Destination Spotlight: Peru

When it comes to adventure travel, Peru is, in a word, legendary. And it’s no wonder. With iconic historic sites, natural wonders from peaks to rainforests, celebrated culture and food, and a commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism, Peru has it all.

Kick off your journey in the capital city of Lima. While Lima is the largest urban center in Peru, it’s also a hub of outdoor activity and adventure. With its easy access to the Pacific Ocean, the city serves up an abundance of opportunities to surf and paraglide. The coast along the Miraflores neighborhood is ideal for its waves and winds, as well as vibrant culture, food, and people to enjoy after your sesh.

Looking for an off-the-beaten-path paradise for trekkers? Head to Ancash. Situated high in the Andes Mountains, the stunningly vast Ancash region offers adventures for all levels of climbers, trekkers, and mountaineers. Explore Huascaran National Park, home to the eponymous peak. The climb is categorized as AD, or moderately difficult, and usually takes five to seven days. At 22,205 feet, Huascaran is Peru’s highest mountain and belongs on every mountain lover’s list. Not interested in bagging peaks? Take a hike to one of the icy-blue glacial lakes that pepper the region.

In the north of Peru, you’ll find Amazonas: a region rich with biodiversity as well as a diversity of culture and history. The Gran Vilaya Trek weaves a tapestry of natural and cultural wonders, winding through more than 30 miles of ancient cloud forests and pre-Incan archaeological remains. On this three-to-four-day trek, learn about the lesser-known Chachapoya culture along the way. You can also opt to trek to the stunning Gocta waterfall, a 6.4-mile hike to a cascade that plunges more than 2,000 feet.

Then there’s the iconic Amazon Rainforest in the region of Loreto. While you might associate dense jungles and mazelike river systems with neighboring countries like Brazil or Colombia, you’ll find the same mesmerizing landscape in the northeast of Peru. It’s also a wildlife lover’s paradise. Explore Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the second-largest protected natural area in Peru, with more than 1,000 endemic plant and animal species. Float the most iconic river system in the world and feel a connection with nature that can only be found in remote places like these.

Southern Peru boasts regions like Puno and Cusco that offer a breadth of culture, history, and adventure in the Andes. Machu Picchu is just the start in this magical region. Choose from a number of iconic treks that access archaeological sites, like the Inca Trail and Lares, or fill your bucket list with lesser-known trails to really lose yourself in the region. Or check out the birthplace of the Inca Empire in Puno and kayak in the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca.

Whatever you do in Peru, expect an adventure that weaves together ancient civilizations and modern culture, all set among some of the most breathtaking terrain in the world. Today, Peru blends its rich past with an eye toward the future, aiming to preserve this cultural and natural wonderland for generations of adventurers to come.

Peru is a multicultural nation filled with unique traditions, world-class gastronomy, and vast natural reserves. It is home to 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 84 of the planet’s 117 life zones. Peru’s enormous territory, covering more than 1.2 million square kilometers, is composed of three regions: Coast, Andes, and Peruvian Amazon.