Things to Do in Peru

Things to Do in Peru

The newest edition to our ‘things to do in…’ series is: Things to Do in Peru !!
Enjoy!

 

My trip to Peru couldn’t really have been more action packed if I’d tried!
I had a grand total of 8 days there and managed to schedule something into every day.

I would have loved to be able to explore more, this seems to be a running theme where I travel somewhere and it sparks joy and intrigue and then I just need to go back so rather than ticking places off my travel list, it seems to be ever growing!!
Not a bad problem to have though!
Just lots more places to explore!

Anyway, back to Peru and having to prioritise activities!

 

 

Of course, the Inca trail came top of the priorities list!
I really wanted an immersive experience so the 4 day trail really felt right.
To get back to basics, camping, be surrounded by nature and challenge myself physically and emotionally with the hike.

Between myself, Kate and George, we had two 65litre rucksacks and a camel-pack for our water which we rotated between us.
We also paid for some of our excess to be carried by one of the locals who came with us, and would carry up to 15kgs.
These men were amazing!
They do the trail day in day out carrying so much weight on their backs and were always ahead of us! Ages spanned from 18 to 60!!
Many had done this their whole life!
We were actually told a story about the Inca trail being opened up to do a ‘marathon’ and one sherpa did THE WHOLE TRAIL in under 4 hours!!… it took us 4 days!!
In the Inca civilisation this trail would be how they got messages from town to town, as it was faster to go up and over the mountains, than around.
It’s incredible.

 

The hike itself was predominantly uphill for the first two days, then on day three there was a lot of downhill which can be tough on my knees.
It was very humid, and carrying our huge rucksacks proved to be a great workout!!
Albeit slightly more challenging, we did make good time though.
We has a wonderful Guide and team who would get up, make us breakfast, pack up, set off, overtake us, set up at the lunch spot, make lunch, pack up, overtake us again, then set up camp for dinner, then cook dinner!
Every day!!
We were SO grateful for them and they were amazing at catering to our vegan dietary requirements!

 

 

Day 4 was Machu Picchu ascent day.
We were up at 3am, head torches at the ready, waiting for our slot to enter the last leg of the trail!
We decided to add on the option of ascending the Machu Picchu peak which is an additional surcharge on the tour and involves hiking up to the peak once you arrive at the ruin.
With our tour we had a limited time actually at the ruin, so the hike came out of that time.
It was fairly cloudy so seeing the ruin from the peak was pretty tough.
After 4 days of hiking, my legs were not happy with me for this extra push!
But it felt so nice at the top to just sit and meditate!!
On my way down the clouds cleared and I had a glorious view of the ruins!

ABSOLUTELY worth doing!!  

 

Other Things to Do in Peru:

• Get your passport stamped at Machu Picchu ruin, just for fun!
• Most Inca trail hikes end at Aguas Calientes, I highly reccomend getting a massage after all that hiking.
• Quad biking tour in sacred valley was STUNNING! We went in the afternoon and the light was phenomenal!
• Ayahausca, if you are interested in plant medicine, Peru is the place to do it! We went to Etnikas and they were amazing! All the staff were so helpful and professional and friendly! (The Inca traditions state that each person should do it 3 times in their life)

 

 

If you have any favourite things to do in Peru that I’ve missed today, please do get in touch! I’d love to hear your recommendations!

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Until next time!

 

 

 

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