Although there are several starting points, the most common way to travel to the Peruvian jungle is from the city of Lima, in a journey that can last up to a couple of hours. The provinces of the Peruvian jungle are: Loreto, Amazonas, Madre de Dios, San Martín and Ucayali. To enjoy the Amazon River, you must arrive in Iquitos, the largest and most touristic district in Loreto.

Loreto is the largest department in Peru. Its capital is Iquitos and it is the most diverse region in terms of indigenous ethnicities and languages. There the Marañón and Ucayali rivers converge to form the main channel of the Amazon, with a unique and exuberant landscape. From Iquitos you can get to the Pacaya Samiria Reserve, a protected area and the largest in Peru, where you can enjoy the fauna of the jungle and learn more about the indigenous communities.

The Manu National Park is one of the great attractions in the Madre de Dios province of Peru. There are 2 million hectares on the western edge of the Amazon basin, with a great wealth that has earned it the status of a Biosphere Reserve granted by UNESCO. For its part, the Tambopata National Reserve is south of the Madre de Dios River and is a protected area to conserve the beautiful flora, fauna and the ecological process of the tropical rainforest.

Amazonian cuisine is one of the most exquisite in the world and in the Peruvian jungle you can try dishes full of flavor and textures. They can start with a Tacacho with jerky and chorizo ​​or a Juane, which is a large tamale made from rice, eggs, chicken or hen. For fish lovers there is the Patarashca or the various casseroles; also the Chicken Inchicapi with peanuts, which is a highly nutritious soup. Blanquita restaurant is highly recommended in Iquitos and in Chachapoyas, El Batán del Tayta.

The most common way to travel to the north coast of Peru is by airplane from Lima to the cities of Talara, Tumbes or Piura and from there going to Máncora in a total journey of no more than two hours. It can also be reached by bus in a journey of almost 20 hours. The northern departments of Peru are: Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Cajamarca, San Martín and Amazonas. Once in Máncora you can start exploring the area and other nearby beaches.

Colán beach is a heavenly place, very close to the city of Piura. Its waters are calm, warm and emerald green, with a landscape full of palm trees. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in the north of Peru, perfect for practicing adventure sports. In addition, you will be able to appreciate the colonial architecture, shops, bars and restaurants and visit the San Lucas church, the first founded by the Spanish in South America, which is now a National Historic Monument.

Seafood is the protagonist of the gastronomy of northern Peru. The ceviches, the variety of peppers and spices, the corn or the yucca create explosions of flavors. However, pork or beef cooked on the grill is also very typical in the area. If you go to Máncora, you can try the ceviche they serve in La Meche and El Nuevo Ajicito de Piura, you can taste various traditional dishes at good prices.

The fastest way to get to Puno is to fly directly from Lima, Cusco or Arequipa and then take a taxi to get to the city in 30 minutes. You can also travel by bus from Lima in a journey of almost 20 hours, although the most common is to do it from Cusco or Arequipa, which are closer. Another more luxurious option is to take the Belmond Andean Explorer train from Cusco and have a different experience.

The first thing you should do when traveling to the city of Puno is to walk through its Plaza de Armas, built in 1901, next to the Baroque and 18th century Cathedral. Jirón Lima street is the most famous in the city and connects the Plaza de Armas with the Parque Pino, a small and colorful square, next to the Church of San Juan where the Virgen de la Candelaria, patron saint of Puno, is. From the Huajsapata hill you have a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

From the city of Puno you can get to the Uros Floating Islands, an artificial archipelago made up of 40 islands of totora reed, a kind of reed that grows in the swamps of South America. There you can see the origin of the Uros people up close and learn about their traditions. Taquile Island is the largest on Lake Titicaca and you will be able to appreciate some pre-Inca constructions, learn from textile work and enjoy beautiful views.

As in all of Peru, the gastronomy in Puno is full of flavors and recipes that have passed from generation to generation. You can try the Chicharrón de alpaca, the Pesque and the Chupe de quinoa, as well as a nutritious soup like the Chairo or the famous Sancochado from Puno. In restaurants like Mojsa or La Hacienda you can delight yourself with these and more local dishes.

You can tour the city of Ica before exploring other nearby sites and walk through the Plaza de Armas, full of leafy trees and enter the Cathedral, since the temples and churches of Ica have great architectural importance, such as the Sanctuary of the Lord of Luren , patron of the city; or the church of San Francisco. You can also visit the Regional Museum and the Museum of Stones.

From the city of Ica you can visit the Paracas Reserve, known for beaches such as La Mina or El Raspón and where you will find a desert landscape with the beauty of the sea. You will be able to observe many birds such as flamingos, eagles, pelicans, the Peruvian booby and more. From there you will also reach the Ballestas Islands, of great natural beauty and full of penguins and sea lions.

The Huacachina Oasis is five kilometers from the city of Ica and is a unique natural formation that surprises with its unexpected beauty. It is surrounded by palm trees, eucalyptus and huarangos, as well as high dunes that contrast with the restaurants, shops and hotels that have been built around it. It is an essential visit, especially at sunset.

From Lima you can take a direct flight to Cusco and it is the most practical option to get to the city. You can also travel by land from the capital, although the trip will take just over 20 hours. Another less common option is to travel on luxury trains such as the Belmond Andean Explorer and the Spirit of the Water, from the cities of Arequipa or Puno and have a different experience in one or two days of crossing.

The place where the Plaza de Armas of Cusco is today, was in ancient times a swampy area and now it is the central nucleus of the city, surrounded by colonial buildings, shops and restaurants. From there you can look for Hatun Rumiyoq Street to see the Twelve Angled Stone: a stone block from the Inca culture. Or get to Sacsayhuaman, an Inca fortress built between the 14th and 15th centuries, as well as other nearby ruins such as Pucapucara or Tambomachay.

Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru and you get there from the city of Cusco. It is an absolute symbol of the Inca Empire, built around 1450 AD and which is more than 2,400 meters above sea level, in the Andes mountains. A citadel with important archaeological remains, a site full of a lot of energy that was declared a World Heritage Site and named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Choquequirao is one of the several attractions in Cusco that receives many visits: it is an ancient Inca city that can only be reached on foot, on a journey that lasts three days, round trip. You can also go to the Mountain of 7 colors, at 5,200 meters above sea level, and see how the slopes are covered in different colors due to the effect of minerals; or the unique landscape of the Humantay Lagoon and its intense turquoise color.