Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za

19 July 2025

5-minute read

Celebrated for its textured landscapes, ancient cultural heritage, enticing array of attractions, landmarks and natural wonders, Peru has something to offer every avid traveller. From the mighty Andes and emerald jungle of the Amazon to quaint villages and epic coastlines, Peru is a wonderland for experiences of unforgettable encounters. Home to the iconic Incan remnants of Machu Picchu, historic Cusco and the glorious Sacred Valley, as well as the mystical Nazca Lines, the world’s second deepest canyon Colca, and Lake Titicaca, Peru is a veritable nirvana for cultural and history aficionados. Turquoise lagoons, glaciers, and mystical archaeological ruins complete Peru’s enchanting natural offering.

Founder of Explore with Dr Z, Zaheera Soomar is an avid traveller, a humanitarian, a mountain climber, a professional executive, an academic, and a mother of three. Born in South Africa, she has lived in Botswana, India, the UAE and Canada. With a passport stamped by over 70 countries, Zaheera is an adventurer and a curator of extraordinary journeys, an expert at designing travel experiences that create lasting memories.

South Africans do not need a visa when travelling to many of the Latin American countries, and Peru is one of them. There is a flight from Johannesburg directly to Sao Paulo in Brazil, and from there, a traveller can fly on to Peru.

With easy access to the Amazon jungle via Iquitos in the northeast accessible only by air or river, or Puerto Maldonado in the southeast reachable by both air and road, Peru is an attractive destination for tourists from all over the world. Animals like monkeys, toucans, jaguars and even pink dolphins can be spotted around the jungle. While a trip to the Amazon is not an “elite experience,” there are eco-friendly lodges and luxury spots throughout the area.

Peru is often described as an adventurer’s paradise, with opportunities for jungle trekking, hiking, canopy walks, wildlife spotting, night safaris and fishing. There are also a lot of non-Amazon activities on offer like mountain hikes and city sightseeing, as well as coastal activities.

The incredible world wonder of Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain is at the top of many travellers’ bucket lists. Getting there is easy via Cusco, a beautiful little town about 2,5 to 3000 metres above sea level, so Dr Z advises staying there for a few days to acclimatise to the altitude which takes your breath away – literally! Tourists can also do some shopping, meet the locals, and encounter limas, the Peruvian word for llamas, in the village. Machu Picchu can be accessed via a train with a glass roof that goes through a verdant forest to Aguas Calientes, the base of Machu Picchu. Walk up, take a bus or hike the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, a 4–5-day hike. A slightly different route leads to Rainbow Mountain.

Due to its history of slavery, Peru is famous for its unique mixture of cuisine from Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and African influence, with Lima being known as the city of food. For Muslim travellers, it is difficult to find halal food but there are seafood and vegetarian options throughout the country. Ensure that the restaurants you choose to eat at don’t allow for cross contamination and ask the right questions like whether they serve alcohol or other meat dishes. Be wary as a lot of South American countries use lard instead of vegetable oils in their foods. The iconic ceviche, a type of sushi, is a must-try if you want to immerse yourself in the local flavour.

Peru is easy to get around. Tourists can take a local flight from city to city, as the buses are not advisable to uses because of the poor road infrastructure. Shuttle services and buses are provided within the city, or you could hire a car, use registered car services, or ask the hotel you’re staying at to arrange your transfers. Uber also works well in Peru. As a precaution and because of the petty crime in the country, Dr Z urges that someone close to you is tracking your route, especially if you’re alone.

Spanish is the official language of Peru, so Dr Z advises travellers to learn some basic Spanish, because when the locals see you “make an effort” to communicate with them in their language, they automatically warm up to you, especially in the smaller areas, where not a lot of people speak English. The live translation app on Google translate is ideal when asking for directions or ordering food at a restaurant. There isn’t a very noticeable Muslim presence in Peru, but there are a Muslims with a few masaajid and jamaat khana’s for Jumuah salaah. Dr Z says that even though the Muslim presence is small, she felt very comfortable Peru among the local people, who are friendly and warm, and exceptionally welcoming to tourists, and she hopes that many more people will start travelling to this amazing country.

Listen to the full interview with Dr Z here.