7 Things To Do in Peru (That Aren't Machu Picchu)
7. Sandboarding and racing dune buggies in Huacachina
This hidden oasis provides ample opportunity for adrenaline-junkies and thrill seekers to explore. Just four hours south of Lima, travellers can begin their day by boarding down sand dunes or racing across the desert in dune buggies for a truly exhilarating experience.
6. Explore the Peruvian Amazon
Considered to be less popular than its Brazilian counterpart, the Peruvian Amazon is home to a diverse wildlife population and winding rivers that you need to visit while in Peru. To access the diverse jungle terrain, you can take a flight from the city of Puerto Maldonado with flights leaving daily from Cusco and Lima. And the good news? Tours through the Amazon on the Peru side are significantly cheaper – meaning you can save your dollars for a bonus round of pisco sours.
5. Go deep into Colca Canyon
When in Peru, make time to visit one of the deepest and most spectacular canyons in the world, the Colca Canyon. Accessible from Peru’s second largest city, Arequipa, the Colca Canyon is Peru’s third most-visited attraction yet many hikers seem to skip this impressive site. Don’t make the same mistake as those hikers and add a trip to the Colca Canyon to your itinerary. Also, if you’re still yet to be impressed, the Colca Canyon is actually twice as deep as the United States’ Grand Canyon. See for yourself how it compares.
4. Embrace the serenity of Lake Sandoval
Lake Sandoval is part of the Madre de Dios region of Peru, which is part of the Amazon basin. To reach this majestic site, you can start your hike near Mare de Dios River and marvel at the impressive wildlife including parrots, macaws and other exciting creatures. Once you arrive, you will be greeted by an unforgettable sunset.
3. Taste the mineral-rich salts of Maras
Just outside of Cusco you will find the town of Maras which is held in high esteem across the world for its impressive collection of salt mines that date back to the Inca times. Here, you will find thousands of salt pools that make up the hillside that build an intricate network of channels that feed spring water into the ponds. For a small fee, you can taste the warm water and sample some of the finest salt in the world. The mineral rich salt is great for cooking and is believed to help reduce stress.
2. Walk the streets of Arequipa
You’ve heard all about Cusco and Lima, but what do you really know about Arequipa? This city is filled with charming baroque architecture built from white volcanic stone. Surrounded by breathtaking volcanoes, Arequipa has well and truly earned its place as a UNESCO World Heritage destination.
1. Do as the Peruvians do in Huilloc
There’s a reason why we saved the best until the very end. To wrap up your time in Peru, there’s no better way to experience Peru than by immersing yourself in local culture. Make time for a visit to the Quechua village of Hilloc and learn more about the fine art weaving from the female villagers who have been perfecting the craft since a young age. Then, sit down for a pachamanca lunch where stones and grass are used to cook cuy (guinea pig), fava beans and potatoes using traditional cooking methods. The hospitality and generosity of the Quehchea villagers will leave you feeling humbled and grateful for the experience.
Special thanks to our friends at World Expeditions ( and Free & Easy Traveller ( who contributed the stunning footage that made this video possible. Check out their action-packed adventures to exhilarating destinations around the world on TourRadar.
Hikes & Things to do in Cusco, Peru (incl. Machu Picchu, Lares Trek, Rainbow Mt, Humantay…)
I show you some of the best things to do in Cusco and the Cusco region with its many Inca sites and beautiful multi day treks in this episode from Peru in partnership with G Adventures.
➸ My Peru Guide:
➸ Lares Trek with G Adventures:
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To produce this video I spent almost 2 weeks in the Cusco region in order to provide a wide selection of activities I recommend doing on your trip to Peru. Because it was my second time after my first visit in 2012 I chose to introduce an alternative Machu Picchu experience with the Lares Trek - for this part I worked together with G Adventures and decided to extend my stay to do all the other things independently.
Cusco and the area around is full of history and beautiful landscape which makes it worth it to spend about 1-2 weeks in the region. For your time you should definitely take on some day hikes or go for one of the multi day hikes which end up taking you to Machu Picchu. What many don’t know: a multi day hike to go to Machu Picchu is the most budget friendly option if you look at the price-value ratio!
The things to do in Cusco I covered here is a selection of my personal favorites and offers a good mix of historic sites, hikes (partially in very high altitude), food experiences and panoramic views which will leave you speechless. Moreover I also focussed on some community projects which are connected to G Adventures and their NGO Planeterra.
Things to do in Cusco featured in this episode:
- Old town of Cusco / Cuzco
- Saksaywaman / Sacsayhuaman
- La Cusquenita (restaurant)
- Barrio San Blas
- Barrio Ceviche (restaurant)
- San Pedro market
- Jack’s Cafe (restaurant)
- Rainbow mountain / Vinicunca
- Sacred Valley (part of G Adventures Lares Trek tour)
- Pisaq
- Ollantaytambo
- Parwa restaurant
- Lares trek
- train to Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu
- Humantay lake (first day of Salkantay trek)
About my Cooperation with G Adventures
For many years I was searching for a suitable partner who offers tours in South America which align with my style of traveling as well as my values. After many meetings I’m glad I found this partner with G Adventures who offer many adventurous tour packages for travelers like me…but who also care about the environment and local communities in order to execute sustainable tourism. I forced this cooperation because I like the products and the philosophy of the company. Nevertheless all opinions, recommendations and views are my own.
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DISCLAIMER: All Links provided marked with „▸“ are Affiliate Links for products, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission (but the price for you stays the same). This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
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10 Things to Do in Peru
Peru is a fabulous and varied country to travel in. You can do sandboarding in Huachachina, watch pinguins and sea lions at Paracas Island, eat delicious sea food in Mancora an take your self to the limit with a five days walk at Salkantay Trek, a climp in the Andes Mountains or to the top of Machu Picchu.
Visit Peru - What to Know Before You Visit Peru
Read the Blog for More Information on Visiting Peru:
Whether visiting the Nazca Lines, the Inca Lost City of Machu Picchu, the mummies in Arequipa, the capital Lima, there are many things tourists should know before they visit Peru. This travel vlog covers many things tourists and travelers should know before they visit Peru. From the money, language, tipping, transport, food, weather, seasons, safety and more.
Filmed in Arequipa, Peru
Copyright Mark Wolters 2018
Support Us:
The Don'ts of Visiting Peru
USA Today & 10Best's #1 Independent Travel Videographer 2014
FlipKey by TripAdvisor Top 10 Travel Bloggers 2014
Grab Wolters World Merchandise & Travel Gear at
Our Gear:
Sony Alpha 6000: Our favorite camera for vlogging. One of the best selling cameras of all time and its not too expensive.
Osprey Meridian Carry-on Size Travel Backpack: This is THE backpack that all of the Wolters World family use. It fits in the overhead compartment, gives you a great day pack and has an awesome warranty. We always travel with one.
Duafire Travel Adapter: helps you plug into most countries plugs around the world.
Travel Strip: One plug for your normal device, four USB plugs as well, it saves a lot of trouble and outlets when you travel.
Backup Battery Pack: Essential for travelers wanting to have a backup batter charge for their phones, cameras, and devices.
Hey There Fellow Travelers! Thank you for watching our honest travel vlogs from all over this wonderful world. If you would like to get in contact with us please follow us & send us a message via our social media channels below. Also, if you like our travel videos please feel free to share them with other fellow travelers.
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15 Things to do in Cusco Travel Guide
Many travelers to Cusco use the city as a launching pad to hike the Inca trail, visit Machu Picchu and/or explore the Sacred Valley. With so many travel options just outside of the city it is easy to forget that Cuzco has a lot to offer in and of itself. The following Cusco travel guide is our attempt to showcase what the city has to offer in terms of attractions, things to do, shopping, dining, museums and nightlife. In our opinion, you'll want to budget several days to take it all in and acclimatize to the higher altitude if you're thinking of going on hiking excursions afterwards.
Our visit Cusco travel guide covers some of the top attractions including the best in arts, entertainment, museums, nightlife and restaurants. We also cover off-the-beaten-path activities that you won't find in your typical tourism brochure or Cusco city guide.
1) Cusco Cathedral (Viracocha) - Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin (Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus)
2) Inca Wall
3) Traditional Peruvian Folk Dance at Centro Qosqo
4) Barrio de San Blas Neighborhood
5) Artisan Market on Ave del Sol
6) Cusco Food (Alpaca meat skewers - alpaca a la parrilla
7) Pisco Museum (Museo del Pisco)
8) Plaza de Armas (Square of the warrior)
9) Inca Museum (Museo Inka)
10) Chocolate Museum (ChocoMuseo)
11) Temple of the Sun (Qurikancha)
12) Templo de la Compañía de Jesús (Jesuit Church)
13) Cuy - eating Guinea pig for dinner
14) El Templo de la Merced del Cusco
15) Nightlife in Cusco - drinking a pisco sour
Alternate Cuzco/Cusco spelling: (Quechua: Qusqu or Qosqo)
15 Things to do in Cusco, Peru | Top Attractions Travel Guide:
If you're planning to walk the Inca Trail or visit Machu Picchu, you'll likely end up spending at least a few days in Cuzco. With it's lively square, quirky museums, artisans markets and traditional performances, this is exactly the type of destination you'll want to linger in...plus let's not forget, it's also a good place to adjust to the altitude! The following video will showcase 15 things to do in Cuzco:
Cuzco Cathedral is a place you shouldn't miss. The cathedral sits on the site of Viracocha Inca’s palace, and it was also built using blocks from the nearby Inca site of Sacsaywamán. Inside you'll find impressive works of art done in the cuzqueña style.
In the evenings, you can go watch a traditional dance performance at Centro Qosqo.
San Blas
San Blas is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Cuzco and it is a great area to explore on foot. The neighbourhood is known for its bright blue doors and window shutters, and it has a nice little square with a church and a water fountain. The neighbourhood has some really cool lookout points with great panoramic views of Cuzco, so you'll want to bring your camera.
Plaza de Armas is the beating heart of Cuzco. The square is flanked by a Jesuit church and cathedral, and there are also plenty of bars, restaurants, and tour agencies around the perimeter. During the day you'll find locals and tourists hanging out in the square, and if you get lucky, you might just encounter a performance followed by a demonstration like we did.
The Inca Museum is one of the main museums in town and it has rooms dedicated to different periods of Inca and Spanish history. You can also see women weaving rugs and tapestries by hand in the central courtyard.
Qurikancha was an Inca temple built to the Sun God, Inti, and it is believed that the walls of this temple were once covered in sheets of gold. If the temple looks like it has various layers of construction, that's because when the Spaniards arrived, they demolished the original temple and used the foundations to build the Church of Santo Domingo on the site.
The Church of the Society of Jesus is a historic Jesuit church. It's worth a quick visit if you're in the area.
Templo de la Merced is another church located one block from Plaza de Armas, and it contains the tomb of two famous conquistadors.
And that's a wrap for Cuzco! We hope you enjoyed this video and that it showed you a few of the places you can visit while you're in the city. We recommend spending at least 3 days here, or perhaps a few more if you also want to tour the Sacred Valley. As always, if you have any other suggestions of things to do in Cuzco, feel free to share those in the comments below.
This is part of our Travel in Peru series. We're making a series of videos showcasing Peruvian culture, Peruvian arts, Peruvian foods, Peruvian religion, Peruvian cuisine and Peruvian people. All things Peruano. The best of Comida Peruana and Cocina Peruana.
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All photos and video taken by Samuel Jeffery (Nomadic Samuel) and Audrey Bergner (That Backpacker).
Music in this video courtesy of Audio Network
Visit Peru - The Don'ts of Visiting Peru
Visiting Peru is a must, from UNESCO World Heritage Sights like Machu Picchu to the Incan capital of Cuzco (Cusco) to the capital of Lima to the white city of Arequipa to the Nazca lines there is so much to see and do in Peru. Here we talk about the things you shouldn’t do when you visit Peru.
• Don’t Drink the Tap Water:
• Don’t Mess with Your Health:
• Don’t Freak Out About the Coca Leaves:
• Don’t Bring Home Any Coca Leaves:
• Don’t Think You Can Just Hop on the Inca Trail:
• Don’t Be Grossed Out by the Cuy (Guinea Pig):
• Don’t Think Peru is Just Machu Picchu:
• Don’t Throw Your Toilet Paper Down the Toilet: the pipes in Peru cannot handle the paper, so please place all your toilet paper and other toilet products into the trash basket next to the toilet.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Haggle in the Markets:
• Don’t Forget to Have Cash: at tourist destinations and restaurants popular with tourists
Filmed in Cuzco/Cusco, Peru
Copyright Mark Wolters 2018
USA Today & 10Best's #1 Independent Travel Videographer 2014
FlipKey by TripAdvisor Top 10 Travel Bloggers 2014
Grab Wolters World Merchandise & Travel Gear at
Our Gear:
Sony Alpha 6000: Our favorite camera for vlogging. One of the best selling cameras of all time and its not too expensive.
Osprey Meridian Carry-on Size Travel Backpack: This is THE backpack that all of the Wolters World family use. It fits in the overhead compartment, gives you a great day pack and has an awesome warranty. We always travel with one.
Duafire Travel Adapter: helps you plug into most countries plugs around the world.
Travel Strip: One plug for your normal device, four USB plugs as well, it saves a lot of trouble and outlets when you travel.
Backup Battery Pack: Essential for travelers wanting to have a backup batter charge for their phones, cameras, and devices.
Hey There Fellow Travelers! Thank you for watching our honest travel vlogs from all over this wonderful world. If you would like to get in contact with us please follow us & send us a message via our social media channels below. Also, if you like our travel videos please feel free to share them with other fellow travelers.
Follow Us At
Best Places to Visit on the Way to Machu Picchu
NEW VIDEO: New York City's Best Rooftops | Six bars with amazing views and drinks
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Don't miss these incredible spots on your way to Machu Picchu. We cover all the things you need to do, see, and visit when planning your trip.
Thank you Mava Travel for showing us around Cusco, The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. I definitely recommend them if you're planning a trip to Peru. They make the trip safe, easy and fun. To learn more visit
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30 Things to do in Lima, Peru Travel Guide
Lima is one of the most dynamic cities in South America and we're thrilled to showcase some of the top attractions and things to do in the city in this video guide. Our 30 things to do Lima, Peru travel guide highlights some of the top foods to eat in Lima (including Peruvian street food), museums worth checking out and must see attractions along with off-the-beaten track suggestions.
We delve deep into neighborhoods such as Miraflores and Larcomar and offer up suggestions for travel adventure junkies such a paragliding, surfing and biking. To satisfy our taste buds we sample Peruvian cuisine including ceviche, anticuchos, salchipapas, lomo saltado, chifa, nikkei and whole lot more as part of our Lima food guide.
Unfortunately, a lot of tourists skip Lima and head straight for Machu Picchu or the Amazon; however, for those who linger in Lima the reward is hanging out in the foodie capital of Latin America. Join us to find out why!
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30 Things to do in Lima City Guide:
1) Love Park (El Beso - Parque del Amor)
2) Paragliding in Lima - Miraflores: (Parapente en Lima)
3) Ceviche for lunch in Lima (ceviche peruano)
4) Magic Water Circuit Water and Light Show (Parque de la Reserva: El Circuito Mágico del Agua)
5) Anticuchos beef heart (anticuchos de corazón)
6) Barranco neighborhood (Barranco barrio de Lima)
7) Huaca Pucllana adobe and clay pyramid (Huaca Juliana - Wak'a Pukllana)
8) La Rosa Náutica restaurant for ceviche, causa, lomo saltado, tacu tacu and Peruvian dessert
9) Larcomar shopping center in Miraflores (Larcomar es un centro comercial ubicad)
10) Cremolada - try Lúcuma and maracuyá
11) Surfing in Lima (El surf)
12) Nikkei Cuisine - Japanese Peruvian Food (日系) acevichado
13) Plaza Mayor - Plaza de Armas in the historic centre of Lima
14) San Francisco Monastery (Monasterio San Francisco)
15) Papa a la Huancaina y Papa Ocopa: Peruvian potato dishes with sauce
16) Basilica Cathedral of Lima (la Catedral de Lima)
17) Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) for changing of the guard
18) Pisco Sour and chilcano de pisco Peruvian alcoholic beverages
19) Parque Kennedy Park to feed and pet cats, people watch and eat Peruvian street food in Lima
20) Pan con Chicharron - Braised Pork Peruvian Sandwich
21) Indian Market (Mercado Indio) to shop for souvenirs in Lima
22) Ají de gallina: Peruvian chicken stew with cream, cheese, aji (hot peppers) & peanuts
23) Beaches in Lima including Miraflores (Costa Verde), Barranco, Chorrillos, La Punta & Cantolao in Callao
24) Chifa - Peruvian Chinese Food
25) Mercado de Surquillo Market in Lima
26) Salchipapas and Choripapas Peruvian fast food
27) Nazca Lines Park
28) Peruvian desserts (suspiro de limeña - Merengado de chirimoya)
29) Biking along the boardwalk in Lima
30) Causa Peruvian layered potato dish
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Our visit Lima travel guide documentary covers some of the top attractions including a food guide (best restaurants and street food), top museums and the city by day. We also cover off-the-beaten-path activities you won't find in a typical Lima tourism brochure or Lima, Peru city tour.
30 Things to do in Lima, Peru | Top Attractions Travel Guide Video Transcript:
Many travelers to Peru tend to skip over Lima as they rush off to more scenic destinations, but we’re of the opinion that the capital has a lot to offer. As one of the largest cities in South America, Lima can be a little chaotic and crowded, but it is also full of surprises, especially in terms of culinary experiences and historic attractions. In this travel video guide, we’re going to take you on a tour of the city and show you 30 things to do in Lima, Peru. Now let’s get started!
And that’s a wrap for the Peruvian capital. We had a wonderful time visiting Lima and we hope that you’ll consider adding this destination to your travel bucket list if you come to Peru. As always, if you have any other suggestions of delicious foods to try, or cool things to do in Lima that we may not have mentioned, feel free to share those with travellers in the comments below. For more food and travel videos from around the world, be sure to hit subscribe!
This is part of our Travel in Lima, Peru video series showcasing Peruvian food, Peruvian culture and Peruvian cuisine.
Music in this video courtesy of Audio Network
TOP 12 PERU TRAVEL TIPS! | Peru Travel Guide: Part 2
In Part 2 of my Peru Travel Guide, I share my ultimate list of Peru travel tips that I learned while traveling through Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu.
Link to post:
Part 1: Sneak Peek with Itinerary Highlights:
Part 2: Essential Tips to Know Before you Go:
Part 3: Cusco City:
Part 4: Sacred Valley:
Part 5: Machu Picchu:
Part 6: Lima:
PERU TRAVEL GUIDE || Acanela Expeditions
Comment Below if you want to travel to Peru! :) :) :) We had the opportunity to travel with some INCREDIBLE Content Creators, Brands, and Influencers on our Tour of Peru! We had an AMAZING time as we immersed ourselves in Peru's BEAUTIFUL culture, cuisine, and landscapes. We explored the Salt Pools of Maras, climbed Machu Picchu at sunrise, visited local villages, participated in a special llama blessing, strolled the bustling markets of Ollantaytambo and Pisac, and even hiked Rainbow Mountain...
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