Home to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, Machu Picchu, Peru features on almost every cultural traveller’s bucket list.
The country’s culinary scene, heritage architecture and textile traditions may be less visible than its archaeological sites, but they’re every bit as fascinating.
Like other Latin American countries including Colombia and Mexico, Peruvian culture represents a centuries-old layering of native and Hispanic traditions. The living heritage of the country’s Quechua, Aymaran and Incan communities can be felt in everything, from the colourful costumes and festivals to the food.
Guest author and Peru expert Clotide is here to share her thoughts on Peruvian culture and her top recommendations for travellers.
This is a guest post by Clotilde from A Princess Travelling with Twins, a website to help you organise travel adventures with small kids.
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Peru is one of the most varied countries in the world.
In common imagination, Peru has always represented Eldorado, the land of gold, splendor of the Inca civilisation, and the mystery of Machu Picchu. In reality, Peru is much more than that.
Peru is a multicultural nation, rich in traditions that are still part of the daily life of Peruvian people today. It’s a country with an exquisite gastronomy and no fewer than 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Peru covers a vast territory and it can be difficult to decide where to go and what to see. (This 2 week Peru itinerary will help you narrow down your options.)
Understanding some of the country’s most important traditions and how they are embedded in contemporary Peruvian life will help you to have a much deeper travel experience and connect with the people you meet along the way.
6 ways to connect with Peruvian culture
Here are 6 cultural experiences you shouldn’t miss in Peru.
1. Expand your knowledge of Inca culture at Machu Picchu
Discovered only a little over a century ago, Machu Picchu had been abandoned for about four centuries. Perched on a mountain more than 2,400m above sea level, it’s a fantastic testimony to Inca history and culture.
Built around the year 1450 and inhabited for less than 100 years, Machu Picchu was probably abandoned when the Spanish conquerors arrived. Given its precarious location, it was never discovered and destroyed by the Spanish like many other cultural sites were. Left empty, nature took its course and the jungle slowly enveloped the citadel.
In 1911, Hiram Bingham re-revealed its existence to the world and brought these magnificent ruins to light once again. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, Machu Picchu is now the most-visited tourist attraction in Peru.
A trip to Peru without visiting Machu Picchu is unthinkable, but it requires a minimum amount of preparation. The government limits the number of visitors per day and tickets for high season usually sell out months in advance.
There are organised tours that can facilitate your visit, but with a bit of forward planning, it’s quite simple to organise your trip to Machu Picchu independently. Intrepid travellers can walk for four days along the Inca trail (this needs to be booked in advance); others can stay in the tourist town, Aguas Caliente, at the foot of the mountain.
Ideally you should spend a few days in the Sacred Valley, an excellent starting point to visit Machu Picchu. If you hire a car, you can visit some of the other charming villages and cultural attractions in the area.
2. Enjoy Peruvian cuisine (and learn how to cook it)
Food in Peru is a serious matter. The variety, quality and taste makes Peru a fantastic foodie destination. Lima is often ignored by hasty travellers, but it isn’t by chance that it’s defined as the gastronomic capital of South America.
If you spend a couple of days in Lima, you will have an opportunity to savour the delicious street food and also the refined dishes of world-renowned chefs. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to learn how to replicate these delights at home by participating in a Peruvian cooking class.
An ideal option is to rent a car and visit the Sacred Valley independently so you can participate in a cooking lesson in one of the enchanting Andean villages. These are often held at the chef’s own home.
In Urubamba you’ll find Pakakuna Posada Gourmet, where Chef Diego – after explaining how Chinese and Japanese immigrants of the past century have greatly influenced ingredients used in Peruvian cuisine – will teach you new skills to take home.
Classes take place in the garden behind Posada. You will learn the secrets behind a perfect lomo saltado and ceviche, adding to your appreciation for Peruvian food culture.
3. Explore historic Lima and Cusco on foot
Lima and Cusco have one thing in common: they are the present and past capitals of Peru. Apart from this, the two cities are almost completely different.
Lima is a modern city in a period of chaotic growth where traditions survive, but are almost overshadowed to make way for new buildings. In contrast, Cusco still perfectly represents the most important city that thrived under the Inca empire.
Many tourists mistakenly arrive in Lima only to immediately leave on the first flight to Cusco. Instead, give yourself the opportunity to devote a few days to Lima – it will give you an opportunity to get closer to Peruvian culture by absorbing the history and witnessing its evolution over time.
The Historic Centre of Lima was classified a World Heritage Site 1988. The city of Cusco was recognised by UNESCO in 1983. Both cities have varied attractions, but participating in a walking tour should be at the top of your to-do list.
In Lima, you should concentrate on the compact Historic Centre and the large number of monuments and churches it contains. In Cusco, you will have to walk at a good pace to cover all the points of interest.
In addition to historical background, a guided walking tour will give you a good introduction to the customs and cultures of past and present Peru.
4. Learn about Inca astrology at the Cusco Planetarium
At the Cusco Planetarium you can learn how astronomy played a fundamental role in Inca culture. The study of the stars was linked to agriculture. It was a way to mark the seasons, to decide the sowing and harvesting times; but at the same time, it was a key element in religion and even city construction.
Tours are very well organised. In high season, it’s necessary to book online in advance. The planetarium is located in the Sacsayhuamán archaeological park and the Reserva Ecológica de La Ullipaya north of the city, but tours usually meet in the city centre.
The visit is divided into three parts: You will first receive a general introduction, then move to the dome for a careful explanation of the constellations and their influence on the Inca Empire through fascinating visual projections. Finally, you go outside to appreciate the stars and constellations for yourself using powerful telescopes.
Warm blankets are available but it’s usually very cold and sometimes wet, so it’s important to dress warmly.
5. Visit the Chinchero Market and ruins
The rustic village of Chinchero is another gem where visitors can come into contact with local traditions through a colourful market and ruins. Traditional markets are common throughout Peru, but the most beautiful objects and vibrant cultural displays are found in smaller towns and villages such as Chinchero.
Chinchero is famous for its weaving traditions. At the Tupay Andean Textile Center, you can watch live demonstrations. The market is quite small and although it’s become more touristy in recent years, it still retains much of its authentic character.
Chinchero is higher than Cusco at an elevation of almost 3800m. If you’re used to the altitude, you can make the steep climb to visit the ruins, the plaza, and a lovely adobe church. The view of the terraces, still used to farm various crops, is wonderful.
6. Visit the Titicaca islands: Uros and Taquile
The Uros are perhaps the most fascinating of the various Peruvian ethnic groups. Their culture is one of the oldest still practiced in present-day Peru. The Uros are the traditional owners of Lake Titicaca and their presence in the area dates back to before the arrival of the Incas.
The Uros began to build and live on floating islands as a way to defend themselves from the arrival of enemies and make a quick escape if required. The islands are constructed from Totora reeds that grow abundantly in Lake Titicaca.
Totora has innumerable other uses: some parts can be cooked, and it can be used to build simple huts. It’s also used as currency and even for medicinal purposes.
A visit to the floating islands can be done with an organised tour or independently. It’s a wonderful experience, but unfortunately it can be quite touristic and busy in high season. For this reason, I recommend spending a few nights on the island of Taquile.
When the last boatload of day visitors leaves after lunch, this is the moment when you can truly appreciate the beauty of the place and have a more genuine experience of the everyday culture and traditions.
One of these traditions is textiles. Taquile is famous for its weaving, which is only practiced by men, and has been handed down through the generations. It’s such an important form of cultural expression that it has been recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
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