Travel to Peru
Peru became my 47th country, and two weeks there confirmed what I'd always suspected: it's one of South America's absolute highlights. The Inca heritage, the Andes, the Amazon, the food - Peru packs an incredible diversity into one country.
Peru has 33 million people and one of the most varied geographies on Earth. The coastal desert, the Andean highlands, and the Amazon rainforest create completely different worlds within the same borders. It's also one of the world's great food destinations - Peruvian cuisine has earned international recognition for good reason.
What I Experienced
Machu Picchu was, of course, the main event. The "Lost City of the Incas" is even more impressive than photos suggest. We took the train from Ollantaytambo, arriving at dawn to beat the crowds. Standing in the main plaza, surrounded by mountains and ancient stonework, was genuinely moving. You understand why the Incas chose this location - it feels sacred.
Cusco itself was a highlight. The former Inca capital is built on top of ancient foundations, and you can see the precise Inca stonework supporting Spanish colonial buildings. The altitude (3,400m) takes adjustment - coca tea helps. The San Pedro market was a sensory explosion of fruits, meats, and juices.
The Sacred Valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu offered some of the best scenery. Terraced hillsides, traditional villages, rushing rivers. We stopped at Moray (the mysterious circular Inca terraces) and the salt mines of Maras - both fascinating.
Lima surprised me. I'd expected just a transit city, but the Miraflores district is genuinely pleasant - ocean views, excellent restaurants, and a cosmopolitan vibe. The ceviche here is life-changing.
Practical Notes
- Peruvian Sol is the currency - roughly 3.8 PEN to 1 USD
- Altitude sickness is real in Cusco - acclimatize before Machu Picchu
- Book Machu Picchu tickets in advance - daily limits apply
- Try ceviche, lomo saltado, and pisco sour - the holy trinity of Peruvian cuisine
- Bargaining is expected in markets
Peru deserves at least two weeks. We barely scratched the surface - didn't make it to the Amazon or Lake Titicaca. I'll be back.
High-resolution aerial panoramas from Peru are available for purchase with commercial license - ideal for Andean adventure marketing, Inca heritage destination content, or dramatic mountain landscape wall art.