For those living in the northern hemisphere, we’ve entered the time of year commonly referred to as seasonal depression. The sun goes down sometime mid-afternoon. The beautiful fall colors have wilted to uniform shades of brown, and temperatures have dropped. With much of the country going into a second lockdown, even the holidays aren’t the bright spot they usually are. Things are grim, and unfortunately, it won’t get better anytime soon.
So, why not fantasize about a future in which there’s no global pandemic, but travel is still affordable?
6 Most Beautiful Places in Peru
Huacachina
Photo by Jordan Beltran on Unsplash
A two-hour drive south of Lima, you’ll find this picture-perfect oasis with a population of 100. It’s nestled among giant dunes and features a pond and palm trees, along with charming homes of its year-round residents. You can hike one of the tallest dunes in the world, drive dune buggies, or rent sleds and boards for playing in the sand.
Vinicunca
Photo by McKayla Crump on Unsplash
Featured on a thousand influencer’s Instagram pages, this place deserves all the hype. The mountain range is a day trip from Cusco and attracts attention for the rainbow stripes along the mountain ridges.
Chan Chan
Photo by Agnieszka M on Unsplash
The adobe ruins at Chan Chan are all that’s left of what used to be the largest city in America. Now, it’s just 12 square miles, but still the largest Pre-Colombian ruins in the world.
Machu Picchu
Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash
No trip to Peru would be complete without a stop by Machu Picchu, one of the Wonders of the World. These ruins in the sky perch atop a flattened mountain peak and receive over a million visitors every year.
Choquequirao
Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Unsplash
These Incan ruins nestled into the jungle south of Cusco. Getting there is no easy feat, requiring a multi-day hike into the mountains. Stay tuned, as there are plans to install cable car in coming years, although it’ll likely bring with it tourists to rival those at Machu Picchu.
Nazca Lines
Photo by Fábio Hanashiro on Unsplash
In the Ica desert, a few hours south of Lima, you’ll find these ancient drawings in the red sand. The best way to appreciate the art of 2500 years ago is to take a small prop plane tour across the 30 miles of desert.