Our travel recommendations
Ica
There's a lot of fun activities and great places in Paracas, Ica, located on the coast of Peru. You can visit La Huacachina Oasis, where you can ride dune buggies and go sandboarding on towering desert dunes. You can take a tour to Las Islas Ballestas located in a National Reserve and you can take a look to the iconic Lineas de Nazca. Also, you visit local pisco vineyards like Tacoma and El Catador. Most recommended place to stay: Hotel Viñas Queirolo.
Arequipa
Arequipa is one of our favorite cities in Peru! Located at the foot of the Misti volcano in the southern highlands, it's known for its beautiful colonial architecture, stunning mountain views, and unique local cuisine. While you're there, you can visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, walk the Sillar Route, or take a day trip to the Colca Canyon to catch the sunrise and watch condors soar. It's also a great place to shop for high-quality alpaca fabrics! Most recommended places to stay: Casa Andina Arequipa and CIRQA hotel.
Cusco
Of course Cusco was going to be on the list! Visiting Machu Picchu is a must (just make sure to book train tickets in advance). Beyond Machu Picchu, Cusco City itself has a lot to offer, with its unique charm and excellent gastronomy. From Cusco, visiting Urubamba is highly recommended, and if you enjoy adventure, you can try activities like zip-lining or bungee jumping. For trekking, Humantay Lake is a beautiful option, and the Maras salt mines are also well worth a visit. Most recommended places to stay: Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco (Cusco City) and Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa (Urubamba, Sacred Valley)
Tambopata
The Tambopata National Reserve is an amazing spot in the Peruvian jungle. It’s perfect if you really love adventure, being surrounded by nature, and don’t mind going on excursions right into the heart of the rainforest. Just a heads-up: you really need to be okay with living with insects and wild animals (jaguars live in the area, though they’re rarely seen). Most recommended place to stay: Tambopata Research Center, Refugio Amazonas and Posada Amazonas.