peru destinations

Arequipa Peru is the nation’s second-largest city, after Lima. Known as the White City, many of Arequipa’s walls and buildings are constructed from white lava rock, or “sillar.” This material was emitted from the three volcanoes that guard the city: Misti, Chachani, and Pichu Pichu. The nearby Colca Canyon is one of the world’s deepest canyons and is a wonderful place for viewing the majestic Andean Condor and other wildlife.

Cusco, the Inca capital, is an amazing city where the ancient and modern coexist and thrive. Set amidst a backdrop of snow-capped Andean peaks, the city is replete with Inca stone architecture, known for its precision and beauty. Cusqueñans in colorful authentic dress can be seen leading alpacas and burros over its cobblestone streets. Famous for its Plaza de Armas and colonial buildings dating to antiquity, Cusco is the gateway to the Machu Picchu citadel.

Capital of Peru’s Ancash Department, Huaraz Peru is situated more than 3,000 meters (9842 feet) above sea level. The stupendous snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, the world’s tallest tropical mountain range, looms over its eastern horizon. Huarascán National Park in the Cordillera Blanca encompasses areas of pristine wilderness including spectacular views, glacial lakes, rugged mountains, and abundant wildlife, including spectacled bears, Andean condors, and the ferocious jaguar.

Iquitos Peru, located in the Peruvian Amazon, is the largest non-island city in the world that is accessible only by boat or air. Inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years, it became the center of the rubber boom in the late 19thcentury. Today, it’s the starting point for boat expeditions to some of the most species-rich places on earth, including the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, which is home to over 1000 animal species!

Founded in the mid-16th century, the coastal city of Lima Peru is the nation’s capital. It is one of South America’s largest cities and is the center for Peruvian culture and world-class cuisine. Lima boasts an astonishing number of award-winning restaurants as well as several museums whose stunning collections trace Peru’s ancient cultures. Ruins of some of the earliest civilizations known to man have been found near Lima.

Puerto Maldonado Peru, founded in 1902, is located in the Madre de Dios region of Peru’s southeast. It is officially named the “Capital of Biodiversity in Peru” for the amazing variety of flora and fauna to be found in the wilderness areas surrounding the city. Most visitors come to stay in one of several eco-touristic lodges that offer access to jungle adventures focused on wildlife observation and birdwatching.

Puno Peru is located on the high altiplano, between Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, and the Andes Mountains of Southeastern Peru. It is known as the Folkloric Capital of Peru, for its many festivals and celebrations, the most important of which it the Feast of the Virgen de la Candelária, which features elaborate costumes and vibrant music and dancing, and lasts for 18 days. Much of Puno’s population speaks their native Aymara language, along with Spanish.