This is a refreshingly rugged, culturally-rich land that offers a top-notch food scene and an endless menu of options for outdoor adventures.
The vertiginous Andes provide the best hiking experiences in the world (and some scary bus rides). Meanwhile, Cusco and Machu Picchu are the main draws because of their cultural and historical significance. This means most tourists head to Southern Peru.
Southern Peru is objectively amazing, but we recommend also visiting an area outside of the “gringo trail” if you have time. The diversity of cultures, wildlife, and climates in Peru creates opportunities for memorable experiences all over the country.
And because of this, your best itinerary for Peru just may be the best itinerary you’ve ever made.
We personally love Oxapampa, a unique Bavarian-inspired jungle town that sits smack-dab in the middle of the country. “Oxa” is full of ecolodges and activities such as canopy walks, ziplining, hiking, and swimming in the rivers that eventually connect to the Amazon. So far it’s not well-known by international tourists.
By Region
A great way to create the best itinerary for Peru is to start by region. Peru is the size of about 3 Californias, and the Andes Mountains runs through the middle of the country. This makes travel between regions difficult and time-consuming.
We regularly return to Peru and always fit in a new adventure to try. If you need any help in deciding what to do, places to stay, or tour operators to choose, send us an email at GringoInca@gmail.com. We’d LOVE to help you!