What to Do when Traveling to Peru

Cultural and Tourist Attractions to See when Visiting Peru

Oct 14, 2009

Peru is located in Western South America. Visiting Peru is a marvelous cultural experience, as the people are unique, the history, rich, and the landscapes are beautiful.

There are many things to see and do when traveling in Peru. It is a versatile country with friendly, unique people and beautiful landscapes and scenery.

Description of Peru

Peru is the 27th largest country (in terms of area) in the world. Its total area is 798,596 square miles (1,285,216 square km), and the nation lies south of Ecuador and Columbia, west of Brazil and Bolivia, and just north on the Pacific coast from Chile. The Andes Mountains run through Peru, giving several different environments to the nation. Most of Peru is tropical, particularly on the eastern side of the nation, as the Amazon rainforest extends into the country, but there are also desert environments near the Andes, grassland areas, and mountainous areas associated with the Andes, the worlds largest mountain range. The entire country has a population of over 29 million, many of whom live in the larger cities. The capital and largest city of Peru is Lima, which has a metropolitan population of nearly 8.5 million.

Traveling in Peru: Getting There and Places to Stay

There are three international airports in Peru (in Arequipa, in southern Peru, inCallao, and in Cusco), although Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM), located in Callao serves Lima, which is very close by, is by far the largest and most used airport. Lima would most likely serve as the major hub for people traveling in Peru, as it has a central location on the Pacific coast. As far as exploring the country, sights to see are vast and virtually limitless in Peru. There are several smaller cities and towns throughout the country closer to some of the major tourist attractions that travelers may stay in, such as Arequipa, in Southern Peru, Chiclayo and Trujillo in northwestern Peru on the Pacific, Iquitos in Northeastern Peru, and Cusco in the southeastern part of the country.

Cultural and Geographical Attractions to See when Traveling to Peru

Without a doubt, the most renowned tourist attraction in the country is the ruin of the Incas at Machu Picchu. This ruin is located about 50 miles from Cusco, and it overlooks the Urubamba River and valley. The city of Cusco is an attraction itself, as it has a very quaint and rural atmosphere and beautiful old buildings. The Amazon rainforest also lies partly in Peru, and visitors to Puerto Maldonado in the southeastern part of the country can see the jungle's beauty firsthand. Perhaps the most spectacular and most overlooked attraction in the country is Colca Canyon, which is not far from Arequipa. Over twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, this canyon's walls extend from the Colca River to the peaks of the Andes. Peruvian wildlife abounds in Colca Canyon.

Peru is a spectacular and beautiful South American country. When traveling to Peru, there is much to be seen, and little to disappoint.

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