After so many guided day trips in Peru, I was more than ready to explore at my own pace. So in Paracas, I rented a bike and spent a day exploring the Paracas National Reserve. This is a protected piece of land and I loved the otherworldly feeling of the place. And getting to bike …
Sometimes referred to as the “poor man’s Galapagos”, a Las Ballestas Islands tour allows visitors a chance to see some animals that they wouldn’t normally see. Highlights include penguins and sea lions, but if you’re really lucky, you might even get a chance to see a whale or a dolphin. Plus there’s always a chance …
Huacachina is a desert oasis near the much larger town of Ica, Peru. The town is small and there’s not a lot to do, but one thing that every visitor does is a desert tour. There’s a few options for a Huacachina Desert Tour, but the most popular combines dune buggies, sand boarding, and a …
The Nazca Lines are an ancient series of geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert in Peru. Created by people who lived in this region nearly 2000 years ago, these lines form many recognizable shapes including monkeys, birds, and even an astronaut/alien. These geoglyphs are massive and the best way to really appreciate them is from …
Pisac can make a fantastic day trip from Cusco. Rather than joining a group tour, you can take a cheap colectivo to the town of Pisac and explore the Inca ruins at the Pisac Archeological Park yourself. After days and days of guided tours around the Cusco region, it can be nice to go at …
There are numerous day trip options from Cusco, Peru, but one of my favorites was a hike through the Ausangate 7 Lakes. Along the way you’ll get views of mountains and glaciers, but the highlight is the walk around the lakes. They are picturesque and each lake is just slightly different, giving you ever changing …
Rainbow Mountain has become famous for its colorful mineral deposits, making it a popular place for people to take that perfect photo for Instagram. While Rainbow Mountain and the surrounding scenery is beautiful, it’s also important to know what you’re getting into. The hike to Rainbow Mountain is at high elevation and because of its …
If you’re hiking the Salkantay Trek from Challacancha to Aguas Calientes, your route will likely include a stop at the gorgeous Huamantay Lake. For those who aren’t hiking the full Salkantay Trek (like me), you can do a day trip to Laguna Huamantay to see it for yourself. Surrounded by towering mountains and gorgeous views, …
After crossing into Peru from Copacabana, Bolivia, I decided to spend just a little more time on Lake Titicaca. In Copacabana, I visited Isla del Sol independently and hiked from the northern part of the island to the south. In Puno, I opted for a guided day trip since that seemed to be the easier …
Several travelers I met in Bolivia told me to skip Copacabana, but when I mentioned that I was only visiting so I could take a day trip to Isla del Sol, they changed their mind. They told me to go for Isla del Sol, but that I didn’t need much more time in Copacabana for …
