Last Updated on December 21, 2025 by Ariana Svenson
Looking for the best books about Peru? Here’s the most comprehensive guide you’ll ever find! 25 years ago, I stepped onto Peruvian soil accompanied by nothing but a trusty Lonely Planet guide. I never would have believed that this confounding country in the Andes would become such an enormous part of my life.
I spent a good 15 years devouring every book I could about this country. I had to understand the contradictions, and I read all the literature I could to unravel them. Honestly, I still don’t understand.
After reading a huge number of books about Peru, I came up with a list of books worth your time. Informative and inspiring, these books have much more than generic info about Peru. They’re great if you’re looking for some in-depth knowledge into Inca history, as well as a look at Peru through the eyes of people who have spent their lives exploring this fabled land.
If you want something a bit more casual, or maybe you want to learn more about Peruvian culture, I have books for those, too. And if you’re looking for kids’ books, make sure you read my guide to Peruvian children’s books.
This post may contain affiliate links, from which we would earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More info in my disclaimer.
Best Books About Peru
If I had to narrow my list to just four best books about Peru (a mountainous task!), these would be the ones. These are the books that manage to capture Peru’s beauty and its ancient mysteries, and everyday realities. Honestly, these books are the perfect place to begin if you want to start peeling through the layers of Inca history or simply want to see the country through someone else’s eyes.
1. Life and Death in the Andes: On the Trail of Bandits, Heroes, and Revolutionaries (I love this book!)
Author: Kim MacQuarrie
Kim MacQuarrie’s Life and Death in the Andes is one of those books where you think you’re just reading yet another history book, and suddenly you’re knee-deep in fascinating stories about people like Che Guevara and Charles Darwin. This is a book full of moments that stick with you long after you’ve put it down.
Get your copy of Life and Death in the Andes
2. The White Rock
Author: Hugh Thomson
The White Rock is quite possibly my favorite book about Peru. The story brings Inca history alive and tells a great travel story at the same time. It shares the story of Hugh Thomson, who sets out at just 22 to rediscover long-lost Inca ruins first documented by Hiram Bingham, retelling Inca history in a way that’s captivating yet accessible.
This is a highly readable and thought-provoking novel, not to mention an excellent piece of travel history. As a parent, I can share history with my kids when I am passionate about it. It’s a recommended travel companion as you will have the opportunity to learn about the history, geography, and culture of the Incas and Peru. This is my number one choice for pre-Andean adventure reading.
If you finish this book wanting more, Thomson’s Cochineal Red is also worth a read. It examines pre-Incan civilizations and how they influenced the development of Incan culture.
Get your copy of The White Rock
3. Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time – Mark Adams
Author: Mark Adams
If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud, genuinely fun book about Peru, this one delivers from the very first page. In Turn Right at Machu Picchu, Mark Adams quits his day job following the path on the Choquequirao to Machu Picchu route that Professor Hiram Bingham took to discover Machu Picchu many years ago.
The history behind this story is researched exceptionally well, and the writing is done in such a way that the reader feels themselves walking along the path with Adams, the sun beating down on their backs. Funny and relatable, and written in a digestible way. A must-read!
Get your copy of Turn Right at Machu Picchu
4. The Peru Reader: History, Culture, Politics
Editors: Orin Starn et al
This was a book I turned to many times in the past to better understand Peru. If you don’t have an interest in politics, it might not be necessary, but if you like some political intrigue, this would be for you.
What makes The Peru Reader stand out is the primary sources used, many of which appear in English only because the editors translated them for us. Here, we’ll find various essays, speeches, news reports, and firsthand accounts that show the country’s complexities from the Inca Empire to the early 21st century.
If that sounds like a lot, that’s because this book is meant to be read slowly so you can gain a nuanced understanding of Peru’s cultures, struggles, and identities throughout the centuries. If you want a broad yet deeply human insight into the country (better than what you’ll find in most history books), this book about Peru is an essential read.
Get your copy of The Peru Reader
Peru Travel Guides
We all know that a great travel guide can make all the difference, especially in a country like Peru. Over the years, I’ve checked and read through more guidebooks than I care to admit, but only a few have consistently risen above the rest.
We have also written some extremely useful Peru travel guides on this blog, especially useful for traveling as a family, which you can read for free:
How to plan a Peru family vacation
2 week Peru itinerary for families
The Sacred Valley Peru – Incredible things to do
The Southern Peruvian Coast with kids
Read all our Peru posts here >>>
5. Lonely Planet Peru
This is still the guide I reach for first because it covers everything from Machu Picchu to the Amazonian expanse of Manu and everything else in between. It has up-to-date information, color maps, insider recommendations, and itineraries that help you make a trip that’s uniquely yours. I especially appreciate the practical tools, like the “Just Landed” card with quick-access info about wi-fi, ATMs, and transport.
My company, Apus Peru, has been recommended in Lonely Planet Peru since 2010. I have to buy the 2025 edition to see if that’s still the case. Also recommended in the South America Lonely Planet 2022.
Get your copy of Lonely Planet Peru here
6. Peru Insight Pocket Guide
Author: Peter Frost
I haven’t read this guide, but the author caught my eye. Peter Frost wrote one of the most definitive guides to the area back in the late 1980s – Exploring Cusco – and one that I’ve constantly referred to during my time in Peru. Last I heard, his son was back in Cusco updating it. If the Peru Insight Pocket Guide has the same level of knowledge as Exploring Cusco, then this would be a must-buy.
Get your copy of Peru Insight Pocket Guide here
7. Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes (Bradt Travel Guides)
Authors: Hilary Bradt and Kathy Jarvis
Another book that formed the foundation of my adventures in Peru 20 years ago was the Bradt Trekking Guide, a well-researched and detailed look at some really cool treks. This newer Trekking in Peru builds on that knowledge, with all the original treks re-walked and new off-the-beaten-track routes added. It even offers background information on each trek, along with travelers’ tales and other interesting topics along the way, such as guinea pigs or trekking with children.
I’d definitely pick up a copy of this guide if I were heading to Peru for some independent trekking, as having up-to-date, relevant info is a must instead of relying on online resources.
Get your copy of Trekking in Peru here
8. Peru – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture
If you want more than just a checklist of sights, Culture Smart! Peru is one of the best resources you can get. Each chapter on Peruvian values, customs, social norms, and everyday life prepares you for real interactions with locals, not just touristy moments.
Get your copy of Culture Smart! Peru here
9. Fodor’s Essential Peru: With Machu Picchu & the Inca Trail
Fodor’s Essential Peru is a fantastic guide if you want something practical and easy to use while planning your trip. It’s written and researched by local experts, so you’ll find honest recommendations about restaurants, hotels, day trips, and everything else.
But what really sets it apart is the depth of cultural and historical insight offered, plus special features on places like the Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca, and the Peruvian Amazon.
Get your copy of Fodor’s Essential Peru here
Travel & Adventure Books About Peru
Over the years, I’ve found that some Peru books capture the spirit of exploration better than any guide or map. That’s because these books combine real adventure with the kind of insight you only get from people who’ve lived it. It’s also super useful to have enjoyable books to read that educate you on the place you are visiting (2 birds with one stone, so to speak).
10. Touching the Void
Author: Joe Simpson
Touching the Void is one of those books you start reading and just can’t put down. Joe Simpson recounts his climb of Siula Grande, where an accident forced his climbing partner, Simon Yates, into the heartbreaking choice of cutting the rope between them. This should’ve meant Joe’s death, but he somehow survived the fall and crawled his way back to camp.
Get your copy of Touching the Void here
11. Eight Feet in the Andes: Travels with a Mule in Unknown Peru
Author: Dervla Murphy
If you think you are a hardy travel parent… then prepare to be humbled! Eight Feet In The Andes is a story about a woman and her young 9-year-old daughter who travel with a mule named Juana along the trails of the Andes, making their way to Cusco, Peru. Their journey begins in 1979 and takes place over the course of 3 or so months. Throughout their journey, they face many hardships, from blizzards to theft to not knowing where they will find their next meal.
This Peru book is worth reading if you can move through some of the slower sections. Plus, it will give you the sense that perhaps you should tell your kids to “toughen up”.
Get your copy of Eight Feet in the Andes
12. Along the Uncharted Pampaconas – Hiram Bingham
Author: Hiram Bingham
Along the Uncharted Pampaconas is a short 1914 work by Hiram Bingham, originally published in Harper’s Magazine and available online today. It recounts his exploration of the remote Pampaconas, which was largely unmapped and little known at the time. It even includes illustrations and a map, giving you a glimpse into early 20th-century field exploration.
Although it’s only about a dozen pages long, it’s still a fascinating piece to read if you’re interested in Bingham’s lesser-known expeditions.
Books About the Incas and Inca History
The Incas left behind one of the most intriguing legacies ever discovered, and the more you read, the more mysterious they seem. If you want to dig deeper into Inca history in a way that’s engaging and accessible, these are the books worth starting with.
One thing to note is that some of these are fiction books that rely heavily on historical context, such as the decline of the Inca empire after a civil war between half-brothers Huascar and Atahualpa, and the arrival of Pizarro and his conquistadors from Spain. So even though you’re reading a novel, there’s a lot of Inca history told in a way that helps you understand the background to this culture (though it may not all be historically accurate).
13. Lost City of the Incas
Author: Hiram Bingham
A real-life Indiana Jones, this is explorer Hiram Bingham’s highly readable account of his 1911 discovery of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. It is a great rollicking tale, sometimes factually incorrect, but it certainly sets the scene for your Machu Picchu visit. We highly recommend taking the time to check this book out!
Get your copy of Lost City of the Incas
14. The Conquest of the Incas
Author: John Hemming
John Hemming’s widely praised book is an essential read for anyone traveling to Peru or hoping to understand the final days of the Inca Empire. The Conquest of the Incas brings the Incas to life, drawing on rediscovered sources and Hemming’s firsthand knowledge of the area. It also recounts the story from the moment Spanish adventurers entered Inca territory to the execution of the last Inca forty years later.
According to the Times, this is “a superbly vivid history distinguished by formidable scholarship, uncluttered language, and a graphic sense of the craggy terrain in which the tragic combat took place.”
Get your copy of The Conquest of the Incas
15. Incas Trilogy
Author: A.B. Daniel
The Incas trilogy is listed as historical fiction. It depicts the lifestyle of the Incas well, and leads you on an intense story. . The three books in the collection are:
There are a lot of political terms throughout the story, and other readers have mentioned that it’s sometimes hard to understand because the text includes words in Spanish/Quechua. Despite that, most readers agree that it’s worth the read!
Get your copies of Book One, Two, and Three here
16. The Gold Eaters
Author: Ronald Wright
The Gold Eaters is another fiction-but-based-on-history book that tells the story of Waman, a young Inca boy kidnapped by conquistadors while searching for the golden land of Peru. Ronald Wright uses real historical events and his deep knowledge of South America to bring this story to life.
In the book, Waman is forced to serve as Francisco Pizarro’s translator during the Spanish invasion of the Incan Empire in the 1530s. As Waman navigates political intrigue and danger, he’s also on a journey to understand who he is and where he belongs.
Get your copy of The Gold Eaters
17. The Last Days of the Incas
Author: Kim MacQuarrie
I recently re-read The Last Days of the Incas and loved it just as much as we did the first time. Though we assume it’s historically accurate, it’s a wonderful read, just like a novel: full of intrigue, drama, and lots of blood and guts!
It also provides a range of perspectives, from those of the Spanish and the Incas, as well as an understanding of the early political intrigues in Peru. This is a great book for people making the journey to Cusco and Machu Picchu, especially those with a history bent!
Get your copy of The Last Days of the Incas
18. Secret of the Andes – Ann Nolan Clark
Secret of the Andes is a classic children’s novel (and Newbery Medal winner) that tells the story of a young boy named Cusi, living in a hidden valley of the Peruvian Andes. Raised in isolation by his elderly guardian Chuto, Cusi tends a small herd of llamas while slowly learning about his Incan roots. Although it’s primarily aimed at younger readers, it’s still a good introduction to Andean culture and Inca history.
Get your copy of Secret of the Andes here
19. Vilcabamba Revisited
Author: Gregory Deyermenjian
Vilcabamba Revisited is Gregory Deyermenjian’s account of his expeditions into the remote Vilcabamba region, often known as the last refuge of the Incas after the Spanish conquest.
Deyermenjian has spent decades trekking into some of the most inaccessible areas in Peru, and this work focuses on his efforts to document Vilcabamba.
Other Peru History Books
Peru has a long and complicated history, and some books capture that complexity better than others. Beyond the classics, these books on Peru go beyond Inca history and dig into different periods, events, and perspectives that shaped the country.
20. Death in the Andes – Mario Vargas Llosa
Author: Mario Vargas Llosa
In Mario Vargas Llosa’s 1993 novel, Death in the Andes, the Andean landscape becomes a stage for the clash between tradition and modernity. Captain Lituma and Tomasito, stationed in a remote mountain village, grapple with the mystery of three disappearances amid the backdrop of the enigmatic terrucos.
The Nobel Prize-winning author talks in his piece about old traditions and new ways, showing a place where ancient beliefs and modern life meet. With simple yet captivating words, Vargas Llosa tells a tale of mysteries, love, and strange happenings in the mountains. Death in the Andes is like a journey into another world, where the present and the past come together in a captivating way.
Get your copy of Death in the Andes here
21. Deep River – José María Arguedas
Author: Jose Maria Arguedas
Deep Rivers is one José María Arguedas’ most powerful works, blending fiction with semi-autobiographical accounts of growing up between Indigenous and Spanish cultures. The story follows Ernesto, a boy raised by Indigenous servants who is later placed in a Catholic boarding school, where he becomes a misfit and loner.
In the original text, Arguedas’ unique use of Spanish vocabulary within Quechua syntax made translation into other languages difficult. Frances Horning Barraclough has done an excellent job translating this novel into English, helping us enjoy this masterpiece today.
Get your copy of Deep Rivers here
Books About Peruvian Culture
If you want to understand Peru beyond its landscapes and famous sites, these books offer a closer look at the beliefs, customs, and everyday life that make Peru so unique. These are all interesting books about life in Peru and are sufficiently good reading to give you lots of background knowledge to pass on to your kids. Plus, they have some very cool facts about Peru.
22. Woven Stories: Andean Textiles and Rituals
Author: Andrea M. Heckman
This book – almost like a coffee table book- about Peru and weaving offers a beautiful look at the Quechua communities, where weaving is pretty much a living way of preserving culture and identity. To write Woven Stories, Andrea Heckman spent over twenty years documenting the weavers around Ausangate, examining how their designs, symbols, and rituals reflect the landscape and their Andean ancestors.
Get your copy of Woven Stories here
23. Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands: Dreaming Patterns, Weaving Memories
Author: Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez
One of our most highly recommended works in this list, Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands is a must-purchase for anyone who loves art or textiles. This beautifully illustrated book gives insight into the importance of weaving in Andean culture.
The author, Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez, is an indigenous woman from Chinchero. She was critical in bringing the world’s attention to Cusco weavings, and she does it again with this great work.
It extensively documents many of the incredible traditional patterns you see throughout Cusco’s textiles and shows how exquisite pieces of fabric are crafted on a simple loom, helping you appreciate the labor and love that go into each piece!
Get your copy of Weaving in the Peruvian Highlands here
Other books about recent discoveries/modern-day adventurers
Even today, Peru has explorers and researchers uncovering new sites, stories, and mysteries. The books in this section follow these modern-day adventurers as they dig deeper into the places most of us never see.
24. The Ice Maiden: Inca Mummies, Mountain Gods, and Sacred Sites in the Andes
Author: Johan Reinhard
The Ice Maiden is Johan Reinhard’s first-person account of discovering the 500-year-old frozen body of an Inca girl high in the Andes, considered one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in recent history. He combines his mountaineering adventure with the scientific work that followed, offering a clear view of the archaeology, biology, and Andean history behind the discovery.
Get your copy of The Ice Maiden here
25. Forgotten Vilcabamba: Final Stronghold of the Incas
Author: Vincent R. Lee
Forgotten Vilcabamba follows Vincent Lee’s obsessive and ultimately successful search for the Incas’ last stronghold, hidden deep in one of the most rugged regions of Peru. His boots-on-the-ground narrative, along with more than 60 of his own maps and drawings, brings the final days of the Inca Empire vividly to life.
I actually carried this tome on a 19-day crossing of the Andes in 2004, and wrote to Vincent Lee, who was kind enough to send me some papers about specific sites.
The level of detail is not going to be for everyone, but I absolutely loved the stories of this modern-day adventurer and the things he discovered. The book has also earned high praise from some of the most respected voices in Inca studies and adventure writing, thanks to his meticulous research and excellent storytelling.
Get your copy of Forgotten Vilcabamba here
26. Highway of the Sun
Author: Victor Wolfgang von Hagen
Explorer Victor Wolfgang von Hagen went on a two-year expedition to Peru in the early 1950s, setting out to trace the ancient royal roads of the Incas. His journey, described in Highway of the Sun, led to the discovery of the last remaining Inca suspension bridge, along with a wealth of insights into the empire’s engineering and infrastructure.
It’s a fascinating read if you’re interested in the routes the Incas once walked, not just the sites they left behind.
As a fun side note, von Hagen’s daughter, Adriana von Hagen, went on to become co-director of the Museo Leymebamba, continuing the family legacy of cultural preservation in Peru.
Get your copy of Highway of the Sun here
27. Cloud Road: A Journey Through the Inca Heartland
Author: John Harrison
Cloud Road is John Harrison’s intense account of the five months he spent high in the Andes, following the great Inca road known as the Camino Real. His trek takes him from the equator to Cuzco and finally to Machu Picchu, often staying above 10,000 feet. He walks alone into remote villages where he’s often the first outsider locals have ever seen, and faces dangers such as dog attacks, floods, and the occasional stubborn donkey.
More recently written than a lot of the books on this list (like 8 years after I first explored in Peru myself), it didn’t seem quite as adventurous as some of the other books, but definitely more up to date.
Get your copy of Cloud Road here
28. Aguirre: The Re-Creation of a Sixteenth-Century Journey Across South America
Author: Stephen Minta
This book is pretty obscure, but a good one! I was gifted it by a friend who found it in an “Op Shop,” and I am very grateful, as it never appears on best lists!
Anyway, Aguirre retells the story of Lope de Aguirre, who was part of the enormous 1560 Spanish expedition into the Amazon to search for the fabled El Dorado. He eventually started a rebellion, and his ambitions for wealth and status led him to murder his expedition leaders, comrades, and even his own daughter.
In the late 1980s, author Stephen Minta retraced the original route with a companion to give readers a sense of place with the historical chaos. It’s such a great read if you’re drawn to the darker, stranger corners of Peru’s past.
Travelogues That Pass Through Peru
These books weren’t written solely about Peru, but each author passed through the country and captured something memorable along the way. These travelogues offer honest impressions that give you a sense of what it’s really like to experience Peru as part of a larger journey.
29. Inca-Kola: A Traveller’s Tale of Peru
Author: Matthew Parris
Inca-Kola: A Traveller’s Tale of Peru by Matthew Parris is a funny and brutally honest account of traveling through Peru in the late 1980s. Backpackers in particular will relate to this one, as Parris recounts his stories of chaotic bus rides, strange guesthouses, and other unexpected hiccups you’ll encounter on the road.
In this book, Parris doesn’t give you a polished, romantic version of Peru; he gives you the country exactly as he found it: messy yet fascinating.
Get your copy of Inca-Kola here
30. Rescuing the Spectacled Bear: A Peruvian Diary
Author: Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is always an entertaining writer. He’s witty, self-aware, and fully conscious that he’s performing for his readers. Rescuing the Spectacled Bear is one of his lighter pieces, offering brief touches of Peru’s history and ecology but leaning more toward a celebrity travel diary. There’s not a lot of exploring, but his humor and love of quirky facts make it an enjoyable read.
Get your copy of Rescuing the Spectacled Bear here
31. Jupiter’s Travels
Author: Ted Simon
There is a lot more to this book than my following favourite part – you will have to read it yourself!
The line from Jupiter’s Travels, “Peru is the land of no hay,” has stayed with me much of my life. That’s because Peru can be the land of “No Hay”, in many ways. No hay means “there isn’t, it doesn’t exist, or there is nothing.” So you might go to a shop and ask “Can I buy eggs?” and because there aren’t any, the shop keeper shrugs and replies “No Hay.” Or if you might ask something complicated and because they can’t be bother replying, they just go “No Hay.”
Once I arrived in a town that clearly had no electricity, and asked the lady who was letting us sleep in her room “No hay luz?” (there is no light?”) to which she grinned, “Si hay Luz” and passed me a candle. (It’s hilarious in context.)
Jupiter’s Travels is Ted Simon’s amazing account of riding 63,000 miles through 54 countries over four years. Simon’s Peru encounters are small but relatable to anyone who’s traveled there, and the book as a whole is a classic of travel writing.
But really, it was Simon’s time in Peru that left me with one of the most memorable lines I’ve ever read from the book. His description of Peru as “The land of no hay” (No hay means there’s nothing or it’s not there) captured something so true that it’s stayed with me for years, especially after experiencing those very moments myself.
This is possibly the most accurate description of Peru ever written:
“ In the land of No Hay, they play Hunt the Scapegoat, and every gringo qualifies. It was a constant preoccupation to escape that label, and find a way to meet with people in a more human and personal way. (p.303)
Get your copy of Jupiter’s Travels here
32. The Old Patagonian Express: By Train Through the Americas
Author: Paul Theroux
In The Old Patagonian Express, Paul Theroux passes through Peru as part of his long rail journey from North America to Patagonia. There, he describes passing through Inca terraces and the Andean highlands, all while battling debilitating altitude sickness. Theroux also describes the time when he was forced to detour by plane to Cusco after a partial train journey.
Get your copy of The Old Patagonian Express here
33. Andes
Author: Michael Jacobs
Andes follows Michael Jacobs on a months-long journey through the Andes, starting in Venezuela and finishing all the way down to Argentina in the early 2000s.
In this journey, Jacobs traces the routes once taken by South American liberator Simón Bolívar and German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, using their paths to explore the region’s history while describing the landscape around him.
Peruvian Amazon & Nature Writing
Peru is so much more than just Incan ruins and Spanish colonial buildings. As one of the most biodiverse places in the world, Peru is also a natural wonderland that must be seen at least once. These books set in Peru should help you experience the wild beauty of the Peruvian jungle.
34. Mother of God: An Extraordinary Journey Into the Uncharted Tributaries of the Western Amazon
Author: Paul Rosolie
Naturalist and explorer Paul Rosolie recounts his journey through Peru’s Madre de Dios region in Mother of God. The region is dense Amazon jungle, and Rosolie describes in great detail the stunning creatures he encounters, including jaguars, snakes, and monkeys. He even came face-to-face with some of the region’s most remote tribes.
Despite the natural beauty around him, Rosolie also talks about the threats this region of the Amazon faces: developers, oil giants, and gold miners.
Get your copy of Mother of God here
35. A Fish in the Water
Author: Mario Vargas Llosa
Part literary memoir, part political chronicle, A Fish in the Water is one of those rare books that lets you see both the writer and the person behind the public figure.
Mario Vargas Llosa looks back on his childhood in Arequipa and the experiences that shaped his fiction, giving you a sense of where his stories really come from. He also takes you inside his unexpected leap into politics, recounting the reform movement he built and his intense (but ultimately unsuccessful) 1990 presidential run.
Get your copy of A Fish in the Water here
36. Birds of Peru
Author: Thomas S. Schulenberg et al.
Birds of Peru is the field guide everyone ends up relying on, covering an astonishing 1,817 species found in Peru (that’s one-fifth of the world’s birds!). This updated edition adds 25 new species and dozens of additional illustrations, making it even more complete. If you’re heading anywhere near Peru’s forests, coast, or mountains, this is the guide you’ll be grateful to have in your pack.
Get your copy of Birds of Peru here
37. The Amazon from Source to Sea: The Farthest Journey Down the World’s Longest River
Author: West Hansen
West Hansen, a 50-year-old canoe racer turned explorer, once set out to kayak the entire length of the Amazon. Except there’s one problem: no one, even his sponsor, actually agrees on where the river begins.
The Amazon from Source to Sea documents his search for the true source of the Amazon, which quickly becomes part of his adventure. Along the way, he faces everything from extortion and pirates to drug lords and storms that seem determined to stop him and his team of Texans and elite whitewater riders.
Get your copy of The Amazon from Source to Sea
Books to Read That Give Context to Your Peruvian Adventure
The following two books are not specifically about Peru, but they are good reads and will open your eyes to the significance of these various things.
38. The Potato: How the Humble Spud Rescued the Western World
Author: Larry Zuckerman
The Potato is a highly intriguing historical account detailing the potato’s history and its introduction to Europe after its discovery in the Andes. Can you believe that the potato was once considered throwaway food that no one wanted to eat? This piece does a marvelous and entertaining job of illustrating the evolution and importance of the potato.
However, the book doesn’t delve much into the history of the potato in the Andes Mountains. Instead, it focuses on the incredible impact it had in France, England, and Ireland. It’s astonishing to consider the profound effect a simple potato had – truly life-changing for many people and countries!
If you happen to visit any traditional communities in Peru, you are likely to be offered more than a few humble potatoes. Reading this book will undoubtedly give you a new appreciation for the humble spud!
39. A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, And The Quest For The Color Of Desire
Author: Amy Butler Greenfield
A Perfect Red is a fascinating deep dive into the history of cochineal, the tiny insect that produced the world’s most valuable and vibrant red dye. Amy Butler Greenfield combines mystery and adventure as she traces how ancient Mexicans used cochineal, from its use to its impact on European markets after the Spanish conquest.
Get your copy of A Perfect Red
General Novels About Peru
We get it: sometimes nonfiction work is just no fun when you’re on holiday. That’s why we have included a few novels about Peru. We believe they would be a good companion while on your Peru holiday.
These are light, enjoyable reading – often not totally factually correct or even downright wrong – but they give you a sense of Peru and its people. These are especially great if you are not into historical tomes!
40. Conversation in the Cathedral
Author: Mario Vargas Llosa
In Conversation in the Cathedral, young journalist Santiago Zavala meets Ambrosio Pardo, his father’s former chauffeur, in a rundown bar in Lima. They chat about old times. Santiago is distant from his family because he dislikes their rich values, his father’s shady business, and right-wing politics. On the other hand, Ambrosio respects Don Fermin, Santiago’s father, and served him well.
The book is told from Santiago and Ambrosio’s viewpoints, depicting the political situation in Peru in the 1950s. Please be warned that this book is long (about 600 pages)! The first few chapters are rather difficult to get through due to disturbing events, but if you stick it out, you will be well rewarded.
Get your copy of Conversation in the Cathedral
41. The Celestine Prophecy
Author: James Redfield
Once on many bestseller lists, The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield is bound to be a slightly controversial inclusion in this list!
But if you’re interested in seeing your life and the world differently, The Celestine Prophecy might offer a wonderful revelation. Don’t get me wrong: the writing in this book is terrible, and the description of locations in Peru is completely inaccurate. But once you let go of the bad writing, you’ll start to discover some of the fascinating gems and insights offered.
Yes, it’s a “new age”, batty book. However, it does get you thinking about your personal energies and what is and is not a coincidence. And more.
Get your copy of The Celestine Prophecy
42. Lima Nights
Author: Marie Arana
Marie Arana’s Lima Nights is a strong and brilliant novel if you can push past the topic of the book: a married man finding himself falling for a young dancer at a local bar. This story effectively highlights Peruvian culture and is well written, with character development that gives us insight into Peru’s social tensions at the time.
Get your copy of Lima Nights here
43. American Chica: Two Worlds, One Childhood
Author: Marie Arana
This book tells a fantastic story about a young girl who grew up in both America and Peru: two very different locations with very different environments and cultures. The journey follows her parents’ tumultuous marriage and how she finds herself in harsh surroundings.
With an incredibly talented writer at the wheel (or pen, I should say), American Chica is not a book you would find yourself disappointed in. It comes highly recommended!
Get your copy of American Chica here
44. Up and Down the Andes – Laurie Krebs
Author: Laurie Krebs
Illustrator: Aurélia Fronty
Up and Down the Andes by Laurie Krebs is a children’s picture book that introduces young readers to Peru through the eyes of children traveling to the Inti Raymi festival in Cusco. Written in a lively, sing-song style, it follows kids from different parts of the country as they journey by boat, bus, and on foot through mountains, plains, lakes, and villages. The book is full of color and does an excellent job of bringing Peruvian landscapes, clothing, and traditions to life.
Get your copy of Up and Down the Andes here
Peruvian Food Books
Of course, no trip to Peru is complete without sampling the local cuisine at least once. If you ever find yourself wanting to recreate some Peruvian dishes from a recent trip, or maybe just want to learn something new, these books should help you get going.
45. The Fire of Peru: Recipes and Stories from My Peruvian Kitchen
Authors: Ricardo Zarate and Jenn Garbee
The Fire of Peru by Ricardo Zarate is often praised for its personable writing style, engaging history, and recipes that are both interesting and achievable for home cooks.
A Lima-born Los Angeles chef and restaurateur, Zarate presents dishes that combine classic, indigenous ideas and modern sensibilities. Beautiful photography and tales of traditional Peruvian cooking make The Fire of Peru more than just another cookbook on your shelf.
Get your copy of The Fire of Peru here
46. The Peruvian Kitchen: Traditions, Ingredients, Tastes, and Techniques in 100 Delicious Recipes
Author: Morena Cuadra
Unlike Zarate’s modern fusion recipes in his book, Morena Cuadra’s The Peruvian Kitchen is a more approachable option, especially for beginners. That’s because Cuadra presents recipes rooted in Peruvian traditions, despite being a fusion of Incan, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and other European influences. The recipes are easy to follow and are accompanied by detailed photos, so you know exactly what you’re supposed to be making.
Get your copy of The Peruvian Kitchen here
Coffee Table Peru Books
47. Where the Andes Meet the Amazon: Peru & Bolivia’s Bahuaja Sonene & Madidi National Parks – Kim MacQuarrie
Author: Kim MacQuarrie
Photographer: Andre Bärtschi
Where the Andes Meet the Amazon is full of beautiful photographs that can make you feel as if you’re really there. Photographer Andre Bärtschi does an excellent job of capturing the area’s beauty, while Kim MacQuarrie’s expert notes and anecdotes help bring the photos to life.
Get your copy of Where the Andes Meet the Amazon here
Looking for More Books on Machu Picchu?
If you want a list of books focused solely on Machu Picchu, we have a separate list for that. Our dedicated list of books on Machu Picchu should give you more than just surface information you’ll find online, and they’re geared for readers of all ages.
Planning a Trip to Peru?
Are you ready to see Peru beyond what’s written in the books? Let Apus Peru make that a reality for you today.
I was so fascinated by Peru I ended exploring the Andes myself (inspired through some of the reads here -and guided by others) and eventually co-founding an adventure travel agency in Cusco, Peru in 2005.
The knowledgeable team will help you plan a trip within your preferences, and we’ll make sure you avoid the usual crowded touristy spots. We’re able to do that because all our routes are unique, which means Apus Peru is the only one that can bring you there!
Planning a trip to Peru with kids? Make sure you check out our Peru family travel tips first about visiting various locations with kids.Visiting Machu Picchu with kids is more enjoyable for everyone if you know how to prepare.
Final Words
Regardless of whether you’re just starting to learn about Peru or want to expand your knowledge about the country and its history, this Peru book list is going to be your best friend. Make sure you bookmark this page for future reference.
But why stay within the confines of a book when you can see places like Machu Picchu or Cusco with your own eyes? Let Apus Peru help you with your next off-the-beaten-path trip.
Get in touch with Apus Peru today >>>
FAQs
Lonely Planet Peru is often seen as the best travel book for Peru due to its amazing practical and up-to-date information with detailed maps and reliable recommendations for every budget. It’s constantly updated, so you’ll always have accurate information to help you on the ground as you go.
Mario Vargas Llosa is widely considered Peru’s most famous author for his influential novels and skillful exploration of Peru’s politics and society. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2010 for his body of work, including novels like Conversation in the Cathedral, The Time of the Hero, and The Feast of the work. His long public career, including a presidential run, he’s remained a major figure in Peru’s national story.
Machu Picchu Books Text
1. The Inca Trail, Cusco & Machu Picchu
Authors: Alexander Stewart and Henry Stedman
The Inca Trail is a detailed and updated guidebook focused on the famous trail and the city itself. It includes different hiking options of varying lengths, along with information on where to stay and what to eat. It also offers detailed trail maps, guides written in Spanish and Quechua, and downloadable GPS waypoints to help you stay on track.
Get your copy of The Inca Trail, Cusco & Machu Picchu here
2. Machu Picchu Guide
Author: Josie Dinardo
If you’re planning to visit Machu Picchu, you’ll need a straightforward guide for navigating the site. You can find several ones online, though specific authors or publishers are recommended based on recent reviews. One such book is the Peru Travel Guide 2025 by Josie Dinardo, which is highly recommended by a Facebook group for its detailed information on Peru travel, along with an in-depth historical and cultural context.
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