What To Do in Peru that Isn't Machu Picchu

Best Places to Visit in Peru Beyond Machu Picchu

While Machu Picchu remains Peru's most famous landmark, the country is filled with incredible destinations that offer unique cultural, historical, and natural experiences. From the Amazon rainforest and Lake Titicaca to remote archaeological sites and dramatic mountain landscapes, these are some of the best places to visit in Peru beyond Machu Picchu.

Amazon Jungle

Few places capture the imagination quite like the Amazon jungle. Home to extraordinary biodiversity and vast natural resources, the Amazon plays a vital role in the planet's climate. Visiting the Peruvian Amazon offers the chance to experience one of the world's most important ecosystems firsthand.

 

Peruvian Amazon

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the birthplace of the Incas and home to the Uros people, who call the highest navigable lake in the world home. The Uros people continue to live in many traditional ways, including living on floating islands made of reeds. In contrast, the Quechua communities live in a distinctive way that their ancestors always have done.

 

Lake Titicaca

 

Rainbow Mountain

This mountain is indeed rainbow-colored. While there aren't any bright greens or yellows, obvious striped patterns create a stunning visual effect. Not only is the climb up to Rainbow Mountain at 5020 meters elevation, but you can also appreciate the sacred Apu of Ausangate and witness living Andean communities of Alpaca farmers and weavers participating in their daily life.

For travelers considering a Rainbow Mountain day trip from Cusco, proper altitude acclimatization is highly recommended before taking on the hike.

 

Rainbow Mountain

 

Chan Chan

The largest adobe city in the world was once a bustling city outside present-day Trujillo. In its day, before the Inca conquest of Peru, it was the largest city in the Americas. Chan Chan, the one-time capital of the Chimú kingdom,  is just three miles northwest of Trujillo and would have, during the halcyon days of the empire's height, contained an array of gold and silver, later plundered by the Spaniards. These days, the most striking features are the earthen walls adorned with geometric reliefs and depictions of animals and mythological figures.

 

Chan Chan

 

Moray and Maras

Located in the Sacred Valley outside Urubamba, you can do these two Inca sites in one trip because they're so close together. Moray is an incredible feat of agricultural ingenuity, with nearly 100 large terraces that rise and fall in elevation and which were used as places for crop experimentation. The Incas developed remarkably advanced agricultural techniques, and this is where they perfected their craft. At Maras, you can see remarkable salt pans that offer visitors jaw-dropping beauty and plenty of souvenir salt.

 

Moray, Sacred Valley

 

Kuelap

In the northern Amazonas region of Peru lies the white-washed colonial city of Chachapoyas. This city is surrounded by archaeological ruins, some even older than Machu Picchu. The archaeological site of Kuelap is a walled city with hundreds of buildings from an ancient civilization built before Machu Picchu.

The natural beauty and ancient wonders surrounding Chachapoyas are rich in natural beauty and archaeological sites, and this is well worth including in your Peru itinerary destination on your trip to Peru. Equally awe-inspiring is the hike to one of the world's tallest waterfalls, Gocta Falls. This majestic two-tiered waterfall drops a powerful surge of water over 2,500 feet. The scale of the waterfall is impressive even from a distance.

The hike is quite demanding and not for the faint of heart. You are often on a steep rocky surface surrounded by the thick Amazon jungle that shelters toucans and howler monkeys.

 

Kuelap

Huascarán National Park

Huascarán National Park is located in the Central Andes. Huaraz is an excellent base for hikers, outdoor adventurers, and mountaineers. Huascarán National Park has over 600 glaciers, 300 glacial lakes, hundreds of snow-capped peaks, and over 25 trekking routes.

The region's most popular hikes include the one-day Laguna 69 trail. However, don't be fooled by this hike's popularity, as it's still quite challenging. The hike is 7.5 miles roundtrip and gains 800 vertical feet of elevation. The Laguna 69 hike ends at the turquoise waters of Laguna 69, which contrasts beautifully with the tundra and snow-capped mountain views. Many travelers consider it one of Peru's most photogenic lakes.

 

Laguna 69

 

Choquequirao

This is considered Machu Picchu's sister site, and it has a similar construction to Peru's most famous attraction and sits atop a mountain with sweeping views across the valley.

Often compared in the Choquequirao trek vs Machu Picchu debate, this remote archaeological site offers a far more secluded experience for travelers looking to escape the crowds.

While Machu Picchu has become relatively easy to visit, Choquequirao certainly hasn't. It involves a demanding hike to the top, and the ascent in altitude can be intense, but the scenery and sense of isolation make the effort worthwhile.

 

Choquequirao

Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon is the world's second deepest canyon and twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the US. Colca Canyon offers numerous hiking opportunities with spectacular canyon scenery and is one of the best places in the world to see Andean condors.

Many travelers choose to visit as part of a Colca Canyon tour from Arequipa, making it one of southern Peru's most rewarding outdoor adventures.

A green oasis at the bottom of the canyon is a welcome place to rest. If you decide to stay overnight, there are even rustic accommodations with a pool for relaxing before you hike back out of the canyon.

 

Colca canyon

Northern Beaches

Start your off-the-beaten-path Peru itinerary in the North. Many visitors to Peru miss out on this part of the country and its sunny coastline and excellent beaches.

For one of the best surf spots in Peru, check out the small beach town of Lobitos. Hidden in an arid desert, Lobitos offers waves for a variety of swell conditions. It makes it a perfect destination for advanced surfers.

Or, if you are new to surfing, consider a stop in Puerto Malabrigo, known to the locals as "Chicama". This small coastal town in northwestern Peru is located in the La Libertad Region. It is about 40 miles north of the city of Trujillo. Chicama is home to the longest left-breaking wave in the world, perfect for beginner surfers.

If you are seeking something more social, head to the hip beach town of Mancora for beach parties, surfing, kitesurfing, swimming with sea turtles, and lazy pool days. Whichever stretch of Peru's coastline you choose, the water is beautiful and provides a much-needed escape from the heat.

 

Punta Sal, North Peru
 

Which Alternative to Machu Picchu Is Right for You?

Destination	Best For	Visitor Experience	Crowds	Why Choose It Over Machu Picchu?
Choquequirao	Trekkers and explorers	Remote archaeological site	Very Low	Offers a similar Inca experience with greater solitude
Rainbow Mountain	Day-trip travelers	Scenic mountain hike	Medium	Famous colorful landscapes and living Andean culture
Lake Titicaca	Cultural immersion	Indigenous communities	Low	Unique traditions and floating reed islands
Colca Canyon	Nature and wildlife lovers	Hiking and condor watching	Low	Spectacular canyon views and outdoor adventures
Kuelap	Archaeology enthusiasts	Ancient fortress complex	Very Low	Less crowded ruins with fascinating history
Huascarán National Park	Outdoor adventurers	Trekking and alpine scenery	Low	Some of Peru's most impressive mountain landscapes
Amazon Jungle	Wildlife enthusiasts	Rainforest exploration	Low	Extraordinary biodiversity and Amazon experiences
Northern Beaches	Beach lovers and surfers	Coastal relaxation	Low	Warm weather, surfing, and a laid-back atmosphere

Frequently Asked Questions About Peru Beyond Machu Picchu

Is Choquequirao worth visiting?

Absolutely, but it depends on the type of traveler you are. Choquequirao is often compared to Machu Picchu because of its Inca architecture and dramatic mountain setting. The difference is that getting there requires a challenging trek. If you enjoy hiking and don't mind working a little harder to reach an archaeological site, the reward is fewer visitors, remarkable scenery, and a stronger sense of discovery.

Is Rainbow Mountain safe to hike in Peru?

For most travelers, yes. The main challenge is the altitude rather than the trail itself. Rainbow Mountain sits at over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), so it's important to spend a few days acclimatizing in Cusco before attempting the hike. Going with an experienced guide, staying hydrated, and taking your time on the ascent can make the experience much more enjoyable.

What is better: Lake Titicaca or Colca Canyon?

That depends on what interests you most. Lake Titicaca is ideal for travelers who want to learn more about local culture and visit traditional communities living on the highest navigable lake in the world. Colca Canyon appeals more to outdoor enthusiasts, with hiking opportunities, dramatic landscapes, and the chance to see Andean condors soaring above the canyon walls. Both are rewarding destinations and offer a very different perspective of Peru.

How many days do you need in Peru beyond Machu Picchu?

If your schedule allows, consider spending at least 10 to 14 days in Peru. This gives you enough time to visit Machu Picchu while also exploring other regions such as the Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Puno, the Amazon, Colca Canyon, or the northern coast. Peru is a surprisingly diverse country, and adding a few extra destinations can make your trip far more memorable than focusing on a single attraction.

Plan Your Peru Adventure Beyond Machu Picchu

Peru offers far more than just Machu Picchu. From the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest and the cultural traditions of Lake Titicaca to the dramatic landscapes of Rainbow Mountain, Colca Canyon, and Huascarán National Park, there are many opportunities to experience a different side of the country.

Whether you're looking for ancient civilizations, outdoor adventures, wildlife encounters, or hidden gems across Peru, these destinations highlight the diversity that makes Peru one of South America's most rewarding travel destinations.

If you're ready to discover Peru beyond Machu Picchu, the team at Valencia Travel can help you create a personalized itinerary that matches your interests, travel style, and sense of adventure. Contact us today and start planning your perfect Peru vacation.