A Journey Through Peru’s Dramatic Terrain in Expedition Videos

"There were so many wonderful experiences. (I) was just like sitting in the car with my husband and saying, 'Wow, look at that! Look here! Look there!'” says Benno. Benno and Uli, from Germany, had previously joined Nomadic Road’s Mongolia expedition.

No matter which Nomadic Road adventure you pick, expect this: new landscapes, remote terrains, and extreme experiences, all made possible by four wheels. But when asked how the Peru expedition compared to Mongolia, the couple agreed on one thing: “It was different.”

Despite common threads, each Nomadic Road expedition offers a unique experience. On our signature Mongolia expedition, you spend 12 days overlanding in Asia’s largest desert. It's remote, as you can imagine. Private camps and tents are your home most nights. You typically go days without seeing another human. It’s eerie, yet there’s a haunting beauty in it.

That beauty drew Benno and Uli to sign up for another adventure.

This time, they chose Peru. This journey takes travellers through a past Dakar Rally route, lagoons, deserts, oceans, lakes, and volcanoes. Unexplained mysteries and ancient civilisations dot the path, with encounters of endemic flora and fauna. Most nights, you stay in hotels, but that doesn’t mean this trip lacks adventure.

In fact, when asked “Why Peru?” most travellers cited adventure as their reason. Watch them say it for yourself below.

A Journey of Firsts

Adventure aside, everyone had their own reasons for joining the Peru expedition.

"I'm currently at the age where I'm questioning everything," says Antje. For her, travelling is one of the best ways to experience new things. And a Nomadic Road expedition takes it up a notch. These journeys are designed to transform your world as you know it.

Mountains can be purple, salt flats rest beneath volcanoes, and hailstorms hit deserts. Everything you thought was impossible comes alive right in front of you.

Antje also wanted to hit a country she'd never seen, and Peru was it. Peru might not be in the spotlight, but for those who dare to go, raw beauty is everywhere.

For Rajiv and Jas, this was their first time travelling in a group. Usually, they're lone wolves. For solo travellers, group adventures can be intimidating. But Rajiv and Jas hit the jackpot with their crew — a blend of Germans, Canadians, Arabs, Indians, Indonesians, and French.

Moreover, on Nomadic Road expeditions, every unit — whether a solo traveller, family, or couple — gets their own vehicle. It might seem counterintuitive, but sharing a ride with strangers on long journeys isn't for everyone.

Our goal is to strike a balance between independence and group dynamics. For Rajiv and Jas, this balance was priceless. It ensures a real travel experience without the herd mentality.

Of Extreme Highs & Lows

The Peru expedition tests you right from the start. On day one, we tore through the Paracas Desert, a former Dakar Rally battleground, led by ex-Dakar Rally driver Cesar Rivera. The brutal sand sections pushed us to our limits.

Steep desert dunes demanded serious driving skills and deflated tyres for better traction. Many got stuck, turning the last hour into a post-sunset, pitch-dark showdown. It made the adventure even more thrilling, even if it did delay our sundowner at the campsite.

But Nomadic Road travellers chase these lows. They know that with great risk comes great reward. Despite the delays, arriving at the campsite at night was a spectacle.

Antje nailed it in the video: the campsite was a “completely magical place.”

We had set up a private, remote glamping spot. An unexpected delight in the middle of nowhere, at one of the most iconic locations imaginable. After the day we had, arriving here was nothing short of mystical.

Talking highs and lows, the Peru expedition cranks up the intensity with dune bashing — taking 4x4s across shifting dunes. There’s no room for stability here, and it's easy to feel intimidated by these towering sandy structures.

“Never knew we could do it. But we did,” says Lakshmi, one of the travellers. This sentiment echoes through every Nomadic Road expedition. It's the thrill of pushing your limits and surprising yourself that drives these adventures.

Epic, Epic, Epic!

Steve sums up his Peru expedition in three words.

“Every day, every hour, every corner you turn is just another revelation,” he adds.

In Peru, the scale of natural wonders is mind-blowing. Take Cotahuasi Canyon, nearly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, plunging to about 11,000 feet. Then there’s the relentless drive up into the Andes, where treacherous switchbacks and steep drops challenge every driver’s nerves. “Some of those roads are so narrow, you think, ‘This road is only as wide as the car,’” Steve recalls. “It’s exhilarating and exciting, but also quite challenging.”

But reaching Andagua, the Valley of Volcanoes, makes every challenge worthwhile. With nearly a hundred unique volcanoes, cactus groves, and villages perched on ancient lava flows, this place seems almost otherworldly.

The Andes continue to impress as we drive at altitudes between 3,500 and 4,000 meters. The rugged, untouched beauty is complemented by the scent of wildflowers and herbs, while herds of llamas wander across the landscape. As the expedition draws to a close, we arrive at Lake Titicaca — another stunning marvel crafted by the Andes.

"Nothing can really do justice to what we saw. We just have to take it with us as an experience,” says Lakshmi. 

When you consider the vast range of experiences the Peru expedition offers, it makes sense. You start on tarmac roads, then move through dunes, drive alongside rivers, cruise on the beach with sandy dunes on one side, and navigate hills, canyons, and plateaus. 

All of this, in just southern Peru, feels nothing short of a miracle. Sounds like an adventure you’d love? Here’s a sneak peek you mustn’t miss.