A trip to Peru will be without a doubt very impressive. You will encounter great sights, beautiful nature and discover ancient traditions. Peru is the land of the Incas and is best known for its impressive sight Machu Picchu. Are you planning to travel through Peru? Then you should consider adding the following places to your itinerary for an unforgettable time!
This article has been written by Travander, a Dutch travel blog for adventurous travelers.
Paracas National Reserve
If you value natural sights as much as we do you have to visit the Paracas National Reserve. Pristine beaches, miles of cliffs, golden sand dunes, and incredible biodiversity. This is a place to love. The peninsula, on the south coast of Peru, is a protected area because of the many marine animals and birds that live there. Spreading over an area of more than 200,000 hectares, you can spot pink flamingos, pelicans, and sea lions.
Spread over the reserve you will find several beautiful places, such as the unique rock formation La Catedral. For millions of years it used to be a unique water cave but it collapsed during the earthquake of 2007. Nevertheless, this viewpoint is still breathtaking. Especially when the waves break on the cliffs, the water splashes up with a thundering sound.
We were told that most beaches in Peru are white-sanded beaches, but Playa Roja in the Paracas National Reserve is an exception. This beach is characterized by desert sand that turns into sandy rocks and then into a deep red sand beach that ends in the beautiful blue sea. Stop at Mirador Istmo II to enjoy the panoramic view.
The Paracas National Reserve also includes the Ballestas Islands. Rocky islands where sea lions and various species of birds live permanently. You can visit the Ballestas Islands by booking a two-hour boat trip. The boat departs from Paracas harbor and also passes by an ancient signal site. It is absolutely worth booking this activity when you are in Paracas!
Huacachina
Huacachina is without a doubt one of the highlights of our trip through Peru. It is a destination that, if you ask us, should not be missed. This city is simply so special. The story behind Huacachina is a fairytale itself, but wait until you can see the city with your own eyes.
Did you know there is a mysterious story about Huacachina in Peru? The story goes that a long time ago a Peruvian princess walked through the desert. She wanted to take a bath but was brutally interrupted by a hunter. The princess had no choice but to flee and she left behind a pool of water. This pool, called Huacachina, is a blue lagoon surrounded by palm trees and sand dunes.
Huacachina is a place for every traveler. The surroundings offer adventurous activities such as buggy driving and sandboarding. Not afraid of a physical challenge? Then climb to the top of one of the sand dunes. The desert at Huacachina is magnificent and once you sit on one of the dune tops and look down on the oasis, you will be amazed.
In addition to the breathtaking sand dunes, Huacachina is also known for its lively nightlife. Around the oasis, you will find many nice bars, and parties are also held in a number of hostels.
Get to know the locals: visiting the Patacancha Village
Peru breathes history and a part of getting to know the country is by indulging in the local traditions. One thing we loved about our travels to Peru is visiting the Patacancha village where the local community still maintains Inca traditions. We highly recommend that you don’t miss out on this unique experience in the Sacred Valley which can be booked through Peru Well Served.
The Patacancha community is known for its great textile art. The colorful, high-quality textiles are one of the main sources of income and are mainly woven hand by hand by the women in the community. Almost everything they use comes from nature, even the most beautiful colors are created by using plants. Creating a scarf can sometimes take up to 3 months, impressive how incredibly patient they must be!
Another specialty of the villagers is ‘Pachamanca’, a traditional dish prepared by using hot stones. This dish is only made on special occasions so we felt very special to help them prepare Pachamanca. After a traditional ritual, we helped prepare the chicken, potatoes, beans, cheese and bananas. Of course after cooking it was time to taste the Pachamancha and it was absolutely delicious!
Although you can’t really have a conversation with the family (due to the language), you will feel the warmth of the villagers. They hardly see any tourists (maybe a few every few weeks or sometimes even months), so it is a really authentic and genuine experience!
Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
With three destinations in this list you must be wondering why we are adding a hotel to it. Well, that’s because the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness is a very special hotel. It was originally a 17th-century hacienda on the road to Machu Picchu located in the 100-kilometer long Sacred Valley. One of the most beautiful regions of Peru.
The hacienda has been converted into a wellness and spa hotel: the Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness. It has 115 modern and colonial rooms, including 14 suites. Everywhere you feel and see the old culture through the impressive colonial architecture. At this hotel you are one with nature. Peacefully surrounded by alpacas, parrots, avocado and eucalyptus trees while in the background you hear the peaceful sound of hummingbirds.
The Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness is a place to completely unwind. Not only is the setting beautiful, the food is also delicious and you can completely pamper yourself with the massages and beauty treatments at the UNNO Spa. Known as one of the best wellness spots in the region. During our stay we were pampered with an exfoliation, massage and facial treatment. There are many different spa experiences here, including all kinds of massages, Ayurveda and Andean rituals, and mystical experiences inspired by traditions from the Sacred Valley of the Incas (the Sacred Valley).
Machu Picchu
Last but not least, Machu Picchu. There are only a handful of places that are as special as this mysterious place. It still raises many questions each day and that is part of what makes it so special.
Machu Picchu is the most famous ancient city of the former Inca Empire. Literally translated from the local language Quechua, Machu Picchu means ‘old mountain’. During the Spanish conquest, most Inca civilizations were destroyed. It is therefore assumed that Machu Picchu was never found by the Spaniards, which is why this ancient Inca city is also called ‘The Lost City of the Incas’. Machu Picchu is thus one of the best-preserved Inca cities.
Built in the 15th century, Machu Picchu remained a hidden gem for the whole world until 1911, when Machu Picchu was rediscovered. Due to its unique and elevated location at 2,430 meters in the Andes Mountains of Peru, archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was once a royal estate, but there are also claims that it was a sacred and religious destination. After a period of 30 years of habitation in Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca city has been completely abandoned for reasons still unknown.
Today, Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. It is therefore not a surprise that Machu Picchu is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the seven new wonders of the world.
Traveling to Peru soon? Have a look at Travander’s travel tips here.