Natural Attractions in Peru

The Best Natural Attractions in Peru

Peru is one of 10 mega-diverse countries of the world, with hundreds of endemic species of flora and fauna; a paradise for bird watching and orchid spotting, or the exploration of remote and mythical natural landscapes, some still pristine virgin lands teeming with life.

The territory of Peru shelters 84 of the 117 life zones existing on Earth and owns 28 of the different types of weather.

Unique Experience: A single trip is not enough to discover all the wonders of Peru. Here we highlight just a few magical places, such as the Manu National Park and Lake Titicaca, which are filled with experiences that must be lived and appreciated when you visit this country.

Natural Wonders of Peru

Magical Biodiversity and Peruvian Natural Resources

Coast, Andean Mountains and Amazon Basin

Peru is located in the subtropical area of South America, it should be warm and humid, but due to the presence of the Andean Mountain Range, to a complex system of marine currents and the movement of the masses of air, it is generated in its territory a climatic, geologic and ecological variety.

Peru is a spectacle of nature. Its one-of-a-kind geography holds an immense array of surprises that will make you want to come back of more. So, you will have to take your time because of the amazing variety there is to choose from.

In terms of the numbers of animal species, Peru tops the list in fish, butterflies and orchids, is second in birds, third in mammals and amphibians, fourth in overall biological diversity, and fifth in plants and reptiles.

In Peru is born the Amazon River, the longest and mighty in the world, and its basin is covered with vegetation, embraces more than half of the Peruvian territory. The interesting thing is that the Peruvian Amazon is so big that we could take months or years visiting it, that is the reason why a tourist infrastructure has been designed to allow the visitor to choose the one that suits better. The north, oriental, central and south forest, are points of great interest, besides the protected natural areas that are plenty in the three regions of Peru, protecting the fauna and flora.

The lush Amazon Basin takes up half of Peru and is an ecologically rich area of tropical rainforest that encompasses some of the world's most remote and least explored areas, sparsely populated and for the most part, inaccessible.

In the coast, Peru has a marine domain of 863 thousand square kilometers, almost similar to the area of the Amazon, being the area corresponding to the Peruvian Humboldt Current, the richest in the world in plankton production. In the Peruvian Sea, exist 20 of the 67 species of small cetaceans known in the world.

It is important to visit Paracas, with a great quantity of flora and marine fauna; the Sanctuary of Mejía Lagoons in the south, with an enormous variety of birds; The Swamps of Villa Refuge of Wildlife or the hills of Lachay to the north of Lima, a paradise in the middle of coastal desert; but the most important thing is to visit the national parks of the Amazon, as the National Reserve of Titicaca, Manu National Park, Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, Allpahuayo Mishana National Reserve, Bahuaja Sonene National Park and the area of Tambopata National Reserve.

In the Andes, the highest tropical mountains in the world, very interesting places exist under the ecological point of view, the Huascaran National Park and the snowy peaks of the Cordillera Blanca (White Mountain Range), and the Colca Canyon, the deepest in the world.

Paracas National Reserve presents biogeographic characteristic of an amazing beauty.

The Colca Valley is the section previous to the Colca Canyon consists of an encased valley that runs from east to west, beginning in the cold puna and running down to warmer regions, showing its great scenic beauty and cultural attractiveness. Ethnic richness, petroglyph, colonial churches, art and folklore.

Protected Natural Areas

Splendor created to be shared Nature has been so generous to Peru that such a beauty deserves to be preserved and shared. That is why about fifteen percent of the national territory is protected by the Government through a system of sixty natural areas spread across the coast, the highlands and the jungle. Names such as Manu, Tambopata, Pacaya Samiria, Huascarán, Pampa Galeras, Paracas, Salinas and Aguada Blanca, Mejia Lagoons and Blue Range will always be engraved in your memory. Peru have National Parks, National Reserves, National Sanctuaries, Historic Sanctuaries and Reserved Zones.

Wildlife Observation

Peru is a privileged country that welcomes a diversity of animal and plant species which man has managed to live in harmony for thousands of years. Small wonder, then, that wildlife observation in Peru attracts thousands of nature-lovers each year.

Watching Wales and Other Marine Mammals: The Peruvian sea is teeming with as many as 33 species of marine mammals (whales) who inhabit different points along the coast, representing an asset to Peru's economy. The Amazon River also boasts species such as otters and pink dolphins, whose unique beauty and color are truly astonishing.

Flora and Fauna

Peru is doted with a rich diversity of animal and vegetal species, and Man has lived alongside them in a harmonious coexistence for thousands for years. Peru's territory has also long kept hidden thousands of species that continue to amaze scientists from all over the world. The most startling are the native species, due to their unique characteristics and beauty, and above all the way they have managed to adapt to Peru's difficult climate and geography.

Bird-watching

A true paradise for birdwatchers. 1.830 species of birds…. A country with more bird species than found in all of North America and Europe combined. Home to 120 endemic species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world! - Go to Bird-watching in Peru

Orchids

In Peru, the Orchidaceae family features some 3.000 species, most of which grow in the tropical jungle on the eastern slopes of the Andes: the cloud forest region. There, amidst the exuberant vegetation produced by nearly 5.000 mm of rainfall a year, orchids multiply, forming veritable natural gardens.

Orchids in Machu Picchu

Photo Gallery Orchids in Machu Picchu Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery Orchids in Machu Picchu Photo Gallery # 2

Butterflies

For those in the know, to talk about butterflies is to talk about Peru. One of every five species of butterflies in the world is found here. However, more than just another world record of biodiversity, this constitutes one more reason to encourage nature lovers to take a journey through the Peruvian forests.

Natural World Heritage Sites in Peru - UNESCO

Natural Wonders of Peru


The Best Natural Attractions in Peru