Narrow and long Peru stretches along the West coast of Latin America. With a coastline of 3,000 km, it is the third largest country on this continent after Brazil and Argentina. No matter where you are in Peru, the beauty of the landscape will enchant you: a variety of rivers, mountain ranges, desert and impenetrable rainforest will accompany you on your journey.
The coastal plain of Peru is a desert landscape and is part of the Atacama desert in the south – one of the driest places on earth. The North offers two superlatives: the longest waves in the world at surfers paradise Puerto Chicama and excavations of the oldest civilisation in Latin America at Caral.
Further south you will reach the capital Lima. On the coast you can also visit Islas Ballestas, the small Galápagos of Peru. Unfortunately you cannot go on land here, but the day trips by boat take you up close to the impressive animal life of pelicans, penguins, sea lions, the Humboldt cormorant and Peruvian booby.
Even further south you fly over the famous mysterious Nazca lines. Also fascinating are the green oases at the river mouths that flow from the Andes; here even fruit is harvested and grape vines grow to make delicious wine.
In the Andes a breathtaking landscape and an impressive culture and history compete for your attention. After the Himalayas, the Andes is the highest mountain range on our planet. The most beautiful and highest mountains in Peru are in the Cordillera Blanca and the Cordillera Huayhuash. The Cordillera Blanca is the highest tropical mountain range in the world with 18 peaks over 6,000 meters including the most impressive mountain in Peru: Nevado Huascarán (6,768 meters). Narrow valleys meander through the mountain giants, the so-called quebradas. The mountains are a mecca for climbers and hikers.
Further south, the high peaks merge into the Sacred Valley. Based on the hospitable city of Cuzco, the surrounding landscape reveals an intriguing Inca past with well-preserved buildings, temples and agricultural terraces. You will of course visit the magical Machu Picchu here.
In the extreme south of the Andes you will arrive at one of the most beautiful colonial cities of Latin America, Arequipa. Built from pearly white volcanic rock, called sillar. The southern Andes of Peru has two extremes: Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world and Colca Canyon, the deepest mountain gorge on earth. The largest bird of prey, the Andes Condor, takes you here on its impressive flight to a dazzling altitude.
Further east you descend the mountain ranges through cloud forests and you arrive in the Amazon region. The rainforest is one of the most untamed places on earth. Gurgling rivers and impenetrable forests have largely protected indigenous communities and vibrant animals from external influences. The jungle of Peru covers an estimated 60% of the total territory of the country and it is a region with many contrasts. Here you will find thousands of birds and plants that are found nowhere else on earth. You will visit eclectic cities such as Iquitos, stay in remote lodges in the rainforest, visit indigenous people and take multi-day river trips to explore this fascinating region.
Have you become enthusiastic about all the beauty that Peru has to offer? Contact us and we will be happy to help you put together a wonderful journey for you.
