2. Peru is a country that is known for its numerous and incredible archaeological sites, its great Amazon, a gigantic
history, and many traditions that still stand. But this is just a glimpse of all that the Andean country has to offer, it is
one of the South American countries with the most history and culture that you can visit. And with so much to offer,
it’s common for some things to go unnoticed while others stand out. That is why together with Machu Travel Peru we
want to tell you about the different facts about Peru that you do not know and make this beautiful country renowned.
Some of the most interesting facts about Peru
• Regarding Machu Picchu
• Land of the Incas
• The capital of Peru
• Potatoes variety
• Surf cradle
• Deep canyons
• The highest navigable lake in the world
• Languages
• Renowned gastronomy
• Mysterious Nazca Lines
• Penguins in Peru
• Guinea pigs are food, not pets
• Peru is one of the largest gold producers
• National drink of Peru
• The Amazon in Peru

3. REGARDING MACHU PICCHU
• Among the different facts about Peru, you can
appreciate the wonderful Inca citadel. The lost city of
Machu Picchu is one of the most famous landmarks in
Peru and was selected as one of the New Seven
Wonders of the World in 2007. The explorer, professor,
and archaeologist Hiram Bingham rediscovered this
historical site of the Inca civilization in 1911. It is
located on a mountain 8,000 feet above sea level in
the Sacred Valley. To get there, you can choose to go
on a hiking trail or take a train. Being able to
contemplate the citadel a mile from the mountain is
something impressive. It is impressive what the Incas
achieved in terms of engineering and architecture. If
you plan to visit Machu Picchu, be sure to reserve your
tickets at least six months in advance.

4. LANDS OF THE INCAS
• One of the main and best-known facts about Peru is
that it is also known for being the Land of the Incas. The
Incas were one of the largest empires in Ancestral
America, the first came from the Peruvian highlands and
ruled for more than 300 years until the arrival of the
Spanish. At the height of the domain, they were
considered one of the largest empires, covering modern
territories of Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, and Chile.
The capital of the ancient Empire was Cusco, and
Quechua was the language of choice for this ancient
civilization. Today, the influence of the Inca Empire is
still strong, with more than 5 million Quechua speakers
still living in the surroundings. In addition to having left
us immeasurable archaeological sites, among which are
the Wonder of the World. The Inca citadel is also home
to many amazing Machu Picchu facts to meet and learn.

5. THE CAPITAL OF PERU
Who founded the capital of Peru was Francisco
Pizarro, a Spanish colonizer of the sixteenth century.
He founded the city of Lima in 1535 to serve as the
seat of power for the Spanish colonists. Today, Lima is
the only city in Peru with more than one million
inhabitants. Most visitors to Peru will skip Lima in
their excitement to get to Cusco and Machu Picchu.
But, with so much on offer to travelers, visiting Lima is
one of the best things to do in Peru. You will find
luxurious and exclusive high-end restaurants where
you can enjoy the unique cuisine of Peru. Also a wide
selection of high category hotels where you can enjoy
your stay. In addition, in the vicinity, you will enjoy a
great variety of Peru beaches. A destination that is
well worth your visit and attention.

6. POTATOES VARIETY
Are you a fan of French Fries? Or just from Potatoes? Then
you should know that Peru is the birthplace of the Potatoe. It
is one of the facts about Peru that tends to go unnoticed
among tourists. Peru is home to some 4,000 different
varieties of potatoes, being an inevitable ingredient in most
of its traditional dishes. The delicious tubers have been
dominated in this region of the world for at least 8,000 years
old. So it is not surprising to think that there are so many
varieties and classes in the Andean country. In any market
you step on, it’s not new that they have at least 12 different
potatoes for sale, whether it’s for frying, boiling, or cooking.
In the wonderful Imperial City, you will find many typical
dishes where the potato is the protagonist. Be sure to
experience the many things to do in the Sacred Valley,
including its delicious dishes. In the Andean regions, the
potato takes a leading role in traditional dishes.

7. SURF CRADLE
Among the many facts about Peru, you will find
that the Andean country is believed to have
been the cradle of the water sport known as
surfing. In the small coastal town of Huanchaco,
local fishermen still fish the traditional way
their ancestors used to. The fishermen ride on
Caballitos de Totora (little reed horses) in which
they bring their daily catch. If you are looking for
things to do in Peru, surfing is one of its main
activities that take place on its several
beaches. It does not matter if you never rode a
wave, you will find various surf schools renting
boards and suits for those who want it.

8. DEEP CANYONS
Another of the wonderful facts about Peru is that it
has two canyons competing among the deepest in
the world. The Cotahuasi Canyon and the Colca
Canyon in the south of Peru are two of the most
incredible and amazing landscapes that the
Andean country boasts. Both are twice as deep as
the well-known Grand Canyon of the United States,
making them an important part of tourism in Peru.
There are numerous tours to enjoy hiking or
luxurious hotels in its surroundings, which
combined with the dreamy views make it one of
the best destinations available in Peru.

9. THE HIGHEST NAVIGABLE LAKE IN THE WORLD
Although you can find lakes all over the world, Peru
boasts the highest navigable lake in the world and
the largest lake in South America. We are talking
about the well-known Lake Titicaca, accessible
from the route through Cusco and/or Arequipa. It
has become in recent years a very popular
destination due to the Uros floating islands that
you can explore and visit, making it a great
destination to combine on your tour. But the
Floating Islands are not its only attraction, the
Lake is home to countless alternative cultures that
continue to practice ancient traditions. So if you
want to know more about archaeological sites, we
recommend that you visit Peru in June, to combine
the landscapes with other wonderful festivities.

10. LANGUAGES
As is common knowledge, Peru is a country with
great cultural diversity, this is reflected in its
clothing, food, and languages in Peru. So among
the facts about Peru, it is not surprising to think
that it is home to 3 official languages. Still, along
with globalization and constant urbanization,
speakers of different languages are losing
territory. 83% of the Peruvian population speaks
Spanish, but it is not the only language you can
find. In the Andes and the Amazon Rainforest, you
can find speakers of Quechua, Aymara, and many
other indigenous languages.

11. RENOWNED GASTRONOMY
Peru is not only home to Machu Picchu, but it is
also considered one of the gastronomic capitals of
the world. Lima is usually the epicenter of the
gastronomic revolution, where you can enjoy
several internationally distinguished restaurants.
Dishes such as Ceviche, Cuy, or Lomo Saltado are
just some of its iconic examples, but you will find
unique variations and other distinguished dishes
throughout the country. But the kitchen is not its
only strong point, you can also experience
numerous traditional Peruvian drinks to
accompany your plates. As well as distinguished
non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy on a cold night.

12. MYSTERIOUS NAZCA LINES
IAmong the different facts about Peru, you can find
the mysterious Nazca Lines. The Nazca Line in Peru
is a collection of more than 70 giant geographic
glyphs. They were first observed from the air in 1927.
They are located in the desert highlands between
Nazca and Palpa. This mysterious line collection
includes more than 70 human and animal characters
and 10,000 lines. Some of these lines even extend to
30 miles long. They remain one of the largest
archaeological mysteries in the world. Theories about
its function and origin abound, and some of them will
be explained around fantastic themes such as aliens.
In the same way, there are many things to do in
Nazca besides appreciating its lines. You will find
archaeological sites in the surroundings and some
interesting museums.

13. PENGUINS IN PERU
Despite general beliefs, you can not only see
penguins in Antarctica. One of the most curious
facts about Peru is that it is home to a wide
variety of birds, including the penguin. If you decide
to visit the Paracas National Reserve, be sure to
enjoy a boat tour of the Ballestas Islands. These
rock formations are home to adorable penguins
along with a few other birds and mammals. One of
the most beautiful sighting tours you can
experience.

14. GUINEA PIGS ARE FOOD, NOT PETS
If you are traveling alone in Peru, be sure to visit
the different important cultural festivals. On many
of the festivities, you will see a dish served quite
often. We refer to Cuy, a traditional dish that is
made with a guinea pig. The animal is usually
served crisp and complete with its heads, legs,
and eyes. If you are easy to impress, it may be a
bit shocking, but it is an incredibly delicious dish.
Among the different facts about Peru, you will find
that the Cuy is a traditional dish of great
importance in the Andean regions. The dish is rich
in protein and is usually quite healthy. A great
option to experience something new.

15. PERU IS ONE OF THE LARGEST GOLD PRODUCERS
One of the most surprising facts about Peru is
that the Andean country is a major producer of
gold, the sixth-largest producer in the world to be
exact. Per year, Peru produces more than 162 tons
of gold, this is equivalent to a value of more than 7
billion dollars. This is one of the reasons why the
economy in Peru is quite stable compared to other
Latin American countries. Money in Peru is not
usually a problem, especially for foreign tourists.
Most lodgings and other stores usually accept
dollars and euros.

16. NATIONAL DRINK OF PERU
Among the facts about Peru that you cannot ignore
is Pisco. Pisco Sour is a cocktail made with Pisco,
a type of Peruvian Brandy. This is prepared with a
mixture of lemons, sugar, water, egg whites, ice,
and bitters. It is believed to have been invented in
the early 1920s by an American bartender. There
are other cocktails prepared with Pisco such as
Chilcano, another cocktail that is well worth a try.
Pisco Sour is the National Drink of Peru par
excellence.

17. THE AMAZON IN PERU
Many of the facts about Peru have to do with its
Amazonian territory. First of all, did you know that
the Amazon River, one of the longest rivers in the
world, is born in Peru? As you read it correctly, this
renowned river that runs through several South
American countries begins high in the Peruvian
Andes. It is born very close to Machu Picchu to
flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Even the Amazon
occupies 60% of its entire national territory.
Making it a large part of the Andean country. A fact
not to be overlooked.

18. “GOING TO PERU IS… WELL, IF YOU EVER HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY IN YOUR LIFE TO GO THERE,
YOU SHOULD DO IT BECAUSE IT IS ABSOLUTELY
MIND-BOGGLING”

19. Together with the travel experts at Machu Travel Peru, we wanted to distinguish the many facts about
Peru that make the country an emblematic destination. Not everything in this beautiful country is
archaeological sites, there is also much more to explore and discover. Therefore, if you want to know a
little more about all the beauty that there is to live, you can consult our team of qualified advisers for free.
We will be waiting for your soon visit to the beautiful Andean country!
Peru has so much to offer, it can be hard to know where to start. With many years of experience in the
tourism sector, Machu Travel Peru is happy to help with anything regarding your trip to Machu Picchu and
any tours around it. Make your Machu Picchu experience an unforgettable one!
Visit: www.machutravelperu.com