Most travelers only see Machu Picchu, Cusco and Lima’s Miraflores. But Peru also has a 5,000-year-old city a few hours from Lima, turquoise lakes in the Andes, a cloud-forest fortress and an Inca citadel with almost no visitors. Here are the hidden places we recommend most.
Near Lima
Caral
The oldest known city in the Americas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site a few hours north of Lima. Its pyramids are thousands of years older than the Incas, and very few tourists make the trip.
Pachacamac
A huge pre-Inca sanctuary on the southern edge of Lima, perfect for a half day if you want archaeology without leaving the city area.
Lunahuaná
A green river valley a few hours south of Lima, known for river rafting, small vineyards and countryside food. A favorite weekend escape for people from Lima.
Paracas and Ica
The Ballestas Islands, the desert reserve and the Huacachina oasis. Read our guide to the Paracas and Huacachina day trip from Lima.
Which of these fit your trip?
Book a 45-minute video session with a local and we will show you, on screen, the places that fit your days, your group and your budget.
In the Andes
Laguna 69 and the Cordillera Blanca
From the city of Huaraz, a demanding day hike takes you to an impossibly turquoise lake below glaciers. Plan a few days to acclimatize first.
Choquequirao
Called the sacred sister of Machu Picchu, this Inca citadel can only be reached on a multi-day trek, which is exactly why it is still so quiet.
Palcoyo
A less crowded alternative to the famous Rainbow Mountain near Cusco, with a much shorter walk.
Amantaní island
On Lake Titicaca, where you can spend the night with a local family and watch the sunset from an ancient temple on the hill.
In the north
Kuélap and Gocta
The fortress of the Chachapoyas people sits on a mountaintop above the clouds, and nearby Gocta is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world.
How to fit hidden places into your trip
- Start with your dates and pace, not with a list of places.
- Group destinations by region to avoid long transfers.
- Leave buffer days around altitude and long road trips.
- Mix one or two famous highlights with one hidden place per region.
See the Peru most travelers miss
Book a 45-minute video session with a local and we will show you, on screen, the places that fit your days, your group and your budget.