Top 5 places you shouldn’t miss when visiting Peru!
Written by Mete Kaynar, student from Travel Journalism Academy.
Machu Picchu, mouthwatering food, and fluffy alpacas. That’s what you think when hearing about Peru. As a student from Travel Journalism Academy I got the chance to go with travel journalist Igor Kondrat for a travel reporting expedition to explore the Sacred Valley of the Inca’s. I will bring you on a journey between the Andes Mountains to explore the Inca culture of this magical country. We will cover my favourite 5 places that you can’t miss while visiting this diverse country.
Cusco – The Heart of the Andes
This is not an ordinary place. When I first arrived in Cusco, I immediately felt a magical atmosphere in the air. Surrounded by mountains, ancient Inca history and Spanish colonial architecture, Cusco offers a unique combination of cultures and landscapes. Because of the high altitude, experiencing a headache is possible, and the streets are interestingly narrow. However, adapting to the altitude is part of the experience, and tasting coca tea was an unforgettable part of my journey.
Ollantaytambo – Between Mountains and Inca Temples
Machu Picchu, mouthwatering food, and fluffy alpacas. That’s what you think when hearing about Peru. As a travel journalist I will bring you on a journey between the Andes Mountains to explore the Inca heritage of this magical country. I will list top 5 places that you can’t miss while visiting this diverse country.
Machu Picchu – The Lost City
My journey did not finish after Ollantaytambo. I continued my trip with the unforgettable experience of visiting Machu Picchu. This ancient city is one of the most important and famous archaeological sites in the world. When I finally saw the enormous green mountains surrounding Machu Picchu, I understood why so many people dream of visiting this place and taking pictures of it. I was amazed by how the Incas built and managed such an impressive city in such a remote location. I could not take my eyes off the beautiful landscape.
4. Rainbow Mountain – The Challenge of Climbing
Located at a very high altitude in the Rainbow Mountain was one of the biggest physical challenges of my trip. While climbing the mountain, I needed oxygen support from a mask because of the high altitude. After using the oxygen, I was able to continue climbing more quickly. When I finally reached the highest point, I could breathe the natural mountain air and enjoy the incredible view. The colorful layers of the mountain created an unforgettable landscape. I also did not forget to take pictures with the local alpacas, which made the experience even more memorable.
Sacred Valley – Huilloc community
I saw many people wearing colourful traditional clothes and introducing local foods like “Patchamanca” to visitors. It was interesting to see how they continue to protect their traditions in their daily lives. For me, the Sacred Valley was not only a beautiful place to visit but also a chance to see and experience a more traditional side of Peru.
Conclusion
Visiting Peru it is not easy and not resting holiday it is really challenging for hiking and walking with less oxygen. Before visiting don’t forget to take your hiking shoes, sunscreen, and waterproof jacket because I didn’t take my sunscreen and that’s why I got my face burned. It’s not an all inclusive tourism holiday, but an expedition to come back with an authentic story to tell.
Written by Mete Kaynar, student of Travel Journalism Academy
Check out his Instagram for more inspiration.
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