Five Reasons to Discover Peru
Diversity is a word that defines Peru. It is not the only one; there are many others that are ideal for describing the different nuances of a country with changing geography, prodigious nature, indigenous cultures, flavours that delight the palate, and traditions and customs that remain alive on the shores of the Pacific, in the valleys of the Andes, and in the forests of the Amazon.
And it is these forests that sustain the world. It is these mountains that cradled the builders of the greatest pre-Hispanic empire in South America. It is these coastal shores that awakened the nautical dreams of Tupac Yupanqui, the young Sapa Inca who reportedly reached Polynesia on rustic rafts.
This is the country I invite you to discover, explore, and enjoy. This is the Peru that awaits you with its 1,285,215 km² of territory, 55 indigenous peoples, and 43 different languages, nearly 31,000 archaeological sites, and 76 natural areas protected by the state, along with 39 types of ecosystems and 6,288 endemic species of flora and fauna that make it a megadiverse destination.
The importance of these “lands of the Inca that the sun illuminates because God commands it,” as the lyrics of the waltz Y Se Llama Perú say, is such that the naturalist, environmental activist, and English television presenter David Bellamy wrote, “If there were a planetary catastrophe and I had the opportunity to choose one country to save and rebuild the planet, I would undoubtedly choose Peru.”
Choose it too, not to save it, but to experience something great, because here you will always find a path to explore, an ancient city to discover, a protected area that will connect you with nature, a snow-capped peak to conquer, a local festival where you will pray, dance, or pay tribute to Mother Earth, and a well-set table with unique and incomparable dishes.
If you still have doubts. If you’re still hesitant. If you still think that tourist Peru is just Machu Picchu and Cusco, let me tell you that you are mistaken. And to prove it to you, I will give you five reasons —which could be ten, a hundred, or a thousand— to come to our homeland. We are waiting for you! In this little corner of the planet, located in the central-western part of South America.
First reason: we are an ancient country
From the interiors of the caves that sheltered primitive men to the stone architecture of the Incas. From the rock art of nomadic hunters and gatherers to the geoglyphs traced on a desert plain. From a sacred city that is one of the civilising focal points of the planet to one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
A journey that will take you to the dawn of human development in the caves of Pikimachay (Ayacucho), where lithic artefacts dating back 20,000 years were found, and in Lauricocha (Huánuco), the shelter where the remains of 11 individuals were discovered. Their age exceeds 7,000 years, which is why they are considered the oldest humans in Peru.
And on this journey through the ancient past, you will discover the rock site of Toquepala in Tacna (7600 B.C.); the Sacred City of Caral (Barranca, Lima), which dates back 5,000 years and is one of the focal points of global civilisation; as well as the immense adobe city of Chan Chan in Trujillo (La Libertad region) and the still undeciphered lines and geoglyphs of Nazca (Ica region).
Autonomous development in ancient Peru reached its peak during the Tawantinsuyu, the empire of the Incas. Cusco and the Sacred Valley are archaeological bastions that boast unique sites such as Saqsaywaman, Ollantaytambo, Choquequirao, Pisac, Moray, and Machu Picchu, the exclusive destination of a nation that builds its future on the greatness of its past.
Second reason: we are a megadiverse country
Flora and fauna manifest in multiple forms. Peru is home to 10% of the world’s species, making it one of the 17 megadiverse countries. Life, abundant and overwhelming life. Life that is a miracle in the coastal desert, a testament to resilience in the heights of the Andes, and an explosion of movements, “voices,” and colours in the Amazonian forests, rivers, and lakes.
Nature in its purest state. That’s what you’ll find in the jungles of Manu, Pacaya Samiria, and Tambopata; in the snowy mountains of Huascarán National Park; in the vastness of Pampas Galeras, the largest reserve of vicuñas on the planet; in the depths of the Colca Canyon, where you can see the flight of the Andean condor; and in the waters of the Ballestas Islands, with their sea lions and guano birds.
If you love birds, what are you waiting for? In our national territory, 1,834 species have been recorded, making it one of the three countries with the greatest diversity. If you love orchids, you’ll find a “paradise” here with nearly 3,000 species. If you want to feel like an explorer, head to the jungle in search of monkeys, ronsocos (capybaras), river otters, and the intrepid jaguar.
The jaguar is the largest feline in the Americas and the third largest in the world. It is a representative species, as are the spectacled bear, the pink river dolphin, the spatula-tailed hummingbird, the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, the cock of the rock, our national bird, and countless other species. If you are a lover of flora and fauna, it’s almost an obligation for your next adventure to be in Peru.
Third reason: we are a cultural mosaic
A country of “all bloods.” A nation where “if one doesn’t have Inca heritage, they have Mandinga heritage.” These two phrases, coined by writers José María Arguedas and Ricardo Palma, are used to highlight the cultural mosaic that exists in Peru. This is evident in its traditions and customs, its festivals and rituals, as well as in the various ways of understanding and interpreting reality.
Cultural diversity is not an empty phrase. Of the 33 million Peruvians, 60.2% identify as mestizo, 25.7% consider themselves of indigenous roots, 3.6% define themselves as Afro-descendants, and 5.9% are of European origin, according to the study Peru: State of the Population in the Bicentennial Year 2021, conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI).
Multiculturalism is one of our strengths and, from a tourism perspective, another reason to traverse the rivers and trails that lead to an indigenous community in the jungle, the winding paths that arrive at a peasant village in the Andes, the sands and coastal cliffs that hide fishermen’s coves, and to navigate towards the legendary islands of Lake Titicaca, to learn, share, and live with the men and women who keep the roots of Peruvianness alive.
This is not the only way to feel the cultural heartbeat of the population. Patronal festivals, rituals to the land, the sun, the mountains, and water, as well as pilgrimages to sacred places, provide opportunities to understand the faith, worldview, and syncretism of a nation that is indigenous, mestizo, and Hispanic, because the Spanish presence—with its lights and shadows—is also a fundamental part of who we are and how we are.
Fourth reason: we are a country of adventures
Adrenaline. Plenty of adrenaline in Peru. In its challenging geography, you will experience great adventures. If you enjoy trekking, we offer you kilometre-long trails that will take you to archaeological sites such as Machu Picchu or Choquequirao, to the Huayhuash mountain range, and to the domains of the apus Salkantay, Ausangate, or Pariaccaca.
There are more routes; the only thing in short supply is the space to mention them all. And, perhaps, you don’t want to walk but to face the rapids of the Urubamba, Apurímac, or Colca rivers; to climb the peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain range in the world; to fly paragliding in the Andes or from the cliffs of the Costa Verde in Lima, just 20 minutes from the Historic Centre of the capital.
If none of these activities convince you, learn to surf in the waters of the Peruvian Pacific, which offers several highly recommended spots, such as Chicama in La Libertad, Máncora, Lobitos, and Cabo Blanco in Piura, among others. If you’re in the capital, you’ll find more than one perfect beach for riding waves in the bay of Lima and south of the city.
The adventure doesn’t end there. It turns into relentless pedalling on mountain paths, rock climbing in a stone forest, sandboarding on desert sands, or underwater experiences in the waters of Paracas (Ica). It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert or a beginner; there will always be a special route for you and a trained guide to help you safely enjoy the adrenaline that Peru generates.
Fifth reason: we are a delicious destination
If you are a gourmet and cuisine is one of the reasons you choose a destination, let me tell you something: Welcome to Peru! A country with great flavour, where the creativity of yesterday’s cooks and today’s chefs mixes, combines, and prepares to present you with a menu of traditional and innovative flavours.
Peruvian tables are as varied as its territory. On the coast, the seafood offerings are more than appetising. In the highlands, the hearty “levanta muertos” soups—so named for their substantial nature and the use of ingredients like potatoes, corn, and quinoa—are ideal for warding off the cold; while in the Amazon, forest ingredients give each dish an exotic touch.
Get ready to try a fresh and spicy ceviche, a powerful parihuela (fish and seafood soup); a steaming patasca with its essential mote; an ancestral pachamanca—where meats, potatoes, broad beans, and other ingredients are buried and cooked over hot stones—and the ever-festive juane de gallina, a staple in the Amazonian celebration of Saint John the Baptist on June 24.
If you’re feeling adventurous, dare to try cuy (guinea pig) in any of its forms (chactado, fried, in a spicy sauce, or even broasted), the fiery rocoto relleno, the quintessential cau cau (beef tripe with yellow chilli and potatoes), or revitalising tocosh, a fragrant porridge made with fermented potatoes known as the “natural penicillin of the Andes.”
The invitation is extended. Come to Peru. I’m sure that as you explore my land—our land—you’ll find more than five reasons to return soon, to return always.
October 5, 2024