20 Things to Do in Peru in Your 20s

When visiting Peru—if you’re one of those intrepid travelers—you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Amazon rainforest. Head to the jungle city of Iquitos and take a multi-day excursion into the thick foliage of the Amazon where you’ll find millions of plants, insects, and animals that you’ve never seen before.

Peru’s coastline is dotted with perfect left-hand waves, suitable for both beginners and experts. But if it’s your first time, nothing beats the warm waters and sunny skies of Mancora. With a consistent swell and fearless surf instructors, you’re guaranteed to stand up on a wave.

The famous Inca hike is best done in your 20s—not that you can’t do it in your wiser years, obviously. Hiking the Inca trail isn’t a walk in the park, especially at that altitude, and you don’t want to miss out on the beautiful scenery because you’re gasping for air.

This powerful, mind-altering medicine can be enjoyed by anyone at any time in their life, but there’s nothing like experiencing the life transforming brew at a young age, when your life feels open with infinite possibilities.

There are many different hikes throughout the area, all of which offer some of the best views of snowy mountain peaks and pristine lagoons in all of Peru. The hikes are strenuous, but just wait until you see the views—let’s just say it’s more than worth it.

The desert oasis of Huacachina offers endless orange sand dunes, perfect for a day of sand boarding and off-roading.

Peru might just have the best cycling in the world. You’ll climb high into mountain passes through the Andes and ride through remote mountain villages.

Colca Canyon near Arequipa, Peru is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and offers thrill seekers hiking, biking, and camping options—and remember to look up, you just might catch a glimpse of the elusive Andean condor.

At 5,822 meters, brave the chill and altitude to climb volcano Misti that looms large over Arequipa.

Scattered throughout the Sacred Valley are Inca ruins that you can enjoy in a day hike, or spend four days on long treks through the sacred land of the Incas.

The ancient tradition of reed boat-making has been in Huanchaco for thousands of years. Learn how they make it and then try your luck surfing a caballito de totora.

Take a walk around the beautiful, white historical center of Arequipa. At night, enjoy some cocktails and dinner in Arequipa’s romantic Plaza de Armas.

Head to the beach city of Mancora where the company Pacífico Adventures, which is made up of marine biologists, will pick you up and take you on the ocean to find some breaching whales—it is more than worth the money and they’ll make sure you find some whales.

Lima is home to some of the world’s best restaurants and chefs, offering Peruvian fusion and progressive takes on Peruvian classics—and you can never go wrong with the ceviche.

Lake Titicaca is home to the Uros people, who build reed islands on the world’s highest navigable lake. The area around is very remote, which means that you’ll have the opportunity to do a homestay with someone from the community. It is a moment in time that you’ll never forget.

There are many ways to go down the Amazon river, but there’s nothing like doing it on a cargo ship, the lifeblood of the Amazon, delivering supplies to remote villages along the river.

Peru is home to some of the world’s best wind and kitesurfing beaches such as Lobitos and Pacasmayo. If the waves are blown out, it’s time to give wind surfing a chance.

There’s no better way to see the Sacred Valley of the Incas than from the top of a horse. You’ll go over rivers, through grassy valleys and see snow-capped mountains all without breaking a sweat.

Once you make it to the top you’ll find a mountain comprised of rainbow-like colors (hence the name, duh)—but the hike to the top isn’t easy. At 5,200 meters above sea level, Rainbow Mountain is no joke.

The new health craze from the Amazon is a poison secreted from a frog, called kambo. The shaman will scrape the back of a frog to get the poison and then burn it into your arm which will release toxins from your body.

For adrenaline junkies there might not be a better bang-for-you-buck than whitewater rafting down through the Sacred Valley. With all different types of rapids, there’s something for everyone’s skill level and hubris.