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Peru Off The Beaten Path

Peru Off The Beaten Path

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For every destination that you could name in Peru, there are ten more that you've never even heard of. These off the beaten path destinations offer all of the majesty and wonder of famous places like Machu Picchu and Cusco with half the crowds. Untouched jungle, empty beaches, and quaint, quiet towns await those who step off the gringo trail.

Discover the cloud forests of Moyobamba, unwind on the laid-back beaches of Punta Sal, meet the artisans of the Mantaro Valley, and explore the first Andean cities of ancient Calca.

Off the beaten path destinations in Peru may be set in isolated locations and have more rustic hotel options, but are always worth the journey. As such, they align well with curious and adventurous travelers.

Destinations

Peru highlights: Peru Off The Beaten Path

Not sure where you want to go yet? Get inspired and browse the best places to visit in Peru

Paracas

Paracas

The word Paracas means "rain of sand," named after the sandstorms found in this coastal part of Peru. Hidden beneath the sand is a rich history that merits The Paracas National Reserve, a marine wildlife and historical destination.

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Puerto Maldonado

Puerto Maldonado

Puerto Maldonado is a small town in the southern Peruvian Amazon that’s just a half-hour plane ride from Cusco. The nearby lodges offer travelers an accessible and affordable experience in the Amazon.

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Nazca

Nazca

The south coast of Peru was home to extraordinary pre-Columbian civilizations, including the Nazca, who are best remembered for their cryptic geoglyphs: huge line pictures of animals, etched across 190 square miles (500 sq km) of desolate desert land. The Nazca lines can be seen via a plane tour, or in part from nearby hills.

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Chiclayo

Chiclayo

Chiclayo is located in a green valley along Peru's North Coast. It provides respite from the arid coast and is well known for its historical sites, agriculture, and high-quality restaurants.

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Trujillo

Trujillo

Trujillo is a sunny and well-preserved city that boasts a large central plaza and beautiful colonial architecture. Its hidden chapels, inner gardens, and various plazas provide a great canvas for photographers and travelers interested in Peru’s colonial past.

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Huaraz

Huaraz

Huaraz offers travelers a true Andean experience in the heart of the Cordillera Blanca. It has a vibrant city center, traditional culture, and an absolutely gorgeous setting.

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Chivay

Chivay

Chivay, a traditional market town set in a picturesque patchwork of agricultural farmlands, constitutes the main hub of the Colca Valley. Chivay acts as a gateway for exploring the beautiful Colca Canyon.

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Huánuco

Huánuco

Huánuco is a midsize town located in the Huallaga Valley. It provides travelers with a good place to stay while en route towards destinations in the Amazon Basin.

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Tarapoto

Tarapoto

Tarapoto is a large town in Peru’s Northern Highlands. Tarapoto acts as a gateway to the northeastern high jungle and is a short, one-hour flight from Lima. This area has good food, lovely landscapes, and unique birds.

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Chachapoyas

Chachapoyas

The indigenous population of the city of Chachapoyas has a reputation for being some of the most friendly and hospitable people in Peru. While in Chachapoyas, which is famous for its cloud forests, visitors can delve into the rich history of the “cloud people,” including visits to an immense stone ruin known as the “Machu Picchu of the North,” and also see some of the most impressive mummies in Peru.

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Casma

Casma

Casma is a small and unassuming town in Peru’s North Coast region. The archeological sites of Sechín and Las Aldas are close by.

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Pisco

Pisco

Situated on the western coast of Peru’s lowlands, Pisco started out as a fishing village. Nowadays, it’s best known for its vineyards, growing the grapes that make up the main ingredient in pisco, Peru’s famous grape brandy. Peruvians have strict rules when it comes to the harvest of grapes and the preparation of the liquor. Pisco is a cherished recipe, and has become increasingly popular all over the world. If you want to sample the national beverage, get it from the source. Pisco is also a perfect base camp for exploring the nearby Paracas National Reserve, and its stunning variety of birds and other animals.

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Huancayo

Huancayo

Huancayo is a midsize town situated in Peru’s Mantaro Valley. The town itself is fairly nondescript, but it provides travelers with wonderful access to the cultural and naturally impressive Mantaro Valley.

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Punta Sal

Punta Sal

Punta Sal is a laid-back beach along Peru’s North Coast. The beach is lovely and peppered with a few resorts, but not much else.

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Moyobamba

Moyobamba

Moyobamba is an off-the-beaten-path jungle destination in northeastern Peru. It’s surrounded by cloud forests that harbor an array of plants and animals.

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Calca

Calca

Located on the northern tip of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Calca offers pristine hikes and opportunities for mountain biking through an ancient valley. Calca is a great place to get an idea of what indigenous Andean cities would have looked like before the Spanish arrived. There are two main plazas in the center of town, a traditional feature of Inca city planning – cities planned by the Spanish typically have only one plaza.

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Paracas

Paracas

The word Paracas means "rain of sand," named after the sandstorms found in this coastal part of Peru. Hidden beneath the sand is a rich history that merits The Paracas National Reserve, a marine wildlife and historical destination.

Puerto Maldonado

Nazca

Chiclayo

Trujillo

Huaraz

Chivay

Huánuco

Tarapoto

Chachapoyas

Casma

Pisco

Huancayo

Punta Sal

Moyobamba

Calca

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Anywhere Peru

Insider-led Peru Design & Concierge

Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.

Anywhere Peru

Private drivers; English-speaking available.

Avoid the crowds in private day tours.

Better stays, better pacing, better reservations.

Insider-only experiences and exclusive local partners.

24/7 in-country support by phone, text, and WhatsApp.

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