Peru is one of the greatest centers of ancient civilizations, with finds dating from pre-Columbian times to the majestic Incas. This beautiful country is full of surprises, mystery, and landscapes to discover. You don’t need to be a connoisseur of history to visit this beautiful country. You will have many guidebooks throughout the trip to give you a general context of the ruins or tourist attractions. Any foreigner or local can enjoy the natural wonders that you will find throughout the country. With so much to see in this country, together with the experts at Machu Travel Peru, we decided to list the 15 most famous places in Peru. After this, you will have a general idea of what you can visit.
In case your main destination is to visit the Wonder of the World, we recommend booking your ticket in advance. No matter which your destination is, most of them are highly demanded by tourists and locals. Therefore, it is the safest option to book your tour package or tickets to these attractions. Let’s begin to explore this precise list of the most famous places in Peru.
15 of the most famous places in Peru to visit on your vacation
- Huacachina
- Colca Canyon
- Maras Salt Mines
- Moray
- Kuelap
- Manu National Park
- Paracas National Reserve
- Amazon River
- Nazca Lines
- Lake Titicaca
- Machu Picchu
- Huascaran National Park
- Chan Chan
- Cusco
- Inca Trail
HUACACHINA
Located near Ica, there is a small natural oasis, the only one in South America. It is surrounded by a small city and numerous desert dunes that make it a unique attraction in all of Peru. One of the most popular activities is being able to sandboard or ride a buggy through the desert. Two incredible experiences to enjoy in one of the most famous places in Peru. You will find numerous luxury tourist hotels as well as other adventure activities to enjoy.
COLCA CANYON
The Colca Canyon is considered one of the deepest canyons in the world. Its depth is twice that of the popular Grand Canyon and competes for the position of the deepest canyons in the world. Its outstanding views and landscapes along with the different hiking trails available make this place a mandatory stop for all tourists interested in exploring Peru. Being able to enjoy the hiking trails and its luxurious hotels are one of the best things to do in Arequipa. If you like, you can enjoy the different luxury hotels. Some of which offer options to explore the surrounding hot springs.
MARAS SALT MINES
Near the Sacred Valley, you will find many tourist attractions to visit. One of the main attractions is in the foothills of the Qaqawiñay mountain. We are talking about the Salinas de Maras. This is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Cusco and its surroundings. It is made up of more than 3,000 salt pools that, to this day, are still collected by local families. The salt flats are on the Sacred Valley tourist route along with other popular attractions such as Moray and Pisac. If you plan to stay in the Valley, it is one of the best things to do in Cusco and its surroundings.
MORAY
If you are near the Salineras de Maras, you cannot miss this archaeological complex. Moray is an ancient Inca complex that is made up of several terraces carved into a huge bowl. It is believed that the Incas used it as a kind of crop laboratory due to the microclimates of each level. This attraction is passing through the different routes of the Valley and is worth your time. Another of the sites that will deepen your understanding of the Inca Empire.
KUELAP
Kuelap is one of the most impressive archaeological sites to visit. It consists of an old walled citadel built by the Chachapoyas, a civilization older than the Incas. The Chachapoyas, also known as the people of the clouds, lived in the Amazon in a cloud forest. It can be found in northern Peru, away from the most popular tourist routes. To this day, it can be seen as incredibly preserved and with more than 400 structures to amaze you. If you are looking to enjoy tourism in Peru, you cannot miss this magical fortress in the middle of the Amazon.
MANU NATIONAL PARK
Manu National Park is one of the most famous places in Peru. This vast national park is located in the Amazon basin and is one of the best places to observe the different animals. There you will observe a great biodiversity of wildlife to take pictures. You can also enjoy the presence of many birds, different species of monkeys, and mammals. You will find unimaginable biodiversity! The best time to visit the Manu National Park is during the dry season, between June and November.
PARACAS NATIONAL RESERVE
On the south coast, you can see a desert reserve that occupies most of the Paracas peninsula. We are talking about the renowned Paracas National Reserve. Here you can enjoy beautiful beaches, amazing wildlife such as sea lions, and amazing tours of the Ballestas Islands. The Reserve also contains some interesting archaeological ruins of the Paracas culture. In the surroundings, you can also find bars, restaurants, and high-end hotels to enjoy the different tourist routes.
AMAZON RIVER
If you want a great adventure, Iquitos can be a good start. In this port city, you can start an unforgettable tour of the Amazon River, with luxury options or other more challenging ones. The Amazon River is the largest in the world and runs through Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. A great opportunity is to be able to tour this on an all-inclusive luxury cruise. Being able to enjoy a luxurious cruise in the Amazon is one of the best things to do in Iquitos. A great place to visit on your tour of the Inca country.
NAZCA LINES
Among the different famous places in Peru, the Nazca lines are a treasure worth knowing. This series of geoglyphs is considered one of the best things to do in Peru. The hotels and tour operators in Nazca offer flights over the lines where the different figures can be better appreciated. In case you are only passing through, there is also the opportunity to see them through an observation tower, although the experience is not comparable. Being able to fly over the lines is the best way to see the Nazca Lines.
LAKE TITICACA
Between the borders of Peru and Bolivia, lies one of the largest and most navigable bodies of water in South America. Lake Titicaca is a destination that cannot escape your itinerary. You will be able to enjoy the floating islands of the Uros, a highly anticipated tour by those who visit the place. A tour of the different floating islands is one of the best things to do in Puno. You can choose to stay in Puno as in the surroundings of the Lake. Both have some exclusive and luxury options.
MACHU PICCHU
If you are going to travel to Peru, then you cannot miss out on touring Machu Picchu. A visit to the Wonder of the World is an ideal opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Enjoying vacations in Machu Picchu is a truly rewarding experience. In addition to some impressive photos, you will take away unforgettable memories. Don’t worry about how to get to Machu Picchu, since most tourist agencies will take care of your train tickets. Booking your tickets and packages in advance will make your trip a lot easier. You will find many things to do in Machu Picchu, from visiting its beautiful sacred constructions to enjoying the hiking trails around it.
HUASCARAN NATIONAL PARK
On the outskirts of Huaraz, you will find this beautiful park full of impressive snow-capped peaks. This immense National Park covers most of the Cordillera Blanca. You can take pictures of beautiful turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks, and varied wildlife. Huascarán is the highest peak in Peru at 6,768 meters high and gives the park its name. In addition to unparalleled landscapes, there are also a few archaeological ruins scattered around the place. One of the most famous places in Peru to enjoy.
CHAN CHAN
Chan Chan is a beautiful complex considered one of the most famous places in Peru. This was once one of the largest empires in Peru before the arrival of the Incas. This giant adobe city was one of the largest in pre-Columbian America. Today you can only see a part of the place because the rains and the weather have worn a large part of the city of mud. The city has royal precincts, cemeteries, and religious temples among other things. A place that you cannot miss on your trip.
CUSCO
The Imperial City is undoubtedly an unforgettable place for those who visit Peru. The old imperial capital will surprise you with its architectural mix and cosmopolitan culture. The beautiful Imperial City is an excellent place to start your journey to the Inca citadel. But the truth is that before leaving it is a good idea to enjoy the city for a few days. In this way, you will acclimatize to the altitude and you can visit some amazing archaeological sites. A must-see for any traveler.
INCA TRAIL
The Inca Trail is by far one of the best treks in Peru and one of the most beautiful ways to get to know Machu Picchu. For all those thirsty for adventure, this is an unbeatable option. You will have the possibility to witness some imposing landscapes and some not so well known Inca ruins. The Inca Trail is the original way of how the ancient Incas made a pilgrimage to Machu Picchu. Among the different tours in Peru to enjoy, this hiking route is one of the best.
“THE BEST MEMORIES ARE MADE WHEN TRAVELING.”
Peru is home to a wide variety of magical destinations to explore. Machu Travel Peru hopes to have helped to know the most famous places of the Inca country. This small list was just a sample of everything you can enjoy in the Inca country. Keep in mind that Peru is full of beautiful places to visit, some are better known than others. If you want to know more about our tours around the world, do not hesitate to consult our team of professional advisers. Don’t miss out on the magic of this beautiful country!
