In the last two articles (here you can find part 1 and part 2), I already shared some impressions and tips for traveling through this amazing country. Today I will take you to the next stops of our route: from Cusco we hiked to the ruins of Choqueqirao, traveled to the beautiful town of Arequipa in the South and from there to the coast and along the Panamericana to Lima. As I wrote before, Peru is bigger than you think and for 500 km you might need more than 100 hours by bus, so make sure to bring some time 🙂

Impressive ruins and untouched nature

Our next adventure leads us from Cusco to the “small sister” of the Machu Picchu: Choqueqirao is a ruined city resembling the Machu Picchu, it is not yet completely excavated and it is much more difficult to be reached. It is a strenuous 3-4-day hike to Choqueqirao. crossing a gulch in which it goes 1,500 meters down and on the other side up again and all vice versa the next two days.  It is strenuous, but it is worthwhile. Not only the ruin, but also the way is impressive and the view is gorgeous! And if you arrive on the second day tired and sweaty in Choqueqirao, the ruin unfolds a nearly magic effect.

Relaxed charm in Arequipa

From Cusco the route leads us to Arequipa in the south of Peru. The town is surrounded by three volcanoes and nearby the gulches of the Cotahuasi and the Colca canyons are located here. However, also Arequipa itself is worth the journey! The center is UNESCO world cultural heritage since 2000 and the town emits a relaxed charm perfect for relaxation after the demanding trekking tour. Worth a visit (even if not cheap) is the cloister Santa Catalina: once it was a self-sufficient small town in the midst of the city. Though I am not a regular worshipper the guided tour of the cathedral Arequipas is really exciting.

Along the coast: Animals, nature and a lot of relaxation

From Arequipa we headed on the Panamericana Sur to the coast with a long stop in Paracas. In front of the coast lies the Islas Ballestas for which probably most travelers come here. The islands can be visited daily by small boats and is home to many animal species like Humboldt’s penguins, guano cormorants, pelicans and different seal species. Even if the tours were rather touristic, we could watch many animals in their natural living space.   Another highlight is the Paracas Nationwide reserve: We were impressed by the wild sceneries and the empty dream beaches. Obviously only few travelers take the time to explore more in Paracas and its surroundings– the better for us!

We have gained so many impressions that we could go on and on. 😉 From Paracas we have made stops in Ica, Huacachina and Chincha, before we went to Lima and then back home. In four weeks, we have only seen a part – Peru is so divers, make sure to bring enough time.

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