Lessons from Peru

At the end of 2025 we spent two weeks in Peru, meeting artisans in the Sacred Valley, hiking part of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu and taking in the volcanic city of Arequipa, with time carved out for the vast Colca Valley. What unfolded wasn’t a checklist of highlights, but a slow immersion — a country revealing itself through food, faith, colour, landscape and the quiet generosity of its people, resulting in the most wonderful feeling of sense of place and understanding of Peru.

What was evident is that Peru invites you to slow down – and it is to be embraced! Stories emerge at markets, around shared meals, on mountain paths and in conversations with farmers, chefs, textile makers and guides. Together, they reveal a culture shaped by deep respect for land, tradition and time. Below are a few examples of what you can expect to experience from Peru, and we especially loved.

FOOD AS IDENTITY

Peru’s food alone is worth the visit. From ceviche and Lomo Saltado to Anticuchos and Nikkei cuisine, meals here are rooted in place and season. Ingredients are treated with historical reverence — corn in countless varieties, potatoes cultivated over centuries, quinoa grown where it thrives.

Markets hum with daily life. In Arequipa, we ate Queso Helado (a delicious ice cream and no, no cheese is included!) on a plastic chair, surrounded by flowers and woven textiles — proof that some of the most memorable dishes need no white tablecloth. With Lima consistently ranking among the world’s top food cities, exceptional dining can be found everywhere if you know where to look, and exceptional food in some of the more unassuming spots.

ANCIENT ROOTS, LIVING CULTURE

The Inca ruled for only a century from 1438 to 1533, yet their influence shapes Peru to this day. Stone terraces ripple across mountainsides, ancient roads trace valleys, and perfectly fitted masonry stand resilient against time and earthquakes. Their understanding of harmony with nature still defines the landscape — a philosophy that survived colonisation, blending with Spanish traditions rather than disappearing.

This blending is visible everywhere: baroque churches layered with indigenous symbolism, Catholic saints sharing space with ancient Andean beliefs. Faith here feels lived-in — present in roadside shrines, candlelit courtyards and festivals that connect people to history, land and one another.

Beyond organised religion, Peru carries a quiet spiritual current. Mountains are protectors. The earth is alive. Daily offerings to Mother Earth coexist naturally with Catholic devotion. Sitting with a shaman priest, we learned of the Inca sacred trilogy — Condor (heavens and future), Puma (earth and present), Snake (underworld and past), this trilogy symbolizes the interconnectedness of the Inca realms – all vital to Inca understanding of life, death, and balance. A simple ritual of gratitude felt gentle, inclusive and grounding.

WALKING THROUGH VASTNESS

Peru is made for walking. From valley paths to high-altitude treks, hiking here is less about arrival and more about rhythm (although the arrival is always spectacular) — footsteps tracing ancient paths through terraced hills, light shifting across peaks, silence stretching wide. Whether entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate or hiking the dramatic Colca Canyon, the scale humbles and rewards in equal measure.

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Video: the one day trek to Machu Picchu, a highlight of our trip. Through the forest, past waterfalls, butterflies and Inca sites, arriving at the Sun Gate high above Machu Picchu. One for the memory bank.

ART, COLOUR AND WILDLIFE

Art appears everywhere — woven into textiles, splashed across city walls, carved into stone. Many woven textiles tell stories older than the written language, carrying a meaning passed down through generations that still hold much mystery. Everyday materials, namely alpaca and llama wool, become objects of beauty, while religious art blends European technique with Andean soul, reflecting resilience and identity.

Peru’s biodiversity is equally astonishing. Condors soar above Colca’s canyon walls. Llamas, alpacas and vicuñas graze the high Andes. Along the coast, sea lions, penguins and pelicans thrive; further north, whales arrive in warmer waters. From butterflies clinging to canyon cliffs to the deep Amazon beyond, wildlife feels inseparable from the land itself.

HOSPITALITY

Amongst all the colour, gastronomy and breath-taking scenery, the people of Peru over hugely welcoming and there is a wide variety of accommodation options from beautiful boutique hotels through to international luxury brands and privately owned 5* hotels. Depending on your time, budget and style, we can advise the best option for you.

Peru doesn’t ask to be rushed. It asks you to listen, to walk slowly, to taste keenly — and in doing so, you don’t just visit the destination. You feel part of it.

Get in touch with us now to start planning your own journey through Peru: info@exceptional-travel.com

Photos from our trip through Peru