Peru: Where Landscapes, Mysteries, and Ancient Civilizations Converge

In Month'24, a diverse group of explorers—Germans, Canadians, Arabs, Indians, Indonesians, and French—took on Nomadic Road’s Peru expedition.

This thrilling adventure is the ultimate blend of experiences. It takes travellers through a past Dakar Rally route, lagoons, deserts, oceans, lakes, and volcanoes. Unexplained mysteries and ancient civilisations lie scattered along the way, with endemic flora and fauna encounters.

Despite its epic offerings, Peru doesn’t quite bask in the spotlight. But for those who do travel to Peru, a world of raw beauty awaits.

Here's visual proof of a trip that was. It featured surprise guest appearances and serendipitous moments when vehicular challenges revealed otherworldly views.

Most Nomadic Road expeditions ease you in, letting you bond with your vehicle. Not Peru. The Peru expedition tests you from the start. On day one, we drove south from Lima into the Paracas Desert, a former stage for the 2019 Dakar Rally. Brutal sand sections pushed us to our limits, with ex-Dakar driver Cesar Rivera leading the charge.

Some sections demanded special driving skills to navigate steep desert dunes. The tyres had to be deflated for better traction. Many got stuck, turning the last hour into a post-sunset, pitch-dark challenge. It’s what made the adventure even more thrilling, but delayed our arrival for the sundowner at the campsite.

Despite delays, arriving at the campsite at night was a spectacle. We had set up a private, remote glamping experience. An unexpected delight in the middle of nowhere, at one of the most iconic locations imaginable.

The camp was set along the South Pacific Ocean in one of the world's driest deserts. Tyre tracks marked the sand, glinting under the morning sun. As we drove out, towering windmills and desert dunes surrounded us. Ahead lay the expedition's most mysterious destination: the Nazca Lines. When you travel to Peru, this is an unmissable sight.

Nazca, a desert plateau in southern Peru, hosts ancient geoglyphs etched into the earth's surface. These colossal drawings depict animals, plants, and geometric shapes, and have puzzled scientists for centuries. We arranged a private flight over the Nazca Lines. For an hour, travellers marvelled at these enigmatic figures from above.

Next, we set out for Cotahuasi Canyon, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. We climbed the Andean mountains through countless switchbacks, passing snow-capped dormant volcanoes. At one point, a vehicle's clutch failed. As we worked to fix it, the sky turned dramatically beautiful. Suddenly, the challenge had meaning.

The Andean Plateau reveals an ever-changing tableau—volcanoes, deserts, oceans, and canyons all in one ride. We navigated daunting Andean mountain passes, ascending to heights of 5,000 meters above sea level. Along winding routes, picturesque villages punctuated our journey, adding charm to a terrain that’s rugged at best.

Amid these unique landscapes, local Peruvian flora and fauna thrive. In the highlands, llamas shoot curious looks your way. Alongside lagoons, flocks of Andean flamingos lounge in the waters.

Descending into the Colca Canyons, we tackled narrow, treacherous dirt roads that resemble plant roots from above. The Peru expedition spans miles of this jagged terrain. Every driver remained razor-focused. There was simply no other choice. Each earned a triumphant, chest-thumping moment at the end.

In one section, we drove through stunning canyons where two small rivers merged. Some of us ventured down to a riverbank oasis, surrounded by lush trees and birds. It was like uncovering a hidden world, full of secrets waiting to be discovered.

Amidst rugged cliffs and sheer canyon walls, an eerie beauty unfolded. We spotted the majestic Andean Condor, as was highly anticipated. It has an awe-inspiring wingspan of over 7 feet, effortlessly soaring through the canyon's depths.

The Peru expedition is a journey of superlatives that extends far beyond just canyons. It culminates at Lake Titicaca, sitting at 3,810 meters altitude. It's not just the world's largest navigable lake, but also the continent's largest. This sacred site is believed to be the birthplace of the Incas, steeped in rich history.

These are the iconic floating Uros Islands, handcrafted by Peru's ancient Uru people. Using dried totora reeds, which grow naturally in Lake Titicaca, they create not only these islands but also their distinctive homes and traditional boats, called balsas. It's a testament to exploring beyond our boundaries. 

Staying put means missing out on the wonders of the world.

Southern Peru — Untamed, Rugged, and Pristine

On Nomadic Road’s thrilling adventure through southern Peru, we venture into uncharted territories. Here, tourist-free landscapes stretch for miles, where llamas and sparse locals accompany our convoy. This expedition stands out with its exhilarating desert overlanding, perfect for those who crave the untamed.

It’s aptly dubbed the Uncharted Sierra Expedition for a reason.