Peru Information

The main port city on the Amazon River and the largest city in the Peruvian jungle. The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve (2,080,000 hectares), the largest reserve in Peru, is located 183 kilometers from the city. Likewise, the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve (58,000 hectares) protects the largest concentration of white sand forests, or varillales as they are known in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. This happens to be one of the best areas to go for bird-watching. In addition to these national reserves, there are also numerous private reserves, which have been created to satisfy all tastes.

Nearly half of Peru lies within the Amazon Basin and the dense Amazon Jungle represents over 50 percent of the rain forest on the entire planet. It is an immense and, for the most part, inaccessible region, and is sparsely populated.
Believed to be the most biologically diverse region in the world, the rain forest and its rivers teem with mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and plants. Much of the area remains untouched and largely unexplored, with numerous varieties of plant species growing underneath the vast canopy. Pink dolphins, jaguars, tapirs, caiman crocodiles and giant anaconda snakes share the region with the many indigenous tribes that are spread throughout the jungle, living as they have done for thousands of years.

The reserve covers the entire watershed of the Manu River, running across an extraordinary range of altitudes, running from 4,300 masl in the high Andean plain down to 200 meters in the Amazon Basin. The park is also a haven for more than 20,000 plant varieties, 1,200 butterfly species, 1,000 bird species, 200 species of mammals and an unknown quantity of reptiles, amphibians and insects.

The enigmatic complex of Machu Picchu, the most important and beautiful legacy of the ancient Peruvian, is part of the Historic Sanctuary of the same name, which is also one of the few places in the Americas placed on both the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Lists by UNESCO. It is located high on top of a mountain and complements the exuberant nature that surrounds it, creating a one of a kind place in the world.

The city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, was placed on the World Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO in 1983, and is without a doubt one of the most important destinations in Peru. There are Incan buildings waiting for you to discover them among its cobble-stoned streets, ones like the Koricancha and the palace of Inca Roca as well as Andean Baroque structures from the Colonial Period like the Cathedral and the Church of the Company of Christ.

Titicaca Lake contains numerous islands whose inhabitants continue to live as their ancestors have in custom and tradition. The Uros an example of this; this people group lives on "floating islands" that they have artificially made entirely of totora reeds, and they navigate in their traditional boats also made out of totora reeds. Taquile, Suasi, and Amantaní are knows for their kindness of their residents, their ancestral skill in weaving, their pre-Columbian constructions, and lovely countryside.

Arequipa, known as the White City for its beautiful white walls of sillar, a volcanic stone, lies at the feet of the mighty volcanos of Mount Chachani, Mount Misti, and the snow covered peak of Mount Pichu Pichu. The downtown of the city features Mixed Baroque churches and mansions from the Colonial Period like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios, and plazas.
Just 3 hours and 45 minutes from the capital is the Colca River valley and canyon, one of the most extraordinary destinations in the country.

In the province of Nasca, a little more than one hundred kilometers from Ica, there are the Nasca Lines, one of the greatest archeological mysteries of the world. UNESCO placed this site on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1994. Formed by a series of lines and gigantic drawings traced upon the sands, the Nasca lines feature figures like a spider, a hummingbird, a monkey, etc. that can only be truly appreciated from flying above them.

The Paracas National Reserve is a must stop; this State protected natural area is, among its beaches and staggeringly beautiful rock formations, the refuge to fur seals, otters, penguins, dolphins, and more than two hundred species of birds such as flamingos, waders, and guano birds.

Ica, an esoteric land, one of profound religious faith, sand dunes, valleys, and sun, is an agricultural zone where you see interspersed among the extensive desert area fields of cotton, butter beans, asparagus, citrus tree orchards, as well as vineyards. Some of the most important civilizations of ancient Peru established themselves here like the Paracas and the Nasca who left a legacy that has endured the passage of time and the violence of the sand and wind.

On January 18, 1535, Francisco Pizarro founded the capital of Peru in what is today the Main Square. Behind it, there is the Alameda Chabuca Granda where you can find typical Creole dishes for you to taste and also different shows to enjoy. Possessing important samples of Colonial architecture, the historic downtown is also known as “Damero de Pizarro” (Pizarro’s Chessboard) because the streets are distributed like a chessboard. In 1998, the area was placed on the World Historical Heritage list by UNESCO.

Trujillo is known as the city of eternal spring because of its blessed climate and festive atmosphere. The area was inhabited by two important, ancient Peruvian civilizations, the Mochica and the Chimú, and later, it became an important vice royal city. Among its uncountable archeological attractions, there is Chan Chan, the largest mud city in the Americas and ancient capital for the Chimú. UNESCO placed it on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1986.

Sipan is famous for impressive  Lord of Sipan  tomb. It is considered to be one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the last 30 years, because the main tomb was found intact and undisturbed by thieves. Tombs were found in Sipán's Huaca Rajada, an area near Chiclayo. Many huaca were found showing Moche jewelry, masks, and artt.