Peru Bucket List 2024

In this article we present a Peru Bucket List 2024. Peru is marked by three regions of mountains, coast and jungle and countless intermediate ecosystems. For this reason, it is one of the favorite destinations among travelers looking for a mix of culture and history in spaces open natural. Once visited simply for its famous ancient citadel, Machu Picchu, this South American nation has become noted for its contemporary cuisines and lesser-known natural and cultural wonders that predate the Incas.

Discover Peru on a sustainable trip that offers a deeper, more immersive experience: From meeting and supporting indigenous communities to remote and exotic locations that offer a point of reflection. All that and more is detailed in the following list of the best things to see and do in Peru.

1.- Fly over mysterious geoglyphs in Nazca.

mysterious nazca lines Ancient zoomorphic carvings along the coast of Peru have long baffled archaeologists, particularly Maria Reiche, who discovered and spent decades studying the Nazca Lines. To this day there is no certain answer as to how or why the Nazca lines were created about 2,000 years ago.

To add to the excitement, visitors learn that the only way to get a full view of the geoglyphs is to fly over this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hop on a small plane and glide over the line drawings and complex shapes, spread over nearly 50 miles of dry desert, and begin your own debate about their purpose: perhaps an astrological calendar, a map of underground aqueducts or, an ever- popular theory, extraterrestrial creation.

2.- Walk in the footsteps of the Incas.

The Incas considered the imperial city to be the navel of the world, choosing the name Cuzco, which means “navel” in the Quechua language. Although it is most often spelled Cuzco today, the historic city has done an impeccable job of preserving what the Spanish left of the Inca culture. Case in point: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Qoricancha and others, a 15th-century Inca citadel that rests on the outskirts of the city.

After touring the ruins, take a shuttle into town and wander the cobblestone streets, paying attention to the famous hand-carved Inca 12-angle stone (located on Hatun Rumiyoc Street). Then, walk through the Plaza de Armas where you can take a photo in front of the fountain with the statue of Inca Pachacutec and the facade of the Cusco Cathedral.

3.- Lake Titicaca – The highest of the world’s lake.

Located at 3,810msnm, Lake Titicaca is located at the southern tip of Peru and is the highest navigable freshwater lake in the world. Located off the coast of Puno, the lagoon takes its name from two Quechua words, titi (meaning puma) and caca (mountain), many stories of Inca origin point to Lake Titicaca as the birthplace of the Inca culture.

As you glide through the calm waters you will have the opportunity to go out and meet the inhabitants of the incredible Uros Islands. The families of these reed islands depend on sustainable tourism as they continue to practice a traditional culture that has existed since the Incas.

4.- Visit the oldest city in the Americas – Caral.

Caral Located just a 3-hour drive from Lima, head to the Supe Valley, where you can follow in the footsteps of one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas, Caral (3000-1800 BC). Also named after the archaeological site, Caral is a 5,000-year-old city, meaning it developed at the same time as the great civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia and China.

Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Caral sprawl across 626 hectares of arid valley not far from Peru’s Pacific coast. The urban center consists of adobe pyramids, circular plazas, an amphitheater and modest houses that once belonged to a community of farmers and fishermen.

5.- The Gocta waterfalls.Located in Chachapoyas, in the Amazon region of Peru, the perennial waterfall has two falls and measures 771 meters high. Naturally surprising, Gocta’s appeal only increases considering it came into the global spotlight in 2002 (when German researcher Stefan Ziemendorf stumbled upon the waterfall).

There are some hiking trails of varying intensities that lead to the Gocta waterfalls, some of which can be explored on horseback. After passing stone villages, coffee plantations and abundant endemic flora, you can enjoy the views from both the base and the upper falls. While in Chachapoyas, be sure to visit the Kuelap pre-Inca archaeological site.

6.- Catacombs in San Francisco church.

Catacombs in San Francisco church The capital of Peru has a lot to offer at street level: a 6-mile cliffside trail with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, impressive luxury hotels, countless museums and galleries, and luxurious restaurants or 5 forks and classifieds in the world . Visitors to the metropolitan city who dare to go underground will be captivated by the catacombs of Lima, one of the oldest in South America.

Located beneath the 16th-century Monastery of San Francisco in Lima’s historic center, the colonial-era catacombs (an extensive network of tunnels and underground passages) are perhaps the best preserved on the continent. As you wander through the dark spaces, you’ll come across the skulls of some of the 25,000 inhabitants and hear the chilling legend of the monk.

8.- Tour to Machu Picchu and The Sacred Valley.

valle sagrado No trip to Peru is complete without visiting one of the wonders of the world such as “Machu Picchu”. Before embarking on the multi-day hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or alternative routes, but also doing so via the panoramic train, but first spend a few relaxing days in the Sacred Valley visiting lesser-known ruins.

Stop by the Pisac artisan market to shop for amazing textiles. In Calca you can enjoy a relaxing bath in the hot springs before heading to the city of Urubamba, capital of the sacred valley of the Incas. This is a starting point for mystical sites such as the salt mines of Maras and the circular terraces of Moray. Finally, the excitement continues with the train ride from the last living Inca town, Ollantaytambo, or a challenging hike along the legendary Inca Trail.

9.- Visit the city built with white volcanic stone.

This city located in the south of Peru captivates travelers with its white volcanic stone architecture. Known as ashlar, the lightweight material was so commonly used in the construction of the colonial-era southern city that Arequipa is popularly known as The White City. Simply stand in the main square (considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and admire how the year-round sun bathes Arequipa’s brilliant Cathedral Basilica.

Also visit the wonderful Colca Canyon, considered the deepest in the world and located in an arid desert, the hike to Colca is not for everyone, so we can also organize a day trip by car to witness its beauty and depth from above. Just keep your eyes peeled for the magnificent Andean condor, which is often seen flying over the canyon.

10.- Practice ecotourism in the Amazon.

ecotourism in the Amazon Imagine sailing down the winding Amazon River in the company of an inhabitant of a jungle community who, seemingly without looking, can sense the presence of native winged creatures like the harpy eagle. Your guide will then steer the canoe into a stream and give you a makeshift fishing rod to prepare for piranha fishing, part of the day’s lunch!

Responsibly explore the depths of the Amazon jungle of Peru, to discover one adventure after another. From harvesting and tasting exotic fruits like camu camu to embracing the slow-moving sloth (sloth), it is crucial to practice ecotourism when the so-called “lungs of the Earth” face countless threats.