Peru is South America’s ultimate destination for ancient history, dramatic landscapes, and world-class culinary arts. Home to the iconic Inca Empire, the towering Andes mountains, and the deep Amazon basin, it is a country that offers a massive variety of adventures.
The name Peru is derived from a Quechua word implying land of abundance, a reference to the economic wealth produced by the rich and highly organized Inca civilization that ruled the region for centuries.
The most favorite destinations for international travelers include Machu Picchu, a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco. The best time to visit Peru is during the dry season, from May to October, especially if you plan to visit Machu Picchu, hike the Inca Trail, or explore the Andes Mountains.
SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PERU
⛰️ Inca Citadel: Machu Picchu is a breathtaking 15th-century Inca citadel perched high on a mountain ridge at 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level in the Peruvian Andes. Often called the “Lost City of the Incas,” Machu Picchu stands as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and serves as the ultimate highlight for most travelers visiting Peru.
🏞️ Largest Lake: Lake Titicaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America and the highest of the world’s large lakes. Titicaca is one of less than twenty ancient lakes on earth and is thought to be three million years old. The Andean people refer to it as “The Sacred Lake”.
🌊 Amazon Source: The mighty Amazon River begins its long journey high in the Peruvian Andes. The Amazon River starts as glacial streams in the high Peruvian Andes, eventually forming the Ucayali and Marañón rivers, which merge near the city of Iquitos in northern Peru to form the main stem of the Amazon.
🥔 Potato Origin: Peru is the birthplace of the potato, where ancient farmers first domesticated the crop near Lake Titicaca around 7,000 to 10,000 years ago. There are over 4,000 varieties of potatoes growing in the Peruvian highlands in a variety of shapes and colors. May 30th is National Potato Day in Peru.
🏜️ The Sand Dune: The Cerro Blanco sand dune in Peru is the tallest sand dune in the world, looming over 2,078 meters (6,817 feet) above sea level. Located not far from the Nazca Lines, making it a prime destination for extreme sandboarding and trekking.
🛕 The Nazca Lines: The desert of southern Peru features the massive Nazca Lines, ancient geoglyphs of animals and shapes that can only be fully appreciated from the air. Created between 500 BC and 500 AD by the Paracas and Nazca cultures, these giant shapes include straight lines, geometric patterns, and stylized figures of animals and plants.
🌋 White City: Surrounded by four imposing volcanoes, Arequipa is known as the ‘white city’ due to it’s unique architecture, consisting mostly of a white volcanic stone called sillar. After a devastating earthquake in the 19th century, the city was rebuilt using plenty of the same white stone to maintain it’s beauty.
🦅 The Condor: The Andean condor is the largest bird of prey in the world. Its wingspan reaches about 10.8 feet (3.3 meters), and it weighs up to 33 pounds (15 kilograms). In Peru, the Andean Condor is a sacred symbol of power and health. It holds a massive place in Peruvian culture.
🦙 Alpaca Nation: About 80% of the world’s alpaca population lives in the Peruvian Andes. The sale of alpaca meat and textile fiber is the main source of income for about 150,000 families in Peru. Alpaca wool contains no lanolin, making it hypoallergenic, seven times warmer, and three times stronger than sheep’s wool.
