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Peru is a country with more than 10,000 years of history and it was the heart of the fabulous Inca Empire. It is situated among the 20 most extensive countries of the planet and located in the central and western part of South America.

Peru is divided into three principal regions which consist of the coast, the mountain range and the jungle; where one can travel from a solid desert to vertiginous mountains and an exuberant jungle in a single sigh.

HISTORY

Peru is the point of encounter of diverse cultures, a destination that embraces one of the seven marvels of the modern world, Machu Picchu... an archaeological heritage without equal.

In Peru, a long time ago, millenary civilizations bequeath to the world magnificent examples of a glorious past. From Caral, the oldest ancient archaeological deposit with more than 5000 years antiquity; the royal tomb of the Lord of Sipan, found intact without signs of plunder that revealed the magnificence of the only flamboyant governor and warrior of the civilization; the mystifying Nazca outlines from simple line designs to complex figures such as, zoomorphic (animal), phytomorphic (plant) or geometrical, which are conserved due to being in the driest zone of the planet; and the extraordinary fortress of Kuelap, an architectural joint of large dimensions of rocks, constructed around the year 1000 by the Chachapoyas, a lost civilization.

From its immense and rich culture, its ruins and mysterious towns, Peru for many, the heart of one of the greatest civilizations of South America, offers everything you need to make your five senses come to life.

NATURE AND ECOLOGY

Peru itself is an impressive display of nature and ecology, considered by the World Resources Institute as among one of the eight selected "mega diverse" countries. The jungle of the Amazon in Peru is known as "the lungs of the world", it shelters a great diversity of animal and vegetable species, variety of fauna and flora not found in any other place on the planet.

The territory of Peru shelters 84 of the 117 life zones existing on Earth and owns 28 of the 32 different types of weather. Peru tops the list with its variety of fishes, butterflies and orchids, is second in birds, third in mammals and amphibians, fourth in overall biological diversity and fifth in plants and reptiles.

Peru is home to 12 national parks, 11 national reserves, 7 national sanctuaries, 5 historical sanctuaries, 10 reserved zones, 6 protected forests, 2 hunting areas and 6 community reserves; all created for the conservation of an assortment of biology and other interests such as: cultural, landscape and scientific.

On the other hand, the biodiversity in Peru gives an ample reason to motivate the lovers of nature to begin a trip to the various destinations in Peru.  From the coastal desert zone, the Andean altitudes or the tropical forests, we can find areas with such diversity that would keep even the most dedicated explorer busy for weeks, in other words, an infinite exploration.

GASTRONOMY

Peruvian cuisine offers much to the palate, due to being the most exquisite and diverse in South America and consequently the whole world. Lima was declared the "Gastronomical Capital of the Americas." In every one of the three regions of Peru, you can find a variety of favorite and typical dishes with its own recipes.

Peru has more than 40,000 restaurants which reflects the diversity of a nation, that has combined its native traditions with European, Arabic, Chinese, African and Japanese cuisine. Pisco Sour, an indigenous drink made with white grapes is the national drink.

This is Peru, the land of a thousand tastes, which we invite you to explore. It is a trip in itself from the prodigious Peruvian seas from where the ceviche originates, the Andes and its hundred of variety of potatoes  to the Amazon, which carries the exoticism of a mysterious and natural cuisine, the only route to taste, smell and texture.

ADVENTURE AND SPORTS

Peruvian nature seems to have carved the geography for adventures and sports. It is a  place where you would find the Peruvian Andes with its more than 12,000 lakes and hundreds of snow-covered mountains that exceed 6,000 meters above sea level as well as the deepest canyons in the world with its torrential raging rivers;  all this and much more are part of the adrenaline rush that Peru offers.

Some options of adventure and sports are: trekking, a paradise for the walkers; mountain climbing, touching the skies of the Andes; mountain biking, traveling in the routes of the past; sand-boarding over the dunes of sand; surfing, with the waves all year long; Paragliding and Hang Gliding, dominating the winds; rafting and kayaking, through the worlds' deepest canyons and fishing in the ocean, river or lakes, these are some of the multiple outdoor scenes you can experience.

All you need is a little imagination and courage to become without knowing it, a true adventurer.

ENTERTAINMENT

Peru is a country rich in culture, dance and music traditions. In many of its cities, restaurants and hotels, spectacular folkloric shows with music and dances are offered. Latin or Creole music from the coast is popular in Lima.

The Peñas, are lively and fun criollo music clubs that inspires vocal and dance participation with folkloric shows and typical dances from the diverse regions of Peru's past.

You should not miss the Salsodromo (salsa club) that offers dances such as salsa, merengue and other varieties of the Afro-Latin-Caribbean music. Usually there are bands that play live until the early morning hours.

There are also other festivities and celebrations, many of these related to Inca tradition. The most notable is the Inti Raymi or the Festival of the Sun, which invites spectators to Peru from all over the world. In these festivals you can have a comprehensive view of the rich culture and expressions of the Peruvian nation.