If you have had Peru on your mind as your next travel destination, you probably already know why you want to travel there. But, if you’re still looking for reasons to visit Peru, you’ve stumbled upon the right blog post.

Perhaps you have already been captivated by the promise of seeing Machu Picchu in the flesh, feasting your eyes on Rainbow Mountain and exploring the Amazon jungle, but Peru has many more tempting experiences which cannot be missed.

For the chance to plan an eco-friendly, unforgettable, and truly adventurous journey to the third-largest country in South America, keep reading for some valuable tips and ideas. 

Things to do and see in Peru

Peru is a country that well and truly spoils every traveler, with a variety of things to see and do in all parts of the country. Being the third-largest on the South American continent, there is every reason to spend as much time here as you can to ensure you get the most out of your trip because once you start exploring this unbeatable travel destination, it will be very hard to stop. 

Some of the main reasons to visit Peru are because of the culture, landscape, and the warm-hearted people, as well as the many major highlights and activities on offer, and if you are planning to see and do as much as possible, here are a few things you cannot miss out on. 

Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the main activities in Peru, and because it is so popular, you will need to book this in advance. This hike requires a good level of fitness, preparation, and a real sense of adventure, with the ultimate end goal of reaching this famous 15^th Century Inca citadel. No matter how tired you are at the end, you will forget all about it once you catch that first glimpse, especially at sunrise. Just Wow! No trip to Peru is complete with a visit to the Amazon Jungle, of which Peru has the second-largest portion, after Brazil. 

See also: How to Visit Cusco & Machu Picchu on a Budget

Here you can discover the world’s largest rainforest, spot pink dolphins and caiman crocodiles and try your hand at piranha fishing, the traditional way. As well as visiting the bustling cities of Cusco, Lima, and Arequipa. 

You will want to feast your eyes on Lake Titicaca, which is the highest navigable lake in the world, on the border of Bolivia and Peru. If you are an adrenaline junky there are plenty of opportunities to go rafting, biking, hiking, kayaking, climbing, and even surfing, there is no rest for the wicked in Peru.

Check out the below list of activities in Peru:

Landscape of Peru

One of the major highlights of this wonderful country is the landscape, which you cannot miss, and which deserves its very own section. The scenery in Peru is just outstanding and you can expect to witness the wild waves on the South Pacific Ocean coast, an array of colors on the Vinicunca Mountain (Rainbow Mountain), the course jungles of the Amazon, the serene beauty of Lake Titicaca, the mountainous terrain of Colca Canyon and the Andes range and even the unique dunes of Huacachina.

The diversity is unsurpassed in Peru, but let’s leave the rest for you to discover, in real-time.

See also: Where to go in Peru Besides Machu Picchu

Local cuisine in Peru

The fact that Baboo Travel hosts some awesome eco-friendly culinary tours throughout Peru, says it all. There is so much to discover in the world of Peruvian cuisine and some of the best ways to try this are by eating where the locals do, taking a cooking class, and doing street food tours. 

Some of the foods you will get to try out include ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Pollo a la Brasa, Empanadas, and even their specialty which is Guinea Pig – if you are brave enough. This dish is known as cuy and is often roasted and cooked using the pachamanca, which is a traditional earthen oven used to roast foods. This may seem strange to those who have never heard of a guinea pig as a delicacy before, but in Peru, it is estimated that around 65 million of them are eaten each year, and Peru even hosts festivals that celebrate this small South American rodent. 

Be sure to try pisco when in Peru, which you cannot overlook as it is found everywhere. This South American brandy is made from fermented grape juice and has been produced exclusively in Peru as well as neighboring Chile for many centuries. The common cocktail in Peru is the Pisco Sour which consists of pisco, lime juice, sugar syrup, egg white, and lots of ice. 

Best time to travel to Peru

Like any destination, it’s important to know when to go, and most importantly, when not to go, so here are a few things you should consider when trying to figure out the best time to take this trip.

Firstly, Peru has two main seasons, the wet season from November to April and the dry season from May to October, but the best time to travel will depend on the regions you plan to go to, so be sure to plan accordingly. 

The best time overall to travel is the dry season, which is also the busiest, but it is ideal for outdoor activities, while the wet season has intermittent rains but fewer crowds. The regions to be aware of are the coast, the mountains, and the jungle, all of which have their characteristics. The best time for the coast is in January or February, while the best time for the mountains is May or October and the best time to visit the Amazon is during the dry season. 

Opting for a sustainable trip

Peru is not as well off as some of the other South American countries such as Argentina and Brazil, and with it being one of the poorer countries on the continent, it is important to know that you are helping to empower local communities as well as regenerating the earth. This is why Baboo Travels trips are so incredibly rewarding, because not only are you benefiting from local knowledge from a Destination Expert, from that country, you are contributing a huge portion of the money you’ve spent on your trip, right back into the hands of the locals – and that’s a guarantee. Many of us are worried about traveling, because of the impact it can have on the environment, but what if we told you that a Baboo Travel tour uses 2% of this money to combat climate change.

There are so many positive reasons to choose a sustainable, ethical, and environmentally conscious travel team, but furthermore, you will save yourself hours of unnecessary research, stress, and hassle, when you can tailor-make your ideal trip with a local point of view. There is no better time to think about a trip to Peru, with the environment and local communities in mind.