Home
Peru
PLAN MY VISIT
Peru Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Peru
  3. Travel Guides

The Geography of Peru

Peru’s land territory is about three times as large as California. Within it are a huge variety of topographical features and ecosystems, including massive mountains, lush jungles, and arid deserts.

Flag of Peru

Team Anywhere Peru designs awesomepersonalized vacations  using local knowledge and decades of experience.

Peru

The Geography of Peru

Aside from the Himalayas, the Andes are the highest mountain chain on earth. They run down the center of the country, separating arid coastal deserts from the Amazon Basin. The tallest mountain in Peru is Huascarán — at 22,205 feet (6,768 m), it is the highest tropical mountain in the world. The Peruvian Andes are separated into different mountain ranges, which sometimes run parallel to each other.

The Amazon Basin is east of the Andes. Streams tumble from the mountains and eventually merge into huge, muddy rivers that flow through lowland rainforest. The Amazon hosts an enormous assortment of ecosystems and supports an astounding array of life. The Amazon Jungle is the largest jungle on Earth and covers about 60 percent of all of Peru’s territory.

The Amazon may be wet, but the Peruvian coast is dry, which is just one example of the country's varied and complex weather systems. The "best time to visit Peru" is always highly dependent upon which region you intend to visit. The arid coastal region is largely a result of the Humboldt Current, which draws moisture away from the land. The current does, however, bring massive amounts of plankton to coastal areas, which in turn attract all kinds of fish and other marine predators. These fertile fishing grounds helped establish ancient coastal cultures in Peru.

Peru’s climatic zones are largely a result of altitude. In less than 600 miles (950 km), you can go from sea level to 13,000 feet (4,000 m). Not surprisingly, this quick shift in altitude creates all kinds of microclimates that harbor unique ecosystems and important agricultural areas.

A significant amount of Peruvian agriculture occurs in fertile valleys between Andean mountain ranges. Set at elevations between 6,500 and 13,000 feet (2,000 and 4,000 m), these valleys produce nearly half of the food supply in Peru. The Inca cultivated crops – including fruits, vegetables, and grain – in these valleys using terraces and irrigation. The snowpack from the Andes provided a source of water year-round, much of it carried by ancient irrigation. Some of these irrigation canals are still in use today.

Another unique geographical feature of Peru is the altiplano. Set between Lake Titicaca and Cusco, these grasslands are found at elevations that range between 13,000–15,700 feet (4,000–4,800 m). They are pasturelands for alpacas, llamas, and camelids, a type of South American camel.

Peru's landscape is beautiful, but it is not the best country for a road-trip — especially if you are unfamiliar with the terrain. Lucky for you, we've compiled a helpful guide full of the many options you have for getting around Peru. Why not let someone else do the driving, and enjoy this country's beautiful scenery?

Archaeology in PeruA Taste of PeruDevelopment and Society in PeruEnvironmental Issues in PeruFood and Drink in PeruGetting Around in PeruGetting to PeruHolidays and Festivals in PeruIs Peru Safe?Money in PeruMusic and Art in PeruPeru AirbnbPeru Entry RequirementsPeru's Government and EconomyPeru Surfing GuidePeruvian archaeologyPeruvian HistoryPolitical Struggles in the 20th and 21st CenturiesProtected Areas in PeruReferencesReligion in PeruThe Fujimori Regime and Economic Growth in the 21st CenturyThe Geography of PeruThe Inca Empire, Spanish Conquest, and IndependenceThe People and Culture of PeruWeather in PeruWhen to Visit Peru
Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 705 reviews
Trustpilot
One of the best I have ever used
Having traveled a lot, I have used many travel companies. The responsiveness and efforts to meet our needs were unmatche...
Dec 08, 2022
– A. Hershe.
Trustpilot Rating
Top Travel Agent for Peru
Anywhere in Peru was amazing! They did everything and more for myself, my mom, and sister while we were in Cusco and Lim...
Nov 21, 2022
– Mandy D.
Trustpilot Rating
Without a Doubt the Best Service Ever!
Peru was beyond beautiful and every journey and experience was tailored to make sure we were safe, happy, and taken care...
Sep 05, 2022
– Cindy Val.
Trustpilot Rating
A PERFECT vacation experience in Peru!
I keep raving about Anywhere.com, especially in Peru. Cesar customized our trip based on the attractions we wanted to se...
Aug 29, 2021
– Raisa S.
Trustpilot Rating
5 nights in Peru
This is the second time we have used Anywhere (Costa Rica last year). The Peru team guided by Cesar was superb. Always o...
Mar 10, 2020
– Steve & P.
Trustpilot Rating
Excellent choice for our trip through…
Excellent choice for our trip through Peru. Lima/Cusco/machu Picchu/back to Cusco then onward to Chile. Good hotels, exc...
Mar 02, 2020
– Anne
Trustpilot Rating
Highly recommend Anywhere Travel
Anywhere does a fantastic job of really building the perfect trip for you. Just tell them dates, general budget, and wha...
Feb 29, 2020
– Ben Gurtn.
Trustpilot Rating
Wouldn't travel any where without Anywhere
Thank you for making this a perfect trip for us. All arrangements worked like clockwork and we never missed a beat as we...
Jan 21, 2020
– IcameIsaw
Trustpilot Rating
I would recommend Anywhere.com Peru to…
I would recommend Anywhere.com Peru to anyone! They did an excellent job coordinating our itinerary and transportation. ...
Oct 25, 2019
– Eddie A.
Trustpilot Rating
Thank you Anywhere.com
I used Anywhere.com to plan a trip to Peru. The trip they organized for me and my mom was amazing. The agent, Sara, was ...
Aug 16, 2019
– Rori
Trustpilot Rating
Outstanding Job!
Anywhere.com did an OUTSTANDING job with helping be coordinate and facilitate the best adventure that I have ever had in...
Aug 06, 2019
– Adam
Trustpilot Rating
Our 2nd time with Anywhere and HAPPY!
We love Anywhere! We just have to pack and we are taken care of basically during our whole stay. Everything is nicely ar...
Jul 18, 2019
– Valery
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere.com provided us excellent…
Anywhere.com provided us excellent service during our Costa Rica trip in 2016 and Peru trip in 2018.From planning,bookin...
Jun 22, 2019
– Sunil
Trustpilot Rating
Peru June 2019
Anywhere.com planned every step of our trip perfectly. We are very happy with their service.
Jun 21, 2019
– Lata
Trustpilot Rating
Our experience with Anywhere travel in…Peru
Our experience with Anywhere travel in Peru was, in a word, remarkable. The sights, experiences, and accommodations wer...
Jun 14, 2019
– Stuart
Trustpilot Rating

Let's Dream Together

Share your bucketlist to get inspiration and local connections.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.

Peru Vacations
  • Adventure
  • Family
  • Luxury
  • Romantic
  • Trekking
Highlights
  • Unique & Authentic
  • Coasts
  • Mountains
  • Beaches
  • Cloudforests
  • Lakes
  • Surfing
  • Spiritual
  • Culinary
PLACES TO GO
  • Machu Picchu
  • Nazca Lines
  • Cusco
  • Lima
  • Aguas Calientes
  • Puno
  • Arequipa
  • Iquitos
  • Sacred Valley
  • Nazca
  • Amazon
THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
  • Get a Guide
  • Ruins
  • Archeology
  • Culinary
  • Train Rides
  • Hiking
  • Museums
  • History
  • Boating
  • Birdwatching
  • Cooking Lessons
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2023 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy