Peru’s capital is a coastal city with serious layers—history, art, ceviche, and a few surprises tucked behind those colonial balconies. Once dubbed the City of Kings, Lima was founded by conquistador Francisco Pizarro, and its regal past still lingers around Plaza Mayor. Here, you can watch the changing of the guard at the Government Palace, marvel at the grandeur of the Cathedral, and stroll under wooden balconies that have seen centuries of drama. But Lima isn’t just looking backward. It’s a buzzing modern metropolis with world-class restaurants, boho neighborhoods, and one of our all-time favorite museums: the Larco Herrera. Expect gold, ceramics, and an eyebrow-raising collection of pre-Inca erotic pottery that’ll definitely make you look twice. It’s history, with a wink—and Lima wears it well.
Puerto Maldonado is more than just your jungle jumping-off point—it’s where the wild starts to whisper and the city slows its roll. This riverside town in southeastern Peru is the launchpad for deep Amazon adventures, but it’s also got a charm of its own: warm nights, lively plazas, and a surprising splash of nightlife if you’re not quite ready to hit the hammock. From here, you’re a boat ride away from some of the world’s most untouched rainforest—places like Tambopata and Bahuaja-Sonene, where toucans swoop overhead and the jungle practically breathes around you. It’s a place where creature comforts and wild creatures live side by side—and the adventure’s just beginning.
Once known as the Navel of the World, Cuzco still feels like the center of something powerful. This high-altitude gem is where ancient Inca foundations literally hold up Spanish colonial charm—cathedrals perched on temples, cobbled streets etched with centuries of footsteps, and stone walls so perfectly fitted, not even a sheet of paper could slide between them. Wander past the famed 12-cornered stone on Loreto Street, stand in the shadow of Korikancha—the Inca Temple of the Sun—and look out over the city from the fortress of Saqsaywaman, where the stones are the size of small cars (and somehow still perfectly stacked). Cuzco is not a place you rush through. It’s a place you feel—layered, sacred, and humming with the stories of those who came before.
Ollantaytambo is one of those rare places where ancient history and everyday life still share the same cobbled streets. Tucked deep in the Sacred Valley, this “Living Inca Town” is home to families who still carry out age-old traditions, all in the shadow of an awe-inspiring fortress. Originally built to guard the valley from jungle invaders, the stone citadel later became the backdrop for fierce resistance against the Spanish. Today, its terraces, temples, and timeworn walls whisper stories of strategy, spirituality, and survival. You’ll wander through areas once reserved for rituals, climb steps that Inca soldiers marched on, and trace the old aqueducts that still snake through the village. It’s not just a ruin—it’s a pulse. A place where past and present still walk side by side.
Tucked into a lush fold of the Andes and wrapped in misty jungle cliffs, Machu Picchu Pueblo—aka Aguas Calientes—is the last stop before the big one. Just a short ride from the world-famous ruins, this little riverside town hums with energy and steam (thanks to its namesake hot springs). It's got winding streets, cozy cafés, jungle-backed hotels, and enough massage spots to soothe even the most determined hikers. Once you’ve explored the ancient citadel, wander to the hidden Mandor Waterfalls, climb the jungle-covered switchbacks of Putucusi Mountain, or simply soak your bones in a steaming pool while clouds roll across the peaks. Don’t miss the small-but-mighty museum and botanical gardens—they tell the story of this sacred valley, one orchid and artifact at a time.
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