What to do in Peru

Machu Picchu can be reached by following the Inca Trail, a bucket-list four-day trek that leads over magnificent Andean mountain passes, winding through some of the country’s most spectacular sights that concludes with a sunrise arrival just above the remarkable ancient ruins. Up to 200 people can hike the trail per day on guided hikes only, so you’ll need to reserve a spot at least six months in advance. Another option is to ride the train that travels from Cusco disembarking about 30 minutes before Aguas Calientes, hiking into the Andes the rest of the way which takes five to eight hours while bringing jaw-dropping views. The easiest and quickest option is to ride the Machu Picchu train all the way there, which takes about 3.5 hours.

One of Peru’s most visited attractions, Colca Canyon boasts twice the depth of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, located a few hours from the southern city of Arequipa. Many come to hike to the bottom which requires a couple of days to get there and back along the path from Cabanaconde. The reward is worth the effort as one of the most picturesque regions in Peru, complete with gorgeous waterfalls and hot springs. Look up to see condors soaring overhead or catching their morning meals and watch the llama herds that pass with their farmer-owners donning traditional dress.

Pink river dolphins are rare, but the Peruvian Amazon River basin is one of the best places to spot them. For most people, just seeing your typical dolphin can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but to witness a pink one in the wild is almost otherworldly. They’re born with pale, grey skin, but it gradually transforms to a pink hue over time. Their color is believed to have been the result of evolution, providing a biological defense mechanism as the tin makes them more difficult to spot against the reddish mud of the riverbed.  From Iquitos, you’ll be able to travel deep into the jungle where the dolphins and many other wildlife species reside, with the top spot the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest.

If you’ve ever wanted to get up close to a manatee, the Amazon Rescue Center in Iquitos is one of the best places to do it. It rescues orphaned manatee babies in an effort to help the population due to hunting, habitat destruction, injuries from outboard motors, and other dangers. The aim is to release them back into the wild and visitors are one of the most importance sources of funding, so it’s a win-win situation. For just a small fee you’ll be able to see the adorable babies in their pools and even feed them aquatic leaves that they’ll eat right out of your hand. When they’re ready, the animals are taken to one of the nearby protected areas in the Peruvian Amazon and tracked for at least six months to ensure they’re able to successfully readapt to life in the wild without their human caregivers.

The Apurimac River (Rio Apurimac) carved the Apurimac Gorge over time, an incredible 9,843-foot-deep canyon with massive rocky walls that look as if they’re something from another planet with their odd shapes. Combined with snow-capped mountains, ancient ruins, and waterfalls, it’s truly a sight to behold and one of the best ways to experience it is by embarking on a whitewater rafting trip. The gorge is only accessible by rafting or kayaking, with Rio Apurimac considered one of the world’s top rafting river, thanks to its heart-pounding Class IV rapids, jaw-dropping scenery, rare wildlife like puma, otters, and even the very elusive Andean bear.

The Belmond Andean Explorer is a luxury sleeper train that will allow you to see the country in style. A version of the Orient Express in Europe, it crosses the spine of the Peruvian Andes at over 12,000 feet above sea level between Cusco, Puno, and Arequipa on a journey that takes three days, covering 456 miles one way. Passengers travel in elegant rooms with bijou fold-down sofa booths and extravagant suites that include window nooks showcasing the world that passes by. Opulent Art Deco details combined with Latin flair, like handwoven textiles in vibrant Inca patterns, are found throughout, while facilities include a bar, a lounge with a grand piano for live music and evening cocktails, and two restaurants that are helmed by acclaimed Peruvian chefs who fuse local recipes with gourmet twists.