10 Bucket List Experiences in Peru
We love adventurous travel that we know will change us. We’d take a day spent hailing taxis to get to a hole-in-the-wall restaurant recommended by a local, or getting completely lost trying to find a unique viewpoint over lounging at a resort every day.
True memories shape us, and those don’t come from the mundane, safe or normal. They come from what we’d call bucket list experiences. We like to take the chance & head off the tourist map. Lucky for us, Peru was chock full of opportunities to create lifelong memories.
We recently had the incredible opportunity to explore the beautiful country of Peru. We knew Peru was going to be a trip full of opportunities to create these moments and memories. From camping in a seemingly endless desert to hiking at nearly 18,000 feet in elevation at the Rainbow Mountain, this trip was chock full of bucket list experiences we’d highly recommend to anyone looking to really travel.
If you’re planning a trip to Peru, consider adding these to your itinerary for a truly unforgetable experience.
See the milky way on an overnight stay on the floating Uros Islands of Lake Titicaca
One of the most memorable experiences in Peru during our trip was spending a night on the Uros Islands in Lake Titicaca.
The Uros people are known for their unique lifestyle of living on man-made floating islands made of reeds.
Today, the Uros people live in many ways like their ancestors did. Still maintaining the reed islands, still using beautiful reed boats to get to and from shore or school. Still living in close knit communities focused largely on family. Unlike their ancestors, one of the main sources of income for the Uros people today comes from tourism and hosting visitors like us for overnight stays with their family. Our host, Jose, and his family have turned their island into an amazing little slice of paradise with several cabins each with their own wonderful day bed perfect for relaxing and taking in the stunning beauty of the lake.
When night fell we were in for the real treat. I stepped out of the hut to look at the sky and was absolutely amazed. With no light pollution, the stars shone brighter than I had ever seen before. Small holes poked in the great black canvas of the unspoiled pitch black sky. The Milky Way stretched across the sky, like I have only ever seen in movies. It was a truly humbling experience to realize how small we are in the vastness of the universe. Time stood still. No sounds, but the lapping of the gentle water against the dock of the floating island. Nothing moving but the shooting stars cascading across the expanse.
I captured some amazing images, but even these don’t do the real thing justice. Pictures rarely do.
Camp in the desert outside of the Huacachina Oasis
Another highlight of the trip was camping in the Huacachina desert. Staying overnight in the desert takes your visit to Huacachina up a level.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime type experiences in Peru you just can’t miss.
After dinner our hosts left via dune buggy headed back home for the night. We were now truly alone in this place. If sunset was the appetizer, the moon rose was the main course. By total happenstance, we timed the night perfectly. It was a full moon. Specifically a full strawberry moon. After the neon pink orb peeled it’s way over the dunes, the lunar light show lasted all evening. We hiked the dune nearest our camp and gazed in childlike wonderment as the entire desert was seemingly in view lit in a fiery pink glow that’s indescribable.
We could have sat on that dune forever in that moment, but alas we couldn’t. We were both so drained from the day that the comfy embrace of the large queen sized bed in the amazing tent was a welcome embrace and made for a great night’s sleep in the desert.
Take a boat tour of the “poor man’s Gallapagos” at the Ballestas Islands
On the way to Huacachina, we stopped in Paracas and took a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, which are often referred to as the “poor man’s Galapagos.” The islands are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, and millions of birds. We’re talking Hitchcock level number of birds. Black masses darkening the already deep cobalt blue sky.
As we set sail for the islands the seas were pretty still. In a protected bay sheltered from the wind we saw a ship wreck of some sort sticking out from the dark water that a group of sea lions had claimed as their own. Watching them lounge and play was a treat. Sea lions are such a cool creature. Like sea puppies.
As we rode out to the islands and beyond the protected bay, the open water swelled beginning to toss the boat back and forth like a rubber ducky in a hot tub on spin cycle. The swells felt huge! People were screaming. Zanna was napping somehow. It was a wild and fun and memorable as hell.
It added such an element of adventure to our visit to the poor man’s Galapagos. It felt more like a research expedition than a pleasure cruise. I’m sure the experience at Ballestas is amazing in the warmer months on clear water, but the bad weather actually made this memory more vivid for me and the experience a little more lasting.
Fly over the Nazca Lines
One of the most unique experiences in Peru of the trip was taking a small plane over the Nazca Lines. When we say small plane we mean small. It’s a super fun flight, but maybe not for those who get motion sickness. It’s so worth it though. Take a Dramamine and go live!
These ancient geoglyphs are a series of gigantic designs etched into the desert floor. They were created by the Nazca people over 2000 years ago, and their purpose remains a mystery. Are they a map for ancient aliens? Are they offerings to forgotten gods? Are they just really really cool art? We might never know, and if you ask us that’s pretty cool.
As we flew over the lines, we were blown away by how many etchings there are as well as their shear size. We saw all the more classic lines, including a monkey, a spider, the space man and a hummingbird. It was incredible to think about the effort that went into creating these massive designs so many years ago.
Experience Inti Raimi, the festival of the sun, in Cusco
The biggest cultural highlight of the trip was experiencing Inti Raymi, which is Inca the Festival of the Sun.
While any Inca celebration is an amazing experiences in Peru, Inti Raymi is the largest!
The festival is held in Cusco every year on the winter solstice, and celebrates the Inca sun god, Inti.
Inti Raymi celebrations lasted nearly the entire time we were in Cusco. Parades, chants, dances, more parades, music, and even more parades filled the streets of Cusco bringing the old Inca customs to life from sun-up to sundown. We woke up to the sound of fireworks almost every morning and went to bed to the same! Cusco knows how to celebrate.
It was a humbling and special experience to witness the fervor that Cusquenans have for keeping their culture alive. Our Peruvian friend, Chris described this to us as the native Peruvians’ final win against their colonizers. The resurgence has apparently grown exponentially over the last decade or so reaching a fever pitch in the years post-pandemic.
This was amazing to see firsthand. The Spanish colonization and genocide of the Inca and Quechua people was horrific, and we certainly don’t have overly fond feelings of the Catholic Church that still colonizes Cusco in its own way. Seeing massive gleaming gold statues in the cathedral while many Cusquenans of native heritage still struggle with poverty at levels disproportionate to their mestizo or European-descendant counterparts is hard to stomach.
Seeing old pagan religions celebrated and even practiced in the same square where a giant Catholic Spanish cathedral stands was something really special. When we say practiced, we mean it. The parades and ceremonies of Inti Raymi are a sight to behold. Costumes with details that can only be achieved thru backbreaking meticulous work. A perfectly choreographed performance of mind boggling complexity executed flawlessly. But it was clearly more than a performance to those involved. Much more. It was easy to see that this was religion in action. Every practitioner made every movement with everything they had. They sang at the top of their lungs. They danced and parade through the streets donned in elaborate costumes for miles on end. The emotions were real and deep. It was humbling and inspiring to see. The leader of the festivities, the Inca, is even said to be a direct descendant of the last Inca. A direct blood link to the legendary empire.
The festival crescendos with a reenactment of an Inca ceremony, where the new fire is lit and offerings are made to the gods. One of these sacrifices is a lama, which as of today is not a live lama sacrifice.
The atmosphere was electric as people crowded into the streets to watch the procession. The colors, music, and dancing were an incredible overwhelming experience.
Feel the wonders of Machu Picchu
No list of experiences in Peru would be complete without a visit to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Yes it can be crowded. Yes, it’s confusing deciding which ticket you should buy. But, the journey is well worth it. There’s a solid reason this is one of the wonders of the world.
As we made our way up the winding path, surrounded by lush green mountains, I could feel the excitement building inside of me. And when we finally reached the top, and I saw the awe-inspiring sight of the ruins in front of me, I was completely speechless.
Walking through the ruins, I was transported back in time to when the Inca civilization was at its peak. The sheer scale of the site is breathtaking, with stone terraces stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s hard to imagine the level of engineering and craftsmanship that went into building such a complex and intricate site.
As we explored the ruins, we learned about the history and culture of the Inca people, and their connection to the natural world around them. The way they integrated their buildings with the surrounding landscape was truly inspiring, and it made me reflect on our own relationship with the environment.
Visiting Machu Picchu was a humbling experience that reminded me of the power of human ingenuity and the importance of preserving our heritage.
Hike the (Palcoyo) Rainbow Mountain
Of all of the amazing and memorable experiences in Peru, this one sticks with us the most.
We strained, we boneded with a great new friend, we cried, we connect with Pachamama. It was like a religious experience.
We knew one of the most physically demanding experiences of the trip was hiking Rainbow Mountain. Little did we know, it would also be our most touching experience as well.
We met our guide, Chris, outside our Air BnB in Cusco at around 4:30am and walked a few blocks to meet our driver. On this short walk we came to realize that Chris had lived for about 15 years in the town of Keystone, Colorado. DJ frequented Keystone nearly every winter weekend for about 6 years, and we all hit it off on this shared experience. We became fast friends with Chris, and you can read a lot more about our visit to the Palcoyo Rainbow mountain here.
The journey to Palcoyo was an adventure in itself. After a bumpy ride along winding mountain roads, we arrived at the base of the mountain range and began the hike up to the summit. The altitude made the hike challenging, but the stunning scenery made it all worthwhile. We were treated to sweeping vistas of snow-capped peaks, amazing deep red rock, and clear blue skies.
But the real highlight of the trip was reaching the summit and taking in the view of the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain. The mountain range is known for its distinctive stripes of red, green, yellow, and other colors, which are caused by the presence of different minerals and sediments in the rocks. The effect is truly stunning, and it’s hard not to be awed by the beauty of nature.
As we reached the top, Chris led us through a short ceremonial offering of Coca leaves to Pachamama. A moment we will never forget. We took photos here and then hiked up slightly further to some amazing towering pinnacle rock structures which offered yet another breathtaking view.
We spent hours exploring the mountain range, hiking along the ridges and taking in the views from different angles. The colors of the Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain changed as the light shifted throughout the day, creating a constantly evolving spectacle.
We can’t recommend the Palcoyo mountain experience enough. We didn’t go to both Rainbow mountains, but we can say that if you want no crowds, amazing views, striking rainbow colors, and photos that don’t look like everyone else’s – opt for Palcoyo.
Watch an Arequipa Sunset from a rooftop
There’s really something about a sunset. That magical hour when the sky lights up, people get quiet, and you just feel a real sense of momentary peace.
We’ve seen some amazing sunsets, but the Arequipa sunset is pretty special.
As the sun slowly dipped below the horizon, casting its last rays of light over the majestic Misti volcano, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. We had spent the day wandering around the beautiful city of Arequipa, exploring its stunning colonial architecture and tasting its delicious cuisine. But it was this moment, sitting on the rooftop of our hotel, watching the sunset over the city, that made me truly appreciate the beauty of Peru.
The city of Arequipa is known for its stunning sunsets, and for good reason. As the sky turned from blue to orange to pink, the colors were reflected in the surrounding mountains, creating a breathtaking view. The tranquility of the moment was only broken by the occasional sound of a car horn or the distant music from a nearby plaza.
As I sat there, taking in the view, I realized that sometimes the most magical moments in life are the simplest ones. Watching the sunset in Arequipa was a reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us.
Hike the Pisac Ruins
Often times we find the circumstances of an experience can make or break it. The Pisac ruins are amazing, but the fact that we hiked down them and ended jusssst as we lost the daylight really made this day special.
Located in the Sacred Valley, the Pisac Ruins are a fascinating archaeological site that dates back to the Inca civilization. As we made our way up the winding path to the top of the ruins, we were treated to stunning views of the surrounding valley and mountains.
As we entered the site, we were immediately struck by the incredible views. From the top of the Pisac complex you can see for miles in every direction, with rugged mountains and verdant valleys stretching out as far as the eye could see. It was a breathtaking reminder of the majesty of the Andes and the ingenuity of the Inca.
The site is one of the largest and most well-preserved Inca ruins in Peru, and includes a massive temple complex, a system of agricultural terraces, and a series of fortifications and watchtowers. The scale of the site is unreliable. Many of the pictures we took truly needed a human for scale. The ruins go on for miles as you descend down steep switchbacks, over bridges, and even through a really cool tunnel through the rock. This hike is a quad burner. You are constantly flexing your quads and stepping down large steps for hours on end. Totally worth it, though!
By the time we arrived in the town of Pisac, we were exhausted but exhilarated. We just barley beat the sun going down over the valley as we finally reached our Air BnB. The hike had been challenging, but the experience of exploring the Pisac ruins and the surrounding landscape had been unforgettable. If you’re a lover of history and adventure, then a visit to the Pisac ruins is an absolute must-do when traveling in Peru. Just be sure to bring comfortable shoes and plenty of water, and be prepared to be awed by the beauty and history of this incredible place.
Eat at Al Toke Pez in Lima
This wouldn’t be a great list of experiences in Peru without a mention of food. And street food in particular. Al Toke Pez is a special experience for the senses that is a can’t miss.
Al Toke Pez, which is featured in the Netflix documentary, Street Food: Latin America, is an absolute gem.
Tomás Matsufuji, better known as “Toshi”, is a Peruvian cook of Japanese descent. He studied Agricultural Engineering at the Universidad Agraria la Molina (UNALM), and has a doctorate in Supramolecular Chemistry specializing in Thermodynamic Chemistry from the University of Surrey in England.
However, Toshi’s real passion is cooking, which he learned in his father’s restaurants in Lima. Tired of the stress and BS that goes into owning an upscale restaurant, Toshi decided to do something a lot of people would call crazy. He opened a street food stall. Thus was born Al Toke Pez.
Al Toke Pez is a little off the beaten path. It took us some wandering and second guessing Google maps to find it. Brightly colored signs adorn the beige tile storefront. When we got there, there was already a line of hungry tourists and locals waiting patiently for an open stool at the small horsehoe shaped counter surrounding the open kitchen.
We waited patiently for our turn, trying not to stare too much at the lucky dozen or so patrons already eating at the counter. Bursts of flames roared from chef Toshi’s wok every few minutes as he prepared the next order of Arroz con Mariscos.
When our turn finally arrived, we bellied up to the counter on one of the metal stools and placed our order: the combo, which comes with Leche De Tigre, Arroz con Mariscos, and fish chicharons with some chichi to wash it down.
Part of the draw to Al Toke Pez was watching the small crew of 3-4 expertly navigate the cramped open kitchen flawlessly without really speaking much. They expertly moved in synchronized yet deliberate movements that you only get from being a very solid team who has worked together for a long time. Oh yeah, and the food is unreal. It’s simple, very high quality, and so so tasty.
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