Peru | A Magellan Odyssey World Tour Destination

Bucket List Destinations | The Peruvian Experience

March 29, 2022

What comes to mind when thinking of the ideal destination for your first post-pandemic vacation? Is it an island tour that offers you breathtaking coastlines? Is it a cultural tour that allows you to look inward, as much as you look out? Or is it a destination that offers you tantalizing flavors that will send your taste buds to another dimension? With so many options to choose from, you might freeze at the idea of having to decide, so why not choose a destination that offers it all? Peru is the South American gem with so much to offer. And a fair word of warning, if your trip is not planned correctly, you might find yourself never leaving! From the remoteness of the Andes Mountains, to the large unexplored territories of the Amazon rainforest, the country has a ‘special’ kind of mysticism surrounding it that attracts thousands from across the globe each year. Join us as we take a look at what makes this destination so great, and explore the best activities and sights to visit upon arrival. Don’t know where to begin? Let us help you get started.
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Peru | What All Can You Do ?

Peru is home to a wide range of the world’s greatest manmade and natural wonders that offer some of the best outdoor experiences found in all of South America. It is quickly becoming a highly sought-after location for travelers looking for accessible and out-of-way, post-pandemic travel ideas.

Unsurprisingly, visitors regularly flock to the world-famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the ancient ruins set high in the Andes Mountains. The Inca Empire, which had originally only ruled over the valley of Cusco, went on to conquer many cultures from southern Columbia all the way to Chile, and left behind the incredible archaeological sites of Machu Picchu and the dusty remnants of Chan Chan and Sacsayhuaman, as evidence of their 5000 year long history of Peruvian settlement.

Interestingly, Peru’s earliest inhabitants did not keep a written record. Instead, many of the things that we know of their ancient culture today, we learned through the archaeological remains that have been uncovered throughout the country over the ages.

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Lima, Peru

Travelers who wish to learn more about ancient Peruvian history and culture, can do so at The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History of Peru, in Lima. This is Peru’s oldest state museum, and offers visitors a wide-range of displays and exhibits, showcasing the perfectly preserved pre-Hispanic ceramics, textiles and metals.

While in the city, the Larco Museum is another great facility to explore. This privately owned museum features pre-Columbian art and is housed within a 18th Century building that was built over a 7th Century pre-Columbian pyramid. The museum showcases chronological galleries that provide a thorough overview of 3000 years of Peruvian pre-Columbian history through ceramics, textile, and ancient metal artifacts.

Lima is the ideal destination for travelers who are passionate about South American culture as it offers a range of different museums, which preserve the history of these times.

Other things to enjoy when visiting Lima is the suburb of Miraflores, which is an upscale district situated right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, and home to many of the major hotels in the area.

The Malecón is a 6 mile/10 kilometer stretch of parks situated along the cliffs high above the ocean. This is where you can find joggers, bikers and tourists simply taking in the picturesque view.

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Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage
Sacsayhuaman-Peru-by-Art-In-Voyage-Magellan Odyssey Pt. 1 | The Peruvian Experience
Art in Voyage

Sacsayhuaman, Cusco

Sacsayhuaman can be found just outside the city. The magnificent Inca fortress was built to overlook Cusco, and is still regarded as one of the most important Inca constructions.

According to legend, 20 000 men were involved in the construction of Sacsayhuaman. It is also said that during its construction, 3 000 men had lost their lives after one of the huge stones that was being dragged uphill, broke free.

Once a year, travelers may experience the ancient religious ceremony that still occurs, known as the Inti Raymi (Quechua for “Sun festival”).

FunFact : During the Inca Empire, the Inti Raymi was the most important of four religious celebrations performed in Cusco. Celebrations include music, colorful costumes and the sharing of food.

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The Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a valley traversed by the Urubamba River and is home to many famous and beautiful ruins. Situated in between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley got its name from its rich lands, and was not considered a part of the Inca Empire. Instead, the Sacred Valley was regarded as the property of the Emperor himself.

The region was once the center of the Incan civilisation and was thought to be a holy place as the Incan people worshipped the valley for its fertility, natural resources and strategic position.

Today however, travelers who visit the Sacred Valley will find a collection of small interesting towns, fascinating people, and local markets like the Sunday markets found in Pisac.

TravelTip : Try to include a visit to the Sun Temple, Ollantaytambo, as it was once used as a retreat for Inca royalty and nobility.

Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage

Peruvian Cuisine

Peru has a variety of different landscapes and geography, and because of this, cuisine differs depending on the region, making it one of the most interesting and diverse cuisines in Latin America.

Popular Peruvian dishes include:

Cuy – This dish is regarded as a delicacy in various parts of Peru and is made from Guinea pig.

Escabeche – Escabeche is a seafood dish and is traditionally served with peppers, eggs, olives, onions and prawns.

Aji de Gallina – This bright yellow dish (due to the aji amarillo peppers) consists of a spicy creamed chicken that is served with sauce made from ground walnuts, boiled yellow potatoes, and olives often accompany it.

Ceviche – This dish is popular on the coast and consists of raw fish and shellfish that is marinated in either lemon and lime juice, flavored with hot chili peppers and served with onions, sweet potatoes and corn.

Peru is a geographic masterpiece with cultural diversity that brings together high level ingredients such as highland tubers and tropical jungle fruits, and couples it with Spanish, indigenous, African and Asian influences.

Here, you can find cafes selling freshly baked pastries daily, steakhouses with high-quality meats, bars bustling with life, extravagant local delicacies, eateries offering luxury dining experiences, and so much more.

What more can you ask for in the capital of Latin American cooking, the choices are endless.

Travel Tip: We recommend the Astrid y Gastón – San Isidro as it is one of the coolest restaurants in the city for local cuisine.

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Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage

Best Places To Stay In Peru

Although people travel to Peru in hopes of seeing the world-famous Incan monuments of Machu Picchu, there are many other things on offer throughout the country. With the Amazon rainforest, the Andes Mountains, and the Pacific Ocean beaches all within its borders, knowing the best places to stay throughout the country is essential.

Cusco – Cusco is essentially one big UNESCO World Heritage Site spread out across an entire city. This is where travelers can find day trips to Machu Picchu, while staying at some of the best hotels in the country.

Travelers can find accommodation in the small and compact city center, as it is highly recommended for first time travelers to Peru. However, if you want to be closer to the archeological sites, Sacsayhuaman is a little further out and is slightly cheaper.

Arequipa – Arequipa is the second most popular destination in Peru, and with its laid-back atmosphere, makes for a great family holiday spot.

Although Arequipa is regarded as one of the safest places in Peru, it is still recommended to find accommodation in the city center, as it is not just safer, but also more central to the hotspots within the city.

Travel Tip : Most hotel receptions and accommodation owners will be happy to advise you on the safest places to visit.

Lake Titicaca – Straddling between Peru and Bolivia, this destination is an area with astounding natural beauty in the south of the country.

Puno is the only city in the Lake Titicaca region, and therefore home to the best accommodation.

Fun Fact : Lake Titicaca is one of the highest bodies of water in the world!

Peru is perfect for any and all types of travelers as it has a little of everything. Whether you’re traveling for the cultural sights like the Inca Monuments, or you’re simply looking for an off-the-beaten-track vacation, this destination will not disappoint.

For more travel inspiration, explore our catalog of Curated Journey’s, designed with top-class experiences in mind. What are you waiting for? Make 2022 and 2023 more memorable by booking a life-changing experience with us today.

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