In addition to Machu Picchu, get to know these incredible places

While it is true that Peru is known worldwide for Machu Picchu and our varied and delicious cuisine, there are many more wonderful places you can visit in this country and some incredible things you can do.

Surfing the best waves, practicing sandboarding, exploring the Amazon jungle, visiting the floating islands of Uros or discovering the beauty of Pacaya Samiria; these and many more attractions are what Peru has to offer, a destination that not only stands out for its cuisine, but also for its beautiful landscapes, varied climates, dazzling nature and incredibly intense history.

Marca Perú (Peru Brand) tells you about some of these tourist attractions. Check it out and let yourself be surprised!

Living nature

If you're a nature lover, you can't miss the Amazon rainforest. Here you will be dazzled with trees that can be up to 130 feet high, immense leaves, beautiful orchids, gigantic waterfalls and beautiful lagoons; with a great diversity of animals. Day trips, night walks, guided tours and experiential tourism are some of the things you can do during your stay, in addition to discovering the Amazon River, the largest and longest in the world. Cruise tours are available, including visits to the source of the Amazon River and ethnic communities.

The Pacaya Samiria National Reserve (Loreto) is also located in the Peruvian Amazon, the second largest protected natural area in Peru. This reserve is home to several species of wildlife such as the maquisapa, puma, sachavaca, red deer, otorongo, sajino and choro monkey. It also has 965 species of wild plants and 59 cultivated plants, a paradise that can be enjoyed on guided tours. It is also possible to go fishing, canoeing, or go on night trips to observe caimans and medicinal plant tours.

Historical legacy

The fortress of Kuelap is located in the province of Luya, Amazonas, a place that displays an impressive architectural beauty and with an interesting history of ancient warriors. Its walls, 60 feet high at some points, prove that the aim of this construction was to protect it from other ethnic groups. It houses 505 houses, most of which are circular; 198 houses also being built on the outside. This citadel is one of the most visited destinations in Peru after Machu Picchu. It is recommended to walk to this complex, since this will allow you to enjoy the wonderful ecosystem that surrounds it; as well as to take in all the energy that inhabits this fortress. It is also possible to get there by cable car; the trip taking 20 minutes.

If there’s one place that attracts tourists because of its historical and cultural legacy, this is Lake Tititaca, and especially its floating islands. Built mainly with totora, the islands are anchored to the lake with sticks that reach the bottom and thereby maintain their stability. The uros have lived on Titicaca since pre-Inca times, and their main source of income today is from visiting tourists who come to visit the communities and take gondola rides. They also fish, barter and make sweaters, bags, backpacks, carpets and hats, which are sold to visitors. Activities that you can do on the lake include kayaking, rowing (in permitted places), as well as trekking and cycling on its shores.

A few hours from Lima, in Ica, are the Nasca Lines, ancient geoglyphs that represent geometric figures of animals and plants. For the renowned archeologist Maria Reiche, these lines -which can only be seen from the air- were used as a gigantic solar and lunar calendar by ancient Peruvian astronomers to predict better harvest stages; however, their origin and objective remain a mystery.

Pure adrenaline

Our north coast has the best beaches for surf lovers. An hour and a half from the city of Trujillo is Chicama Beach, known for having the longest left-hand wave in the world. Continuing north on the route is the resort of Pimentel, where in addition to surfing you can also do water sports such as motor boating and windsurfing; you can also visit a zoo here that houses ostriches, emus and suris.

The other most visited northern beaches are those in Piura; Los Órganos, Cabo Blanco, Lobitos and Mancora are all located in this department, and in Mancora you can do surfing, diving and kitesurfing. For those seeking calmer waters, there are also the beautiful resorts of Punta Sal and Zorritos, in the department of Tumbes.

The southern part of the country also offers attractions for those who like adventure sports. The Colca Valley is located in Arequipa, in Chivay to be precise, and houses one of the deepest canyons in the world. Here you can practice sports such as canoeing, mountaineering, mountain climbing and trekking, among others. One of the great attractions of this destination is the Mirador de la Cruz, where the flights of the condor are widely anticipated; it is advisable to arrive very early in the morning to be able to appreciate the flights of this majestic bird.

Another interesting destination for adventure tourism is in the middle of the Ica desert, in the Huacachina Lagoon, one of the few natural oases that can be found in American territory. You can share experiences full of adrenaline in the dunes that surround the lagoon, doing sandboarding or taking trips in the famous buggies or sand cars. 

Sources: Sernanp /Comercio/ABC