Step away from Peru's Inca Trail to these 5 lesser-known wonders

Sucheta Rawal

October 13, 2025 at 1:05 PM

Most first-time travelers to Peru head straight for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, perhaps pausing in Lima for fresh ceviche, but rarely venture further. Yet beyond the well-trodden paths lies a tapestry of unsung towns and landscapes -- from snowcapped volcanoes and scarred canyons to floating islands and the world's highest navigable lake.

"As a Peruvian, I believe Peru's magic lies not only in iconic sites but also in smaller towns and remote landscapes where traditions thrive and still shape daily life. Where travelers can go beyond the standard route, exploring heritage, rural culture, and centuries-old agricultural practices that are very much alive," says Lorenzo Masías, head of Commercial at Andean, a family-owned hospitality company specializing in immersive journeys across Peru.

These five destinations not only offer genuine encounters, sustainable experiences, and a deeper connection to the country, but also help combat overtourism in Peru.

(See our practical guide to visiting Peru.)

1. Arequipa

Peru's second-largest city is surrounded by five volcanoes, with the snow-capped cone of El Misti dominating the skyline. Sunlight reflects off the chalk-white sillar stone (a type of volcanic rock) that defines the city's colonial architecture, earning it the title of the "White City" and recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

At its center, the picturesque Plaza de Armas, a town square, is framed by palm trees and elegant arcaded balconies. On its northern edge rises the Basilica Cathedral, a neoclassical masterpiece carved from sillar. The Church of La Compañía de Jesús, dating to 1590, is adorned with intricate Baroque mestizo carvings -- a fusion of European and Indigenous artistry that winds across its façade.

Walk through narrow, cobbled streets painted in vibrant cobalt, terracotta, and saffron hues, passing clusters of nuns' cells, cloisters, and flower-filled courtyards at the Monastery of Santa Catalina, an expansive, walled citadel often described as a city within a city. The Santa Teresa convent, still active, doubles as a living museum, displaying centuries of sacred art while maintaining the rhythms of monastic life.

Step back in time at the 16th-century cloister turned CIRQA Relais & Châteaux hotel with volcanic stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and wrought-iron chandeliers. The smell of palo santo drifts through the corridors. The rooftop terrace, shaded by white canopy sails, opens onto sweeping views of the historic skyline and the surrounding volcanoes, which glow in the evening light.

Nearby, Mercado San Camilo captures the pulse of daily life. Its aisles brim with handwoven alpaca textiles, straw hats from southern Peru, and figurines of Ekeko, the Andean god of abundance, who carries miniature goods symbolizing prosperity. Stalls overflow with local produce: pyramids of Amazonian fruit, bundles of medicinal herbs, and an astonishing variety of Peru's 4,000 types of potatoes.

Arequipa's culinary traditions reflect the city's richness. Classic dishes include rocoto relleno, a spicy red pepper stuffed with meat and cheese; camarones al estilo arequipeño, river crayfish prepared in hearty stews or warm ceviche; and the city's beloved dessert, queso helado, a frozen treat flavored with cinnamon and coconut, churned by hand in wooden barrels and served in the plazas.

(Go on a luxury rail journey through Peruvian mountains.)

2. Yanque

Reaching the Andean town of Yanque requires a long journey along the Pan-American Highway, which winds its way into the mountains and climbs routes that soar above 16,000 feet. The road unravels into zigzagging trails that thread through remote villages, past terraces carved by the Inca, cultivated with potatoes, quinoa, and maize. In 1934, National Geographic explorer Robert Shippee described Yanque as a "half-forgotten town in the world," and the description still rings true: a quiet square, a handful of shops, and silence broken only by the wind sweeping through the valley.

Its crown jewel is the Colca Canyon -- one of the world's deepest gorges, shaped by wind and rain-sculpted cliffs, scarred earth, and distant snow-capped summits.

At dawn, head to the high lookouts near Cruz del Cóndor to watch one of Peru's most iconic spectacles: the flight of the Andean condor, a bird revered for its spiritual significance, serving as a messenger between the earth and the heavens. These immense birds, with wingspans stretching up to 10.5 feet (3.2 meters), rise on thermal currents and glide silently between the canyon walls.

While most travelers leave by midday, staying overnight reveals the deeper rhythms of the Colca Valley. Just outside town, Puquio, Peru's first luxury tented camp, blends rustic charm with Andean design. Canvas tents crafted from local materials open onto sweeping views of the river and valley. Interiors feature eucalyptus-leaf baths to ease altitude-weary muscles, fireplaces for crisp mountain evenings, and meals centered on red quinoa grown steps away. Sunsets bathe the canyon walls in shifting shades of amber and violet, while the peaks of Ampato and Sabancaya stand watch on the horizon.

Yanque remains a place where time stretches, where condors soar freely above terraced valleys, and where nature's silence feels as commanding as the peaks themselves.

(The first tented camp in Peru has opened in Colca Canyon -- here's what it's like.)

3. Ayaviri

Tucked into the high plains of the Altiplano near Ayaviri, Tinajani Canyon reveals a surreal landscape between Peru's great destinations. Here, 75,000 years old, towering red sandstone formations rise dramatically against the vast Andean sky. At over 13,123 feet above sea level, the canyon shelters rare groves of Puya raimondii, the world's largest bromeliad, which blooms only once in a century before dying.

For centuries, shamans have traveled here to perform ceremonies, drawing on the canyon's powerful energy. Today, its natural amphitheaters invite meditation, yoga, and quiet forest bathing, surrounded by cliffs that glow crimson at sunset and valleys that dissolve into star-filled skies at night.

Set within a private 123-acre nature reserve along the route connecting Cusco, Puno, and the Colca Valley, Tinajani is a historic hacienda adorned with family heirlooms and complemented by luxury tented lodges offering modern comforts. Canvas roofs shelter wood floors and fireplaces, while meals feature local produce and farm-style roasts and stews. Days unfold with guided hikes through the canyon, scenic drives across the Altiplano, or simply sitting still to watch the ever-shifting shadows.

4. Lake Titicaca

Beyond the bustle of Puno City, the vast expanse of Lake Titicaca -- the highest navigable lake in the world, stretching across 3,204 square miles, roughly the size of Puerto Rico. Its deep turquoise waters shimmer beneath snow-tipped Andean peaks, while reeds sway along the shoreline, providing both habitat and livelihood.

The lake is home to the Uros floating islands, more than 130 man-made platforms constructed entirely from layers of totora reeds. Visit Indigenous families that have sustained themselves for centuries, and watch them weave their homes, boats, and daily lives from the grasses that grow in the shallows.

A short boat ride to Taquile Island, a UNESCO-recognized cultural landscape, unveils stone paths that lead past terraced farms where potatoes and quinoa are grown. Villagers in richly embroidered costumes carry on traditions passed down through generations. Distinctive woven hats and shawls reveal social status, community roles, and even marital intentions, making textiles a living language of identity. From the hilltops, panoramic views stretch across trumpet-flower gardens to the luminous expanse of the lake.

At Titicaca, sleek rooms overlook a tranquil counterpoint to the energy of Puno. Spend days kayaking along reed-lined coves, hiking into birdwatching trails, or swimming in the bracingly clear water. In the evening, join a sundowner on the lawn, a fine dinner overlooking the lake, and guided stargazing.

(Hike and explore Inca ruins on Lake Titicaca's largest island.)

5. Nauta

Deep in Peru's northern jungle lies Nauta, a small riverside city in the Loreto region that serves as the gateway to the Amazon, with the feel of a frontier town. Colorful wooden houses line narrow streets, moto-taxis buzz past open-air markets, and life revolves around the water.

Just outside the city, the Marañón and Ucayali rivers converge to form the Amazon, a dramatic meeting point that marks the symbolic birthplace of the world's largest river system. From Nauta's Malecón (riverfront promenade), watch fishing boats drift along the currents, and embark on Delfin Amazon Cruises, one of Peru's luxury cruise operators that worksalongside isolated communities to help preserve traditions and build sustainable livelihoods.

"Our natural response has been to design a mechanism for change -- what we now call the BioRest Program (BioCultural Restoration) for restoring biodiversity, protecting native resources for future generations, and carrying ancestral knowledge into modern conservation. We want every traveler who joins us to step into a living cycle of conservation and culture, where livelihoods remain in harmony with the forest and its creatures, and where we hope to continue inspiring extraordinary collaborations," says Delfin founder, Aldo Macchiavello.

Their boutique riverboats are designed with panoramic windows and open decks, offering uninterrupted views of the jungle as they venture deep into the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, an 8,030-square-kilometer protected area known as the "jungle of mirrors" for its glassy blackwater lagoons that reflect the forest canopy. Three and four-night cruises include excursions to spot pink river dolphins, guided walks through flooded forests alive with monkeys and macaws, and night safaris to listen to the chorus of frogs and insects under a sky crowded with stars. The experience blends comfort with exploration, offering intimate access to one of the most biodiverse corners of the planet.

Step beyond the well-trodden paths of Peru into the unsung towns and landscapes for a rewarding experience that will leave a memorable impact on yourself and potential the places and people you visit along the way.

(How to plan the ultimate adventure to Peru, from the ancient Machu Picchu to the thermal waters of Cajamarca.)

Sucheta Rawal is a food and travel writer, keynote speaker, founder of Go Eat Give, and author of a series of children's books on travel. Follow her on Instagram.