(located at the Callejon de Huaylas) and others, as well as the altiplano region, over 3.500m, in which the Puno region is located with the Lake Titikaka.
The Amazon Jungle, Virgin and unexplored, it is the largest region and less populated of the country, with an astonishing watershed in which the large Amazonas river and other tributaries predominate. It is the perfect hiding place for the fauna, the flora and the exuberant vegetation which still preserves its original and unchanged state that can be enjoyed in reserved areas such as the Manu National Park, the Tambopata-Candamo reserve and Pacaya Samiria among others. The predominant factor of this area is its inaccessibility and isolation, where a great diversity of indigenous communities keeping their ancestral ways of living are located.

HISTORY
More than 10,000 years ago, early settlers occupied the Peruvian territory developing agriculture, llamas and alpacas domestication, pottery, textiles, and goldsmithing. Different regional civilizations were developed, among the most important ones: Chavin, Paracas, Nazca, Mochica and Chimú, as legacy. They left a wide amount of knowledge to the Incas.

The Incas appeared in the peruvian history by the year 1,200 and establish an Empire at the end of the XV century, which would be conquered, in 1532, by the Spaniards. The permanence of

these spaniards for almost 3 centuries would leave a rich mixed race group, reflected in its architecture, folklore and people. Peruvian independence was established in 1821, creating Perú of our times, an open country to the entire world. Nowadays, Perú is a modern and traditional country, proud of its rich past, its roots, and ready to show these characteristics to our visitors.

POPULATION
25 million inhabitants
70% urban - 30% rural
85% Literacy

CLIMATE
Perú has numerous climates in general: tropical influenced by the Andean Mountain Range, the equatorial latitude, and the cold Humboldt Ocean Current as well as El Niño (warm) current, Summer and cold seasons occur in different ways according to the regions; however, we could define two well marked seasons:
Summer: from December 15 to April 14
Winter: from April 15 to December 14
Coast: Hot, humid and clear sky in summer, with an average temperature of 26°, without precipitation. Mild in winter with an average temperature of 16°, without precipitation but with high humidity.
Highland: Hot in summer and dry during the day, mild to cold at nights (very cold dawns), with abundant precipitation. Mild to cold in winter, with very few precipitation
Amazon: Mainly tropical climate, with precipitation all the year (abundant in summer), hot and humid. Average annual temperature 28°.

CURRENCY
The national currency is the Nuevo Sol (S/.) coins of with 10, 20 and 50 cents; S/. 1, S/. 2 and S/.5.
Bank Notes: S/. 10, S/. 20, S/. 50, S/. 100 and S/. 200.
US$ 1.00 is equivalent to S/.3.52 (fluctuating rate)

VACCINES
If the amazon region is included during the itinerary or program, a vaccine against yellow fever is required, with a 10 day minimal period before the travelling date.

VISA
The visa will depend on the residence country (please ask the corresponding Peruvian consulate). It is necessary to hold an valid passport with a minimum expiration date of 6 months.

LANGUAGE
The Spanish language is spoken almost in every part of the Peruvian territory, also Quechua, Aymara and other native languages are spoken in some regions.

FOOD
The different ingredients of the Peruvian cuisine and the different dishes of the European, Asian, African and neighbouring countries, have produced a specialised food known as “Criolla Food”.