From misty mornings in Lima to seeing Machu Picchu emerge from the clouds, Radders from our HA finance team shares her first impressions of Peru, and why it completely exceeded expectations. For years, Peru had been one of those places I’d heard people talk about with a kind of reverence. Friends who had visited always came back saying the same thing: " You’ll love it.” Still, nothing really prepared me for what it actually felt like to experience it for myself. I travelled to Peru with my friend George for two weeks in February, during the rainy season, something we knew could be a gamble weather-wise. But honestly? Peru completely exceeded every expectation I had. It wasn’t just Machu Picchu. It was the colour, the energy, the landscapes, the food, the people, the atmosphere. It felt completely different to anywhere else I’ve ever travelled before. George (left) and Rdders (right), desert in Huacachina, 2026. First Impressions of Peru We flew into Lima and stayed in Miraflores for the first few nights. On our first morning, we woke up to heavy fog rolling in from the sea, very typical for that time of year, and I remember thinking, "This might be a very grey start." But then the fog suddenly lifted, revealing the coastline and the ocean beyond, and I felt excited immediately. Taken by Radders in Lima, 2026. What struck me most was how green and colourful Peru felt. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much variety of fruit in my life. We wandered through local markets in Lima later in the trip, and stalls were overflowing with fruits I couldn’t even name, bright colours everywhere. We ended up trying almost all of them, some incredibly sweet, some unbelievably sour, before enjoying the leftovers in a smoothie afterwards. 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"Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); There’s a community feeling in Peru that’s hard to describe until you’re there. People gathering to watch the sunset, children playing in parks late into the evening, rollerbladers weaving through squares, music coming from cafés and bars. It just felt lively in the best possible way. I really loved Lima, especially the coastal atmosphere around Miraflores, the artwork and murals across the city, and the food scene. But, if I was planning my first Peru trip again, I’d probably spend slightly less time there and allocate more time to places like Cusco and the Sacred Valley instead. Lima felt like an amazing introduction to Peru, but for me, it was the mountains, culture and landscapes further inland that completely stole the show. Taken by Radders, Artistic scene in Lima, 2026. 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item.classList.toggle("d-md-block"); } }); const anyHidden = Array.from(items).some(item => item.classList.contains("d-none") || item.classList.contains("d-md-none") || item.classList.contains("d-xl-none") ); e.target.textContent = anyHidden ? "Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); Is Peru safe and easy for first-time visitors? Before I went, one of the biggest things people warned me about was safety, particularly in Lima. But honestly, I felt completely safe throughout the trip. Of course, like anywhere, you need to stay aware of your surroundings and use common sense, but I actually felt more nervous walking around parts of London with my phone out than I did in Peru. We used our phones constantly for maps, photos and directions and never had any issues. There were even evenings when George went back before me, and I stayed out alone. I never felt uncomfortable at all. Gerorge and Radders in Lima, 2026. I think there’s a misconception that Peru feels difficult or intimidating to travel around, but I found places like Lima and Cusco surprisingly easy to navigate. Taxis and Ubers were incredibly cheap and easy to organise, although I’d definitely recommend checking prices with the other taxis beforehand rather than immediately jumping into the first taxi offered (as you may get overcharged). That said, Peru is definitely a destination where expert planning makes a huge difference. Both George and I come from travel backgrounds, but George organised the whole thing. There’s so much to see, so many routes, tours and logistics to think about, and I can absolutely see how overwhelming it could become without guidance. We had planned a lot, but still left space for spontaneous wandering, which turned out to be some of my favourite moments. One of the biggest misconceptions I had before visiting Peru was that it would feel really expensive once you were there. Obviously, flights are a significant part of the budget, but beyond that, Peru can actually be done in lots of different ways depending on your travel style. We mixed lower-key backpacker-style tours and activities with a few upgraded experiences, like the panoramic Vistadome train to Machu Picchu, and it worked really well. Food and drink were incredibly reasonable considering the quality. Some of the best meals of the trip cost far less than they would have back home. Cusco completely stole my heart Out of everywhere we visited, Cusco was the place I loved the most. I still remember arriving late at night, opening the balcony doors and seeing the hills and mountains surrounding the city. That was the moment it suddenly hit me that we were really there, the start of the adventure. Cusco feels really magical. The architecture, the mountains surrounding the city, the little cobbled streets climbing uphill in every direction. Everywhere you turn, there’s another viewpoint, another hidden café, another tiny bar filled with locals. 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item.classList.toggle("d-md-block"); } }); const anyHidden = Array.from(items).some(item => item.classList.contains("d-none") || item.classList.contains("d-md-none") || item.classList.contains("d-xl-none") ); e.target.textContent = anyHidden ? "Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); We walked endlessly while we were there, often drifting far beyond the main square and into quieter local neighbourhoods where you could look back down over the whole city. Those were probably some of my favourite hours of the entire trip. The food scene was also incredible. One of my favourite meals of the trip was at Cicciolina, a restaurant recommended to us by Dawn (our HA Peru expert). I opted for the duck egg scallops, and I’m still thinking about them now. Taken by Radders, La Plaza de Almas in Cusco, 2026. What the altitude in Peru actually feels like If there’s one thing I underestimated before visiting Peru, it was definitely the altitude. As an experienced skier, I'm used to high elevations, but you still need to be careful; altitude will catch up with you if you push too hard. We arrived in Cusco late and then spent the next day walking everywhere, constantly uphill. At the time, we felt fine, but later that afternoon we sat down for one cocktail, and suddenly I felt unbelievably drunk. That was the first moment I realised the altitude really does affect you in strange ways. The following day, we definitely needed to slow down and rest. My biggest advice for anyone visiting Peru for the first time would be: Give yourself time to acclimatise properly. Don’t fly straight into Cusco and immediately attempt Rainbow Mountain or intense hikes. Leave at least a day or two in between. There are pharmacies everywhere, local remedies available, and even sweets and oxygen sprays designed to help with altitude. We didn't need to go as far as buying remedies, but it was good to know that they are there if needed. And try not to panic too much about it beforehand; I found myself getting into my own head a little bit, which happens to the best of us, but all in all, of course, I ended up being fine. Seeing Machu Picchu for the first time Nothing, absolutely nothing, prepares you for the scale of Machu Picchu in real life. I think before visiting, most people imagine that one famous postcard viewpoint. But when you’re actually there, you realise how enormous it is, how dramatic the setting feels, and how unbelievable its location really is, hidden high within the mountains. We visited Machu Picchu as part of a two-day trip through the Sacred Valley. One thing I’d really recommend is upgrading to the Vistadome train if you can. The panoramic windows, live music and open-air viewing carriage made the journey itself feel like part of the experience. The actual morning we visited was chaos in the best possible way. 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video.remove(); img.src = "https://placehold.co/600x400/EEE/31343C?text=Browser+cannot+play+video+:(+"; }); video.addEventListener("seeked", function() { if (!isProcessing) return; const canvas = document.createElement("canvas"); canvas.width = video.videoWidth; canvas.height = video.videoHeight; try { canvas.getContext("2d").drawImage(video, 0, 0); const dataUrl = canvas.toDataURL("image/jpeg", 0.8); img.setAttribute("src", dataUrl); } catch(e) { console.error("Failed to generate thumbnail:", e); } video.remove(); canvas.remove(); }); // Add media fragment to only load first second video.src = `${videoUrl}#t=0,1`; video.load(); } }); }); document.addEventListener("click", function(e) { if (e.target.matches(".zen-gallery-expand")) { const items = document.querySelectorAll(".zen-gallery-item"); items.forEach((item, index) => { if (index >= 12) { item.classList.toggle("d-xl-none"); } if (index >= 9) { item.classList.toggle("d-md-none"); item.classList.toggle("d-xl-block"); } if (index >= 6) { item.classList.toggle("d-none"); item.classList.toggle("d-md-block"); } }); const anyHidden = Array.from(items).some(item => item.classList.contains("d-none") || item.classList.contains("d-md-none") || item.classList.contains("d-xl-none") ); e.target.textContent = anyHidden ? "Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); We woke up incredibly early, and it was pouring with rain. Everything was soaked. We’d booked multiple circuits for the day, thankfully, because when we first reached the classic viewpoint, Machu Picchu was almost hidden behind thick cloud. I remember standing there, absolutely drenched, while our guide kept telling us all about the incredible history of the area, waiting for the weather to clear. Then suddenly, for a few seconds, the clouds lifted, and George and I just ran towards the viewpoint to see it properly. Even in the rain, it still felt magical. In some ways, the dramatic weather almost added to the atmosphere. The smell of rain, the mist moving through the mountains, the scale of everything around us- it felt really surreal. Later that day, we tackled the hike up Huayna Picchu, which turned out to be far steeper and scarier than I’d anticipated. Somewhere along the climb, I realised I might actually be a little afraid of heights. But reaching the top and seeing Machu Picchu far below us in full sunshine made every slippery step worth it, and it was definitely my favourite part of the Machu Picchu experience, with the combination of a little adventure and then, of course, the views once we arrived at the top. Beyond Machu Picchu: the parts of Peru I wasn’t expecting One of the biggest surprises about Peru was just how varied it is. In the same trip, we explored Lima’s coastline and ancient ruins, spotted sea lions off the coast near Paracas, sandboarded through the desert dunes of Huacachina at sunset, tasted pisco in Ica, wandered through colourful markets in Cusco and hiked through the Andes. Rainbow Mountain was another unforgettable experience, partly because it was half-covered in snow when we arrived, something Dawn said she’d never seen before. For a moment I was gonna be a little fobbed off if everything was covered in snow, but of course, it ended up being incredible. Beforehand, I hadn't really comprehended how genuinely tough the altitude was there. It is even harder than Machu Picchu, as it’s higher, but seeing the deep red landscapes of the Red Valley afterwards made it completely worth it. Radders in Huacachina, 2026. Huacachina was probably the place that surprised me most. I’d imagined this peaceful desert oasis surrounded by silence, but parts of it actually felt much more backpacker-oriented than expected, with bars, clubs and a lively social atmosphere around the dunes. That said, I’d still absolutely recommend visiting. The dune buggy rides, sandboarding and sunset over the desert were incredible, just maybe not quite the isolated desert experience I’d imagined beforehand. On a side note, we also found Paddington Bear in Peru! This silly little moment made Peru feel a little familiar, I think? We may have been a few thousand miles away, but it made the space between Peru and home feel smaller in a way. 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"Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); Food, people and the atmosphere of Peru The food in Peru honestly deserves its own trip. Before visiting, I never imagined I’d end up loving ceviche as much as I did, especially as someone who wouldn’t usually go for raw fish. But some of the best meals of the trip were the simplest ones: fresh seafood in Lima, cocktails in San Blas, tiny cafés tucked into Cusco’s hillsides. One thing I weirdly became obsessed with in Peru was espresso naranja; espresso mixed with orange juice. It sounds completely wrong, but somehow worked brilliantly in the heat. Peru kept having little moments like that throughout the trip: unexpected things you’d never think to order at home suddenly becoming part of the experience. So much of my trip, I created so many fond memories, and at the top of the pile are definitely my interactions with the wonderful people. They’re so kind and warm! Everywhere we went, people were welcoming, friendly and genuinely proud of their country. You could feel how passionate local guides were about Peru’s history, landscapes and culture. 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"Show More" : "Show Less"; if (anyHidden) { const expandButton = document.getElementById("zen-gallery-expand"); const rect = expandButton.getBoundingClientRect(); const scrollTop = window.pageYOffset || document.documentElement.scrollTop; window.scrollTo({ top: rect.top + scrollTop - 200, behavior: "instant" }); } } }); Would I go back to Peru? Without hesitation: yes. I’d go back to Cusco first. I think I fell a little bit in love with the city while I was there. And honestly, I’d even go back to Machu Picchu again. It’s one of those places that really does live up to the hype. If I had one piece of advice for anyone visiting Peru for the first time, it would be this: Don’t underestimate how much planning goes into doing Peru well, especially when it comes to experience, routes and timings. It’s the kind of destination where expert guidance genuinely transforms the experience. But once you’re there? Peru has this way of completely pulling you in. It’s colourful, emotional, adventurous, beautiful and unlike anywhere else I’ve ever travelled. Taken by Radders, Rainbow Mountain, 2026. Peru is ready to surprise you too. Yes, there are the headline moments: Machu Picchu emerging through the clouds, the vast Andean landscapes, the colours of Cusco’s markets. But there are so many smaller treasures to uncover. The conversations with locals, the late evenings wandering unfamiliar streets, the smell of rain in the mountains, the feeling of stepping somewhere completely different from everyday life. For first-time visitors, Peru can feel both exciting and overwhelming simply because there’s so much to experience. But with the right pace, thoughtful planning and time to properly immerse yourself in each destination, it might just become one of the best trips you have ever been on. Will you follow in Radders’ footsteps with your very own Peru adventure? Get in touch today; our experts Lou and Dawn are here to help! Ready to finally visit Peru? Speak to our Peru experts, Louise or Dawn today. ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS