I'm planning a trip to Peru for August with my husband and 13 year old son . I was in Peru approx 20 years ago so have some ideas but I'm sure a lot has changed. Any idea on what to see besides Machu Picchu of course and the best way to travel independently between points , hotels suggestions etc .
Thanks !

Colca Canyon, Huacanchina, Lake Titicaca (homestay if you can), Nazca. Hike Machu Picchu and definitely hike Rainbow Mt. Hit up the Galapagos in Ecuador while you're there!

Thanks ! Did you use a tour operator or on your own ?

G adventures! Worth every dime

We did tour with Llamapath & saw most of above plus floating islands. Stayed in research centre. Great light & water show downtown Lima. We flew, bused and took train, hiked into Machu Pitsu. Don't miss anything.

Thanks ; I'll check this tour operator out

I'm going too. I'll be keeping an eye on this post!

Stay in the Amazon! We went to Iquitos(fly in only) unless u want to take long boat ride. From there into the jungle for three days at a jungle lodge. Loved it however if you don't like bugs and or awesome nature then don't bother. Really enjoyed Peru overall but that was one of my best experiences. Off the power grid.

Right! Amazon was amazing too. It's been a year and it's starting to fade

Thanks ! We will definitely get the Amazon in the itinerary

Sounds amazing !

There's a great Eco resort out of Puerto Maldonado called inkaterra. They pick you up from the airport and take you by boat into the amazon. There's activities everyday and food is included. The best part is going out into the forest. We saw everything from river otters and sloths to tucans and monkeys

Thanks this sounds worthwhile ! How many nights did you spend ?

4 nights. The cabanas are beautiful and screened in. Ours was on the lagoon so we could watch all the wildlife. The resort also provides rubber boots for trekking around in the mud and guides for all excursions.

I bet your son would like sand surfing - if it works on your tour to stop there it was fun http://www.huacachina.com/.../dunebuggy-and-sandboarding.htm

Thanks ! This looks like a blast ; I'll check it out

I'll also check into the Peru hop . Did you find it to have a reliable schedule ?

Huacachina (sand surfing spot) was one of the stops on Peru Hop. I found the schedule to be quite reliable though there was an accident on the road one night that put us behind several hours. If I were to do it again, I discovered that there are overnight buses that have full laydown seats. I would take one of those from Puno to Arequipa and then start the Peru Hop there back to Lima so that you can take advantage of the stops. They also helped with hotel bookings and what not as I didn't have that booked.

We also made our own way from Cusco to Lake Titicaca and from there used Peru Hop to get back to Lima - it was pretty easy to use them https://www.peruhop.com/

I'm from Peru and have been leaving in Canada for almost 29 years. I've gone back quite a few times and whenever I have the chance to travel Peru around I do. Many people have nice suggestions. Machu Picchu, Puerto Maldonado, Lake Titicaca (Puno). Also Arequipa (known as the white city) with its Santa Catalina monastery which is a city in itself which is definitely worth going. Then to the north, you have beautiful beaches like Mancora, Punta Sal. Also north east you have Cajamarca. This is a beautiful city. OMG I can go on an on about all the things to see. If you want PM me and I can tell you more about the other places!!

Arequipa! How could I forget! The empanadas

The food in Peru is to die for and the pisco sours!!!

Thanks ! I will be sending you a message on messenger soon

We spent six weeks in Peru We liked the colca canyon, chachapoyas, Trujillo and Puno area. There is very good bus service between a lot of cities for pics of the trip see www.thegingerandthejew.com blog

Thankyou ; I'll check out your blog !