The ocean currents (the cold Humboldt coming from the south, and the warm El Niño from Ecuador) are also responsible for changes to the normal climate of this latitude and give rise to a diversity of landscapes, each with its own flora, fauna, agricultural and forestall qualities.

In Peru, 80% of the world’s recognized ecological zones can be found. As a result of this exceptional biodiversity, some 400 animal species, more than 1000 kinds of birds, 1200 types of salt and freshwater fish and 25000 flora species have been catalogued to date. 

However, it is estimated that they represent barely half of the genetic wealth existing in the territory. The natural reserve of Tambopata-Cadamo holds the world record for varieties of birds, and the highest diversity of trees in the world has been identified in Yanamono, Loreto; 300 species per hectare. 

When you are planning your travel to Peru, distances must be taken into account. The coast is more than 2500 km long in a straight line from North to South (the 2600 km long Pan-American Highway runs along the Coastline) and 1400 km from East to West.

The variety of weather and life results in many different ecological zones and makes it possible to pass quickly from warm to cold climates. The spectacular richness of the natural scenery is never far from the capitals of the departments:

The Cordillera Blanca with its 35 snow-capped peaks over 6000 m, and the Huascarán National Park are in the Department of Ancash. The Valley of the Volcanoes, the Colca Valley, and the Colca and Cotahuasi Canyons, among the world’s deepest, can be found in the Department of Arequipa. The Vilcabamba, Urubamba and Vilcanota Mountains in the Sacred Valley are in the Department of Cuzco. 

Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake, is in the Department of Puno. The world’s longest river -the Amazon-  and its tributaries the Ucayali and Marañón Rivers (two of the main ones), which meander through the magic greenness of an endless jungle, are situated in the Department of Loreto.

Peru includes zones with some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. There are 44 protected natural areas, occupying 10% of the national territory. Among these you will find the flora and fauna richness of the Paracas Natural Reserve (near Ica), the Manu Biosphere Reserve, the Tambopata National Reserve and the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve (near Iquitos). Peruvian natural reserves, such as Puerto Maldonado and Manu, are among the most exceptional in the world. This variety of environments makes Peru a country which is ideally suited for trekking, climbing, rafting and other adventure sports.

Historical interests
Peru also has a resplendent millenary of history that dates back to the depth of times, which gave rise to many cultures long before the Spanish conquest in the 16th century and the incorporation of the country into the west. One should not fail to visit its most important archaeological sites: The enigmatic Nasca Lines; the adobe city of Chan Chan in Trujillo; the temple of Chavín de Huántar near Huaraz; Sacsayhuamán, Ollantaytambo and the buried Inca remains near Cuzco, and the famous citadel of Machu Picchu. It's also worth visiting other ruins scattered all over the territory, such as the Chulpas (Inca burial grounds) of Sillustani (Puno), the temple of Sechín (Casma), Kuelap (Amazonas), and the Tomb of the Lord of Sipán (Chiclayo), just to mention the most well-known.

Points of interest to visit in the cities are: Lima and its museums; Inca and Spanish quarters of Cuzco; Arequipa and its mestizo baroque temples; Trujillo and its colonial and republican mansions; the highland cities of Cajamarca, Ayacucho, Huancavelica and their numerous churches, carved stone doorways, folklore, colorful dances and wide variety of handicrafts. In addition, there are small towns in the Colca Valley -Andahuaylillas and Huaro in Cuzco- in which splendid examples of Colonial art have been conserved. 

Finally, apart from its archaeological, historical and natural attractions, Peru also has extensive beaches along the whole coastline, where water sports are widely practiced. The northern coast, adjoining Ecuador, has a stable climate with temperatures fluctuating between 20 and 30°C, and sunshine all year round. There are fine sandy beaches (Máncora, Punta Sal), beaches suitable for spear fishing (Cabo Blanco), and other water sports (scuba diving, surfing, etc). 

Peru's archaeological legacy 
While Peru inevitably evokes images of Machu Picchu and the Inca Empire, the country is also riddled with archaeological sites that are a legacy of even more ancient times, when great civilizations left a legacy of their art, customs and rituals, their wisdom and skills.

The Inca Empire was a recent arrival during the process of cultural development in the Andes during the pre-Hispanic era, and the history of the Incas barely accounts for a century within the 20,000 years of human occupation of Peruvian territory. 

Long before the Incas, the Chavín civilization (1500-400 BC) achieved considerable prowess in architecture, engineering and agriculture in the northern highlands. Along the north coast, the Moche civilization (200 BC-700 AD) is famous for its realistic pottery (portraits carved into pots and gourds) and its pyramid-shaped temples. The same area was later controlled by the Chimú kingdom (900-1450 AD), who built Chan Chan, an immense mud-brick citadel featuring 12-meter-high walls and superb architectural work. 

To the south, the Nasca people (200 BC-900 AD) etched an impressive series of figures into the desert floor known as the Nasca Lines, while graves belonging to the Paracas culture (800 BC-600 AD) have unearthed superb weavings which point to the magical and religious vision that governed the lives of this ancient civilization. 

Centuries later, the Incas (1300-1500 AD) were to make Cuzco the centre of their empire, building major constructions such as Sacsayhuaman, Pisac and Koricancha. It is here that myth and history merge, where the Inca roads, the towns, people and traditions are a living example of the Andean spirit, sacred and monumental. 

Discover why Peru is for many the heart of South America's greatest civilizations. 

Nature and Landscapes

Protected Natural Areas 
Today, Peru features a total of 57 natural areas or conservation units, covering approximately 13% of the country's territory. 

Rivers & Canyons
The beauty of Peru's rivers stems from the canyons which have been carved out through the centuries by their waters, the plant life which grows alongside, and from the varieties of fauna found in their waters. All this makes them ideal spots for swimming, resting and adventure sports such as rafting.

Lakes & Lagoons
Peru's geography is reflected in its thousands of lakes and lagoons, which all have their own characteristics in accordance with their environment. 

Waterfalls
From the Andes down to the river, sea or lake into which Peru's rivers flow, the waters cascade down cliffs and mountainsides, forming spectacular waterfalls. Some of these sites are near roads, while others are located in forested areas that can only be reached by long hikes. 

Flora & Fauna
Peru's astounding variety of climates and eco-systems ranks the country amongst the world's top eight nations in terms of biodiversity, where one can find 84 of the 104 life zones existing around the planet. The country is home to more than 400 species of mammals, 300 reptiles, 1700 birds and more than 50000 plants registered to date. 

Popular Festivities
Peru celebrates some 3000 festivals a year. Most of them are held in homage to a patron saint and are part of the Christian calendar adopted in colonial times, although they have blended with the magical beliefs of ancient forms of worship. These religious festivals occur alongside pagan celebrations dating back to ancestral myths in native communities in the jungle, as well as dozens of festivals created over the following centuries. Peru's festivals form a radiant rainbow, whose colours blend with sounds, textures and a vigorous theatrical concept aimed at reinventing history and producing a celebratory synthesis of Man and the Earth goddess, the Pachamama.

Gastronomy
Peru boasts one of the finest cuisines in Latin America. Recipes such as ceviche (raw fish marinated in lemon juice), pachamanca (meat and vegetables cooked underground), chupe de camarones (shrimp soup), ají de gallina (spicy chicken) and juane (cornmash pastries) are just a few of the mouth-watering dishes served up in Peru. The quality and variety of dishes in Peru are due to several reasons. 

First, Peru's ecological and climatic diversity (Peru is home to 84 of the 104 eco-systems existing on Earth) has given rise to a major supply of fresh produce, which any chef would be ecstatic about. The rich Peruvian fishing grounds abound in fish and shellfish species, the heart of the succulent coastal gastronomy; rice, fowl and goat, are the key ingredients of Peru's north coastal cooking. In the Andes delicious ingredients such as the potato and sweet corn in all its varieties, plus cuy (guinea pig) and ají (chili pepper) are the basis of highland cooking and are to be found across the country. The jungle adds its own touch; wild game with a side serving of fried banana and manioc root. Local fruit varieties such as chirimoya (custard apple) and lúcuma produce incomparable deserts. 

The second reason is the rich mix of Western and Eastern cultural traditions. Over the course of centuries, Peru has felt the influence of Spain in stews and soups, Arab in sweets and desserts, African contributions to Creole cooking, Italian pastas, Japanese preparations of fish and shellfish and Chinese culinary methods which have given birth to one of the most popular gastronomic traditions in Peru: chifa. But the originality of Peru's cuisine does not stem just from its traditional cooking -rather, it continues to incorporate new influences, preparing exquisite and impeccable dishes that have been dubbed the New Peruvian Cuisine. It is a veritable privilege to experience Peru's cooking.