7 Fantastic Reasons Why You Should Visit Peru

With more than 10,000 years of history, Peru boasts so many natural and cultural treasures that fascinate people from all around the world. There are thousands of reasons to visit this South American gem, but here are seven reasons why you should visit Peru.

1. To Marvel at its Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Most travelers to Peru are most excited to see the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, which is 80 km northwest of Cusco. Machu Picchu has its own unique glamour. In 1983, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site, and in 2007, it was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It was built with polished dry-stone walls in the classical Inca style, and most of its outlying buildings were restored with the aim to show tourists the original scene of Machu Picchu as much as possible. This Inca citadel was built in the 15th century on the top of a mountain at an altitude of 2430 meters above sea level. It has a beautiful view of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River, which surrounds it on three sides and is where morning mists rise. Therefore, the site is the perfect combination of natural beauty and cultural significance. Machu Picchu is the most popular tourist destination in Peru and one of the most popular in Latin America. It is the most well-known symbol of the Inca civilization and one of the most important archaeological sites in South America.

The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Peru

2. To Indulge in its Cuisine

Peru has been chosen as the World's Best Culinary Destination at the World Travel Awards for the last five years in a row. The Organization of American States also gave Peruvian food the title "Cultural Heritage of the Americas for the World." It was the first cultural expression in the area to get this honor. With this information, you may have a better idea of the popularity and privileged position of Peruvian cuisine. Learning about the culture, history, traditions, and knowledge linked to local gastronomy will enable you to enjoy the foods in a more evocative way. Peruvian cuisine is great diversity, which benefits from the cultural exchange between the Spanish, Africans, Chinese, Japanese, and Italians, among others, and also the diverse range of agricultural products: more than 4,000 varieties of potato, 2,000 sweet potatoes, 35 types of corn, 15 species of tomato, 600 species of native fruit, etc. It is a paradise for the gastronome to enjoy everything its cuisine has to offer. You can discover the country through its gastronomy and know it in the most delicious way.

3. To Admire its Instagrammable landscapes

Peru offers a huge variety of geographical possibilities for travelers. You will be amazed at the contrasts of the diverse landscapes: golden sand dunes, massive snow-covered mountains, picturesque lakes, surreal beaches, eye-catching canyons, time-old agricultural terraces, dramatic mountain scenery, jaw-dropping glaciers, islands with various kinds of wildlife, miraculous Amazon rainforest, etc. Peru has so much to offer.

Instagrammable landscapes in Peru

4. To Meet the People

Peru is a multiethnic country formed by the combination of different groups. The people are always welcoming, and incredibly attentive to visitors, with their varied food and many celebrations. They are ingenious, good at singing and dancing, and passionate about various activities. Usually, you can see wonderful performances in plazas and streets at weekends, from which you can feel their amusement.

Ethnic performances held in every Sunday in a plaza in Cusco

5. To Travel Back in Time in Cusco

Cuzco is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America. It once served as the historic capital of the Inca Empire from the 13 until the 16th century. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983 and designated as the Historical Capital of Peru by the Constitution of Peru. You can walk the streets of this fascinating city, and admire the tangible links between its pre-Columbian past and the well-preserved colonial architecture, from which you can learn about its rich and complex history. You can also see some indigenous people in traditional clothing in the streets. Besides, you can also immerse yourself in the exciting nightlife.

A view of Cusco, Peru

6. To Make a Pisco Sour With Your Own Hands

Pisco sour is the Peruvian national drink claimed by the government, and in honor of it, an official government holiday named "Dí a Nacional del Pisco Sour" (National Pisco Sour Day) is celebrated yearly on the first Saturday of February. Originating from Peru, it is an alcoholic cocktail normally consisting of Peruvian pisco as the base liquor, fresh lime juice, syrup, ice, egg white, and Angostura bitters. There are also many other variants, such as adding some fruits like pineapple or plants like coca leaves. You can try your hands at making a pisco sour by following the bartender's instructions in a bar and then enjoy it. This must be a unique and memorable experience!

Make Pisco sour in Peru

7. To Shop For Handicrafts and Textiles

Don't miss the chance to learn about the superb textile tradition with thousands of years of history in Peru, especially in Cusco and the villages surrounding it. Alpaca fleece is one of the most popular types of wool in the world because it is very strong and warm. You must wonder why it is so superior. Let me reveal the secret. 80% of the 4 million alpacas live at elevations between 10,000 feet and 15,000 feet, where temperatures can vary greatly by over 50 degrees in a single day. So they grow dense coats of superior quality. Vicu and ntilde's fleece is even finer than an alpaca's. Today, Cusco and surrounding villages are the undisputed centers of Peru's textile industry. You can visit some communities, weaving centers, or workshops to learn about the textile and craft traditions and dyeing techniques, and also shop for some high-quality textiles as souvenirs.

Local women were making alpaca-fleece crafts.

With these fantastic reasons, will you choose Peru as your next holiday destination? Contact us to tailor-make a lifetime Peru tour. For any inquiries and questions, please reach us at trip@odynovotours.com.