PERU, MORE THAN JUST MACHU PICCHU
Peru is one of those places that you can go back to over and over and still have more to discover. With such a rich culture, himilayan mountains up north and ruins around the country, this is one you’re going to have to add to your travel list! I spent over six months around hoping around this beautiful country, so this is my mini guide on some top spots to explore.
Treks-
Ausungate- One of the most unforgettable treks I’ve ever been on. 5 Days, 4 nights with pink rivers, glaciers and tiny towns up in the mountains. Ending at a hot springs to relax after trekking.
Salkantay- A pretty popular trek, with cascading mountain backdrops throughout the journey. As this one is a bit more heavily trafficked, there are “glamping” sites along the way, including glass domes with a 180 view of the surrounding mountains.
Huaraz treks- Although I haven’t made it to these yet, I’ve heard they are some of the most incredible sights to see in Peru. #1 on my to-do list when I return.
Guide- Reach out to Alex (@alexander_estral) If you’re looking for a guide for any treks around Peru. Alex is a very talented drone pilot, photographer/videographer and doubles as a comedian while guiding hiking trips.
Towns to explore:
Pisac, Sacred Valley
I spent most of my time in this little town in the sacred valley, about an hour from Cusco. It’s a quick collectivo (the public transportation) trip from the airport. With ruins, beautiful street markets and variety of grounding activities, as well as plant medicine workshops.
Ica, desert oasis
This would be considered one of the “hidden gems” of Peru. A tiny oasis in the desert, with dune buggies taking you to ski or snowboard down the dunes. Here you can do an incredible sunset tandem paraglide flight. Make sure to hike up the dunes to overlook the oasis, it is a one of a kind type place.
Lima, Peru
I’m not much of a city person, but if you are then Lima might be a fun spot to check out. Barranco Is a hip suburb within Lima, lots of arts and live music here. The coffee shops here are some of the best. You can also get an adrenaline rush at the cliffs, if you want to sign up for a tandem paragliding flight. If you love it, you can even get a $500 paragliding license! This Is where I got certified.