last edited Aug 21, 2020
Geography and Environment of Peru
Geography of the Country
Natural Zones
National parks and nature reserves cover around 15% of Peru’s territory—and even more if you include the unclassified parts of the Amazon rainforest. Among the most interesting protected sites for travelers:
- Huascarán National Park: This stunning park in the Cordillera Blanca is home to Huascarán, the country’s highest peak (6,768 m). Hiking and climbing are popular here.
- Manu National Park: A UNESCO-listed site, this vast Amazonian park boasts some of the richest and most diverse wildlife and plant life.
- Pacaya-Samiria Reserve: Near Iquitos, this is one of Peru’s largest protected areas, teeming with wildlife and flora.
- Paracas National Reserve: In a desert region facing the Pacific, this beautiful marine reserve—visited by boat—is home to countless birds, dolphins, turtles, and sea lions. A giant 120-meter geoglyph (“Tres Cruces”) can also be seen here.
- San Fernando National Reserve: On the coast near Nazca, this reserve features breathtaking landscapes and colonies of birds, penguins, and sea lions.
- Tambopata-Candamo Reserve: In the southeast, bordering Bolivia, this area offers lush forests and wildlife. Rafting on the Tambopata River is also possible.