True, Peru has seen increased visitors numbers over the last couple of years but this does not mean that there are no longer any potentially world-class sites that not have been discovered by the crowds.

For Peru itself Machu Picchu is a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing in the way that it attracts a lot of international attention and interest from travelers all over the world. A curse in the way that it does not allow other places in Peru reach their full potential. Peru enjoys easily 10 world-class sites and destinations but all of these are overshadowed by Machu Picchu which receives the bulk of all travelers. Nevertheless the likes of Lake Titicaca, the Amazon Rainforest, Arequipa or the Colca Canyon are no longer off the beaten track and have become part of the main destinations that are combined with Machu Picchu. Believe or not (if you do not believe it, please do not take my word for it and come find out yourself) apart from these, Peru has another incredible number of sites that could be world-class if they were not competing with Machu Picchu. Here we will list some of our favorites.

Chachapoyas / Gocta / Kuelap

As with any visit to a new destination, one thing people wonder about is the tipping culture. You have North America, the USA more particularly, where tipping is custom and expected or Europe on the other end where tipping is something more “merit based”.

Many other countries fall within this spectrum and this is also the case for Peru. The services where tipping is most common and more expected are restaurants and guides. To a slightly lesser extent we could also include tour drivers, bell boys and hosts in this group.  

Time for a quick introduction to Peru; everyone landing on this website probably heard of Machu Picchu but as Peru is a mega diverse destination with a ton of things to do, places to visit and experiences to enjoy, the following guide may help seeing the woods through the trees.

Lima

Lima is the proud capital of the nation. With almost 11m people one of the largest (and unavoidably chaotic) cities on the continent. Due to its mere size it is a city that hosts so many sights, impressions, vibes and atmospheres that it becomes an impossible task to do it all. Therefore allow us to let you in on a little secret; the key here is food. Lima is one of the culinary hotspots in the world and not only because of the large number of internationally renowned restaurants – no, in every barrio, on every corner at every dinner table food is the cultural demeanor of this massive city.

Altitude Sickness

In a country where almost one third of the territory is located over 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) above sea level, it should not come as a surprise that the altitude is something you may want to keep in mind. Almost 70% of the visitors to Peru will only feel some minor discomforts when arriving to high altitude for the first time and these discomforts can be headaches, shortness of breath, less appetite and perhaps some small stomach issues. In order to avoid having serious issues with the altitude we recommend the following guidelines;

·         Take it easy for the first 24 hours at altitude -- don’t overexert yourself and don’t go any higher. This is particularly important if you’re arriving by plane.

·         Avoid alcohol, tobacco and sleeping pills. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

·         Eat high-carbohydrate foods (such as pasta, potatoes and bread).

·         Drink coca tea or chew coca leaves upon arrival at altitude and during your stay.