Heir to ancient cultures and a rich colonial tradition, Perú is a magical spot which involves one of the richest biodiversities of Earth and a melting pot of different cultures.

Peru inevitably evokes images of Machu Picchu and the Inca Empire, but the Inca tradition is only part of the mystique of the country: There is a great variety of sights and activities throughout the three regions.

The Coast is the area next to the Pacific Ocean, featuring deserts, beautiful beaches and fertile valleys. The summer season (December to March) has temperatures reaching 27°C; and the winter season (May to October) is very humid and cold, with temperatures dropping to 12°C. In the north coast the sun shines all year round, and temperatures rise to 35°C (95°F) in the summer.

The Highlands area is dominated by the Andes Mountain Range, with altitudes as high as 6.768 masl. This region has a dry and moderate climate, with two well-defined seasons: the summer n (May to October) with sunny days, very cold nights and hardly any rain -ideal time to visit- and the winter rainy season (December to March).

The Jungle area features lush tropical vegetation forming part of the Peruvian Amazon Region, home to Peru's largest natural reserved areas. With a humid and tropical climate, the jungle summer is (May to October) with sunny days and temperatures in excess of 30°C (86°F) and the winter rainy season (November to March) is marked by frequent rains and increased river volumes.

What you should know:

Canadian Citizens traveling as tourists require a valid passport but no visa. Travelers must be in possession of an airline ticket onward from Peru or to their point of origin.

Capital                      Lima

Official language    Spanish

Currency                   Nuevo Sol

Voltage                     220 V