Peru

Choquequirao, Peru

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


Alternatives to Machu Picchu - Choquequirao

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 BalsaA Guide to Bus Travel in South America

EPIC TREKS IN PERU

City View of Lima

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 PeruCooking Class in Lima

Dune Buggy Tour + Sandboarding Huacachina - Sunset in Huacachina

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