Colca Canyon, Peru – What You Need to Know
There are a few ways to visit Peru’s spectacular Colca Canyon. The best for you will depend on what you want from the experience!
There are a few ways to visit Peru’s spectacular Colca Canyon. The best for you will depend on what you want from the experience!
Is Lima safe for tourists is the number one question for backpackers visiting Peru’s capital. We break down how to stay safe in Lima and offer tips…
Peru’s Nazca lines hold the intrigue scientists, historians and travellers alike. There are several ways to see the Nazca Lines for yourself! Read on…
Palccoyo or Vinicunca? That is the question! If you’re struggling to choose between Peru’s rainbow mountains, this guide will tell you everything you need to know!
A shortlist of the best Cusco hostels for backpackers! If you want to meet fellow travellers and have an amazing time in Cusco, choose…
Did you know that around 4 million alpacas live in Peru?! This article is full of facts about Peru you may not know…
Lomo saltado is a classic Peruvian dish and the ultimate in comfort food. Seen on menus across the country, this hearty meal promises to get your tastebuds going!
Peru is an outdoor enthusiasts dream. if you’re looking for trekking inspiration, these hikes in Peru offer world-class scenery and an adventure you’ll never forget.
Looking for places to visit in Peru? Look no further! Our list compiles the top destinations in the country, from world-class attractions to off the beaten track gems!
When it comes to unique tastes, visitors should not miss sampling a variety of Peruvian fruit. With sweet treats and sour citrus options, you’re bound to find something refreshing!
There’s a powerful and sacred plant that has been used by shamans in the jungles of South America for thousands of years. Due to its perceived spiritual powers, backpackers from all over the world have been traveling to remote communities to experience special ‘ceremonies’ deep in the heart of the jungle.
The Pisco Sour might be Peru’s national drink but there is far more to the country’s drink scene than that! Here are our pick of the top Peruvian drinks that you can’t live the country without trying!
Whilst most travellers head to the floating islands from Puno, there is far more to see. Explore Taquile on foot and stay in a homestay on Amantaní island! This tour offers an authentic look at the culture and the lives of those living off the shores of Lake Titicaca.
A foodies paradise! Peru is celebrated as having one of the most exciting gastronomical scenes in the world. And the best news for backpackers is that it’s cheap, not restricted to fancy restaurants and there is a huge variety of healthy, delicious dishes that could having you trying something new every day of your trip!
There are several well-known ways to travel to Machu Picchu; the Inca Trail which will set you back over $600 USD, or the more ‘backpacker-friendly’ Salcantay Trek or Inca Jungle Adventure Trek (around $225 USD). But what if your budget doesn’t stretch to tailored treks and expensive tourist transportation? How can you visit the world famous UNESCO World Heritage site whilst spending as little as $70 USD including all of your transport and accommodation? Here’s how…
Sanboarding is a must do activity in Huacachina but did you also know you can sand ski there? Our writers went to check out both of these adventure activities. But how did they measure up? Is this backpacker rite of passage worth the hype?
Swimming with sea lions at Palomino Island in Peru is a great activity for backpackers. It is cheaper than a trip to the Galapagos and promises unforgettable memories. Here is everything you need to know about this unforgettable activity close to Lima!
Laguna 69 is one of Peru’s most beautiful natural wonders. This magical lagoon is located at 4,600 m.a.s.l and is one of the main reasons that travellers visit Huaraz. Trek up to the lagoon for breathtaking views and decide whether to visit independently or on a day tour with the help of this article.
Curious about hiking the Inca Trail, regarded as one of the world’s most iconic journeys? Tine Haslam Nielsen heads off, ready to tackle a three day trek through the Andes Mountains of Peru. With blistered feet she climbs, upwards and onwards, working towards the rewarding vistas of Machu Picchu which await at the finish line. Along the way history dances, nature stuns, and a healthy dose of self pride emerges…
Backpackers heading to the party town of Máncora can be overwhelmed when it comes to accommodation choices. If you’re partial to a tipple but still want to get out on the waves first thing (not to mention save your pennies), head to Geko Hostal. Check out our review, here.
For a central stay in the city of Arequipa, look no further than Le Foyer Hostel. It certainly brings in good reviews from travellers but does it live up to the hype? South America Ambassadors Sheree and Tim went to check it out!
Palccoyo Mountain, near Cusco, is a little-known treasure. We were so pleased we found out about this alternative to Vinicunca. It offers the same spectacular sight as its famous sister, but none of the crowds! Who could ask for more?
Lima House Hostel is one of the most popular hostels for travellers to Peru’s capital. But does it live up to the hype? Find out here!
Social vibe? Check. Clean rooms? Check. Great staff? Check. Perfect location? Check. Is there anything Magicpacker Hostel can’t offer a backpacker?!
A quirky and homely hostel with an incredible community feel. If you’re looking for a great budget place to stay in Arequipa, Peru, try Limbo Jump Hostel!
From the moment you step foot in Nasca city, you will be welcomed into Nasca Trails B&B like a member …
Nasca Trails B & B – A Warm Welcome in Nasca, Peru! Read More »
Peru may well be the foodie capital of South America. With so much of the continent being known for stodgy carbs and deep fried food, Peru offers a much-needed change for the traveller looking to expand their palate! This country boasts 3000 species of potato and 55 varieties of corn, surely there is no better place to do a cooking class!?
In Arequipa, we visited Chaqchao Chocolate Factory to take the “Bean to Bar” Chocolate Workshop! A Highly Recommended, Alternative Travel Experience!
An oasis of paradise located just minutes from the sea in Peru’s beach town, Mancora, Casa Nomade is the perfect escape from the tooting of tuk tuks of town and the overzealous beach vendors. Both quiet and peaceful with beautiful green spaces, this is the ultimate home away from home!
If I told you that there is an incredible salt lagoon just 3 hours outside of Arequipa that sees hardly any tourists – would you believe me?
Is it your dream to fly over the Nazca Lines in Northern Peru? We recommend a reputable airline company, tell you how much it costs & how to prepare!
For travellers looking to recharge their batteries, there is no better retreat than Orchid Hostels in the heart of Lima, Peru!
Near the backpacker haven of Huacachina lies the City of Ica. On a Full Day Tour, travel writer, Sheree, samples Pisco, wanders the Vineyards & goes Sandboarding!
It may not be raved about like Machu Picchu but in a few years, Kuélap is sure to be recognised as one of the best archaeological sites that Peru offers.
Looking for an amazing place to stay in Huacachina, Peru? At Banana’s Adventure Hostel you’ll find a swimming pool, a social vibe, great food & FREE tours!
Laguna de Conache is the perfect place for a sandboarding adventure! Just half an hour away from the Northern Peruvian city of Trujillo…
Backpacker Ian Saberton savours the slow pace of authentic river travel in Peru, travelling from Yurimaguas to Iquitos to Pucallpa. Travelling the way the locals do, Ian watches the river landscape go by, makes friends with his fellow passengers and gets a nasty bout of every traveller’s favourite topic of conversation – traveller diarrhoea!
South America offers some of the best mountaineering adventures in the world. With the spine of the mighty Andes stretching along the West coast from Colombia to Chile – the hiking opportunities are endless. 18-year old backpacker, Tomas Aramburu tells us about how he summited Huayna Potosí in Bolivia and Mount Soray in Peru and fell in love with the mountains…
When three 23-year old French backpackers travelled to Peru last year, they didn’t think that their journey would result in a life-changing project. Wandering through the streets of Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire, they came across a pair of shoes, sneakers to be precise, with a textile pattern that was unique and eye-catching. Why not bring this distinct design to Europe and the rest of the Western world? AND – at the same time, create a brand that is beneficial to the local people of Peru… Here is their special story!
Machu Picchu, Inca ruins, Cevice, Pisco sours, trekking, the Andes… We don’t often associate Peru with Yoga and Meditation. Here, traveller and yoga teacher, Laura Heininger describes her experience of living and teaching Yoga in the seaside town of Mancora, Peru, a place once renowned for surf and party…
We sat on our boards waiting for another set to come in, with the sun bouncing into our eyes off the cold Pacific water as a lone Pelican skimmed the surface just meters from us, pausing momentarily in mid-air like time had stopped, shaking the water from its feathers before beating its giant wings and gliding away again toward the distant fishing boats in search of food. In this exact moment I smiled and thought to myself, ‘I love my life!’
Despite the obvious value for money offered by the various tour companies, sometimes you just want a bit more freedom. Here’s our DIY Guide to the Colca Canyon!
It’s kind of a surreal experience the first time a baby Red Faced Uakari monkey drops out of a tree onto your head. Due to hunting and habitat destruction this species is among the rarest primates in South America. Corey Callahan describes an incredible experience working as a conservation volunteer at Pilpintuwasi Animal Orphanage in Padre Cocha, Iquitos, Peru…
Mila Brill and her boyfriend spent six incredible months mountain biking, rock climbing and paragliding in three countries of South America: Peru, Chile and Argentina. Through their encounters with local people they discovered amazing roads, scenery, secret climbing Meccas, awe-inspiring places to pitch their tent and along the way found ultimate freedom of life on the road and learnt some very important life lessons…
Travel writer Andrew Digges shares his experience traveling down the Amazon river via cargo boat. With monkeys as neighbors, a hammock for a bed, and a colorful cast of characters to help pass the time, we are transported into a world rarely visited by backpackers. Read about this unique and exciting adventure and get inspired to step far off the gringo trail!
We recently traversed ‘the most dangerous border crossing in South America’ from Ecuador to Peru. What did we find? A whole lot of nothing, the process was actually quite easy. Read our account of the trip so that your experience is equally unspectacular!
The spectacular city of Cusco is on most travelers list to South America. Here are 10 things that you should know about the city before you land!
Located on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca, Taquile is one of those rare places that remains remarkably untouched by globalization. From hearty bowls of Quinoa soup to fortunes told by coca tea leaf formations, we realize just how much you can soak up in a mere 24 hours.