The Peruvian Amazon covers some 60% of Peru, the Amazon jungle features on many people's itineraries - hardly surprising considering the variety of landscapes and wildlife that can be captured on camera. Lush vegetation, dense jungle, and waterways harbor millions of different species, alligators, and thousands of types of birds and fish. There are two main gateways into the heart of the Amazon: Iquitos in the north and Puerto Maldonado in the south, which is accessible from Cusco by air or road. From these two cities, visitors can explore the remote Pacaya - Samiria in the north, Peru's largest reserve, or visit the southern Amazon's Manu Biosphere Reserve, home to both macaws and parrots.
The former capital of the Inca Empire is a rapidly growing city, home of nearly 400,000 people. It lists several important attractions, among them ancient Inca walls and old colonial churches. It also hosts the annual Inti Raymi festival dedicated to the Inca sun god Inti.
The Inca Trail is the most famous trek in South America, combines beautiful mountain scenery, subtropical jungle, and a stunning mix of the Inca paving stones, ruins, and tunnels leading to the final destination Machu Picchu.
Declared the world's deepest canyon by the Guinness Book of Records in 1986, It's twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The precipitous sides of the canyon, 100 miles northwest of Arequipa, are lined with terraces and picturesque villages, while the crystal clear waters of the Rio Colca flow through the valley far below. There are Andean condors in the air and herds of wild vicunas on the slopes.
This huge 4.2 million acre park has succesive tiers of vegetation rising from 500 ft. to 13,700 ft. above sea level. The tropical forest in the lower tiers is home to a unrivalled variety of animal and plant species. Some 850 types of birds have been identified and rarities such as the giant otter and the giant armadillo also find refuge there. Jaguars are often sighted in the park.
This is the highest mountain range of the Peruvian Andes. The Cordillera Blanca's total area is around 1,300 square miles; it's roughly 110 miles north-south and an average of 12 miles east-west.
Nevado Huascaran is the hightest peak at 22,205 ft.
