Where are places you think someone should absolutely go to in Peru besides Cuzco and Machu Picchu?

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chinchis

I would also suggest going to the jungle. But there are 2 choices for destination:

1.- Manu national park. This jungle is near Cuzco and so it would be easy to connect to your original destination

2.- Iquitos. This is the biggest city in Peru not connected by highway and the jungle is next to the Amazon river. There are more places to visit and better infrastructure.

mjluna1pe

Hola !!
Well, if you will be in cuzco as you said, you must go to macchupicchu in which you will be there all day, in one day you can visit all places in the same cuzco city as the catedral, korikancha temple, san blas, the near ruins as sacsayhuaman, kenko, tambomachay, in the next day you must do the tour of the sacred valley, chincheros and ollantaytambo. I think its ok if you go for 4 days in cuzco, then you have time to visit arequipa or puno!! If you decide for arequipa , you can know the center of arequipa, the valley and santa catalina convent in one day, the next day you must go to the Colca Cayon, an amazing place that you like. You can stay one night in the colca and continue the tour in the morning then the tour will return you direct to the airport to Lima.
Or if you decide for Puno, you take a flight to juliaca since cusco and if you arrive early then you can go the same day to do the tour in titicaca lake to the uros island and TAQUILE, the tour will return around of 6pm and one day more to visit some places as the chullpas in the city of puno, then return puno to Lima.
In cusco, in the night you will find many good places to dance, drink and take lunch and dinner. Dont forget to do a gastronomic tour in Peru, remember that peruvian food is one of the best in the world! And our pisco sour too!!!
Hope you visit us soon!!

rertast

It will be easier to you to go from Cuzco to Arequipa or Puno, like the first answer says, and there are a lot of beatiful things to see in these cities as well, but if you don't mind to travel a little more you also have the posibility of going to the north. There are a lot of cities in that part of the country, especially in the coast, like Trujillo, a big city with a lot of things to see, and Piura. Near Piura there is Mancora, one of the most visited beaches in the world, because it's great for surfing. Well I think in this months the weather is going to be bad, but it's always great to go there.
But if you decide to go to the south, you should go to Ica first to see the Nazca lines, and there go to Arequipa and if you have enough time, visit Puno before going back.

annielituma

Probably going to the jungle to check out the Amazon river would be a good choice, itÂ´s amazing.
But if you are going to be alone - I did it, I would probably try something more relaxing...

But donÂ´t miss Lima, at least take a couple of days, best museums are here, so to fully understand Peru (and Cuzco, and Machu Picchu) you need to resolve your doubts in a good museum - try Larco Museum (www.museolarco.org).
Lima is the capital of the country and you will find the best museums, the best restaurants, the best shopping and it is the best place to check out the modern city taking over their ancient past.
Along with visiting Museo Larco, go to Huaca Pucllana (Miraflores area) and Pachacamac (30kms south Lima), precolumbian sites completely different from what you are going to see in the highlands.

After this couple of days, take a bus or plane to Trujillo, north coast of Peru, to check out archaeological sites Huaca del Sol y La Luna from the Mochica culture and Chan Chan from the Chimu culture - learn from them in the museum in Lima. Breathtaking archaeological sites, huge adobe pyramids with murals built long before the incas.
Trujillo is an easy city to be in and full of suprises - try local food! If you take this trip to the north your trip to Peru is complete!

kellyinperu63

I live in Lima, and just spent a week this past January in Cuzco. I really recommend like the above answer said, spending a few days at Manu. Most of the lodges have transportation from Cuzco.

We spent one night in Cuzco, went by van (6 hours, beautiful trip) and spent 3 days in the jungle, then returned to Cuzco and went on to Machu Pichu for the next 3 days. It was great. I highly recommend checking out Manu.

Anne C

From Cuzco you can access the highlands of Manu Biosphere Preserve. This is a cloud forest habitat with beautiful orchids, birds, butterflies and primates. It is a magical place you will remember forever! It's cool at night, there are few biting insects, you'll love it!

creativetravelers

Escorted tours are quite interesting in Arequipa to watch the monasterios, the canyons and condors, Lake Titicaca at Puno are quite interesting and if you like the astronomy and mistery you should fly the Nazca Lines at Ica and finally at Lima the Larco, and the archeologycal museums.

http://www.southamericamyjourney.com/travel/tours/aboutus.php

ryssee

Great advice above.
Arequipa was a favorite for us, aside from Cuzco and MP. We didn't go to the Nasca Lines but I wanted to. But we did take a jungle trip in Ecuador. We booked Manu but the trip got cancelled at the last minute unfortunately so that's how we wound up at one in Ecuador. You won't believe the things you'll see. Our trip was amazing, but I still want to take that Manu trip someday.
Get a lonely planet book and read it cover to cover for ideas. Also look up travel blogs on Travelpod.com for ideas and pics. Have a great time. You will love it!

redbrat34

I would go to the north... Cusco is exhausting and if you have a week left, my choices would be go back to Lima, have excellent meals, check out the excellent museums (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g294316-Activities-Lima.html)..
Then just go north... Trujillo and chiclayo are great choices if you are into archaeology but if you just want to relax, go to Mancora in Tumbes... great beach and local food!!!

grover04811

i don't know about you but i personally love to see how the "real" people live.. i have been to Lima. Peru four times now and I love it.. I recommend going downtown of the capital.. and there are so many orphanages too.. try to hit those up. The children LOVE meeting foreigners and its great to spend time with them. Go to Pucusana.. its a fishing village.. that we definitely teach you not to take the things you have for granted.. they have so "little" yet they are happy. amazing.
next time i go to peru i am going to Puerto Maldonado.. jungle.. i hear it is BEAUTIFUL and my friends are building an orphanage there!

Have fun!!

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