Peru is a fantastic country to visit and is full of different treasures of traveling to explore and these are the 11 places I recommend to visit on any trip to Peru.

Peru is a county located in western South America. The countries Ecuador and Colombia border it to the north while Brazil surrounds it to the east and along the southern border is Bolivia and Chile. To the west, is the Pacific Ocean that allows for lots of trade in and out of the country. Peru is a country of many contrasts and is a wonderful place to visit on any trip through South America. When most people think of Peru, the Andes Mountains are generally the first thing that comes to most people’s minds, but Peru’s western coast is in stark contrast with its dry and arid desert, while to the east of the Andes is the Amazon jungle, steaming with wildlife.

Peru is a fantastic country to visit and is full of different treasures of traveling to explore and these are the 11 places I recommend to visit on any trip to Peru.
Peru is a fantastic country to visit and is full of different treasures of traveling to explore and these are the 11 places I recommend to visit on any trip to Peru.

Not only does Peru have stunning beauty and varied landscapes throughout the country, but the many different ancient civilizations and cultures have given Peru some of the most interesting archaeological sites in South America from the Inca Empire in the Andes to the Chimu Empire on the north west coast. Peru is filled with an immense quantity of treasures, so continue reading below and start exploring some of those 11 unique places to visit in Peru.

 

Sandboarding in the Oasis Town of Huacachina

Need adventure? Then take a trip to the #Oasis of Huacachina in Ica to go Sand Boarding! It is one of the beautiful and unique # Treasures Of Traveling you will find in Peru! Have you been sand boarding before?
Need adventure? Then take a trip to the #Oasis of Huacachina in Ica to go Sand Boarding! It is one of the beautiful and unique # Treasures Of Traveling you will find in Peru! Have you been sand boarding before?

The little oasis town of Huacachina in the western coastal desert should definitely be near the top of your list of places to visit in Peru as it’s a fun and relaxing place to visit! The small oasis village of Huacachina was a short distance from its larger neighboring city of Ica, located about 3 miles west. Huacachina is surrounded by sand dunes with a small laguna in the middle! I came here to experience sandboarding in the oasis town of Huacachina for the first time and you definitely should too because you won’t regret it. Read more about the oasis town of Huacachina here.

 

The Poor Man’s Galapagos (Ballestas Islands)

The arches & rock formations of the Ballestas Islands are out of this world! So are the thousands of birds, sea lions & other wildlife that surround you! The Poor Mans Galapagos on the Peruvian coast of Pisco & Paracas are one of the Treasures Of Traveling in Peru!
The arches & rock formations of the Ballestas Islands are out of this world! So are the thousands of birds, sea lions & other wildlife that surround you! The Poor Mans Galapagos on the Peruvian coast of Pisco & Paracas are one of the Treasures Of Traveling in Peru!

The Ballestas Islands (Islas Ballestas in Spanish) or what is commonly known as the Poor Man’s Galapagos are a group of islands not to missed on any trip to the south west coast of Peru. After traveling on boats away from the mainland, the islands finally come into view. It will amaze you to see the open sky change and almost become dark with the thousands of birds flying overhead as you get closer to the islands! I don’t think I have ever seen so many birds at one place in my entire life. It really was an amazing sight to see and the Ballestas Islands are a true national and natural treasure of traveling within Peru. Read more about the Ballestas Islands here.

 

Arch Formation at Paracas National Reserve

The Famous Peruvian Arch Formation, El Catedral, in Paracas Natural Reserve sadly no longer exists. Do you know why? Find out what happened to it! Peru South America Treasures Of Traveling
The Famous Peruvian Arch Formation, El Catedral, in Paracas Natural Reserve sadly no longer exists. Do you know why? Find out what happened to it! Peru South America Treasures Of Traveling

The Paracas National Reserve along the Peruvian pacific coast is located in the Paracas District of the Pisco Province in the Ica Region. This Peruvian Reserve was established in 1975 to protect not only the marine wildlife and habitats of the area which also includes the tropical desert, but also to protect the prehistoric sites of the Paracas culture and to preserve the cultural heritage of the ancient indigenous people of this area of Peru. The Paracas National Reserve is the oldest marine reserve in Peru and includes the coastal areas along with the desert and miles of coastal waters including the Bahía de la Independencia or Independence Bay to protect the large variety of wildlife species that live in the water, in the air and on the land! There are so many species of birds concentrated in the reserve that it is considered the largest concentration of birds on earth! This reserve also includes a rugged coastline and an arch formation that was destroyed from an earthquake. Read more about the famous Peruvian arch that no longer exists and Paracas National Reserve here.

 

Nazca Lines

What are your three favorite Nazca Lines? The ones listed below are mine! Check out some of these Treasures of Traveling found in the Nazca Desert of Peru!
What are your three favorite Nazca Lines? The ones listed below are mine! Check out some of these Treasures of Traveling found in the Nazca Desert of Peru!

The Nazca Lines in southern Peru might not be considered one of the wonders of the world, but they really are a treasure of Peru! It is amazing to think that a group of people etched these designs into the desert floor. The Nazca Lines are located in the middle of the Nazca Desert and the best way to view them is from the air as the designs are hundreds of feet long. If you don’t have a desire to take to the sky in a tiny Cessna Plane then you can still see the lines from certain viewpoints from the surrounding foothills and towers that have been built up along the highway, but the best view is from the sky above in the cockpit of a plane! There are many lines and geometric shapes and other figures that are more complex in design. There are multiple shapes that you can see with a short plane ride from the Nazca airport. Read more about these impressive Nazca Lines here.

 

Arequipa

Planning to visit Peru soon? Check out these 5 things to do in the Spanish Colonial town of Arequipa, Peru. Don't miss out on these wonderful Treasures Of Traveling!
Planning to visit Peru soon? Check out these 5 things to do in the Spanish Colonial town of Arequipa, Peru. Don’t miss out on these wonderful Treasures Of Traveling!

Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city and between it being a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s lower breathable altitude, and its comfortable, relatively stable climate all year, it’s a nice city to visit!  There are not as many tourists as in Cusco so you may feel a little less bombarded and relaxed while exploring this city, but it is becoming more popular every year especially because of its close proximity to Colca Canyon. Therefore more adventurous travelers are visiting the area to explore the canyon. Read more about exploring the treasures of traveling in Arequipa here.

 

Lima

If you only have a few days to spend in Lima Peru, make sure to check out these four must see places! From ancient pyramids to Colonial Architecture, there are many Treasures Of Traveling to see!
If you only have a few days to spend in Lima Peru, make sure to check out these four must see places! From ancient pyramids to Colonial Architecture, there are many Treasures Of Traveling to see!

Lima is the capital city of Peru and is filled with an endless amount of treasures to experience from the museums and archaeological sites located throughout the city, to the beautiful Pacific beaches with the adventure sports that take place along the boardwalks and cliffs of the Miraflores district. Lima is the place to visit to taste the famous Peruvian cuisine which can be found in some of the best rated restaurants in South America and Lima also offers multiple nightclubs for people eager to experience the pulsating nightlife! All this can be found in Lima and makes for an authentic South American experience within a large bustling city! Lima is a huge metropolitan area located on the arid central Pacific Coast of Peru and is actually the second driest world capital after Cairo, Egypt. You can view pre-Columbian adobe pyramids and archaeological sites nestled next to high rise skyscrapers with tons of loud traffic pulsating through the streets below, while you can leisurely stroll through the streets viewing the colonial style architecture of the buildings along with the many Catholic Cathedrals dotted around the city. Read more about exploring the city of Lima here.

 

Ayacucho

Ayacucho is a beautiful city located in the Andes Mountains of Peru! It's one of the Treasures of Traveling you will experience while visiting Peru so you will want to add it to your travel list!
Ayacucho is a beautiful city located in the Andes Mountains of Peru! It’s one of the Treasures of Traveling you will experience while visiting Peru so you will want to add it to your travel list!

Ayacucho is such a beautiful colonial city as it hasn’t changed a huge amount due to its location high in the Andes Mountains, but also due to its history with the Shining Path, that led a resistance against the Peruvian Government in the 1980’s. Even though the resistance organization has now since faded once the leader was captured and put in jail, the region still remains one of the poorest in Peru with its cultural independent spirit, along with unique festivals of which it is said to have one for each day of the year. Ayacucho is a charming Peruvian city to visit and played a pivotal role in helping Peru gain their independence from Spain. Read more about Ayaucho here.

 

Socos

Have you experienced a bull fight before? This was my first experience and this Peruvian Bullfight in the small town of Socos, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru is much different than the bull fights of Spain!
Have you experienced a bull fight before? This was my first experience and this Peruvian Bullfight in the small town of Socos, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru is much different than the bull fights of Spain!

Socos  is a small rural village high up in the Andes Mountains with an elevation of 11,200 feet above sea level to be exact. Socos is a short distance from Ayacucho so it’s a great place to visit to get out of the city and be surrounded by mountainous countryside with less motor vehicles and motorcycles. In this remote village, we got to experience a Peruvian Bullfight, which is completely different than the type of bullfighting you will see in Spain! To read about some of those differences and the town of Socos read this article.

 

Huancayo

Three Locations You Must Visit in Huancayo! From the towering rock formations of Torre Torre to the Huaytapallana Mountain Range; there are multiple Treasures Of Traveling to be explored in this city of Peru!
Three Locations You Must Visit in Huancayo! From the towering rock formations of Torre Torre to the Huaytapallana Mountain Range; there are multiple Treasures Of Traveling to be explored in this city of Peru!

Huancayo is located in the central Andes highlands of Peru and originally in the native language Quechua, the city’s name was Wankayuq, which means ‘place with a sacred rock’. Huancayo is located in the Andes Mountains at about 10,692 feet above sea level, so it can be quite chilly at nights so make sure to bundle up to stay warm. Huancayo is another Peruvian city in the Andes Mountains and has many unique treasures to see. Read more about Huancayo here.

 

Iquitos

Iquitos is surrounded by the Amazon River on one side and the Amazon Rainforest on all other sides so the only way to reach Iquitos is to either fly there or travel by boat. Therefore, Iquitos is the world’s largest city that can not be reached by any roads. There are many Treasures Of Traveling to explore in Iquitos and the surrounding Peruvian Rainforest so make sure to check them out!
Iquitos is surrounded by the Amazon River on one side and the Amazon Rainforest on all other sides so the only way to reach Iquitos is to either fly there or travel by boat. Therefore, Iquitos is the world’s largest city that can not be reached by any roads. There are many Treasures Of Traveling to explore in Iquitos and the surrounding Peruvian Rainforest so make sure to check them out!

Iquitos is surrounded by the Amazon River on one side and the Amazon Rainforest on all other sides so the only way to reach Iquitos is to either fly there or travel by boat. Therefore, Iquitos is the world’s largest city that can not be reached by any roads. For this reason, Iquitos is also an important port city for this area of Peru as many goods and supplies arrive by boat after a week long journey floating up the Amazon River from the Atlantic Ocean. A journey of over 2,200 miles. Needless to say, there is no other place on Earth that is like Iquitos so this is definitely one city that you should add to your list of places to visit as it is filled with many treasures of traveling. Read more about Iquitos here.

 

Jungle Expedition in the Amazon Rainforest

Take a look at some of my photos of visiting a lodge and tribal village in the jungles of the Amazon Rainforest! This #Amazon journey was yet again another one of the incredible Treasures Of Traveling in Peru!
Take a look at some of my photos of visiting a lodge and tribal village in the jungles of the Amazon Rainforest! This #Amazon journey was yet again another one of the incredible Treasures Of Traveling in Peru!

There are so many things to see and do in Iquitos and you can read about all of those things in this post about Iquitos, but If you would like to venture deeper into the Amazon rainforest there are many tour companies that offer jungle expeditions down Amazon tributaries to jungle lodges which allow you to visit tribal villages where you can stay and experience the local culture of the local indigenous Indians of the region. Take a look at some of the pictures of the Amazon rainforest here to see what visiting a jungle lodge and tribal village is like!

 

Bus Trip from Ayacucho to Huancayo

Thinking about traveling by bus from Ayacucho to Huancayo in Peru? Read about the Treasures Of Traveling by bus and the beautiful journey you will experience along the way!
Thinking about traveling by bus from Ayacucho to Huancayo in Peru? Read about the Treasures Of Traveling by bus and the beautiful journey you will experience along the way!

When living in Ayacucho for the summer, I decided to travel to Huancayo to visit another college friend who was living there for the summer and the easiest way to get there was a 12 hour bus ride through the Andes Mountains. So one weekend, I decided to visit her and venture out from Ayacucho to experience the long, bumpy bus ride and let me tell you, what a ride it was!  I think the bus ride through the Andes Mountains from Ayacucho to Huancayo is one of the most exciting ones I had the pleasure to experience and I had quite a few. It was a rough, unpaved road and it was in very poor condition most of the way. Read more about this bus journey here.

 

Tips: Lessons Learned From a Border Crossing

These are the lessons I learned from a Border Crossing experience traveling from Bolivia to Lima trying to get through Immigration and customs! Make sure not to repeat them! Treasures Of Traveling
These are the lessons I learned from a Border Crossing experience traveling from Bolivia to Lima trying to get through Immigration and customs! Make sure not to repeat them! Treasures Of Traveling

Peru is a wonderful country to visit and while there, you might also want to cross the border into Bolivia. I learned some important lessons on our trip across the Peruvian border on our way to Copacabana, Bolivia as we had a mix-up at the immigration station. When we got off the bus at border control we thought everything was in order with our documents, but on the Peruvian side, they would not let us leave the country. You can read more about that in our post about Lessons Learned From a Border Crossing! Just make sure that when traveling you have all your visa and travel documents in order.

Peru is a fantastic country to visit and is full of different treasures of traveling to explore and these are the 11 places I recommend to visit on any trip to Peru.
Peru is a fantastic country to visit and is full of different treasures of traveling to explore and these are the 11 places I recommend to visit on any trip to Peru.

These are just 11 of the hundreds of different treasures of traveling that exist in the South American country of Peru. I hope you are able to explore many more than what I was able to.

 

— Luke Keeler

 

Check out the map below to see where Peru is located at!

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