Peru
Peru is one of the world’s 12 megadiverse countries, and this status is largely due to the biodiversity of its Amazon region. The geographical and climatic conditions of Peru mean that its possesses 84% of the world’s life zones, with the Amazon region alone containing 13% of those life zones and offering perfect conditions for a huge variety of flora and fauna.
Journeying from the coast to the highlands and the rainforest one experiences the unparalleled geographical diversity of Peru, the vestiges of the civilization of the Incas and the Spanish colonial art and architecture legacy, as well as incomparable biological diversity.
Experience the best of Peru, within the context of Peru’s fabulously varied nature and culture.
If you are looking for real contact with the Andes culture, native folk traditions, nature or adventure, travel to Peru and PACHA will open up a window for you onto what it really means to experience a journey into the heart of the Andes…!!!
Highlights
Machu Picchu & The Inca Trail: The unique architectural characteristics, combined with the magnificent mountainous topography have made Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. Machu Picchu demonstrates the nearly perfect and best period of a great culture. Engineering, architecture, town planning, agriculture, religion and astronomy are clearly represented in each of the city buildings. The Lost City of the Incas is reached by train, or along the fascinating four day walk on the Inca Trail, which attracts thousands of people every year, because of the beauty, scenery, history, archaeology and, of course, adventure.
Lake Titicaca: Lake Titicaca is the second largest lake in South America, and is the highest navigable lake in the world. It is located in the high Altiplano region of the Bolivian-Peruvian Andes at an elevation of 3800m (12540ft). The maximum depth of the lake is approximately 280m. The Titicaca is the highest endorheic lake of major extension in the world. The most out-standing feature of Titicaca is that it contains fresh water, although most endorheic lakes are salty, such as the ones that formerly existed in Chile and Bolivia (which are now dried salt lakes).
Nazca Lines: The Nazca Lines were discovered in 1939 by the American scientist, Paul Kosok. These incredible lines remainded unexplored until the researcher, Doctor Maria Reiche, dedicated her life to studying these enigmatic lines.
The Lines, which form different shapes, were used by the former Peruvian astronomers as gigantic solar and lunar calendars. Sheltered in the sand and in the blurry legends and myths of the villagers, they were a source of knowledge, and an amazing record of celestial phenomena. Nasca Lines are the documentary history of science, and of the scientists of pre-Hispanic Peru. In the Lines a scientific tradition is registered. The former Peruvians developed an alphabet, to annotate the most important astronomic events of their days. Today, the Pampas of Nazca are the pages of a book, written with a strange alphabet.
Arequipa: Surrounded by volcanoes, Arequipa, the “White City”, demonstrates an original colonial town by its town planning and architecture, including churches and mansions. Its calendar contains numerous festivals with fireworks, local cuisine and traditions.
Arequipa is the home of “Juanita”, the frozen Incan maiden and several other ice-mummies found on the snow capped mountains near the city. The mummies are exhibited in the Santuarios Andinos Museum, which is located in the city center. Arequipa is also the entrance to the Colca Canyon, the best location in Peru to see Condors, the world’s largest flying birds.
Cordillera Blanca: Cordillera Blanca is a great mountain range located in the north of Peru “Huaraz”. The entire area of this mountain range is protected by the government, in the National Park of the Huascarán. The park is a paradise of more than 50 impressive snow capped mountains with summits above 5800m. The White Cordillera shelters the highest mountain of Peru (Huascarán 6768m), and also Alpamayo, which is considered to be the most beautiful snow capped mountain in the world. Artesonraju is also located in this cordillera (Paramount Picture’s logo mountain).
Adventure sports, including: trekking, climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking and fishing are popular in the Cordillera Blanca. The best season to enjoy adventure sports in high altitudes is from April to October.
The Lord of Sipán: Discovered by the Peruvian archeologist, Walter Alva, in 1987, in Lambayeque, city of Chiclayo; The Lord of Sipán represents the most important archaeological treasures of the Mochica culture. Found in Peru, and having never been previously excavated by treasure hunters, The Lord of Sipán has been nicknamed “The Golden Wonder” by Times Magazine. National Geographic published an article titled: “Discovering the Richest Tomb in the New World”. This discovery represents the most important archaeological finding of recent times. The collection has traveled throughout the world in a series of impressive expos in Europe, USA and Japan.
The remains of the great Lord of Sipán are in the Museo Tumbas Reales in the city of Lambayeque, displaying the great art work of the Moche Culture.
Amazon Basin: It is located along the eastern edge of the Andes, in South America. It represents almost 61 % of the territory of Peru, but in contrast, is the region with the fewest human inhabitants. The Peruvian Amazonia is one of the world’s most bio-diverse areas, due to the rich variety of ecosystems.
Surface Area
Peru is located on the central west coast of South America, with a surface area of 1,285,215 sq km. It is the third largest country in South America.
Population
Peru has a population of 28,220,764 inhabitants (according to census in November, 2007). Over half of Peru’s 28 million inhabitants, are concentrated in the coastal desert, mainly in the city of Lima. The remaining half live in the highlands and Amazon.
About 45% of the population is Amerindian (indigenous from Peru), 37% is Mestizo (mixed race), 15% Caucasian (European), 2% Afro-Peruvian and 1% Chinese-Japanese descent.
Geography
Peru possesses an enormous multiplicity of landscapes, which gives the country a great diversity of natural resources.
The country is divided into three main geographic regions, divided regionally from north to south. The Coast comprises 10% and the Andes 29%. More than 60% of the country lies on the eastern side of the Andes Mountain Range, in the Amazon jungle.
Climate
Peru does not have an exclusively tropical climate as is commonly thought. Because it is situated near Ecuador; the influence of the Andes and Humboldt's cold water currents determine a great climatic diversity to the Peruvian territory. The coast has moderate temperatures, low rainfalls and high dampness, with the exception of the hotter and wetter north coastal region. In the highlands, it frequently rains from November to April, whereas the temperature and dampness diminish with the increased elevation of the Andes Mountains. The jungle is characterized by heavy rains and high temperatures.
Gastronomy
Peruvian cuisine is considered to be one of the most varied and original cuisines in the world. It maintains the Guinness record for its boundless variety and diversity of local dishes. (491)!
Peru, due to the Incas, the Amazonian population, the Spanish and African, as well as French, Cantonese, Japanese and later Italian gastronomy offers a great diversity of international and national flavors. Blending these flavors with the Creole (Peruvian), has resulted in a gastronomy of four continents found in only one country. The variety of local dishes is truly Peruvian culinary art in constant evolution.
Economy
Peru is a developing country that is in a stage of economic growth. In April, 2008, the increase of the Interior Brute Product of this country was 13.25 percent. According to the America Economy and the International Monetary Fund, in 2008 Peru placed had second lowest inflation in the world (after France). It, therefore, has one of the most solid economies in South America.
Peru’s main exports are relative to mining industries. Peru is the second largest producer of silver, fourth largest producer of copper, zinc and lead, and fifth largest producer of gold. Additionally, Peru possesses large deposits of iron, tin, manganese; oil and natural gas.
In agro-industry, Peru is the largest producer of flour, fish, asparagus, and paprika, the second largest producer of artichokes and the sixth largest producer of coffee.
In addition, Peru is the largest producer of Alpaca wool and the most important Latin American exporter of cotton textile articles.
Language
The official languages of Peru are Spanish and Quechua (the language spoken principally in the highlands by most indigenous people). Aymara is not an official language and is spoken in the southern Altiplano region of the Peruvian Andes, where Lake Titicaca is located. There are also more than 40 official dialects spoken in the region of the Amazonia, including the Machiguenga and the Ashaninka.
Religion
The official religion of Peru is Catholicism. More than 80% of Peruvians are declared Roman Catholics, although less than 20% practice other religions or do not practice any religion.
Peru celebrates many religious festivities throughout the year. These occur in different cities throughout Peru. One of the most prominent religious manifestations is the Procession of the Lord of the Miracles (Lima), which is considered by many to be one of the most multitudinous faith manifestations in the world.
Peru is a Catholic country, but Peruvians are free to practice one or more religions simultaneously, and generally, religious preferences change due to the geographic location of the populations. This is reflected mainly in the Andes and in the jungle where the people may adore Mother Earth (Pacha Mama) and the Mountains (Apus) in addition to or instead of Catholicism.
Currency
The official currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol (S/.).
Exchange rate currently is: US$ 1.00 = 3.00 Soles
Local Time
Five hours past Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Current and Voltage
Electrical current in Peru runs at 220 volts, 60 cycles AC. Most five star hotels have 110 volt sockets in the rooms, although you may want to bring a travel electric adapter.
It is recommended to bring an electric adapter to change flat- pronged plugs to round-pronged plugs.
| Pacha tours & trips E.I.R.L. | |
| Private and Custom Made Travel to Peru and Southamerica | |
| Avenida Tacna # 230, office 303 (third floor), Wanchaq | |
| Cusco - Peru | |
| Phone: | +51 84 237289 |
| Cel Phone: | +51 84 984769540 (24 hours) |
| Email: | info@pachatoursperu.com |
Pacha tours & trips EIRL, Travel Agency and Tour Operator, Cusco - Peru . Copy Right 2008 - Tailor made travel to Peru