Peru is located on the Pacific Coast of South America. It has stunning ancient ruins and lush Amazon jungles. There are also spectacular mountains. This makes it a great destination for adventure-loving tourists. According to PROMPERU (Peru’s Export and Tourism Promotion Agency), it’s also one the most prize-winning destinations in South America for 2021.
The podium was taken by Peru at the 2021 World Travel Awards South America. It received four awards across a variety of categories. It was no surprise that the most well-known ancient site on the continent, Machupicchu was awarded South America’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2021 during the awards ceremony. Peru received South America’s Leading Cultural Destination and South America’s Leading Culinary Destination awards, which are a testament to its vast cultural and natural resources.
It’s easy to choose Peru as a destination for travelers, and the country is now celebrating its bicentennial. Peru is a great option for summer in South America, with easy connections to the United States via the award-winning international Airport. The country offers a variety of adventure-filled activities and must-see nature.
Cusco Trekking: The capital of the ancient Inca Empire, Cusco has declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The intricately cut Inca stone architecture can still be seen in the streets of the city, which are also preserved in the lower stories by Spanish colonial buildings. There are many trekking options nearby.
One trail to be noted is Camino del Inca. It starts near Ollantaytambo and ends at Machupicchu. This is South America’s most famous archaeological site. With the help of Peruvian guides or porters, the Inca trail is filled with incredible ruins. There are three routes to choose from: the Classic Inca Trail, or Four-day Trek, and the Sacred Inca Trail, or Two-Day Trek. Both meet at the Winay Wayna ruins, where they will continue on to Inti Punku. This ‘Sun Gate,’ offers a glimpse of Machupicchu. The Salkantay Alternate Trek is the longest and ends at Aguas Calientes, at the base Machupicchu. Another trail is Salkantay Trek or Salcantay. This trail was named after a Quechua word that means “Savage Mountain” by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine.
The Ausangate Trek, a backpacking trip of 43 miles through stunning Andean landscapes, is the Ausangate Trek. High elevations reach 17,000 feet and start at 12,000 feet. You will pass small villages, glacial lakes, and towering snowcapped mountains.
Amazon Jungle Trekking: Adventure travelers also travel to the Peruvian Amazon in search of birdwatching, flora, and fauna. Five exciting options are offered by many tour operators, including Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos. These two cities serve as gateways to deeper jungle exploration. The Northern Jungle offers river expeditions and the Parque Nacional del Manu is set in a cloud forest rich with exotic wildlife. The Rainforest Master hike showcases the beautiful biodiversity of the Amazon jungle. This Rainforest Expeditions tour allows adventurous travelers to encounter endangered and rare animals within the Tambopata National Reserve.
Aquatic Activities Near Cusco: Several companies offer watersports tours that include stand-up paddleboarding, adventure rafting, and kayaking in the wild waters of the Sacred Valley. The Urubamba River is a magnet for the adventurous, especially during South American summer’s rainy season.
The Sacred Valley is located around Cusco as well as the historic city of Machupicchu which is the heart of the Inca Empire. This fertile farmland is home to Spanish colonial villages such as Ollantaytambo of Pisac. The latter is known for its Sunday handicraft marketplace and hilltop Incan citadel. The Via Ferrata is a mountain climbing route with a permanent safety system that allows beginners to climb through beautiful mountain scenery without any difficulty. The steel cable is attached to climbers, providing safety and allowing them to concentrate on the natural beauty around them, which is normally only available to experienced climbers.
Urubamba Cycling: One of the most picturesque vacation spots in the Sacred Valley, is Urubamba. It has a year-round ideal climate making it a popular destination for adventure seekers. The valley is surrounded by the towering peaks and hills of the Cordillera Vilcanota. There are many adrenaline-spinning adventure options available in this once-in-a-lifetime setting, including canoeing and mountain biking, horseback riding, and other activities.
Kayaking and Paddling in Cusco and Lake Titicaca: Tucked between Peru and Bolivia in the Andes, the majestic Lake Titicaca is one of the most navigable bodies of water on the planet. It is believed to be the birthplace of the Inca Empire. The area is rich in archeological treasures, as well as Titicaca National Reserve which houses rare aquatic wildlife such as gargantuan fishes. Puno, Peru’s capital city, is the gateway to this amazing destination and its cool, sparkling waters.
Surfing Lima: Lima is a metropolitan capital that resembles Los Angeles. Miraflores offers easy surfing access. The district, which lies close to the city’s heart and is surrounded by the majestic cliffs of the Costa Verde coastline has many backpacker hotels that are perfect for adventure travelers. Playa Makaha has rolling breaks that are perfect for beginners. Redondo is a great spot for intermediate and beginners, offering consistent year-round right and left reef breaks. For experienced surfers, they head north to Punta Roquitas or the reef breaks in La Pampilla with their consistent year-round swells.
Another Lima surfing hotspot is La Herradura in chorrillos south Miraflores. Here, swells of four-meter and 12-foot waves can also be ridden for 500m or more than 1600 feet. For experienced surfers, Villa is further south.
The incredible variety of landscapes that Peru offers, from the mountains to the jungles and the sea, makes it an ideal destination for travelers. There are many direct flights from the United States to Lima.
