Peru
Three weeks backpacking Peru carried us from the Pacific coast to the high Andes, weaving city life, ancient ruins, high-altitude lakes, and alpine trekking into one unforgettable journey.
We began in Lima, exploring lively neighborhoods and tasting the city’s celebrated cuisine before heading to Cusco, the historic gateway to the Sacred Valley. Cusco’s cobbled streets and Inca and colonial architecture set the stage for the trip’s highlights.
From Cusco we visited Machu Picchu at sunrise — a breathtaking moment as mist cleared from the terraces and the ruins revealed their scale. The Sacred Valley’s markets and archaeological sites added color and context to the experience.
Next came Lake Titicaca, where we visited the floating Uros islands and felt the unique rhythm of life on the world’s highest navigable lake. The quiet expanses of blue water and reed islands provided a stark, beautiful contrast to the bustle of the cities.
In Arequipa we wandered plazas of white volcanic stone beneath snow-capped volcanoes, savoring local flavors and the city’s colonial charm. The journey culminated in Huaraz with the Santa Cruz trek, a multi-day traverse through the dramatic peaks and glacial lakes of the Cordillera Blanca.
This three-week backpacking route through Peru delivered a powerful mix of culture, history, and alpine adventure — from Lima’s coast to Cusco and Machu Picchu, across the vastness of Lake Titicaca, through Arequipa’s white city, and up into Huaraz’s rugged mountains.
