Hi, my name is Ara and I have the pleasure of leading you during this virtual tour around Peru for Classy.

Since I was a little girl, I have traveled a lot around my country, even more these last years. More than a decade of working in tourism has  allowed me the chance to show my culture to visitors from all over the world.

Through these articles, I will help you see all these places through my eyes. I will provide information but more importantly, I will share with you stories and experiences from my point of view as a local. So, welcome to Peru!

This South American country with more than thirty-one million inhabitants has been blessed with coastal, highland, and jungle regions supplying us with eighty-four different climates and diverse ecosystems.

The abundance of natural resources make mining and agriculture the main economic activities of my country. Beautiful landscapes, a rich history, a blended culture, and a country awarded World’s Best Culinary Destination by the World Travel Awards are some of the reasons tourism is also huge in Peru.

We will start gently by visiting Paracas, on the Southern coast, where we will learn about this pre-Inca civilization. We will discover a mysterious 2000 year old geoglyph on the dunes before enjoying the contrast between quiet beaches and active wildlife on the islands.

Climbing little by little in elevation we head to Apurimac. A destination for adventurous travelers where we will raft the deep canyon of Apurimac and relax later with a walk through nature and a nice bath in the hot springs.

Our next activity will be climbing the volcanoes Misti and Chachani overlooking the bright "white city” of Arequipa, built with a white volcanic stone.

Now acclimatised to the elevation, we head to the Southern highlands where will be fascinated by the textile art of Juliaca. We will also discover the beauty of localities like Arapa, Umayo, Lake Titicaca −the highest navigable lake in the world−, and the archeological site of Pukarani.

We continue our drive to the historical, cosmopolitan and always vibrant city of Cusco. Called “the navel of the world” by indigenous people it was the capital of the Incan empire, the greatest pre-hispanic kingdom in South America.

The central region of the country, Junin, waits for us afterward with historical and archeological sites. We will explore an outstanding stone forest, a breathtaking isolated lake, a fertile valley, and a glance of the cloud forest.

Leaving highlands behind, we start our way to the Northern jungle. Before this though, we will visit an alpaca farm!

We will be taken to Paradise through the magical natural and handmade places offered by the Río Abiseo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Finally, we come back to the seashore bathed by the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean. We will finish our tour with the lively atmosphere of Mancora beach and be delighted later by the most peaceful sunset.

Enjoy the tour!

Sincerely yours,

Ara

Ara was born and raised in Peru. Since she was a little girl, she has written skillfully and always loved to travel. In recent years, he has worked in translation studios and in the travel industry. Ara says her work is a passion and a way of life, which is also reflected in the Peru-themed "virtual travel" articles for Classy. Read next