit the these floating islands made of reed, in Lake Titicaca.
- Barranco: Enjoy this bohemian neighborhood in Lima. Explore its street art and lively nightlife, among other things that you can do in Barranco.
- Erotic Pottery: Admire the fascinating collection of ancient erotic pottery at the Larco Museum in Lima.
- The Lima Catacombs: Walk around skulls and bones from the times of the colony at the catacombs of San Francisco church in Lima.
- Kuélap: Visit Chachapoyas and explore The “Machu Picchu of the north.”
Natural Wonders
- Amazon Rainforest: Admire the most biodiverse area in the planet.
- Lake Titicaca: Visit the islands and enjoy amazing starry nights in this Andean lake.
- Colca Canyon: Trekking in the second deepest canyon in the world and spot condors.
- Rainbow Mountain: Be in awe by this multicolored mountain.
- Lake Paron: Go hiking in Huaraz around one of the most beautiful turquoise lakes in the country.
- Gocta Waterfall: Take a dip in one of the tallest waterfalls in the world.
- Ballestas Islands: Sometimes referred to as the “Poor Man’s Galapagos,” these islands in Paracas are a haven for wildlife including sea lions, penguins, and birds.
- Manu National Park: Go birdwatching in this paradise for birders, in the country with the second highest number of birds species in the world.
- Millpu Turquoise Waters: Admire this vibrant blue pools cascading through lush landscapes in Ayacucho.
Cultural Experiences
- Inti Raymi: Witness the ancient Peruvian festival dedicated to the Sun-god every June
- Fiesta de la Candelaria: An amazing festival gathering thousands of traditional dancers from around the country in Puno
- Easter in Ayacucho: Spend Easter in Ayacucho and enjoy the second biggest Easter celebrations in the world.
- Cajamarca Festival: Get covered in paint and enjoy the parades at this vibrant festival in the north.
- Scissors Dance: Admire this dance of deep indigenous roots displaying daring acrobatics, intricate footwork, and the symbolic use of scissors as a musical instrument
- Coca Leaf Reading: Discover what your future will bring in a traditional coca leaf reading
- ‘Pago a la Tierra’ Ceremony: Experience a traditional Andean ‘Pago a la Tierra’ (Payment to the Earth) ceremony, an ancient ritual led by a shaman to show gratitude to Mother Earth.
- Paso Horse: Admire the grace of these Peruvian horses and its elegant, dance-like steps, in Trujillo or Mamacona (Lima).
Adventure Activities
- Trek the Inca Trail: Walk the old trail that the Incas used to get to Machu Picchu
- Sandboard in Huacachina: Slide through the dunes of this Peruvian desert oasis.
- Paraglide in Lima: Go paragliding along the coast of Lima and be amazed by the views.
- Swim with sea lions: Take a tour to the Palomino islands in Lima and bathe among sea lions.
- Surf in Chicama: Surf the second longest wave in the world in this northern beach.
- Drink Ayahuasca: Drink this hallucinogenic plant in a traditional healing ceremony led by a local shaman
- Dune Buggy Ride: Go on a thrilling dune buggy ride on the Huacachina desert.
- Swim with green turtles: Swim among turtles in Los Órganos, a beach close to Mancora beach town.
- Travel by boat to Colombia in the jungle: Spend a couple of days navigating rivers surrounded by jungle (for sure an unusual way to travel in Peru!).
Eating and Drinking
- Pisco sour: Savour the national Peruvian drink that Peruvians are so proud of
- Chicha morada: Enjoy this sweet drink made of purple corn
- Inca Kola: Try Peruvians’ favorite soda
- Try exotic fruits: Eat a chirimoya and drink lucuma juice
- Coati coffee: Try this luxurious and super expensive coffee coming from the coffee grains pooped by coatis!
- Peruvian chocolate: Peruvian cacao is one of the best in the world, used to produce award-winning chocolate bars (visit a specialized chocolate shop).
- Eat at Central Restaurant: Have a fancy dinner at Central, twice named the World’s Best Restaurant.
- Emoliente: Try this sweet and thick traditional herbal drink served at many street stands around the country.
Before You Go…
If you are planning a trip to Peru and want to have enough time to try everything on this bucket list, take a look at these Peru itineraries to organize your journey in the best way!
For more inspiration on how to maximize your time in Peru, you can check out the Lima bucket list and the Cusco bucket list.
