The Republic of Peru

1. The Republic of Peru A Journey South

2. Let’s take a trip to one of the most exotic places on earth. A country of color, ecosystems, bull fights and mystery. Fast Facts Official Name: Republic of Peru Form of Government: Constitutional Republic Capital: Lima Population: 30,147,935 Official Language: Spanish & Quechua Money: Nuevo Sol Area: 496,224 square miles Major Mountain Range: Andes Major Rivers: Amazon, Ucayali, Madre de Dios Let’s Being our Tour! To the Airport

3. We’re at the airport and we need to pick a city to visit. What do you want to visit first? Lima Arequipa Iquitos Cusco Back Home

4. Welcome to Arequipa! The White City Canyon Condor Tour Colca Canyon Tour Arequipa, pronounced /Arakapa/, is known as the white city because all of the walls and buildings are white. Arequipa is an ancient city founded in 1540. Arequipa is designed like a checkerboard! It has 56 blocks. It is known as a peaceful city full of adventure and culture. Arequipa is home to the most magnificent cathedrals, museums, and churches. The Museo SantuariosAndinos houses the famous Inca Ice Mummy named Juanita. Juanita was found at the top of a dormant volcano in 1999. Back to the airport

5. Colca Canyon Just outside of Arequipa is the Colca Canyon. At 11,500 feet deep, this canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon! Two volcanos, El Misti and Chachani, are within the canyon. In the Colca Canyon, you can see ancient cities and ruins. Adventure awaits that is not for the faint of heart: You can raft in the river on the floor of the canyon, zip line 20,000 feet across the canyon walls, hike, and mountain bike. Back to Arequipa

6. Canyon Condor Tours Huge condors, with a wing span measuring about 11 feet wide, fly in the Colca Canyon. You can take a day long tour from Arequipa to see them fly. Condors fly at a specific time each day. However, if they’re they’re nesting, they will not fly. Condors are vulchers, meaning they eat dead animals. They are not natural hunters because they do not have talons on they’re feet like an eagle. Their bodies weight about 30 pounds, but they can eat 10 pounds of food and still fly. They can fly about 120 miles in one day, and live about 10,000 feet above sea level. Back to Arequipa

7. Welcome to Lima! Capital of Peru Sea Lion Tour Penguin Tour Lima is on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Founded in 1535, Lima is a metropolitan city with a population of 8,852,000 people. Although Lima is in a tropical region, it remains cool, dry, and humid because of the winds from the Pacific Ocean. In 2014, Lima was coined as the 2nd biggest city in all of South America. It is known for its food and bull fights. Visit the park of love and the black sand beach. Take a day trip to the seaside town of Paracas to see the penguins and sea lions in their natural habitat. Back to the airport

8. Penguins A short boat ride from Paracas to the Ballestas Island is the home of the Humbolt Penguins, smallest of all penguins. These penguins are at risk of becoming extinct due to habitat destruction. As tourists near the Ballestas Island, they notice that the rocky island appears to be moving, but the closer they get, they realize the movement is that of thousands of animals, including penguins. With the classic penguin style waddle in their step, they walk along their island uninhabited by humans. Tourists consider this sight a must see. Sea Lions Back to Lima

9. Sea Lions A short boat ride from Paracas to the Ballestas Island is the home of the remarkable sea lions. The boat tour brings you right up close to the large shores teeming with sea lions. The best time of year to visit the island is from January to March. Penguin and Sea Lion Tour Humans are not allowed on the island, but if you want to hear more than the barking of the sea lion, then swim with them. If you’re adventurous enough, you can put on a wet suit and dive in. There are three simple rules, do not touch them, do not get on the island, and do not make loud noises. Young sea lions are curious. There are no predators in this area, so they are unfearful. Adults, however, are protective of their young, but stick to the shores. Another reason to stay far away from it! Back to Lima Penguins

10. Welcome to Iquito! Amazonia Jungle Iquito lies in the northern region of the Peruvian Amazonia Jungle. Iquitos in not accessible by roads, one must travel there by plane or boat. Although this city is in a remote area of the jungle, it is well connected to the world by an international airport and the biggest harbor of its region. The Amazon Jungle covers more than half of Peru! It’s home to thousands of various animals. Murky black waters host snakes. The canopy hosts toucans and parrots and banana trees are in abundance.. The heat and thick humidity of the region is hard to get used to by some. Check out other animals Back to the airport

11. Spider Monkeys Toucans Tapirs Anacondas Back to the Iquito

12. Welcome to Cusco! Cusco, often spelled Cuzco, is in the Andes mountains very close to Bolivia. It is very high in altitude, so high in fact that some people find it hard to breath and must take altitude sickness medicine. Cusco has very steep streets and mirrors some streets in San Francisco. There are multitudes of stairs to reach buildings from the street. Considering the high altitude, some people find it difficult to walk around the city, relying on various types of transportation. Popular trips from Cusco are MaccuPiccu and the floating cities of Lake Tticaca. A Floating City The best Cusco transport Cusco is the destination for travelers who wish to visit the floating islands of Lake Titicaca. The floating islands are handmade with reeds that grow in the water. This fun way of getting around is called a rickshaw. The riders sit in the back, both covered and uncovered, while bicyclist pedals. Children are seen pedaling these! Let’s go to Machu Picchu! The ancient city shrouded in mystery.

13. Machu Picchu is an ancient that was brought to international attention in 1911, when it was discovered. Previous home of what is believe to be an ancient Incan empire. Little by little, archeologist uncover more of it. Visitors can hike the several hour steep trail to visit it if they meet the minimum requirements. Visitors are not allowed to take the hike if they are above a certain weight due to the strenuous climb. Alpacas populate the city, generally unafraid of human visitors. All of the buildings are white. Machu Picchu is known as one of the wonders of the world. Back to Cusco Back to the airport