About Peru

GENERAL INFORMATION

Extension: 1 285 215.6 km² (496,224.5 miles²)

It is South America´s third largest country, and one of the world´s 20 largest countries.

Geography and Climate: 

Peru is a mega-diverse country, as it contains 11 eco-regions and 84 life zones, out of the 117 that exist in the world. It possesses an enormous diversity of landscapes, due to its geographical relief and conditions, which confers it a great diversity of natural resources.

The Coastal Region: It is a narrow strip made-up of deserts, bathed by the Pacific Ocean, and of fertile valleys nourished by the rivers that come down from the Andes´ Cordillera, and get lost in the sea.

It has a mild to warm climate, without extreme cold or suffocating heat, but, with a high moisture level, as dense fogs produce a sensation of cold, in winter (June to September), whilst in summer, there is little mist, and temperatures can reach 30°C (86°F).

The Mountainous Region: It is mainly formed by the Andes´ Cordilleras that dominate its landscape, and this is why it possesses several eco-regions.

The Central Andes are the highest and steepest, with snowcapped Mount Huascarán and its 6,768 meters (22,205 feet) above sea level, as Peru´s highest peak.

In the mountains, there are two seasons: Summer (April to October), with sunny days, cold nights and scarce rainfalls, and winter (November to March), with abundant rains.

During the day, the Sun can make temperatures rise up to an average of 24°C (75.2°F) and, at night, temps can drop down to -3°C (26.6°F).

The Jungle Region: It is located towards the Eastern part of Peru, and is a vast region, covered by dense vegetation, that extends from the Andes´ Eastern slopes, down to the Amazon River´s Basin.

It is composed of High Jungle or Jungle´s Edge regions, over 700 meters (2,297 feet) in altitude, characterized by cloud forests, and low rainforest areas, under 700 meters above sea level.

In the jungle there are two seasons: From November to March, there are abundant rains and, from April to October, there is little rain, but, overall humidity levels remain high throughout the whole year.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL TO PERU      

Actually, any time of the year is good to visit Peru, if you know how to choose the right place at the right time. Just remember that the rainy season, in the Andes, is between November and March, and that some attractions and/or activities are not accessible to visitors, especially in February.

HOLIDAYS

 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Lima      (LIM):            Jorge Chávez

Airports with some international flights:

Cusco  (CUZ)   :           Velasco Astete

Iquitos  (IQT)  :           Francisco Secadas Vigneta

PERU´S MAIN TOURIST DESTINATIONS:

PERU,                          “Land of Hidden Treasures”

• CAPITAL CITY:
  • Lima, “City of Kings”

• SOUTH:
  • Machu Picchu: “One of the 7 New Wonders of the Modern World”
  • Cusco: “Capital City of the Incan Empire”
  • Puno: “Titicaca; the World´s Highest Navigable Lake”
  • Arequipa: “Condors in the Colca Canyon”
  • Nazca: “Enigmatic Lines and Geoglyphs”

• SOUTHERN JUNGLE:
  • Puerto Maldonado: “Biodiversity and Wealth in Flora and Fauna”

• NORTH:
  • Trujillo: “The Lady of Cao´s Site Museum”
  •   Chiclayo: “Mochica Culture and the Lord of Sipán´s Museum”

• NORTHERN JUNGLE:
  • Chachapoyas: “Fortress of Kuélap”