Peru
- Rotem Haskia
- Apr 21, 2020
- 10 min read
Updated: Apr 22, 2020
I am really excited about this blog because with no doubt Peru is mt favorite country in South America and I think it should be the first on your list in this continent. Not only this country is one of the cheapest once I got to visit, Peru was just something new and different I have never seen before. Come here to visit the Machu Picchu, explore the jungles, hike to the Rainbow Mountain, learn about the Inca tribe and to have a once in a lifetime experience.
Puno
Puno is a town on the shore of Lake Titicaca. Titicaca is a large, deep lake in the Andes on the border of Bolivia and Peru, beside being beautiful this place is also very interesting. In Lake Titicaca you can meet the Uru people that live in 120 self-fashioned floating islands inside the lake.
Where to sleep?
Boni Hosel.
If you want a unique experience you can choose to spend the night in a floating island like the locals.
What to do?
Floating Islands: Today we took a tour to the famous Floating Islands which are islands made from floating aquatic plants, mud, and peat in thickness from several centimetres to a few meters. We met the local Uru families of the islands, heard all how the islands are created, about their lives in this community and visited their floating houses. This tour was very special and interesting especially because of the connection we had with the locals.
Cusco
Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire and designated as the Historical Capital of Peru. With 2 million tourists per year Cusco is probably the most touristic city in Peru and I can see why, some of the best trips starts from here and I recommend spending here most of your time.
Where to sleep?
Hostel Cusco (Klix).
What to do?
Plaza De Armas: visit the markets like San Pedro market and others, the small alleys filled with gift shops and even get a massage from the many offered in the streets.
Rainbow Mountain: Too early in 04:30 in the morning the agency picked us up from our hostel and we drove toward the famous mountain which is the second most popular activity in Cusco after Macho Pichu. After 3 hours we stopped for breakfast and then continued for about another hour in a very scary road over a huge cliff- not for soft hearted like me. We arrived to the bottom of the mountain, the view was already spectacular and started climbing. The climb usually takes around an hour and 20 minutes and is around 60% flat and 40% steep hill. The altitude at the top is 5200 meters and the view of the colorful rainbow mountain, the green valley and the glacier near is completely breathtaking. After a photoshoot on the top we continued for another 20 minutes to the red valley- a very unknown yet very recommended option. Agency's number: +51994831375 Tip: some people get sick from the altitude or feel bad with the combination of thin air and physical exercise. I recommended drinking in advance a lot of Coca Tea and also buy Coca candies or leaves! The Coca is good for treating and preventing height sickness.
Free walking tour: After the hike yesterday, we woke up late and went to the "free walking tour" around the city. We saw ruins of Inka buildings, learned about the history, went to a beautiful viewpoint and finished with the local Pisco Sour alcoholic drink.
Cristo Blanco: a small version of the statue of Jesus in Rio but still impressive and offers a great view of Cusco.
The Holly valley: early in the morning we went on full day tour around the Holly Valley. We visited Pisaq, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Maras and Moray.
Inka Jungle to the Machu Piccue:
Day 1: at 07:30 am the agency vehicle picked us up from our hostel and we started driving. We drove for a few hours and climbed around 4000+ meters to a tall mountain above the clouds. We got off the car and started our first attractions- an hour and a half of cycling downhill. With great views of huge green mountains, rivers and the fact that you almost don't need to paddle ensures you a fun ride. After the bicycles we drove to our lunch stop and got ready for the next adventure- rafting. The rafting is done on a river with no waterfalls only level 3 rapids which is the perfect level for beginners that are looking for fun. At the end we drove another 30 minutes to our hostel and spent the night at Santa Teresa. Day 2: On the second day we woke up and walked by foot straight after breakfast to the ziplines company. After getting our equipment and having a safety lesson we started our 2 hours ziplining adventure across a huge valley and above the river. After the ziplines we had a walk on a rope bridge and then we drove for lunch at the Machu Picchu reserve. After lunch we started our 3.5 hours hike to the Machu Picchu town- Aguas Calientes where we spent the night and enjoyed a great evening in the beautiful area.
Day 3: On the third and last day we finally went to the world wonder- the Machu Picchu. We woke up at 03:30 am and started walking 20 minutes to the entrance of the Machu Picchu park. Tip: the park opens at 05:00 but you want to get as early as possible in order to be first in the very long line, walk without a lot of people and arrive first to the Machu Picchu in order to get a short sight of the place completely empty from tourists. The hike takes about one hour and twenty minutes but is a really hard one since it's made from about 2000 stairs and done so early in the morning. The one between you that are not up for that much stair can choose to take a bus of 12$ to each direction. After the hike we had an 1.5 hour tour around the area and then 3 hours of free time. Tip: the best pictures of National Geographic of the Machu Picchu are taken behind of the "Guard House" and the best pictures for you are on the grass balconies underneath it. After a lovely and sunny day at the Machu Picchu we started walking down to the bus station for 3 hours and drove back to Cusco for 7 hours.
Spanish lesson: at Latina Spanish school.
Free salsa and bachata lessons: at Mama Africa club every day between 21:00-23:00.
Ausangate: At 05:00 o'clock the agency picked us up from our hostel and we drove 3 hours to the Ausangate mountain where we ate breakfast at the bottom and then started hiking. The hike is going up and down but is mostly easy and the highest point is at 4600 meters. In the hike you will see 7 lagoons in different colors and shapes underneath the impressive mountain range. After the hike we ate lunch and got half an hour at the hot springs. With the long drive back we arrived back to Cusco around 19:00.
Party: Chango nightclub, Mama Africa, Loki hostel
Humantay lake: Again at 05:00 o'clock we drove a long 3 hours drive to the Humantay Lagoon. This hike is only one hour and twenty minutes but is in a steep up hill. After the climb you will enjoy from the view of the breathtaking crystal blue lake underneath the impressive snowy mountains and waterfalls.
Where to eat?
La Bodega: excellent tasty Italian restaurant with amazing spaghetti Bolognese.
Sueno Azul: cheap and tasty restaurant that offers a 3 courses meals with drinks in only 16 sol.
Papachos: The best hamburger I ate all around the world with homemade sauce, vegetables, egg, salsa and local fried banana.
Lima
Only 1.5 hours flight from Cusco you will arrive to Lima the capital and the largest city of Peru.
Where to sleep?
Lima Hostel.
Rivendale Hostel: more recommended in my opinion, the room were better and the treatment was really personal. I had a problem missing my bus and they did their best to help me when I lost the money.
What to do?
The city beach: enjoy the pastoral beach with the scenic ocean view and if you want gliding parachute activity.
Ica and Huacachina tour: before taking the PeuBus company bus to Ica if you only go to Ica for one day for the sand boarding make sure you take an early bus to be less pressured and also buy your return ticket in advance. We arrived to Ica after 5 hours and with Matjana Tours we started our Huacachina tour. The tour started with a short visit at Huacachina's lake and after that we continued to the sandy desert buggy drive. The drive is truly a Roller coaster in the sandy hills which is filled with crazy up and downs, drifts, adrenaline and wishing that we won't crash. After the crazy drive we stopped on a hill for some great views and sand boarding. The sand boarding is just like doing ski but on yellow sand instead of white snow and is just another adrenaline rush or if you are like me you can do it sitting on your bum and feeling like a child again. The tour ended with a lovely viewpoint over Huacachina town and lake from above with a beautiful pink sunset just before we headed back to Lima.
Parque De La Reserva: for a lovely park with a colorful fountains light show in the evening.
Visiting the city's parks: like central park, the love park and Kennedy park.
Shopping: visit one of the city's markets like the famous blue market or Larco Mar shopping mall.
Boat tour: a trip by boat to watch the local birds, penguins, fishermen work and the highlight- a swim with free seals!
The Historic Centre: famous for its colonial architecture and here you will see the Monastery of San Francisco, the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral, Convent of Santo Domingo and the Palace of Torre Tagle.
Huaraz
A 400 lakes paradise that is the capital of Andean adventure and a trekking metropolis.
What to do?
Huayhuash hike: a week long hike considered as the best alpine trek in the entire world and in it you will see marvelous mountains, crystal blue lakes and encounters with traditional Andean culture.
Santa Cruz: moderately challenging four-day, three-night hike through the sights of icy mountains, lakes, waterfalls and sensational views.
Laguna 513: located right at the base of the Hualcan glacier, whose thaw pours to feed this lagoon giving it an intense turquoise color.
Laguna Parron: We booked today with the Celeb expeditions company which was very professional but turned out to be more expensive than the others. We left the hostel at 08:15 and drove for 3 hours to Parron. In Parron you can visit the laguna from the bottom with a picnic on one of the big rocks or even take a kayak or a boat ride across it. If you take the trail that goes up near the entrance you will climb up for 20 minutes and find the beautiful viewpoint over the whole lake. After two hours at the Laguna we drove back to Huaraz.
Laguna 69: The Galaxy agency bus picked us up from the hostel and to the Laguna 69 park. This hike is 3 hours up and 2 hours down but due to the high altitude (4700 meter) and the 7 km uphill it is considered a tough one. It's completely doable for everyone that as a certain level of ability and physical strength but I recommend listening carefully to your body and take as much breaks as you need because height disease is not a joke and people did get it. On the top you will enjoy the sight of a little piece of heaven that is a crystal blue lake surrounded by glacier, snowy mountains and small cute waterfalls. Do not miss this hike!
Laguna Churup: I woke up on 06:30 am for this fun hike that is close to the city so it's done alone without an agency. You take a public transport from Av las Americas and drive 40 minutes to the starting point. Make sure to schedule a return hour with the driver. The hike is only 3 km but is in a steep hill that goes to almost the same height as Laguna 69 and some parts of it are really hard: There are part that are completely like rock climbing with both hands and feet using ropes which I found highly not safe and dangerous on the slippery wet rocks. Take this to your consideration because I wish I had known this before and chose the weather wisely or maybe skip it since it doesn't feel for beginners.
Mancora
A wonderful beach resort town in north Peru.
Tip: the internet here can be really bad to almost non existing so warn you loved ones in advance to not worry and do anything internet needing in advance.
Where to sleep?
The Point party hostel: a hostel with a great vibe, every evening the bar opens and the music starts. The hostel is located right on the beach, own's a great restaurant and pool.
What to do?
Local market: buy here great tropical fruits and enjoy them in one of the city's pastoral beaches or the hostel's pool.
Beach: On this lovely beach you will discover countless of opportunities for a fun day beside working on your tan in the desert's sun! You can rant a quad for a morning ride along the ocean view, go horseback riding by the water, different types of water sports, scuba dive and also surfing lessons.
Swimming with sea turtles: a 3 hour tour in which we visited the best beaches that Mancora as to offer and swam 30 minutes with countless huge sea turtles.
This experience is truly remarkable! The turtles touch you and go not only near you but onto you and completely feel safe and comfortable with humans! It's just an honor to be so close with this majestic animal. Book with +51968596501 Tip: pay to one of the guys in the entrance 5 soles and they will let you use their snorkel equipment for much better experience.
There are not enough words in the world to describe my love for Peru! From breathtaking nature hikes, to dreamy beaches between world wonders, once in a lifetime views, parties and great prices for everything- Peru got a special spot in my heart! I would say to give this country minimum two weeks but you can easily spend here a month+. For more pictures click here or search @Travel_Rotem on Instagram.
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