Peru in 2026: Eight Unmissable Destinations Beyond Machu Picchu
Quartz's 2026 Peru travel guide highlights eight destinations beyond Machu Picchu, organized by region rather than proximity to Cusco. The Sacred Valley offers Inca ruins like Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and Moray's terraces, plus adventure options at Skylodge. Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), Peru's second most-visited site, requires high-altitude trekking above 16,500 feet. Lima's Barranco district and celebrated food scene contrast with ancient sites. The Amazon around Iquitos and Tambopata provides multi-night wildlife experiences. Lake Titicaca features the Uros floating islands and UNESCO-recognized Taquile textiles. Arequipa's colonial center and Colca Canyon, nearly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, offer condor viewing. Huaraz serves the Cordillera Blanca with turquoise lakes, while Kuelap in Chachapoyas remains a less-crowded pre-Inca city.
Key facts
- Machu Picchu remains a top Peru attraction, but the country offers diverse regions including coastal desert, Amazon, and Andes.
- The Sacred Valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu has been inhabited for at least 1,500 years.
- Ollantaytambo ruins, Pisac, Moray, and Maras salt pans are notable Sacred Valley sites.
- Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) is Peru's second most-visited site, over 16,500 feet high.
- Lima's Barranco district has a contemporary art, coffee, and fashion scene, and the city is a culinary capital.
- The Peruvian Amazon around Iquitos and Tambopata offers multi-night wildlife experiences.
- Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake, with Uros floating islands and UNESCO-recognized Taquile textiles.
- Colca Canyon is nearly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, with condor viewing near Arequipa.
- Huaraz is gateway to Cordillera Blanca with turquoise lakes like Laguna Paron and Laguna 69.
- Kuelap, a fortified pre-Inca city in Chachapoyas, is a less-crowded alternative to Machu Picchu.
Entities
Artists
- Rodrigo Carrillo
- Marco Luigy
- McKayla Crump
- Aarom Ore
- Edy Ramirez
- Jeison Higuita
- Megan Kotlus
- Nicky Manosalva
- Larry Garcia Pezo
Institutions
- UNESCO
- Skylodge Adventure Suites
Locations
- Peru
- Machu Picchu
- Cusco
- Sacred Valley
- Ollantaytambo
- Pisac
- Moray
- Maras
- Rainbow Mountain
- Vinicunca
- Red Valley
- Lima
- Barranco
- Amazon rainforest
- Iquitos
- Tambopata
- Lake Titicaca
- Bolivia
- Puno
- Uros floating islands
- Taquile Island
- Arequipa
- Colca Canyon
- Grand Canyon
- Huaraz
- Cordillera Blanca
- Laguna Paron
- Laguna 69
- Kuelap
- Chachapoyas
- Gocta Falls
Sources
- Quartz —