5 Under The Radar Places to Check Out in Peru

The first thing that comes to mind when most people hear Peru is Machu Picchu and/or the Inca Trail. While those two sites are amazing, Peru has over a million square kilometers of beaches, Amazon rainforest, and other beautiful ruins. Our top Peruvian off-the-beaten-path destinations are below.

1. Huacachina Oasis

In the southwest part of Peru, in a small village named Ica, is a desert oasis that is the perfect place to relax. Large dunes conceal the oasis that is home to a mere 100 people. Visitors venture to this location for a quiet retreat in the middle of the desert. Many come to sandboard the 500-meter-high dunes or drive buggies around the surrounding desert.

Legend has it that a hunter discovered an Incan princess bathing naked, causing her to flee. It is said that the mirror she left behind became the lake and her clothes formed the surrounding dunes. In the 1900s, wealthy Peruvians flocked to the lake for its healing muds.

READ ALSO: Peru’s Southern Coast: Where the Desert Meets the Pacific

2. Choquequirao

Not far off from the famous archaeological site of Machu Picchu is a lesser-known ruin called Choquequirao, or the Cradle of Gold. Choquequirao receives only tens of visitors per day despite being three times larger than its more famous sister.

These ruins are believed to be the last city that the Sons of the Sun took refuge in during the 16th century when fleeing from Cusco, and archaeologists have only uncovered about 30% of the site.

Tourists must hike two or four days from Cusco, twice as difficult as the Inca Trail, to reach this destination. The Peruvian government is considering installing a cable car. This hike is for experienced hikers!

READ ALSO: Inca Trail vs Salkantay vs Choquequirao: Which Trek is Right For You

3. Mancora and Huanchaco Beaches

Most people know about southern Peru’s ruins and cities, but northern Peru has many beautiful and secluded beaches. Consider Mancora and Huanchaco, ideal for beach vacations with excellent food, surf, and whale watching.

The food in the north is also some of the best in the country and features a lot of fresh fish. Local tourists know about these beach towns, but foreigners are just discovering Peru is more than ancient ruins and Lima.

READ ALSO: Why Northern Peru Should Be Your Next Destination

4. Cotahuasi Canyon

Few people know that the U.S. has several deeper canyons besides the Grand Canyon. The third largest canyon in the world, the Cotahuasi Canyon between Cusco and Arequipa, is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.

At its deepest point, Cotahuasi Canyon is 3,535 meters deep and is cut by the Cotahuasi River. Many villages and people reside in this canyon and a number still adhere to an old way of life. Visiting this canyon is like taking a step back in time for Peruvian culture and is a great off-the-beaten-track spot to visit.

5. Chacapoyas and the Kuelap Fortress

Another spot in northern Peru that is fairly unknown among foreign tourists is Chacapoyas, the gateway to the Kuelap Fortress, a pre-Incan ruin. It is named after the Chacapoya people, or the People of the Clouds and is also in a strategic area along the Amazon rainforest. It is now a busy market town with its airport and a number of activities.

Aside from the fortress ruins, there are two waterfalls, the Yumbilla and Gocta, 896 and 771 meters, respectively, that are some of the tallest in the world.

Museum of Mummies in Leymebamba, large sarcophagi in Karajia, and Pueblo de los Muertes, The Town of the Dead, are nearby attractions for mummy enthusiasts. Treks from a few hours to a few days in this region offer stunning views.

The places above offer a different view of Peru than Machu Picchu and Lima, which are must-sees. You can see beaches, deserts, and the Amazon jungle in this amazing country.