Fiona’s Top 5 Peru Bucket List

“There is, of course, one main highlight that has to be at the top of my list: Machu Picchu. As I’m not much of a hiker myself, I’ll be heading up to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu on our Trails and Valleys trip which includes the final day of the Inca Trail. This means I’ll have to get up super early to jump on a train but I’ll have the opportunity of entering the site via the well known Sun Gate. There is actually very little known about ruins that are actual fact, so the guides will tell me their version of the ruin’s history… but I do love a good story!

Afterwards, I’m going to head down into the Sacred Valley to stay in the villages of Ollantaytambo and Urubamba. Here there is plenty to do from white water rafting and horse riding to visiting monasteries and other ancient ruins. In fact, I’m seriously considering extending my stay in the Sacred Valley by a night so that I can pack in as many activities as possible locally.

Lake Titicaca is one of the most culturally important sites in Peru. It’s the highest navigable lake in the world and on this holiday, I’m hoping to get to actually stay on one of the islands with a local family. So, I’ve chosen our Titicaca Island Hopping trip. It wouldn’t be Rickshaw if there wasn’t a homestay!

Next on my list has got to be the Islas Ballestas and Huacachina. To do this trip from Lima, it’s a really early morning start so I’m hoping to plan in two nights in Peru’s capital, Lima before heading out on the Sea Lions and Sand dunes trip. To be fair, Lima isn’t at the top of my highlights bucket list but after a long same-day flight in Economy Class via the US or Europe, I’m not going to want to get up at the crack of dawn the next day. Of course, you may be limited for time so then you can always be brave and get underway the next day. After some rest and sampling of Lima’s finest cuisines I’ll be ready for the off.

The highlights of this trip for me would be to head out and see the incredible Sea Lion colony just off the Peruvian coast line and sandboarding in Huacachina. Being a laid back, go-with-the-flow type of person, I just know how much I will love kicking back in Huacachina, enjoying a cocktail of two in this desert oasis. Our trip ends with an overnight bus ride to Arequipa, which leads nicely onto my next trip on the bucket list: The Colca Canyon.

Our trips out into the Colca Canyon all begin in the gorgeous, colonial city of Arequipa. The city alone is worth spending a couple of nights in, exploring the museums, churches and monasteries. Again, it’s got that laid back and relaxed appeal for me before heading out into the Canyon where I’ll hopefully get to spot plenty of condors. I’ll be adding the group trip option, Condors in the Canyon, but if you’re looking to travel with your family or simply prefer a private trip then Cruising the Canyon by 4×4 is going to be for you. You’ll have private transfers into and out of the canyon between Arequipa and Puno with an English Speaking guide.

Last but not least, I have the Amazon Jungles lodges on my radar to include in my holiday planning. On all my travels around the world, after being in the mountains, my favourite place to be is in the Jungle. The Amazon Jungle Lodge trip is a 3 night tour that starts from Puerto Maldonado and I’ll be taking a small bag with me to our lodge with all the essentials I’ll need for the time I’m there. While I’m out here I’m really hoping to see plenty of wildlife, including parrots, toucans, otters, caimans and monkeys and hopefully no spiders! One great part of this trip is that you actually get to meet communities who live in the forest, their farms and way of life. It’s a really excellent way to round off a two and a half week holiday in Peru!”

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