3. Machu Picchu is as impressive as it sounds
Machu Picchu, standing in the center of a stunning tropical mountain forest, is at the top of every traveler’s bucket list. One of the new seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu is so impressive that UNESCO has described it as “… among the greatest artistic, architectural and land use achievements anywhere and the most significant tangible legacy of the Inca civilization.” It was thought to be the “Lost City” of the Incas, though this is disputed.
Machu Picchu is an impressive example of human creation, not least because it was constructed without the use of the wheel, meaning that the Incas had to transport these heavy rocks up the mountain using other methods. The bricks were also cut to fit tightly together using the Incas’ ashlar technique, which allows walls to be constructed without mortar.
4. On Taquile Island, knitting is a man’s activity
On Taquile Island on Peru’s side of Lake Titicaca, a man is judged by his ability to knit. The skill is passed down from fathers to sons and the men of the island are responsible for producing the island’s knitted hats, called chullo. These traditional knitted hats can be used to communicate a man’s marital status or his aspirations. Not only this, the quality of a man’s chullo can determine whether or not he attracts a bride. One of the desired qualities of a chullo is that the knit is tight enough that one can use the hat to carry water.
Both men and women on the island produce textiles — women more commonly weave — and these textiles have been considered so valuable that UNESCO included them on its list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Not only have these textiles drawn the attention of UNESCO, they have also pulled in tourists eager to access this collection of beautiful fabrics.
5. Some people believe that alien remains were discovered in Paracas in the late 1920s
Archaeologist Julio Tello’s discovery of elongated skulls in Paracas (Quechua for ‘sandstorms’) in the late 1920s gave us insight into the ancient practice of cranial deformation. Theories about these unusual, conical skulls have sparked theories about alien lifeforms in recent years, going as far as to prompt USA Today to publish a Fact Check story debunking these claims in 2021.
6. The camu camu fruit has one of the best sources of vitamin C of any plant
The camu camu fruit has a significant amount of vitamin C, ranging between 2,000-3,000 mg per 100g of fruit pulp. Grown in the Peruvian Amazon as well as in Bolivia and Colombia, this tiny but mighty fruit looks like what would result if an apple and a grape had a baby. Thanks to its nutrient-dense properties, it can be found in health supplements, pills and juices. Try it out next time you have a cold!
7. Peru is home to one of the world’s deepest canyons
Though the Grand Canyon may have a bigger name, Cotahuasi Canyon is actually one of the deepest canyons in the world, reaching depths of around 11,598 ft (3,535 m), almost double the Grand Canyon’s maximum depth of 6,093 ft (1,857 m).
8. People live on floating islands on Lake Titicaca
The floating islands of Uros are a must-see if you find yourself traveling in Peru. Created by the indigenous Uros people to protect themselves against the Incas, there are now 120 of these islands on the lake, with a combined population of around 1,300 people still living on them. Made by piling layers upon layers of totora roots and reeds on top of each other, these floating habitats are a surprising sight. The reeds, which are water resistant, are used to build everything from boats to houses for the people on the islands.
Straddling the border between Peru and Bolivia, the lake is famous in its own right. It’s around 12,500 ft above sea level, making Lake Titicaca the highest navigable lake on the planet. It also happens to be the largest lake in South America.
9. The city of Cusco brings together Inca and Spanish colonial architecture
The city of Cusco, located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, is important because it was the capital of the Inca Empire. The city served religious, financial and administrative functions for the Inca people. Following the Spanish conquest, the Spanish built structures over the existing architecture, creating a fusion of Inca and Spanish colonial architecture. The Inca ruins are of particular interest, and give us an insight into life in pre-Columbian America.
10. The people of Maras still use ancient Incan salt mining techniques
Just an hour away from Cusco are the Maras Salt Mines. The Maras Salt Mines have over 6,000 staggered pools fed by underground streams of water and are tended to by around 600 families who have taken care of these salt mines for generations. The families wait for the water to evaporate, leaving behind piles of salt waiting to be collected using their ancestral methods. Standing over the salt mines in the Sacred Valley, you can see the beautiful view of its staggered square pools.
11. Peru has pink dolphins
The Amazon pink river dolphin can be found, unsurprisingly, in the Amazon River. These dolphins are not born pink; they are born grey and turn pink with age. If you want to see pink dolphins in Peru, try paying a visit to the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.
12. 60% of Peru is part of the Amazon Rainforest
Peru has the biggest share of the Amazon Rainforest after Brazil. Thanks to the abundance of lush greenery, this South American country is a great place for nature lovers to visit. The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world, spread across nine countries. It’s thought to be home to 10% of all species of wildlife on Earth and new plants and animals are still being discovered there.
Peru has a diverse range of natural landscapes, from natural wonders such as the mighty Amazon River and the hyper-arid coastal sands of the Sechura desert, to the lush surroundings of the Amazon rainforest. However, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Peru is Vinicunca, also known as the Mountain of Seven Colors or Rainbow Mountain, a stunning natural landmark in the Andes Mountains. There are plenty of reasons to visit Rainbow Mountain, whether you want to take in this natural treasure or want a killer Instagram photo.