Matador's Ultimate Guide to Peru

Enchanting deserts, colorful landscapes, and cultural marvels await ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Peru]( Matador's Ultimate Guide to Peru Hi there, Peru is a land of diverse wonders, ranging from its underrated surfing spots, enchanting Huacachina desert, and mystical cloud forests to iconic Instagram destinations like Machu Picchu and Ausangate (also known as [Rainbow Mountain](. While it's on many people's bucket lists, the country can be experienced without the crowds, if you know how to do it. From indulging in Lima's culinary delights to immersing oneself in the rich tapestry of Andean culture in Cusco, Peru's multifaceted landscapes beckon repeated visits. Explore our guides to get the most out of your visit. [EXPLORE PERU]( [GuideGeek]( Get Inspired [Huchuy Q’osqo]( The Top 15 Inca Sites in and Near Cusco That Are Not Machu Picchu While Machu Picchu should be on your list if you’re going to Cusco, there are also dozens of other Inca archeological sites that are worth your time and that you can drive to or access with a short walk or day hike. [READ MORE]( [Inca Rail]( The Inca Rail to Machu Picchu Is the Prettiest Train Ride in South America Sure, trekking to Machu Picchu is a bucket-list experience, but taking the train is also a fantastic way to soak up the incredible landscape. [READ MORE]( [Rainbow Mountain]( A Trip to the Peruvian Andes Isn't Complete Without a Stop at Rainbow Mountain Rainbow Mountain is a recent discovery: When snow began to melt off the mountain about four years ago, this unusual color scheme was revealed. [READ MORE]( [Huaraz]( Why You Should Visit Huaraz, Peru’s Most Overlooked Mountain Town Framed by glaciers of the world’s second-tallest mountain range, the city of Huaraz offers an alternative to the traditional Peruvian tourist circuit. [READ MORE]( [Lake Titicaca]( Visiting Lake Titicaca’s Uros Islands Is a Unique Way to Experience Peruvian Indigenous Traditions The Uros Islands are a group of over 60 floating grass islands located in the middle of Lake Titicaca. The 1,200 or so people who inhabit those islands, the Uru people, have lived here for centuries. [READ MORE]( [flying condor]( How to See Giant Andean Condors at Peru's Colca Canyon It’s become one of the most popular places in the world for both birders and anyone interested in seeing endangered species in the wild. [READ MORE]( [Machu Picchu hotels]( Hotels Near Machu Picchu Perfect for Post-Trek Relaxation Named for its thermal springs, Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo) is the location for the majority of hotels near Machu Picchu. [READ MORE]( Nature + Adventure [Ollantaytambo]( Peru Hiking Trails: 4 Alternatives Just as Impressive as Machu Picchu From the Incan archeological site of Ollantaytambo to Colca Canyon, these Peru hiking trails highlight the best of the country’s varied landscapes and historical ruins. [READ MORE]( [Ancascocha route]( Jaw-Dropping Images From a Desolate Mountain Trek in Peru Due to its intense difficulty, the 35-mile expedition along the Ancascocha route is not well-known — but it offers stunning views of one of the world’s most scenic places. [READ MORE]( [Lima]( Why Peru Is the Most Underrated Surfing Destination You’ll see a coastline longer than the US’s entire west coast. From the capital to distant fishing villages, Peru has gentle rollers, Pacific monsters, and every type of wave in between. [READ MORE]( [Laguna 69]( How to Have Peru’s Most Popular Lake to Yourself Laguna 69 is one of the most frequented glacial alpine lakes in Peru. Here's the best way to see it. [READ MORE]( Food + Culture [pisco sour]( 9 Pisco Drinks to Order in Peru That Aren’t a Pisco Sour Locals know plenty of drinks worth mixing pisco into besides Peru’s signature cocktail, from citrusy punches to rich and creamy dessert tipples. [READ MORE]( [mountain porters]( A New Film Raises Awareness for Inca Trail Porter's Rights The 26-mile trek requires ample gear and food, carried by porters, employees of the tour operators whose role is to not only lug visitors’ gear along the grueling route but to set up and maintain camp each day. [READ MORE]( [Guinea pigs]( What It’s Like to Eat Guinea Pig in Peru for the First Time There are plenty of practical reasons why cuy has remained a dietary staple over all these centuries. [READ MORE]( Epic Stays Take the headache out of planning and check out our staff picks for places to stay [Peru places to stay]( [Peru places to stay]( [Peru places to stay]( [Peru places to stay]( [Peru places to stay]( [Peru places to stay]( [Epic Stays TikTok]( [Open email in your web browser and bookmark for your next trip]( FOLLOW US AND FIND YOUR NEXT #TRAVELSTOKE [Facebook]( [Linkedin]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [Pinterest]( [X.com]( [Threads]( [Update your email frequency and topic preferences here](. Or [unsubscribe from our newsletter.]( We'll be here when you need us! Copyright © 2023 Matador Network, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Matador Network, PO Box 7775, Suite 40021, San Francisco, CA 94120, United States