Best places for a first time visit to Peru

When you start planning a trip to Peru, the first thing that springs to mind is naturally the mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu. Steeped in Inca history, this UNESCO World Heritage Site should definitely be on your checklist. However, this vast country is much more than Machu Picchu and beckons to be explored. Each corner of Peru offers a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty, weaving together to create a trip of a lifetime.

Most people have two weeks to experience the best of Peru, so what are the key highlights and experiences for first-time visitors?

Here, we explore not only the most immersive way to reach Machu Picchu but also four other key destinations to include in your Peru adventure. We’ve included some top insider tips from our Latin America expert, Amanda, who lived and breathed the thin air of the Andes during her two-year stay in the former Inca capital.

Read on, or click below to enquire and speak to Amanda.

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Lima

Overlooking the Pacific coast, Lima is the vibrant and cosmopolitan capital of Peru. An exciting blend of history, culture, and world-class restaurants, the city is a fantastic way to start (or end) your Peruvian immersion.

This vast city is an eclectic mix of colonial architecture in the UNESCO World Heritage historic centre, modern skyscrapers in the business districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, and bohemian charm in the Barranco neighbourhood.

Art enthusiasts will love the museums and galleries, such as MALI (Museum de Arte de Lima) in Miraflores or the Lima Museum of Contemporary Art in Barranco. A stroll around Barranco showcases interesting Gothic-style architecture and vibrant mural-clad streets. Lima’s standout museum is the Museo Larco, a treasure trove of pre-Columbian cultures dating back to 3500 BC.

After your dose of culture, venture to the famous ‘Malecon’, a sea-front walkway with spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean, and the Parque del Amor (Park of Love) with its iconic sculpture ‘El Beso’ (the Kiss).

A visit to Lima wouldn’t be complete without sampling the world-class food scene, and we recommend starting at a local cevicheria. Here, you can sample Peru’s national dish – ceviche – a mouth-watering combination of fresh fish, tangy lime juice, fiery peppers, and crunchy cancha corn, which encapsulates the country’s magnificent coastal cuisine. Combine this with a zesty pisco sour and you have the perfect Peruvian meal!

Far & Wild recommendation

Amanda says: After a morning exploring the Museo Larco, enjoy a typical lunch at the museum’s terrace restaurant. Sample the flavours, products, and customs of the different regions of Peru, with a privileged view over the gardens and the Vice Royalty Mansion, which houses the Museo Larco collection.

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Cusco

Once the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is the starting point for adventures around this iconic region. As you meander around the cobblestone streets, admire the mighty Inca building blocks that stand next to ornate Spanish architecture. The picturesque Plaza de Armas is the heart of the city and is flanked by the imposing Cusco Cathedral.

Cusco was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and it’s easy to see why as you admire the city’s cultural heritage and learn about its indigenous past.

Visit San Pedro market to learn about local produce, sample refreshing juices, and indulge in deep-fried guinea pig. Local picanterias are also a great option for trying hearty Andean fare. Catering to all tastes, the city also offers a range of exceptional dining options, and one of our favourites at Far & Wild is Uchu. This Andean-style steakhouse serves the tastiest alpaca steaks in town, complemented by Peruvian Intipalka Malbec wine.

Cusco offers exceptional cuisine, ranging from traditional dishes such as guinea pig (cuy) and ceviche to international cuisine. Visitors can enjoy dining at renowned restaurants that use local ingredients to create innovative and delicious dishes.

Far & Wild recommendation

Amanda says: Visit Cusco in June, when every day feels like a festival. The highlight of the ‘festival’ season is Inti Raymi on 24 June, when a procession winds through the city from Qoricancha, via the Plaza de Armas and onto the imposing Sacsayhuaman fortress. We can book a restaurant overlooking the Plaza de Armas for spectacular views away from the hustle and bustle!

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Machu Picchu

The crowning jewel of the Inca Empire, Machu Picchu, is a must-see. No trip to Peru would be complete without a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage site. No matter how many times you visit, you will always discover something new, and the experience of seeing this majestic feat of Inca engineering shrouded in mist will take your breath away.

There are no roads to the Machu Picchu citadel; however, the journey is part of the adventure and fun. The most leisurely and popular option is by train, which meanders through the towering Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu Pueblo town. At Far & Wild, our favourite option is on foot, and luckily you don’t have to be a keen hiker to enjoy the one-day short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The scenery on this trail is varied, from cloud forest foliage to wide-open valleys and lesser-known Inca ruins such as Wiñay Wayna. The final leg is the last section of the classic route leading to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for that first ‘wow’ moment as you look down on these ancient ruins.

Far & Wild recommendation

Amanda says: Whether you choose the train journey, short Inca Trail or a longer hike to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, we recommend spending the night in Machu Picchu Pueblo town. Aside from making the trip more relaxed and enjoyable, it also allows you to revisit the site a second time, and perhaps climb the peak of Huayna Picchu, for a different viewpoint.

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Amazon Rainforest

Often overlooked by adventures in the Peruvian Andes, the lush Amazon Rainforest is the perfect antidote to altitude. Covering 60% of the country, this biodiverse region is home to countless endangered species and birds.

Only a fraction of this vast region is accessible, and the handful of lodge options offer a host of modern comforts to provide the perfect base for exploration. The cacophony of wildlife at dawn and dusk fills the air alongside the scent of flora.

Lodges around Puerto Maldonado in the southern Peruvian Amazon and luxury cruises from the isolated city of Iquitos provide an immersive experience. Each multi-day stay offers safari-style explorations, revealing the wonders of this magnificent ecosystem. The exact program will be unique to the lodge, or cruise, but normally includes boat expeditions along winding tributaries, jungle treks through the dense forest, kayak trips, clay lick viewing, and piranha fishing. You may also visit a local indigenous community and learn how they live from the land and in harmony with the environment.

Expert local guides will be the source of encyclopedic knowledge of the local wildlife. Expect to see caimans, giant otters, capybaras, macaws, crested eagles, and many other species!

Far & Wild recommendation

Amanda says: Visit the Southern Amazon from Puerto Maldonado and stay at the Tambopata Research Centre (TRC). Along the river to the lodge, around 35% of guests have spotted a jaguar on the boat transfer. This area near TRC is a strictly prohibited wilderness and the best time for sightings is during the May – October dry season.

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Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca, at an elevation of 3,800 metres, is the world's highest navigable lake and straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia. The shimmering blue waters, surrounded by snowcapped Andean peaks, create a spectacular setting.

Explore the lake from the town of Puno on the Peruvian side, where you can take a boat excursion to the Uros floating islands. These islands are made entirely of sturdy totora reed and support the homes of over 1,000 people. An incredible feat of construction, these stacks of reed are anchored to the bottom of the lake using eucalyptus stakes and can last for almost 30 years with proper maintenance. To date, there are around 100 of these islands still in existence on Lake Titicaca!

During your visit, learn about the ancient traditions of these Aymara-speaking Uros people and take the opportunity to try out the typical style of clothing.

Continue to scenic Taquile Island, where the locals have preserved Inca and Quechua traditions, weaving techniques, and the production of vibrant textiles. Trek to the summit of the island for endless lake views, interact with friendly locals, and sample the delicious lake trout.

Far & Wild recommendation

Our favourite hotels in Puno are by the lakeside and we always recommend upgrading to a room with a view! The sunrises (and sunsets) in this region are spectacular and well worth waking up early for.

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Conclusion

Peru is a land of diversity, and these destinations are perfect for a 2-week trip, however there is so much more to explore. Visit the charming town of Arequipa in the south of the country with a trip inland to the dramatic Colca Canyon, the perfect spot to see condors. Take to the coast, visiting Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, fly over the Nazca Lines or visit a winery. For the second or third trip, consider the far north of Peru and mysterious Chachapoyas or trekking around Huaraz.