Both magical and mysterious, Peru is a territory bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and the waves of the Pacific Ocean. From the Andes Cordillera to the mythical ascent of Machu Picchu, Peru offers so many wonders to see and discover. Although it is impossible to see and do everything at once, our selection may be useful for you to plan your trip before leaving for Peru. Mandalay tells you why this Latin American country should be your next travel destination, giving you a taste of the best things to do and places to visit.
Why go to Peru
To finally see Machu Picchu
It is not for nothing that Machu Picchu is the most visited attraction in Latin America. To reach this ancient Inca city of the 15th century, the ideal would be to opt for hiking: an ancient 40 km road built during the Inca Empire allows you to enjoy the superb landscapes surrounding Machu Picchu. For the less athletic and for lovers of old locomotives, the ascent can be done by train.
To visit Cuzco, the capital of the Incas
At 3,400 m above sea level, in the middle of the Andes, the city of Cuzco offers an incredible amount of treasures. This ancient capital of the Incas presents an incredible mixture of architecture. It is good to walk in its narrow streets, discover its churches and cathedrals, its art galleries and its old palaces and convents. An almost obligatory passage on the road to Machu Picchu, this Sacred Valley offers the traveler a mystical experience steeped in history.
For its fine sandy beaches
Bordering the Pacific Ocean, Peru offers fine sandy beaches, ideal for relaxing. Mancora, which appeals to surfers, or Punta Sal with its white sand and turquoise sea, are among the most beautiful beaches in Peru.
To sample exquisite Peruvian cuisine
Peru is one of the most exciting culinary destinations in the world. For several years now, Peruvian gastronomy has occupied the forefront of the international scene. Thus, Peru is known for its ceviche, marinated raw fish, but its specialties are very vast. Also, don’t miss the adobo, a spicy pork stew typical of the Arequipa region, or the alpaca steak and carapulcra, a dish made from dried potatoes.
To attend cultural festivals
Peru can boast of hosting many festivals held throughout the year. One of the most important takes place during “semana santa”, the week before Easter. The streets are made pedestrian and the inhabitants sing and dance dressed in colorful clothes. Also not to be missed is the “Noche en Blanco”: inspired by the European White Nights, this Peruvian festival organized at the beginning of May takes over the streets of the Miraflores district, in Lima. Forbidden to traffic for the occasion, they are given over to the arts, music and dance. Also, the Inti Raymi festival, the festival of the Sun is one of the biggest Inca festivals in Cuzco. It marks the winter solstice, June 24, and attracts many Peruvian and foreign tourists.
To cross Lake Titicaca
A huge navigable lake, the highest in the world which marks the border with Bolivia. We cross it by boat and we are interested in the local culture of the inhabitants who live there in houses made of reeds.
To visit archaeological sites
In the Nazca Desert, in southern Peru, geoglyphs are drawn on the ground. They were engraved 500 years BC and largely represent birds, stylized plants or men. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they can be admired from a helicopter flying over Nazca. Also, from the coastal town of Trujillo, we are interested in the archaeological site of Chan Chan and the pyramids of Huaca del sol y la luna.
What is the best time to travel to Peru?
The time has finally come to travel again! The restrictions caused by the coronavirus are beginning to be relaxed and everything points to the fact that, starting from Easter, little by little we will return to the old normality.
One of the favorite destinations in this 2022 will be Peru. What is the best time to travel to Peru? Surely you ask yourself when deciding what to take in your suitcase. Here are some tips for you to get to know this cultural, exotic and paradisiacal destination a little better that, without a doubt, will give you back the illusion of traveling.
Fundamental aspects to decide when to travel to Peru
One of the most important factors to take into account when deciding when to fly to this spectacular land is the weather. The temperature and rainfall vary greatly from one region to another, so having this information in advance will help you know what to pack in your suitcase.
The first thing you should decide is which region you are going to or if you are going to take advantage of your stay to get to know the whole country. In the event that you want to see everything, you will have to wear all kinds of clothes, since it is very likely that you will have rainy days and also sunny ones. The temperatures will be diverse during your wonderful trip.
What is the best time to travel to Peru?
If you are going to travel from June to September , keep in mind that you will find many tourists, since it is the time of the year when Peru receives the most travelers . This is due, in part, to the fact that it is the dry season in the Altiplano, as well as in the eastern jungles, the preferred destinations for most tourists. If you are looking for more tranquility and enjoy the exuberant nature that Peru offers you without being in such crowded places, we recommend you opt for the middle season, from March to May or from September to November . The climate and temperatures in these months are quite similar to those of our spring and autumn.
However, if you visit the Amazon on these dates, it is more than likely that you will have a day of bad weather, since the rainy season usually lasts until May. Also on the coast it usually rains between January and April, so don’t forget to pack your umbrella or a good raincoat in your suitcase.
If Cuzco is your destination, it is better that you travel between May and October. During the rest of the year, the rains are incessant and there may be more restrictions on your trip due to floods or landslides in some areas. To go to Machu Picchu , May is the best month because, in addition to the fact that there will not be so many people, the landscape will be impressively green and beautiful.
Keys to prepare your suitcase
Once you have decided what is the best time to travel to Peru, it is your turn to pack your suitcase. With our company you will have more than enough space to carry everything you need.
Peru has a wide climatic variety. Its climate is known as intertropical. The Andean country has tropical, boreal, alpine, and subtropical climate regions . This makes it essential that you bring a bit of everything in your suitcase: warm clothes (because it usually gets cooler at night in higher altitude places), a good raincoat and at least two pairs of comfortable shoes.
Why at least two pairs? You will walk through a wide variety of places. You will visit cities, beaches, jungles, etc. so it is essential that you have the right footwear for any situation. In addition, it is necessary to carry a spare, since rain and mud will surely appear at some point during the trip. If you go to the coastal area, preferably between November and March, don’t forget your swimsuit, towel and sunscreen. Sunglasses are also advisable. The most important thing is to wear comfortable clothes, jeans, cotton t-shirts, sportswear and a small backpack for excursions.
Regarding the documentation, you do not need a visa to travel from Spain to Peru , but it is essential that you carry a passport with a validity of at least 6 months . Nowadays, you do not need to print plane tickets or hotel reservations, but it is essential that you do not forget your smartphone , your charger and a power adapter. In Peru the electrical current is 220 volts and the plugs can be flat or round. If you have additional batteries, it is worth taking them with you, so you will avoid running out of energy to take photos. You will get tired of seeing beautiful landscapes to photograph, whatever the time chosen to fly to this dream destination.
