Tourism» South
1. Arequipa
The city of Arequipa features a varied relief. It begins in the coastal desert and goes up into the Andes, reaching very high altitude with the peaks of its snowcapped mountains and volcanoes. Known as the White City due to its beautiful white walls made of ‘sillar’, a type of volcanic stone, Arequipa lies on the side of the imposing volcanoes Chachani and Misti and the snow-peaked mountain known as Pichu Pichu. In the center of the city, declared Cultural Heritage of the Humanity by the UNESCO in 2000, you will find temples and old colonial houses with a baroque-mestizo style, as well as the Monasterio de Santa Catalina, a miniature Spanish city with little streets of cobbled Stone, beautiful patios and squares.
Sabandía, Tiabaya y Tingo, in the countryside, are a ´must’ during the trip and the exquisite Arequipeño cuisine is the perfect complement to the visit.
Located only 3 hours and 45 minutes away from the city, Colca Canyon and its valley, is one of the most extraordinary destinations in Peru. The whole area offers colorful pre-Inca terraces cultivated with quinoa, wheat, corn and barley. During pre-Hispanic times this department was inhabited by Collaguas and Cabanas; today, the population has managed to preserve its colonial churches like the ones in Yanque, Lari and Madrigal and continue wearing beautiful typical dresses. This valley offers the option to practice adventure sports, such as mountain biking, trekking and rafting; the Cross of the Condor gives us the chance to admire the majestic flight of the condors.
Other interesting places in the department of Arequipa are: Petroglifos de Toro Muerto (Death Bull Petroglyphs), the Valley of Volcanoes in Andagua and the Cotahuasi Canyon.
Arequipa’s gastronomy is known as one of the best in the country. Here, you will find a guide that will take you through the best of the cuisine in the South of Peru:
http://www.agar.com.pe/descargas/PDF%20guia%20gstronomica.pdf
For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?ids=1285&ic=2&pdr=648&jrq=3.4
2. Moquegua
This department features ravines and valleys, desert and rocky areas and rich lands ideal for agriculture, especially vines. Life peacefully goes by in cities like Moquegua, with its traditional houses with ‘mojinete’ roofs and year-round sunny days, as well as an outstanding production of piscos, fruits and desserts. Its main square has a water fountain designed by Gustave Eiffel and in the cathedral of Santo Domingo, local people venerate Santa Fortunata, martyr of the first centuries of Christianity.
All over Moquegua, one can find picturesque villages such as Torata, with its impressive XVIII-century stone mills and fertile valleys such as the Omate Valley, famous for its fruit and delicious shrimp.
Ilo is the main industrial embarking wharf in the south of Peru and the thin-sand beaches in this part of the coast alternate with spectacular cliffs and rocky formations.
For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=661&jrq=3.17&ic=2&ids=1311
3. Tacna
Tacna, with its warm climate, nice people and important commercial activities, is located 52km from the border with Chile. In the old times, this department was inhabited by the Aymaras, who traded diverse coastal products like ‘ají’ (chili), fish and seafood. When the Spaniards arrived in the XVI century, the growing of vines was spread; nowadays, you can visit wineries where excellent wines and brandies are made. Tacna preserves some houses with the typical ‘mojinete’ roofs, and its parks and avenues have monuments, sculptures and other elements in memoriam of those Peruvian heroes that fought the independence war ( (1821-1824) and the Pacific War (1879-1883). Since 1828, Tacna has been called the ‘Heroic City’.
The monument Alto de la Alianza is located 8km away from the city; it is here, where the Chilean army defeated the Peruvians and Bolivians, and there is a cemetery with hundreds of white crosses.
Among the attractions of the area, we find the Petroglyphs of Miculla (approximately 500), which were cut in low relief in the rocks of the area and are almost 1500 years-old.
Beaches along the coast of Tacna are highly visited during the summer; they are usually open beaches with rocks on the shore and somewhat turbulent waters, inviting visitors to an absolute contemplation.
For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=666&jrq=3.22&ic=2&ids=1321
4. Puno
Puno was seat of the Tiahuanaco culture (800 to 1200 A.D.), the most brilliant expression of the Aymara people, which took place in the territories where Bolivia and Peru are now. The Incas imposed themselves in the territory during the XV century and the Spaniards left an important colonial legacy in the whole area, attracted by the mining activity that developed in the area.
Today, the city of Puno (3827 masl) rests on the shores of the Titicaca Lake, the highest navigable lake in the world. Its whereabouts are simply spectacular: the Chullpas of Sillustani, with its group of stunning funeral towers built by the Kollas; Juli, famous for its beautiful colonial temples; Lampa and its viceregal church built between 1675 and 1685; Llachón, a community that still preserves millenary customs and cultural manifestations and Pucará, famous for its pre-Inca ceramics and ‘toritos de Pucará’, which are made in clay by local artisans. The lake also has diverse islands, whose inhabitants have preserved ancient customs and traditions. The Uros are an example of this. They live in ‘floating islands’ artificially made with totora (native plant) and navigate the area with their traditional crafts also made with totora. Taquile, Suasi and Amantaní are known for the kindness of their people and their ancient weaving techniques, pre-colombine constructions and wonderful landscapes. The Titicaca National Reserve (36.180 hectares) protects wide areas with totora and diverse species of flora and fauna.
For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=664&jrq=3.20&ic=2&ids=1317
5. Ayacucho
This department is crossed by two mountain ranges that divide it into three geographical units: highlands to the south, abrupt Andean mountains in the center and tropical jungle to the northeast; therefore, it presents a rough topography and the weather varies significantly.
Its population comes from the powerful Wari culture, which inhabited a great portion of this area between the VI and XII centuries, leaving for posterity the citadel of Wari, urban and ceremonial center. You may also visit the Archaeological Complex of Vilcashuamán, an important religious and administrative Inca center.
Known as ‘the City of Churches’, it is said that in Ayacucho, Capital of the department, every corner has a temple. The cathedral, the Compañía de Jesús, San Francisco de Asís, Santo Domingo and Santa Clara, are only some of the most beautiful colonial temples in the city.
A good chance to visit Ayacucho is during Holy Week, the most emotional and spectacular in the country. Land of great artisans, Ayacucho offers its visitors impressive art pieces like ‘retablos’, miniature portable altars which represent typical Andean scenes, ‘‘tablas of Sarhua, in which the a family tree is represented and the ‘tallas en alabastro’, also known as ‘piedra de Huamanga’ in the area.
For more information, visit:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=649&jrq=3.5&ic=2&ids=1287
6. Apurímac
The department of Apurimac features an abrupt geography, formed by narrow and deep valleys, with impressive abysses, cold plateaus and high peaks. One of its highlights is the Apurimac Canyon in the limit with the department of Cusco. Abancay, capital of Apurimac, is a beautiful colonial town protected by the striking snow-capped mountain Ampay (5235 masl), located in the national sanctuary with the same name.
Among other mountains, this sanctuary has forests, lakes and typical species of flora and fauna, such as the intimpa, Andean fox and the taruka. The inhabitants of this department spend their days working in agriculture and are descendants of groups with a strong warrior spirit: the Chancas and the Incas fought over this land with their life.
The area offers several tours: the Archaeological Complex of Saywite and the valley and canyon of the Apurimac River, a dream location for rafting and trekking. Another important city in the area is Andahuaylas, a typical Andean city, with a main square and narrow streets.
For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=647&jrq=3.3&ic=2&ids=1283
7. Cusco
Cusco and its rugged relief combine fertile valleys with impressive mountains to then go down towards the edge of the jungle, where the temperature raises and the landscape changes into dense and varied vegetation.
The city of Cusco, ancient capital of the Inca Empire was declared World Heritage by the UNESCO in 1983 and is, without a doubt, one of the most important destinations in the country. Along its cobbled-paved streets, one can find buildings constructed by the Incas, like the Koricancha and the Palace of Inca Roca, next to colonial constructions with Andean-baroque style, like the Cathedral and the La Compañía church. In addition, the picturesque neighborhood of San Blas and its workshops offers the best artwork of the department. This magical city also offers an exciting night life, coffee shops, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes.
Only 10 minutes from the city, giant walls form the fortress of Sacsayhuamán. A few more kilometers and we reach the archaeological sites of Qenko, Pukapukara y Tambomachay, Inca constructions built entirely in stone.
Along the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one hour from Cusco, there is Pisac, Maras, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo, from where it is possible to take the train to Machu Picchu.
One more way to reach the citadel is following the Inca Trail, spectacular network of trails that zigzag among snowed peaks, rivers and breathtaking views. This is one of the best trekking routes in the world, for it goes through hidden archaeological sites and areas with unique species of flora and fauna. The enigmatic citadel of Machu Picchu, the most important and beautiful legacy of ancient Peruvians is part of the sanctuary with the same name and it is one of the few places in America to be declared both Natural and Cultural World Heritage by the UNESCO. It is located in the summit of a mountain that harmonizes with the abundant nature around it, creating a unique place in the world. It is now considered one of the New Seven Wonders.
For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=651&jrq=3.7&ic=2&ids=1291
8. Madre de Dios
Lush, with endless forests and winding rivers that flow to the ocean, Madre de Dios is a department where life is present in every corner. Puerto Maldonado, its capital, is an obligatory route to access some of the national parks and reserves in the area and has been, in other times, an important center of timber, rubber, gold, and oil exploitation.
Nowadays, two of the main commercial activities of the area are the eco-tourism and extraction of chestnuts. Approximately 10 km from Puerto Maldonado and after a ninety-minute walk is Lago Sandoval, surrounded by ponds, orchids, lupunas, mahogany trees and palm trees of more than 30 meters high. This lake is also home to toucans, macaws, parrots, herons, turtles and refuge of the river otter and black caiman, both endangered species. The surroundings of the Valencia lake, 60 km from Puerto Maldonado along the Madre de Dios River, are populated by native communities dedicated to fish typical species such as ‘paiches’, ‘ doncellas’ and ‘dorados’. This area is also habitat of a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The Manu National Park (1 716.295 hectares), located in the departments of Cusco and Madre de Dios, has more than 800 species of birds, 200 types of mammals, gigantic trees and is also home to native communities. This park holds the record of bird-watching: 324 species in one day and in one place. The Tambopata-Candamo National Reserve (274.690 hectares) is known for having the greatest biodiversity of mammals, trees, insects and birds in the world and holds the world record of species of butterflies.
In the Bahuaja-Sonene National Park (1.091.416 hectares) we will find the only tropical savanna in Peru. Among the species that live here, we have the ‘lobo de crin’, ‘ciervo de los pantanos’, both endangered species, as well as the giant anteater, giant otter, prairie dog, black caiman, and the harpy eagle.
For more information, go to:
http://www.peru.info/s_ftociudades.asp?pdr=660&jrq=3.16&ic=2&ids=1309