Peru Is…

I wish I had time to write thousands of words about the beauty of Peru. My trip took my breath and words away from me, so I’ll let pictures do the talking.

Enjoy the natural beauty, fusion cuisine, rich culture and energy of this Andean gem.

Mountains

The first thing that greeted us in Cuzco was the thin mountain air. Standing over 11,000 feet above sea level, this dizzyingly high city manages to have a grounding energy. It is calming and charming in a way that will take your breath away as much as the height. Warm yourself up with a revitalizing cup of coca tea and cozy alpaca wool products sold all around the city. Cuzco serves the full authentic Andean experience with food, shops, hikes, museums and more.

Alpaca

Did I mention yet how warm alpaca wool is? Alpaca is a staple Peruvian product. Baby alpaca wool is used to make some of the finest and softest sweaters, scarves, socks, and hats you will ever feel. The strong fibers wick sweat and water and are more lightweight than most other animal wools. You can also find alpaca on the menu at certain restaurants as a fillet cooked to a variety of traditional Andean styles.

Markets

Like many South American countries, life here happens in the markets. Tourists flock to tents packed with branded or handcrafted goods from floor to ceiling, but locals too depend on their neighborhood vendors. Produce sellers greet regulars like friends and sell a more diverse range of products in their booths than Trader Joe’s could ever imagine. Leave plenty of room in your suitcase for all the gifts and momentos you’ll need to bring back to friends and family back home.

Machu Picchu

Time truly stands still atop Machu Picchu, one of the UNESCO wonders of the world. The Incan city dates back to the 15th century and lies upon a sacred valley where it was believed that the divine met the Earth, fortified by tall surrounding peaks for protection. It was re-discovered by American explorer (and future Connecticut Lieutenant Governor, for some reason) Hiram Bingam in 1911. In addition to its main role as a popular location for Instagram stories, the fabled city serves as a meaningful archaeological nexus between past and present. Ongoing digging activity continues to yield discoveries that explain its importance to Incan culture. Peruvian officials are now prioritizing efforts to preserve the historic site and new regulations mandate that all foreign visitors are accompanied by licensed guides. For the adventurous spirits, various routes along the Incan trail offer hiking paths to the city itself or access to different areas, like Huyana Picchu, the prominent peak that defines all pictures of the summit.

Transportation

Some destinations require lots of travel to reach. Exploring Peru is a story of planes, trains, and automobiles. Enjoy soaring above the clouds on flights between Lima and Cuzco. Pay attention to the small villages dotting the winding terrain of the van ride between Cuzco and Ollantaytambo. Watch the mountains unfold before you and the river widen on the train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. Shut your eyes while listening to the sounds of sirens and honking during rush hour in Lima, doing its best Big Apple impression. Isn’t it wonderful? All the time spent on land, air and sea is well worth it.

Fusion Cuisine

Few cultures boast as seamless a blend of cuisines as Peru. The country’s gastronomy is renowned for its diversity and unmatched quality. A sizable Asian population adds their own flavors, like Nikkei Japanese restaurants serving sushi and Chinese Chifa shops cooking up Chaufa. Vegetables and grains grown in the country including potatoes, corn, and quinoa boast such impressive genetic diversity — 55 varieties of corn exist, for example — that they are served enough ways to be considered their own dishes.

Ceviche and Pisco

Omitting ceviche and pisco from this list would be a cardinal sin, akin to visiting the United States and neglecting hot dogs and beer. There are so many ways to enjoy this classic dish of fresh fish, but one of the best is learning from a local. Sign up for a cooking class and see for yourself how fresh market produce makes all the difference when preparing this blend of raw fish, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, corn and peppers all cooked with the acidity of lemon or lime juice. And remember the perfect ratio for a Pisco Sour, Peru’s famous cocktail: 3 parts pisco, 1 part lemon juice, 1 part egg white. Shake over ice, pour and enjoy while cold.

Language

More languages than Spanish are important to Peruvian heritage. Quechua, a language tracing its roots to the Inca and still spoken in certain Andean countries. Although just 13% of Peruvians overall belong to the group, nearly half of Cuzco natives speak the language. Like most indigenous languages, fewer people in newer generations are taught the language and preserving it has become even more important. It is not often you’ll get to hear an indigenous language tracing its roots back centuries, so appreciate the opportunity.

Modern Urbanity

Lima is a sprawling and bustling capital city which 11 million call home. It has a metro system, dense thoroughfares packed with motorbikes and buses, and diverse neighborhoods. Stroll through the upscale clothing shops in Miraflores or arty cafes in Barranco and you could be convinced you’re in Brickell. Take plenty of pictures as proof that Lima’s lively aesthetics, serene beach boardwalks, and shops/restaurants are as good as the one’s from your friend’s “euro summer.” Despite the growing presence of cartel violence and political corruption across the nation, Lima is a safe and welcoming place for visitors as long as you keep your wits about you, as with nearly any other city in the world.

Fútbol

Of course there was going to be a slide for fútbol here. Soccer is an important part of Peru’s culture. It may be true that Boca Juniors’ infamous stadium, La Bombonera, draws crowds of millions every year in Argentina. But they’d be missing out on a night of madness at El Monumental, South America’s second largest soccer stadium and home to Universitario. The electric atmosphere is created by thousands of passionate fans who chant at the top of their lungs and cause earthquakes with their jumps of ecstasy following every goal. Down 1-0 against Deportivo Garcilaso at halftime, their resilience and strength inspired a 3-1 comeback, powered by the bond of a community, belief, and everlasting joy of the beautiful game.

Peru FAQ

  • Yes, Peru is really cool.

  • You should definitely go to Peru!

  • Party cloudy in the mid 60s

  • What did you think would be here?