Peru must be on your travel bucket list if you love pictures and photographs. Its varied, colorful, and picturesque landscapes will give lots of reasons to practice your best shots to later upload them in your preferred social media.
Today, we’ll focus on the perfect spots in Peru so you can not only live unforgettable moments but you can also capture them in photos. Let’s see!
Machu Picchu
Our first consideration is kind of obvious, Machu Picchu is the most sought-after tourist attraction in our country, and the main reason why foreign visitors want to visit Peru. The panoramic views the old inca citadel offers are unparalleled and priceless. Let us show you some spots you may consider when visiting Machu Picchu, so you can boast your pictures on Instagram:
The Sun Gate: The most frequently visited spot for Machu Picchu photographs is the Sun Gate. Since the Sun Gate sits atop a steep slope above the ruins, it offers an excellent view of the entire site. Visitors may obtain a wide view of the ruins and the surrounding mountain range, making it the perfect spot for photographs. The Sun Gate is a great place to start your photo journey in addition to being the first place people see when they arrive at Machu Picchu.
The Terraces: From this spot, the perspective is not only conveniently located (only a short walk from the iconic shot), but it is also less crowded with people, giving you a little more time to experiment with your compositions. Many people consider that this is the best spot to take photos thanks to the good illumination.
The iconic picture spot: This place is next to the guardian’s thatched house, you’ll easily recognize it as a large number of tourists will be lining up to have their iconic photo as well. If you want to take a picture, there will be a tiny flat rock to sit on. Many guided groups will pause here so that visitors may get their “postcard shot” with Machu Picchu, so plan on waiting a few minutes. However, in the meantime, you can take some practice shots.
Cusco City & The Historic Center
Cusco is a city considered the “gateway to Machu Picchu”, but it’s much more than that: It was the cradle of the former Inca Empire, it has inca architecture everywhere, and its cobblestone streets will captivate you. We recommend a walking tour through the city to enjoy every corner, especially in the historic core, as it’s full of Instagrammable places such as the following:
Cusco’s Plaza de Armas: The city’s inca and European past collide in this square, as the colonial building surrounding it has an Andean cozy atmosphere. You can capture beautiful shots or selfies, especially when the sun goes down.
San Blas Neighborhood is the bohemian neighborhood in Cusco, its colorful buildings, cobblestone streets, and stairs, where you can have nice angles, make it one of the most instragammable areas in Cusco.
Cristo Blanco is the small version of “ the redeemer” in Brazil, located outside the city, next to Saqsayhuaman fortress. You may get a good view of the size of the city and the nearby holy valleys from here. Photos at Cristo Blanco can be contemplative and serene due to the place’s peaceful atmosphere.
Sacsayhuaman Fortress is outside Cusco City and offers panoramic views thanks to its highly located position. Sacsayhuaman was originally built as a ceremonial hub, it houses some temples honoring the sun, moon, water, and other Inca deities. But this wasn’t only use; the discovery of weaponry and food storage facilities inside its buildings proves that it served as a military facility as well.
Sacred Valley & its Villages
The group of villages that make up the Sacred Valley has its own charm, although we recommend you visit all its villages, we recommend you visit Pisac, Maras/Moray, and Ollantaytambo. Although Pisac is known for its archaeological sites and its market, at the entrance you’ll find a stunning viewpoint, the Taray Sightseeing, where many visitors take the chance to practice their best shots.
We recommend you as well visiting the artisan market and walk through its streets, as Pisac is small. Maras and Moray are 50 minutes away from the city, Maras is a collection of more than 3,000 salt ponds that date back to inca times. Moray is what we can call an ancient inca lab, consisting of three groups of circular terraces, strategically created to experiment with endemic crops.
On the other hand, Ollantaytambo is more than just the place where you’ll take the train to Machu Picchu: The Andean-colonial mix will captivate you, along with the imposing mountains, Ollantaytambo Archaeological site, we can say that this village is a living museum itself. Believe us when we tell you that the views and the shots you’ll have from these spots are the best you can have in any other destination.
Lake Titicaca
On the Peruvian side of the lake, you can see Islands like Taquile, Amantani, and the well-known Floating Islands of Uros. Being able to board one of the boats that travel across the Titicaca to get to one of these gems while taking in some of Peru’s most breathtaking scenery is a wonderful experience.
Additionally, as agriculture, handicrafts, and tourism are all part of the residents’ daily lives, it is possible to sample each person’s unique gastronomic pleasures during these excursions by Lake Titicaca. Be ready to live the adventure while taking the best pictures that this lake offers.
Humantay Lake
One of the most beautiful lakes that Peru offers is the Humantay. Around 4000 meters above sea level, and after 2 hours of walking, you’ll find the pristine clear waters of the Humantay. This natural masterpiece is a photographer’s dream since the surrounding glaciers’ melting water is rich in minerals and gives the area an emerald jewel glow all year round.
If you enjoy the outdoors as much as we do, you should know that Peru has additional vibrant lagoons that are well worth seeing, like the stunning Laguna Paron and Lagoon 69 in the Huaraz area.
Inca Trail
Most of the places we are discussing are in the Cusco region, as you may have guessed by now. You shouldn’t be shocked because this region receives more tourists than any other in all of Peru. The Inca Trail, which traces the ancient path the Incas once used to reach the Inca citadel, is the most popular alternate method to reach Machu Picchu.
Because of the roughly 40 km length and variety of ecosystems it passes through, this historical trail demands that you know how to pack your luggage with the essentials. Although this path is not an easy task, we can ensure it’s worth it as all the varied landscapes make the best chance to take lots of high-quality pictures. If you love hiking and trekking, we recommend the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and the next attraction you’ll see below.
Rainbow Mountain
Thanks to its soil rich in minerals, “ Vinicunca” has this unusual color that dyes its surroundings. This group of mountains went viral in 2015 thanks to social media. Located near the towering Ausangate Mountain, the rainbow mountain has gained popularity and is one of the most visited attractions when visitors pass by Cusco, receiving more than 1,500 visitors per day.
This mountain is located two hours away from Cusco, more than 5,200 meters above sea level. Be sure to adapt to the weather before you visit this area.
Huacachina
Two hours away from Lima, you’ll see a beautiful lagoon in the middle of the desert, you may think it’s a mirage, but it is not: We’re talking about the only oasis in South America, the famous Huacachina. This natural wonder offers activities, adventure, new experiences, and lots of chances to experience your best shots.
Sandboarding is a free leisure activity for most dune buggy excursions, you can drive through the desert and then use a sandboard to slide through an array of dunes. Near the Huacachina you can taste Peruvian wine or pisco, where you may learn about the distillation process and sample some of these well-known drinks on guided tours offered by some of the most well-known distilleries.
After riding an ATV or doing sandboarding, we recommend sitting on the sand dunes watching the sunset with your relatives or your partner: This is the perfect time to capture beautiful moments!
Peru is one of the most complete destinations in the world, with hidden gems, great food, and the best places to take beautiful pics. We encourage you to see all the destinations on the list for yourself!
Travel with Viagens Machu Picchu to discover these destinations and more! What are you waiting for? Pack your stuff and start living your dreams in Peru.
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