Peru brings together an extraordinary variety of experiences in one country: ancient citadels, mountain trails, rainforests, beaches, traditional festivals, and cuisine recognized around the world. No matter what kind of trip you are looking for, you will find plenty of experiences to fill your itinerary. At MVP Experiences, we have gathered the activities that best represent what this destination has to offer, organized by category so you can plan your journey based on your interests.
Visit Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is Peru’s most iconic attraction and, for many travelers, the main reason to visit the country. Perched among the mountains above the Urubamba Valley, this Inca citadel combines remarkable engineering, fascinating history, and a natural setting that impresses visitors from the moment they enter. You can reach it by train from Cusco or the Sacred Valley, or hike along one of the trekking routes that ends at the archaeological site. It is best to reserve your entrance ticket in advance, choose the right circuit, and book a guided tour to better understand everything you see.
- Main attractions at the citadel: the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Rock, the agricultural terraces, and the classic viewpoints.
- History and guided tours: tours led by official guides who explain the meaning and historical context of the site.
Go Trekking in Peru
Few destinations offer as many world-class mountain routes as Peru. From trails filled with history to remote circuits surrounded by glaciers and lakes, there are options for different experience levels and trip lengths. Most routes begin in Cusco or the Áncash region, and nearly all of them require proper acclimatization because of the high altitude. These are some of the most popular treks:
- Inca Trail: the classic route to Machu Picchu, with limited permits and an unforgettable arrival through the Sun Gate.
- Salkantay Trek: a high-altitude alternative featuring snowcapped mountains, lakes, and cloud forest landscapes.
- Lares Trek: a quieter route through local communities and rural landscapes, offering meaningful cultural encounters.
- Huayhuash Circuit: one of the most challenging and spectacular alpine circuits in the country.
- Ausangate Trek: a high-altitude route featuring colorful lakes and Rainbow Mountain, reaching elevations above 14,700 feet.
- Choquequirao Trek: a demanding route leading to a remote Inca citadel that still receives relatively few visitors.
- Santa Cruz Trek: an accessible route through the Cordillera Blanca, surrounded by glacial valleys and beautiful lakes.
- Alpamayo Trek: a multi-day circuit around one of the world’s most admired mountains.
Attend Peru’s Most Important Festivals
Peruvian festivals offer a direct way to experience the country’s living culture. Throughout the year, cities and communities celebrate traditions that combine pre-Hispanic roots with colonial heritage through music, dance, color, and religious devotion. If your trip coincides with one of these celebrations, it is worth adding it to your itinerary:
- Inti Raymi in Cusco: the Festival of the Sun, held every June with a major historical reenactment at Sacsayhuamán.
- Corpus Christi in Cusco: a traditional procession of saints and religious figures through the historic center.
- Virgen de la Candelaria Festival: a major celebration in Puno featuring thousands of dancers and musicians.
- Holy Week in Ayacucho: one of the country’s most important and moving religious celebrations.
- Qoyllur Rit’i Pilgrimage: a high-altitude pilgrimage to a mountain sanctuary near Ausangate.
- Grape Harvest Festival in Ica: a March celebration dedicated to wine and pisco.
- Lord of Miracles Procession: a massive religious procession held in Lima every October.
- Peruvian Independence Day: nationwide celebrations held throughout the country in July.
- Cajamarca Carnival: Peru’s most famous carnival, known for colorful parades, music, and dancing.
Explore Peru’s Culture and History
Beyond Machu Picchu, Peru is home to cities and archaeological sites that reveal centuries of history. You can explore colonial neighborhoods, pre-Hispanic ruins, museums, and markets that show how different cultures have blended over time. These experiences provide important context for everything else you discover during your trip:
- Cultural tourism in Lima: explore the historic center, museums, and distinctive neighborhoods.
- Cusco’s historic heritage: discover the former capital of the Inca Empire, where a colonial city was built over ancient Inca foundations.
- Arequipa’s colonial architecture: visit the white volcanic-stone historic center and the Santa Catalina Monastery.
- Traditional culture in Puno: experience Lake Titicaca and its islands at more than 12,500 feet above sea level.
- Historic sites in Trujillo: discover Chan Chan and the ancient temples of Peru’s northern coast.
- Markets, churches, and museums: learn about the daily life, traditions, and religious art of each region.
Discover the Peruvian Amazon
The rainforest covers a large part of Peru and is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. From Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, or Tarapoto, you can venture into the jungle, stay in riverside lodges, and explore with local guides who understand the region’s wildlife and plant life. Visiting the Amazon offers a completely different pace and atmosphere from traveling through the Andes:
- Guided rainforest hikes: follow jungle trails to discover tropical vegetation and the forest’s fascinating nighttime wildlife.
- Boat tours along Amazon rivers: navigate major waterways and smaller tributaries surrounded by rainforest.
- Wildlife watching: look for monkeys, macaws, caimans, and other animals in their natural habitat.
Taste Peruvian Cuisine
Peruvian cuisine is a reason to travel on its own. Recognized as one of the world’s finest culinary traditions, it combines ingredients from the coast, the Andes, and the Amazon with influences from many cultures. You can enjoy excellent food at both fine-dining restaurants and simple street stalls. These culinary experiences are a great place to begin:
- Traditional coastal dishes: ceviche is the star, accompanied by a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood.
- Andean cuisine: hearty high-altitude dishes featuring ingredients such as guinea pig, trout, potatoes, and traditional stews.
- Traditional Amazonian food: river fish, plantains, and exotic tropical fruits.
- Desserts and street food: try everything from suspiro a la limeña to freshly grilled anticuchos.
- Local huariques and restaurants: simple, authentic places known mainly by local residents.
Enjoy Adventure Sports and Outdoor Activities
For travelers seeking an adrenaline rush, Peru offers much more than hiking. The Pacific coast, mountain rivers, and Amazon rainforest provide a wide range of outdoor activities for both beginners and experienced adventurers:
- Surfing on the Pacific coast: find waves for every skill level along Peru’s northern and central coastline.
- Whitewater rafting on Andean rivers: enjoy rafting trips with different levels of difficulty.
- Amazon adventure activities: try zip-lining, kayaking, and guided rainforest exploration.
- Wildlife watching: join excursions to observe birds and animals in protected natural areas.
Photograph Peru’s Landscapes and Wildlife
Few destinations offer so much visual variety within relatively short distances. During a single trip, you can photograph glaciers, colorful lakes, dense rainforest, coastal desert, and colonial cities. If photography is one of your priorities, these are some of the scenes you will not want to miss:
- Flora and fauna photography: capture unique species in the Amazon rainforest and high-altitude reserves.
- Andean landscape photography: photograph snowcapped peaks, mountain lakes, and colorful hills.
- Amazon rainforest photography: capture tropical light, rivers, vegetation, and wildlife.
- Colonial architecture and historic cities: photograph stone buildings, traditional balconies, and plazas filled with centuries of history.
Plan Your Trip to Peru with MVP Experiences
With so much to see and do, the most practical approach is to choose the experiences that best match your available time and interests, and then organize them into a well-planned route. At MVP Experiences, we help you combine mountains, culture, rainforest, and cuisine in a customized itinerary so you can make the most of every day of your trip. Tell us what interests you, and we will help you create your ideal journey through Peru.
