There’s so much more to Peru than Machu Picchu.
There are other lost cities to explore. A whole Sacred Valley. Snowcapped peaks. Desert oasis. And one long coastline that most travelers never even see.
Find your own Peru.
3 ALTERNATIVES TO MACHU PICCHU
THE OTHER MACHU PICCHU
Sitting high in the Vilcabamba mountain range, the 15th-Century archaeological complex of Choquequirao closely resembles Machu Picchu .
But there is one very noticeable difference between the two: Machu Picchu gets around 3,300 visitors per day, while Choquequirao sees an average of only 15 to 20.
More Sacred Valley: Is Machu Picchu Worth It? ● Choquequirao ● Where to Rent Gear in Cusco ● Pachamanca
THE SANTA CRUZ TREK
The Cordillera Blanca are like the Annapurna you’ve never heard of.
Rambling, snow-capped peaks towering as high as 6,768 m. Brilliant blue glacial lakes. Head off on the 4-day Santa Cruz Trek to explore this quite spectacular part of the country.
More Northern Peru: Crossing the Border at La Balsa ● A Guide to Bus Travel in South America
EPIC TREKS IN PERU
THE BIG CITY
Lima is in the middle of a culinary renaissance.
While foreign food used to be in vogue, chefs are remaking classic Peruvian fare with a distinctly modern twist. Young people are going back to traditional foods with renewed interest. Here’s a tour that gets to some iconic places for Lima’s food culture.
More Lima: Street Art in Lima ● A Beer Drinker’s Guide to Peru ● Cooking Class in Lima
DESERT ADVENTURES
Despite the town’s weird backpacker scene, Huacachina is the closest thing I’ve ever seen to a desert oasis.
Get on a dune buggy or sandboard and head out on the sand dunes of Huacachina.
More Southern Peru: Crossing the Border at Yungayo
MORE SOUTH AMERICA
