## Basic information of Peru

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## Why go to Peru

Peru is considered mainly as an adventurous destination, mainly due to its mountainous landscape and the famous Amazon rainforest. There are many hiking trails (whether multi-day or one-day trips) with challenging wilderness tourism with the opportunity to see from the llama to the incredible diversity of Amazon.

For those who are not up to active holidays, there are also many options. History buffs will love the culture and ruins that Peru has to offer. And those who love souvenirs and wanderings in the city will enjoy the colorful markets.

Peru is an ideal destination for backpackers on a budget, and many hostels make it easy to find friends to explore the country with. Pensions are also popular as a cheap method of accommodation in Peru. If you are willing to spend more money, in Peru you will find a wide range of mid-range hotels for a comfortable stay in the wilderness or in the cities. Due to its popularity, Peru takes care of every traveler.

## The capital of Peru

Lima is the capital of Peru. It is the commercial and industrial center of the country. Central Lima is located at an altitude of 156 meters on the south bank of the Rímac River, about 13 km inland from the Pacific port of Callao. It has an area of 70 square kilometers. The city is a modern oasis surrounded by the Peruvian coastal desert a short distance west of the Andes Mountains. Lima is the second largest city built in the desert after Egypt in Cairo.

## Flag of Peru

The current national flag of Peru was officially adopted on February 25, 1825. The colors are said to symbolize the Incas and their lasting influence on the landscape. Red and white are also the colors chosen by Jose de San Martin, the Liberator. The coat of arms is not displayed on the national flag.

## Population of Peru

Peru is of mixed ethnicity. Throughout its history, Peru has been a meeting place for different nations and cultures. The Spaniards joined the original population 500 years ago. As a result of this meeting, and later enriched by the migration of African blacks, Asians, and Europeans, the Peruvian man emerged as a representative of a nation whose rich ethnic combination is one of its main characteristics. Peru has a population of 8,220,764.

Ethnicity / race: American Indians 45%, Mestzi 37%, White 15%, Black, Japanese, Chinese and 3%

## Holidays in Peru

List of holidays in 2020

_Date_ _Holiday_

- January 1 New Year
- April 9 Maundy Thursday - Thursday before Easter
- April 10 Good Friday
- May 1 Labor Day
- June 29, the feast of St. Peter and Paul
- July 28 Independence Day
- July 29 Independence Day
- August 30 Santa Rosa de Lima - patroness of Lima
- October 8 Battle of Angamos - The holiday commemorates the naval battle with Chile that took place on this day in 1879
- November 1 All Saints' Day
- December 8 Immaculate Conception
- December 25, Christmas day

## The sign of Peru

The coat of arms contains a llama and a Chinese tree, important symbols of Peru. At the bottom is the cornucopia which represents prosperity.

## Time difference

The time in Peru is five hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. This means that in Peru is 6 hours less (during summer time) and by 5 hours less (during winter time) comparing to England.

## Currency in Peru

The official currency in Peru is the Nuevo Sol (S .; PEN), which is divided into 100 centimos. The currency contains coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimos and 1, 2 and 5 sol coins. There are banknotes with a denomination of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 S. [online course](https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=1&From=GBP&To=PEN) 1GBP = 4.69409 PEN

## Prices in Peru

In general, Peru is cheaper than England. Transport and food in local businesses or markets can be cheaper here. Alcohol is a bit more expensive. Prices of transport and accommodation are of course the highest in tourist destinations. Bargaining is not very widespread here.

Restaurant:

- Boarding, cheap restaurant 10.00 S /.
- Meals for 2 persons, Middle class restaurant, three - course menu 70.00 S /.
- McMeal at McDonalds 16.00 S /.
- Domestic beer (0.5 liter) 7.00 S /.
- Imported beer (0.33 l bottle) 12.00 S /.
- Coca Cola / Pepsi (0.33 l bottle) 2.61 S /.
- Water (0.33 1 bottle) 1.80 S /.

Supermarket:

- Milk (1 liter) 4.52S /.
- White bread (500 g) 5.36 S /.
- Apples (1 kg) 5.53 S /.
- Banana (1 kg) 3.93 S /.
- Oranges (1 kg) 4.26 S /.
- Water (1.5 l bottle) 3.19 S /.
- Wine bottle (medium range) 28.50 S /.
- Domestic beer (0.5 l bottle) 5.38 S /.
- Imported beer (0.33 l bottle) 9.32 S /.
- Cigarettes 20pcs (Marlboro) 15.00 S /.

Transportation:

- One - way ticket (local transport) 1.00 S /.
- Monthly ticket (regular price) 86.96 S /.
- Start of taxi (normal tariff) 7.00 S /.
- Taxi 1 km (normal tariff) 5.00 S /.
- Waiting for 1 hour taxi (normal tariff) 25.00 S /.
- Petrol (1 liter) 3.81 S /.

## Visa to Peru

Citizens of European Union as well as British nationals do not need a visa to visit Peru and can officially stay in the country for up to 90 days in 365 days. If you intend to stay in Peru for more than 90 days, you can try to ask the immigration officer for a residence permit for more than 90 days. If you are lucky, you can get a residence permit for up to 183 days. Otherwise, it is not a problem to leave Peru and return before the 90-day period expires, giving you permission for another 90 days. Check the stamp with the permitted period of stay immediately upon arrival in Peru, as exceeding it can result at least in high fines. If your trip to Peru has a purpose other than for tourism, you must obtain an embassy visa before traveling.

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Check the stamp with the permitted period of stay immediately upon arrival in Peru, as exceeding it can result at least in high fines.

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The condition for entry into Peru is a passport valid for at least another 6 months from the date of entry into the country. When entering the territory of Peru, it is necessary to fill in the immigration card (Tarjeta Andina) and keep part of it until you leave the country. If you are entering Peru via a country from Ecuador, Chile or Bolivia, make sure you have an entry stamp in your passport. According to Peruvian law, every visitor without an entry stamp should apply for deportation from the country at the immigration office in Lima in order to leave the country legally at all. Immigration officials can also request an exit stamp from the country from which you entered Peru.

## Interesting facts about Peru

Few facts about Peru that you may know are:

- There are 3 official languages in Peru: Spanish, Quechua and Aymara, but east of the Andes in the Amazon jungle areas, the natives are believed to speak 13 different indigenous languages.
- Peru has the second largest number of shamans in the world after India.
- Peru is the sixth largest producer of gold.
  - Peru produces more than 162 tons of gold worth more than $ 7 trillion a year!
- Cusco in Peru was the most important city in the entire Inca Empire and ruled north to Quito in Ecuador and south to Santiago in Chile.
- Camu-Camu fruit is one of the best superfoods in the world. It grows in the Amazon rainforest of Peru and has the highest concentrations of vitamin C compared to any food, about 60 times more than orange.

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Shamanism has been popular in Peru for more than 3,000 years. Because the most Peruvian population cannot afford or do not have access to doctors or Western medical
care, many people, especially the natives, turn to shamanic healing or curandero, a rural spiritual healer. Most shamans use treatments with hallucinogenic drugs, such as Ayahuasca.

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## Vaccination

Peru has no compulsory vaccination. However, it recommends vaccination against hepatitis A, B and yellow fever. Yellow fever is recommended especially for those who travel to jungle areas - to an area up to 2500 m above sea level.

## Security

Peru is a safe country. There are only small frauds on tourists and petty thefts. Therefore, if you follow common sense by not exposing your expensive electronic products or all your cash to people's eyes, you should be fine.

## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of emergency in Peru?**

Police 105 Firefighters 116 Rescue service 115

**Peru's phone code is +51.**

**Contacts at the Embassy of England in Lima:**

**Address:**

```txt
Embassy of England Torre Parque Mar, Av Jose Larco 1301, Miraflores 15074, Peru
```

Telephone: +51 1 6173000

Email: belima@fcdo.gov.uk

Further contacts can be found at <https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-peru>

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Tourist visa for less than 90 days is not required

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The weather is suitable for travel all year round

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Of the approximately 230 airports in Peru, only 21 have scheduled flights. In particular, national routes and timetables vary greatly.

Most of these flights are domestic (and therefore operated by Peru's airlines), with very few airports in Peru handling international arrivals and departures.

Lima International Airport was opened on December 30, 1965.

## List of airports

Table: List of airports

| City Name        | Airport                                                       | IATA |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | ---- |
| Lima             | Jorge Chávez International Airport                            | LIM  |
| Arequipa         | Rodríguez Ballón International Airport                        | AQP  |
| Cusco            | Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport                | CUZ  |
| Juliaca          | Inca Manco Capac International Airport                        | JUL  |
| Iquitos          | Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International Airport   | IQT  |
| Pucallpa         | Cap FAP David Abenzur Rengifo International Airport           | PCL  |
| Tarapoto         | FAP Cadet Guillermo Del Castillo Paredes Airport              | TPP  |
| Ayacucho         | Colonel FAP Alfredo Mendivil Duarte Airport                   | AYP  |
| Cajamarca        | Mayor General                                                 | FAP  |
| Huánuco          | Alferez Fap David Figueroa Fernandini Airport                 | HUU  |
| Tacna            | Coronel FAP Carlos Ciriani Santa Rosa International Airport   | TCQ  |
| Puerto Maldonado | Padre Aldamiz International Airport                           | PEM  |
| Piura            | Captain FAP Guillermo Concha Iberico International Airport    | PIU  |
| Chiclayo         | Capitan FAP Jose A Quinones Gonzales International Airport    | CIX  |
| Andahuaylas      | Andahuaylas Airport                                           | ANS  |
| Jauja            | Francisco Carle Airport                                       | JAU  |
| Tumbes           | Capitan FAP Pedro Canga Rodriguez Airport                     | TBP  |
| Trujillo         | Captain FAP Carlos Martinez De Pinillos International Airport | TRU  |

### List of airports in Lima

Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) - an international airport located in Callao. Callao is part of the wider Lima metropolitan area. The airport is by far the busiest airport in Peru. It is also the main hub of all major domestic airlines and a standard destination for all international arrivals. International airlines flying to and from Lima include Air Canada, Air France, Alitalia, Aerolíneas Argentinas, American Airlines, Iberia and KLM.

Airports

Bring clothes for spring and autumn to Lima and the coast, so a sweatshirt or sweater and jacket. Go to the Amazon with loose and light clothing, or with long sleeves against mosquitoes and a sweatshirt for the evening; in the southernmost part (Puerto Maldonado) and also in the part of the Amazon, which is located at an altitude above sea level, you can bring a sweater and a jacket in the evening. For the Andes, for example in Cuzco, Arequipa and Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of about 2,500 / 4,000 meters, arm yourself with autumn and spring clothes for the day, but also a sweater, a warm jacket and a hat for the evening. Don't forget sunscreen and hiking boots. To reach the highest peaks, bring a jacket, scarf, gloves, warm boots.

We can't find a single time when the whole of Peru offers the best weather. In fact, the best time in the Andean regions and in the Amazon is during the winter in the southern hemisphere (June to August), while along the coast during this period the weather is cold, cloudy and foggy. The best time to find warm and sunny weather along the coast and Lima is from December to April and the best time to swim is from January to March.

## Weather in Lima

It basically never rains in the capital - Lima. In winter, from June to September, the sky is almost always cloudy, even if it is not raining, there is fog that can create moisture on the ground. Temperatures are mild, with max around 18/20°C. The minimum values are only a few lower, but due to lack of sunlight and high humidity, the inhabitants of the capital feel cold, also because they often live in unheated houses.

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In summer, from December to April, the sun often shines, at least at noon and in the afternoon, especially in February and March, while in the early morning hours fog can still occur. The temperature is pleasantly warm, with maximum temperatures around 26°C from January to March.

In Lime the sea is never very warm, although from January to March it is acceptable for swimming around 22-23°C.

Weather

## Macchu Picchu

Machu Picchu is probably what leads most people to visit Peru. Considered one of the new 7 wonders of the world, it will definitely not disappoint you.

One way to get to Machu Picchu is by train - Inca Rail. You can board in Cusco or Ollantaytambo. The railroad carries passengers across spectacular views of the Sacred Valley landscape. Besides, who doesn't like majestic train rides?

If you want to visit Machu Picchu, you have to buy a ticket in advance, which helps to regulate the number of daily visits and therefore there is a limited number of tickets available.

You can buy them online on the Ministerio de Cultura website. The ticket page is only available in Spanish.

The weather here can be very changeable - sunny and warm, but in a while foggy and rainy. Don't forget to dress in more light layers and bring waterproof jackets and gear.

## Lake Titicaca

In the Andean faith, Titicaca is the birthplace of the sun. Located between Peru and Bolivia, it is the largest lake in South America and the highest waterway in the world. Lake Titicaca is 3,800 meters above sea level. The deepest part of Lake Titicaca is 300 meters deep and the highest point of the lake lies on the island of Isla del Sol at an altitude of more than 4000 m above sea level. Bright days contrast with cold nights.

The enchanting deep blue Lake Titicaca is a unifying and long-standing home to alpine cultures.

## Paracas

Paracas is a beautiful town by the sea.

It is located 4 hours south of Lima and Paracas is flooded with sunshine all year round.

It is home to the Paracas National Reserve, which includes one of the largest protected deserts in America and the Ballestas Islands. The beach has a truly relaxing atmosphere and you will feel even more by watching the sunset along the Pacific coast. Just take a few beers and enjoy the view and enjoy the unique atmosphere.

## Nazca, shapes in the desert

Little is known about Peruvian Nazca drawings.

In 1930, some people discovered Nazca drawings as they flew across the Nazca Desert. Then geologists were deeply interested in these drawings and tried to find the secret behind the creation of these permanent geoglyphs.

Geologists believe that these series of geoglyphs were probably made between 400 and 600 AD. The most popular and sensible hypothesis is that the drawings had to be created in people's religious beliefs as sacrifices to the gods.

There are more than 70 different designs. Some of these drawings exceed a distance of 180 meters and show everything from simple designs and shapes to the characterization of plants, insects and animals.

It seems incredible that such simply made drawings have survived for so many hundreds of years, and some have seen a mysterious element in it. However, there is a natural explanation: the surface is made of stone, not sand, and the climate in the area is such that there is virtually no erosion. In the region's arid climate, there is almost no rain or wind throughout the year.

## Cusco

Cusco was considered the "navel" of the universe and was the capital of the Incas until it was discovered by the Spaniards. When visiting Cusco, you will experience a beautiful mix of Spanish architecture and the Incas. That in itself is worth the trip. This city high in the Andes is without a doubt a city you have never seen before.

Cusco has several historic Inca sites and attractions. There are so many that the city has in fact been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Before hiking in the footsteps of the Incas or visiting Machu Picchu, spend a few days exploring Cusco until you acclimatize to the high altitude of the region. Cusco is located 3,400 meters above sea level. Most attractions are a 15-20 minute walk from anywhere in the city center near Plaza de Armas.

## Rainbow Mountains

It is a colorful mountain in the high Andes of Peru. In short, the colors were formed by sediments of mineral layers in the mountains, which were exposed to erosion. Rainbow Mountain is a 3-hour drive from Cusco, where day trips have recently become very popular.

Peruvian Mountain Rainbow Mountain, also known as Mount Vinicunca, quickly became a major tourist attraction in Peru, as it was discovered only a few years ago.

## Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo, an ancient city, has been a famous archaeological site since the Inca Empire and is located near the city of Cusco in Peru. This city was built and founded by the Inca emperor "Pachacuti". Today it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Peru.

The beautiful city of Ollantaytambo is located 60 km northwest of the city of Cusco in the province of Urubamba, which is part of southern Peru.

Ollantaytambo has become a world-famous tourist destination for both domestic and foreign visitors thanks to its magnificent buildings, the ruins of the Inca Empire and the possibility of tourism.

Famous destinations in Ollantaytambo are the Incahuatana and Princess Baths, the Temple of the Sun and Mañaracay or the Royal Chamber.

## Sacsayhuamán

Sacsayhuamán is one of the most amazing buildings or fortresses in the world. It is said to have been built during the Inca rule of Pachacutec in the 15th century.

It is estimated that more than 20,000 men extracted stones from nearby quarries and moved them 20 kilometers to the hill of Cusco.

It is estimated that today Sacsayhuaman retains only 40 percent of its old structure. Nevertheless, the strength has a structure of up to 125 tons.

Sacsayhuaman is located 2 km north of Cusco's main square. Located at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level.

The Sacsayhuaman is open from 07:00 until 18:00.

To visit Sacsayhuaman, you need a tourist ticket from Cusco. Another option is to rent the "City Tour" service.

## Huascarán National Park

The national park was established in July 1975; covers almost the entire area of the Cordillera Blanca, which is the highest tropical mountain range in the world.

It has an area of 34,000 hectares with an elevation gain from 3,500 m to the mountains, which exceed 6,000 m (the highest peak is Huascaran 6768 m.)

Deep gorges, glacial lakes and diverse vegetation make it a place of spectacular beauty. It is home to a bear or Andean condor.

Annual precipitation and temperature vary depending on altitude. In the Llanganuco Valley at an altitude of 3860 m the annual rainfall is 120 mm and the average temperature is 7.5 ° C.

In 1977, UNESCO declared the Huascaran National Park as a biosphere reserve, and in 1985 it was declared a natural heritage site.

In the mountains or the national park, you can go hiking or camping, but also climb rocks or glaciers of varying difficulty. It is also a popular destination for skiing or mountain biking.

If you want to visit it, you need a ticket.

### The highest mountain in Peru, Huascarán

Huascarán mountain peak in Andes in the west of central Peru. The top of the snow-capped mountain rises at an altitude of 6,768 m above sea level in the Cordillera Blanca, east of the Peruvian city of Yungay. It is the highest mountain in Peru and is popular with climbers and tourists. In 1962, there was an avalanche that destroyed several villages and killed about 3,500 people. In 1970, a serious earthquake caused landslides that buried 10 villages and most of Yungay; tens of thousands of people died in one of the worst natural disasters of the 20th century.

Guide to Peru

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