Hello Friends. Katie Lorenz, here! Peru is absolutely one of my favorite countries. It has SO much to offer. This will be the first of a number of blog posts sharing some of my personal Peru favorite places and activities. Have questions? Shoot me an email at:
I LOVE sending people to visit some of my favorite places in Peru and I would be glad to answer any questions!
The Tambopata Reserve
One of my favorite places in Peru is the jungle. Fly into Puerto Maldonado Airport and from this growing port town you can tour and even stay in the Reserve. Here you can see amazing creatures and landscape that you cannot find any place else! Massive river otters 4 feet long and 50 lbs, piranhas, tarantulas, walking trees, and adorable yet potentially dangerous frogs.
I highly recommend Jony as a tour guide. He is fantastic, but the whole company is amazing!
Ausangate Mountains Oconogate, Peru
There are many places to visit outside of Cusco such as Machu Picchu, which is amazing and definitely worth the trip, but a bit off the beaten path you can trek through the Ausangate Mountains. There are many trekking options, one five days in length is popular among travelers. My favorite way to go is visiting our friends in Ocongate, a lovely group of ladies who make our wrist appliques. They have alpacas that live up in the mountains and some of the most gorgeous views that I have ever seen!
Highly Recommended Tour Company: Come See Peru Tours
They do Rainbow mountain tours, which is beautiful. Juan Carlos is an AMAZING Tour Guide. He really knows these places and tells th best stories.
If you want to do Ausangate tours outside of Rainbow Mountain....Email us! We can hook you up with our artisan friends who live in the mountains!
Uros Winay Totora (aka Part of Lake Titicaca)
Lake Titicaca is a more familiar place to most. Uros is part of Lake Titicaca, which (fun facts) creates a natural border between Peru and Bolivia in South America. It’s 12,500 feet above sea level, is the largest lake in South America and the world’s highest navigable lake. On Lake Titicaca, one ancient people, the Uros, live on islands made of living reeds that float around the lake. The Uros people have been living on the lake for hundreds of years—they were forced to take up residence on the floating islands when the Incas expanded onto their land. In the shadow of the Andes the Uros make their living from fishing and from selling their reed handicrafts to tourists. Incan mythology claims that the lake was the site where civilization first began.
Alright, lots of history I know, but this place is so ASTOUNDING. Here’s the insider tip go STAY on Isla Winay Totora in Uros:
Why? Live like the locals, fish, cut reeds, make floating boats, and enjoy the AMAZING cooking of this lovely family.
Those are just three places with PEOPLE that I would highly recommend visiting. The spots and views are phenomenal and touring with these groups will make the experience amazing!
Enjoy!