Pirwa Travel

The Best Times of Year & Day to Visit Machu Picchu

March 22, 2015 Pirwa

Alongside price, weather is one of the most important factors to take into account when planning a visit to Machu Picchu. November, December, January, February and March constitute the rainy season for much of Peru, especially in the Cusco region. If you’re a photography enthusiast, or if you plan on hiking to the ruins, this is a difficult time to visit because of the mud along the trails and the fog which envelops the site for much of the day. Also, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu closes for the entire month of February for maintenance. (Machu Picchu itself stays open, as do the popular alternative trails.) On the upside, January, February, and March are the touristic low season, with much fewer tourists milling about, leading to lower prices for lodging and tours.

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Sandboarding Thrills by Huacachina Oasis near Ica, Peru

February 25, 2015 Pirwa

The cities of Ica and Nazca are found south of Lima, along Peru’s desert coast. Not far outside of Ica, one finds Huacachina Lagoon, surrounded by some of the largest sand dunes in the world. (You can take a taxi there from Ica for about S/5 Peruvian soles).

Its massive sand dunes are attractive to travelers who careen along them in 4-wheel-drive sand buggies or try sandboarding, which is thought to date back to the ancient Egyptians. Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding or surfing, except that it takes place on sand dunes rather than snow-covered mountains or waves. (The main differences in equipment are that sandboards are generally harder than snowboards, waxed to increase speed on the sand, and may or may not have straps for your feet.) It’s a fun sport that can be practiced year-round. Rather than a lift, sandboarders get to the top of the sand dunes by walking or riding a dune buggy.

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Extreme Adventures in Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas

February 24, 2015 Pirwa

Cusco will forever be known as the former Imperial City of the Incas and famed for its Incan and Colonial architecture and historical sites, but the city can also make a strong claim to being one of Peru’s adventure sports meccas.

Today, we’re compiling our fave favorite activities for thrill seekers:

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7 Awesome & Overlooked Wonders of Peru

February 11, 2015 Pirwa

Peru has such an overwhelming wealth of natural, cultural, and historical richness that merely working out your itinerary must-sees can be a challenge. Some, such as the Nazca Lines and Machu Picchu, have become so iconic that they require no mention. Others you may not have heard about yet. In no particular order, this is a list of some of our favorite awesome & overlooked Peruvian wonders:

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From Cusco to Puno along the Sun Route

January 27, 2015 Pirwa

Each morning at 7:30am, buses leave Cusco for Puno. While some are direct trips, others follow the ‘Sun Route’ and offer guided stops along the way, where one can enjoy Incan ruins, colonial art, prehistoric history, scenic landscapes, and an Andean buffet. With the added visits, the journey takes about 9 hours total to cover 250 miles, and it’s available in the reverse as well, from Puno to Cusco.