Things to do in 

Peru

Skip the obvious to find alternative things to do in Peru, from Andean valleys to coastal neighborhoods, meeting artisans, cooks, and guardians of living traditions across real communities.

Cultural experiences: In Lima’s Barranco, step into a family huarique to learn ceviche basics before a pisco infusion tasting; couples often stretch this into a lazy lunch. In Chinchero outside Cusco, watch a weaving cooperative dye alpaca fiber with cochineal and try a spindle yourself; seniors appreciate the seated demo. Near Pisac, families roll clay in a backyard pottery class with a kiln fired by eucalyptus. In Trujillo, north of Lima, join a marinera dance studio for a light-footed lesson and stories of local festivals.

Day trip ideas: From Cusco, loop through Maras Salt Pans and the circular terraces of Moray, then snack on choclo with cheese in Chinchero before sunset. South of Lima, visit Pachacamac’s adobe temples and the nearby Lurín Valley for a countryside lunch at a ranch that shows Peruvian Paso horses. From Arequipa, follow the Sillar Route to white volcanic-stone quarries or drive to the Salinas Y Aguada Blanca Reserve for flamingos against distant volcanoes. In Trujillo, pair Chan Chan’s adobe maze with reed boat makers on Huanchaco’s beach promenade.

Explore Peru’s regions: In the Sacred Valley, base in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo for terrace walks, farm visits, and village markets before or after Machu Picchu. Around Puerto Maldonado, the Tambopata region offers oxbow lakes and night walks that families and birders enjoy. From Arequipa, ride into the Colca Canyon for condor lookouts and hot springs near Chivay. Up north, use Trujillo and Chiclayo to explore Moche and Sicán sites with excellent small museums. On Lake Titicaca, start in Puno for low-key island visits with homestay lunches.

Travel tip: Count on 10–14 days to mix the Andes, a slice of the Amazon, and the coast; 5–7 days works for Cusco and the Sacred Valley only. A full north-to-south route, including Colca and the Amazon, needs 3 weeks to stay comfortable.

More places to see in Peru

Beyond Lima, the road opens to high valleys, desert temples, and quiet Andean towns where daily life sets the pace.

Arequipa: Step into the Santa Catalina Monastery in late afternoon, when long shadows cross blue courtyards and orange walls. Walk up to the Yanahuara overlook as the sky softens, then sit down at a picantería for a late lunch of rocoto relleno or adobo with a cold chicha morada.

Sacred Valley: Spend Sunday morning at Chinchero’s market, where you can watch dyeing and weaving before picking up a small textile. Later, follow the terraces of the Maras salt pans as the basins glow in the sun, then wander the narrow stone lanes of Ollantaytambo toward evening when the day tours thin out.

Huaraz & the Cordillera Blanca: Start early for a day hike to Laguna 69 or a gentler visit to Lake Parón, with a quick stop at the Mercado Central for a fresh jugo. After the trail, warm up back in town with a steaming bowl of caldo de gallina on Jr. José de Sucre.

Trujillo & Huanchaco: Walk the painted murals at Huaca de la Luna in the cool morning, then trace the adobe corridors of Chan Chan. By midday, head to Huanchaco for ceviche and watch fishermen balance caballitos de totora on the evening waves.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Watch Lima brighten as the garúa lifts, then wander Barranco’s murals and linger over ceviche along the coast. Head north to spot humpback whales off Máncora, a relaxed stretch that suits families and couples alike. In the Andes, enjoy quieter Sacred Valley sites and soft light on terraces before heavier November rains roll in.

Summer: Claim long beach days from Lima to Paracas and Máncora, then toast sunset with a pisco sour while surfers ride warm Pacific swells. Experience Christmas in Peru with Cusco’s Santurantikuy artisan market on 24 December, lively New Year fireworks, and playful Carnival water festivities in February. In the Amazon, glide rainforest waterways at high-water season to watch monkeys and macaws while staying cool under the canopy, a gentle pace that works well for seniors and multi-generational groups.

Fall: Follow Holy Week processions in Ayacucho or Cusco as brass bands, carpets of flowers, and candlelight fill historic streets. Taste grape harvest traditions during Ica’s vendimia, then pivot to the highlands where clearer skies in April and May make scenic train rides and day hikes appealing for couples and photographers. Expect comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds, with luxury travellers favouring quieter haciendas in the Sacred Valley.

Winter: Make the most of the dry season in the Andes with crisp, sunny days at Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, and Colca Canyon where condors soar on morning thermals. Pack layers for chilly nights at altitude and plan slower Lima days under its winter garúa, leaning into market tastings and museum stops that older travellers appreciate. Families time school holidays for easy logistics, while clear highland skies reward stargazing from quiet mountain lodges.

From June’s Inti Raymi in Cusco and the high-altitude Qoyllur Rit’i pilgrimage to July’s Virgen del Carmen dances in Paucartambo and the Fiestas Patrias independence celebrations on 28 and 29 July, Peru’s calendar stays full. Seek out Semana Santa pageantry in March or April, the Marinera dance festival in Trujillo in late January, the Señor de los Milagros processions painting Lima purple in October, and the handcrafted Santurantikuy market on 24 December. These recurring traditions thread through coast, Andes, and Amazon, making it easy to time a visit around culture as well as climate.