« PERU • Discover Peru
Discover Magical Peru
Peruvian culture is primarily rooted in Amerindian and Spanish traditions, though it has also been influenced by various Asian, African, and other European ethnic groups. Peruvian artistic traditions date back to the elaborate pottery, textiles, jewelry, and sculpture of Pre-Inca cultures. The Incas maintained these crafts and made architectural achievements including the construction of Machu Picchu.
Popular Regions and Destinations:
Amazon •
Arequipa •
Chiclayo •
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• Amazon
The Amazon proper runs mostly through Brazil and Peru, and is part of the border between Colombia and Perú. It has a series of major tributaries in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, some of which flow into the Marañón and Ucayali, and others directly into the Amazon proper …
• Arequipa
Arequipa is the second most industrialized and commercial city of Peru. Its industrial activity includes manufacturing and the exporting of high quality wool. The city has close trade ties with Chile, Bolivia and Brazil. In the Colonial period it became important for its economic role and faithfulness to the Spanish Crown …
• Chiclayo
The city of Chiclayo, the capital of the department of Lambayeque, is the second largest in the Peruvian north and has a vibrant nightlife. Lambayeque was home to the ancient civilization of the Moche who created some of the most ingenious monuments and works of art known to ancient Peru …
• Cusco
Cusco was the site of the historic capital of the Inca Empire and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 by UNESCO. It is a major tourist destination and receives almost 2 million visitors a year. It is designated as the Historical Capital of Peru by the Constitution of Peru. The Killke occupied the region from 900 to 1200, prior to the arrival of the Incas in the 13th century …
• Iquitos
Iquitos can be reached only by airplane or boat, with the exception of a road to Nauta, a small town roughly 100 km south. It is the largest city in the world that is inaccessible by road. Most people travel within the city via bus, motorcycle, or the ubiquitous auto rickshaw - a modified motorcycle with a cabin behind supported by two wheels, seating three …
• Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central coastal part of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms an urban area known as the Lima Metropolitan Area - the most populous metropolitan area of Peru …
• Puno
Puno was the territory of the Tiahuanacos (800 A.D. - 1200 A.D.) who were the highest cultural expression of the Aymara people that established themselves in what is today Peru and Bolivia. The Incas took over these lands in the fifteenth century, and the Spanish, attracted by the mining industry developed there, left an important Colonial legacy …
• Trujillo
Trujillo is the birthplace of Peru's judiciary, and it was twice designated as the capital of the country. It was the scene of the Revolution of Trujillo in 1932. Trujillo is considered the "cradle of liberty and cradle of the judiciary in Peru." It has sponsored numerous national and international cultural events, and has a lively arts community …
… more destinations in magical Peru
» Peruvian Amazon
Covering over half of the country, yet home to a mere 5% of its population, the Peruvian Amazon is Peru's most precious natural asset, a vast wilderness of lush rainforest and indigenous lands stretching east of the Andes Mountains. Peru's principal 'Gateway to the Amazon' is the northern town of Iquitos - a popular starting point for multi-day river cruises and river activities …
» Quarry Trail
Unforgettable and crowded - those are two words that travelers might use to describe the Inca Trail. Seeing as it's the most popular trail in Peru, the Inca Trail has become a hike that's hard to get reservations for. Often travelers will reserve their permits up to 6 months in advance, and for travelers who couldn't get their hands on a permit, a separate network of alternative trails provide hiking that's arguably better …
» Tipon
When you hear 'Inca ruins' you probably think Machu Picchu, and while the famous 15th century site deserves its bucket list status, Peru is home to other travel-worthy ruins as well. One of them, arguably the best demonstration of the incredible engineering skills of the Incas, is Tipón. The 500-acre site, located near a natural spring 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Cusco …
» Urubamba Valley
Better known as the 'Sacred Valley,' the Urubamba Valley is the ancient cradle of Inca civilization. It's a place where merchants still speak Quechua while strolling the cobbled streets, and markets burst with the vibrant colors of traditional Inca art. It's a place where ruins rise from the hillsides beneath the snowcapped peaks of the Andes, and mysterious archeological sites offer far more questions than answers …
« PERU • Discover Peru
