I have been on vacation in Peru for almost three weeks between the end of September and October 2023, just when the rainy season was about to begin. It’s a trip that was on my wish list for a long long time, I have been dreaming for long time of embracing the Inca culture and admiring one of the seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. This trip, like Peru itself as a nation, was a complex journey. It was enormously tiring both due to the distances covered and the difficulty of the altitude which caused some physical problems that are not ideal when you are on vacation. In Perù you go from a visit to the Andes with excursions at 4 thousand meters of altitude, to the Amazon forest with a humidity rate of almost 90% and a temperature of 35 degrees.
The trip was challenging and it was an adventure from start to finish, but it was definitely worth it. I will never forget the moment we arrived at Puerta del Sol and the guide told me: “look, from here you start to see Machu Picchu”! And indeed the sacred citadel suddenly appeared before my eyes, surrounded by mountains on all sides. It was an emotion that cannot be described and was worth the trip! 

1. STARE AT THE SUPER COLORED MURALES IN BARRANCO, LIMA

Lima is the capital and largest city of Peru. It is located in the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. With a population of more than 9 million, Lima is the second most populous city in the Americas after Sao Paulo.
Lima didn’t particularly impress me with its beauty, it’s a fairly dirty and dangerous city. However, there is one element that struck me with its beauty despite its simplicity: the Barranco neighborhood, the most artistic in the city. Born as the seaside area of ​​the aristocracy, with low houses and lots of greenery, all these homes and splendid villas are now occupied by artists, musicians, painters and designers who have favored the creation of small bars, clubs and even art galleries. But one of the things that will remain etched in your memory in this neighborhood are the murals that can be found on the corners of every street. They are murals with bright and vibrant colors, which leave you speechless with their beauty. And those murals have also a social function: there are more and more artists who are supported by private companies and the state body to work together to recover and revitalize marginal or problematic areas, through art.

2. EAT PERUVIAN TYPICAL PLATES LIKE CEVICHE

Believe it or not, Peru has won the award for “best culinary destination” for many years in a row. In addition to being delicious, Peruvian gastronomy is also very varied. There are typical dishes from the jungle, those from the sierra and those from the coast which reflect the three different climates and ecosystems of Peru. Some of them, however, are found everywhere, such as lomo trovado and ceviche, which become the constant and pleasant note of the journey. Even the name, according to the Peruvian historiographer Javier Pulgar Vidal, is linked to the glorious past of Peru and comes from the Quechua word “siwichi” which means, precisely, fresh fish (or tender fish) and in fact ceviche consists of raw fish (and/or seafood), marinated in lime and seasoned with aji and pimenta. Ceviche, in addition to being delicious in all its various forms, is such a part of Peruvian culture that on June 28th of every year, since 2008, Peru celebrates Ceviche Day!

3. TAKE A VERY CHOPPY FLIGHT TO SEE THE NAZCA LINES FROM ABOVE

The flight over the Nazca lines is an incredible experience, but I advise you not to eat before getting on the helicopter. I can tell you that one of the people who was with me on the helicopter felt sick and vomited as soon as he set foot on the ground! 🙂 Joking aside, the area is very windy so you have to choose the right day, otherwise the plane can’t fly due to too much wind. Once on board, to allow an optimal view of the Nazca lines, the plane must continuously make turns to the right and left, so the flight will be decidedly unforgettable! Apart from these details, the visit to the Nazca lines is a fundamental part of the trip to Peru, also due to the aura of mystery that surrounds this phenomenon. Work of aliens? Colossal astronomical calendar? the most disparate theories have tried to explain the Nazca lines, the immense hieroglyphics traced in the desert landscape of southern Peru. Even talking to local people, there are many theories about the Nazca lines and no one has yet managed to decipher these arcane and fascinating figures, capable of arousing a sense of uneasiness in all those who fly over them.

4. WALKING IN THE STREETS OF AREQUIPA, THE WHITE CITY AT 2400 METERS ALTITUDE

Arequipa is called the white city, as it is dotted with baroque-style buildings built in sillar, the local white volcanic stone. In 2000, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Arequipa is located at a height of 2335 meters above sea level. In itself it is not a great altitude compared to other places you visit during a trip to Peru. Arequipa is a colonial city that has changed very little since the days of the Spanish. In addition to a sublime location, in an area of ​​active volcanoes and high-altitude pampas, it boasts a large cathedral, fusion Peruvian cuisine, and a magnificent and colorful monastery, the Monastery of Santa Catalina, where the colorful blue and orange walls still shine more illuminated by the high altitude sun. Arequipa is one of those places that invites you to stay, for its delicious gastronomy, for its history and for the friendliness of its people.

5. ADMIRE THE CONDOR GLIDING IN THE COLCA CANON

One of the unmissable stops on the trip to Peru is the exploration of the kingdom of the condor: the Colca canyon. An abundant vegetation typical of the Andes surrounding one of the deepest canyons in the world: the Colca canyon represents the perfect setting both for practicing extreme sports and for enjoying the most intense relaxation, all under the watchful gaze of the king of these skies, the condor.
During my trip, we had condor sightings. The condor appears in the canyon early in the morning, so you will leave in the early hours of the morning. It is possible to see many condors in the distance, and if you are lucky, even be able to photograph some of them up close.
Amazing views, thermal waters; boating, trekking; sighting of the condor and other animals typical of the mountain range in their natural environment, such as the alpaca or the puma; this and much more is what can be admired in this valley with a privileged climate. The Colca canyon is one of the many places in Peru where it is possible to observe everything and more.

6. MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ON THE FLOATING ISLANDS OF THE UROS IN LAKE TITICACA

More high-altitude ocean than lake, Titicaca boasts fantastic places, but none compare to these surreal floating islands, entirely built with dove-grey reeds. Centuries ago, the Uros built the Islas Uros to escape the more aggressive tribes of the mainland, such as the Incas. These canes, which must be constantly replaced because they rot, are also used to build houses, boats, and even swings for children. I decided to get in touch with their culture and, after a visit to the floating islands of Uros, where we spent time with the people who live on these islands, admiring their craftsmanship and taking a ride on their typical boats, we went to the island of Amantani, where we stayed for the night in one of their typical houses, ate and talked with the locals in their homes. Then in the evening, there was a party in the main square, where we dressed up in their typical clothes and all of us tourists went dancing with our host families. It was an experience that I absolutely recommend, to understand the daily life of people on an island at 4 thousand meters, because it is something very distant from our reality that is really interesting to explore.

7. STROLL IN THE COLORFUL NEIGHBORHOOD OF SAN BLAS IN CUSCO

With its ancient cobbled streets, majestic baroque churches and the ruins of Inca temples, Cusco is the city that has influenced Andean history more than any other. The ancient capital of the Inca empire is also the gateway to Machu Picchu and is always invaded by tourists. Mystical, commercial and chaotic it is still a unique and irresistible place. The San Blas neighborhood is one of the most visited in the city of Cusco. Known as the artisans’ district because it has had great artists who continue to carry on this legacy: you will find galleries that exhibit and sell various works. They are narrow and steep streets, with old houses built by the Spanish on important Inca foundations. You will fall in love with its white houses with blue windows and wooden balconies, where atmospheric bars serve typical dishes and drinks, I had a peruvian coffee there! In particular, on your climb towards the panoramic part of the city you must not miss Calle Siete Borreguitos, one of the most picturesque and highly instagrammable streets in the city of Cusco. This small but beautiful walk has more than 230 flower pots, tourist signage and stunning murals. I spent an hour there, going up and down the steps and admiring the colorful flowers and murals, with the backdrop of the city panorama from above.

8. TAKE THE INCA TRAIL UNTIL YOU SEE THE MACCHU PICCHU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MOUNTAINS

What is there to add when you talk about Machu Picchu, one of the 7 wonders of the modern world?
Machu Picchu can be reached either via a bus that arrives just below the site, starting from Aguas Calientes, or via the Inca trail. The Inca Trail is 43 km long and it’s the most famous hiking route to Machu Picchu.
The start of the journey is in Pisqacucho (kilometer 82), near the city of Ollantaytambo in Cusco. The end is at Intipunku (Puerta del Sol) in the Inca city of Machu Picchu. This route is how the Inca once arrived at Machu Picchu. I did the one day Inca trail, and I set off with a guide to explore Machu Picchu; the departure was at 6 in the morning to be able to be at the site around 3pm at the latest. I will never forget the emotion I felt when, after paths overlooking the mountain and steep stone steps, we arrived at Intipunku (the door of the sun), from where for the first time you begin to see Machu Picchu completely surrounded by mountains. It was around 3 in the afternoon and the day had been clear, then it started to cloud over, but as soon as we arrived at Machu Picchu the sun came out again and I was able to admire the site in the sunset light. My advice, even if very tiring, is to choose the Inca trail rather than arriving at Machu Picchu by bus, because the emotion is unbelievable.

9. COUNT THE THOUSAND COLORS OF THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

Vinicunca, also called Montaña de Siete Colores, is a mountain in the Andes 5,200 meters high above sea level. It is located 138 km southeast of the city of Cusco. It is characterized by the presence of parallel vertical streaks of 7 different colors, which make the mountain look like a rainbow. The different colors are due to the different minerals, which have been deposited and overlapped over millions of years.
The mountain was discovered recently. In fact, for millennia it has been covered by a blanket of ice and snow, but global warming has progressively melted the glacier, revealing the incredible sequence of colors. To get to the mountain the walk takes about 2 hours depending on your physical condition. The route is quite challenging, both due to the steep climbs and the altitude, but the beauty of the panorama repays any effort. Alternatively you can ask to one of the villagers to be taken on horseback at the foot of the mountain, but be careful because it won’t be easy as you can imagine! I did it for 10 minutes but then I decided that for me it was better by foot, I was very scared to fall down!
From turquoise to lavender, from brown to gold, Vinicunca looks like a painted mountain. A surreal wonder to see at least once in your life.

10. MEET EXOTIC ANIMALS IN THE AMAZON FOREST

As soon as you set foot in the Amazon forest you immediately understand one of Peru’s greatest contrasts, namely its climate. We go from the cold dry climate of the Andes to the humidity of the Amazon with its tropical climate and its colorful animals. The end of my holiday was a pleasant 3-day stop at a resort in the Amazon to explore the environment and its animals. On the first evening, I took an evening trip with my guide to discover Capybara and Caiman, who come out to the river banks at night to look for food. The next day we woke up at 5am to watch the sunrise and explore the animals in the nearby lake, so we had a wonderful morning boat ride, then in the afternoon we went birdwatching to discover parrots and other birds, and in the evening we were lucky enough to spot a white boa molting its skin on a tree! Not to mention Lara and Pedro, the resort’s parrots, friendly and very talkative! I think the Amazon was the perfect end to my vacation, a perfect mix of relax and exploration.

When to go?

Winter

In winter, from November to March, there is heavy rainfall. The temperature fluctuates between 15 and 3°C.

Summer

Summer goes from April to October, with sunny days, cold nights and little rain (ideal time to visit), the temperature reaches up to 24°C and at night can drop to 0°C.

In the Andean region it is preferable to go between June and October.
Considering that the southern area is the most visited by tourists, as it is here that the main attractions are located, the best time to visit it is undoubtedly during the southern winter (our summer) affected by a dry climate. While from December to March persistent rains could prevent excursions.

three unmissable stops

Best photos spots

I’m a photographer, so I’m always looking for the best corner in the world to make the perfect picture. Often, with great pleasure of my traveling companions, I also spend hours staring at the landscape, waiting for the perfect moment with perfect light. Therefore, when I decided to create my blog, I could not avoid to include a dedicated section to photography enthusiasts like me, always looking for the landscape that leaves you breathless. Hope you will enjoy these places where, in my opinion, you can enjoy wonderful landscapes and take the best pictures.