Things To Do in Peru

- On August 30, marvel at the religious processions held to honour Lima’s patron saint, Santa Rosa de Lima. Later, on October 18, a purple haze descends upon the city as the faithful don purple robes to march in processions, praising El Senor de los Milagros.
- Browse for exquisite handicrafts in areas like Ayacucho (specializing in pottery, leatherwork, textiles and jewellery) or Cajamarca. There is also a colourful daily market in Lima’s Chinatown district that should not be missed.
- Fly above the Nazca Lines and gaze at these large and spectacular geoglyphs below. The Nazca Lines are located 420km (265 miles) south of Lima and are geometric shapes and lines drawn with sand and stone, representing animals (birds, felines and reptiles). They are thought to have been made by three different cultures between 200 BC and AD 600. Although best viewed aerially, they can also be seen from an observation tower. For those who do take to the skies, flights cost around USUSD 55 and can be booked from Lima or in the town of Nazca. Ica is a good point of call for trips to the Nazca Lines.
- Go to Cajamarca’s Carnival, famous throughout Peru for its annual celebrations that last for an entire month. One word of warning - try to avoid getting soaked with water, since it is the traditional Cajamarca Carnival greeting!
- Nicknamed the ‘Peruvian Switzerland’ for its glacial lakes and snow-capped peaks, Huaraz is the departure point for treks and expeditions to the Callejon de Huaylas. Huaraz hosts the annual Semana del Andinismo, including international ski events on the Pastoruri Glacier. The Huascaran National Park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985, protects the area’s biggest indigenous plants, the Puya Raymondi (giant bromeliads that grow up to 15m high and live for over 40 years) and is the home of the native viscacha, puma, vicuna and the rare spectacled bear.
- Explore Sacsayhuaman on horseback. Just outside of Cusco, Sacsayhuaman is the most impressive of four of the city’s nearby Inca ruins (the others are Puca Pucara, Qenko and Tambo Machay). This magnificent ceremonial centre, with its three vast ramparts that run parallel for more than 350m (1148ft), was the site of the famous battle between Manco Inca and Juan Pizarro, Francisco’s younger brother, in 1536. The boulders used to construct the walls are immense, weighing up to 360 tons and measuring up to 10m (33ft) in height and 4m (13ft) in depth. On June 24 each year, thousands of locals arrive to celebrate the Inti Raymi festival with a colourful pageant held at Sacsayhuaman.
- Of course, the most famous mountain trek in Peru is probably the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which offers views of snow-capped mountains, high cloud forests and the opportunity to walk past 12 magnificent ancient Inca ceremonial centres, such as those at Phuyupatamarca and Winay Wayna. However, practically all of the highlands and some parts of the jungle include trekking circuits, although only a few are being used commercially.

Hikes are possible all year round, but the easiest period is the dry season (June to September). Other fantastic routes include: the Cordillera Blanca trail, which covers the highest tropical mountain range, a 180km- (112.5 mile-) long paradise of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, emerald-green lakes and archaeological sites, containing a wide variety of flora and fauna and practically the entire range lying within the Huascaran National Park; the Olleros-Chavin Llama Trek between the attractive town of Olleros and the spectacular archaeological site of Chavin de Huantar; the Cordillera Huayhuash (Huaraz); the Colca Valley (164km/102 miles north of Arequipa), where major attractions include snow-capped volcanoes; and Mount Ausangate (south of Cusco), a physically demanding eight- to 12-day walk, which requires climbing through high mountain passes and being exposed to changing weather conditions.