The birthplace of ancient kingdoms, Peru has arid deserts, imposing
snow- capped mountains, and humid rainforests. This is the ultimate
destination for adventurers, culture hunters, and demanding travelers 

Superlatives are often used to describe Peru (see Peru wonders), and with reason. Peru shares the world's highest navigable lake (Titicaca) and the greatest river (the Amazon), has the national park with the greatest biodiversity (Manu), and the deepest canyon in the world (Colca). Mount Huascaran, at 6,768m (22,200 ft) is South America's 4th tallest mountain.

Peru has been privileged with spectacular geography and a variety of climates unparalleled in the world. This is why Peru has 84 of the planet’s 104 recognized ecosystems. Considered one of the 12 countries that possess true megadiversity (along with Brazil, Indonesia, and Zaire), Peru contains more than 20% of the known plant and animal species in the world. It has more than 25,000 species of flora, 1,760 bird species, 361 varieties of mammals, 251 species of amphibians, 297 different reptiles and more than 2,000 varieties of fish, to name only a few of the most important groups. Insects are a special case: more species of ants have been documented in a single tree of the Peruvian Amazon than in all of the British Isles. 

Probably no other country in the whole world has such an astonishing archaeological heritage as Peru. The spell-binding ruins of Machu Picchu and the mysterious desert lines of Nazca, which can only be viewed from the air, are just two of the many fabulous remains and ruined cities of Inca and pre-Inca civilizations to be found in Peru and its museums. Many are still unexcavated. To this must be added the colonial treasures to be found gilding the magnificent cities of Cuzco and Arequipa. Lima was of course once the center of the Spanish empire in South America.

For a visitor, Peru is therefore an exceptional country catering for all interests, and with a welcoming and culturally highly diverse people to complete the attractions.