Peru detailed statistics and information
Statistical information about Peru including geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, and military statistics.
Country map
High quality shaded relief map showing natural features.
Alpamayo 
Frosty night and beautiful morning. We ascended to the first pass, Passo dos Cedros (4850 m.) From the pass we had to descend a disheartening distance, before climbing again to the second pass at 4750 m. After the lunch stop on the pass we descended 800 m., which seemed endless, to camp at the river in the valley of Quebrada dos Cedros.
HIKING THE INCA TRAIL
The Inca Trail between the Sacred Valley of the Urubamba River and the mysterious abandoned citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the world's classic treks. Climbing out of the river valley, crossing rugged mountain passes over 13,000 ft high, the trail winds through the Andes, passing numerous significant Inca ruins en route before descending through the Sun Gate to the silent stone city of Machu Picchu. To hike the Inca Trail is a thrilling experience and a very great priviledge. The purpose of this website is to share the thrill and privilege of the trip with those who may not hike it in person, and to help future hikers plan their coming adventure.
Huayhuash
Went zigzagging steeply up the mountain. Mountainside covered in purple lupine. Came upon a valley which seemed the grazing ground of several bulls. Here we had the choice of going on to our camp or first make a detour to a glacial lake (Laguna Garacocha, 4500 m.) up the valley. We opted for the lake, which was behind a huge and steep moraine wall. John and I followed the directions of a shepherd boy and contoured round the wall. Edelweiss everywhere. The others slogged up that wall and looked down upon us when we were standing at the shore of the lake.
Inca Trail
The views from the hilltops looking down into the valley were unimaginable. The river was narrow but wild with foaming brown water. Steep cliffs and weathered outcrops were dwarfed by sharp sloping mountainsides. Every parcel of land was terraced, under cultivation and bright green in colour. From the rocky path sprang yellow-flowering Tuna cactuses, giant specimens, strong enough to maim a careless trekker.
Machu Picchu
We hiked the Inca trail to machu Picchu and were tired but fulfilled to see the city early in the morning.
Machu Picchu and the cordillera of Vilcanota
Everybody knows Peru. As for Machu Picchu ruins, since their discovery in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, they are amongst the more famous in the world. I was surprised to notice that, despite the presence of many tourists, the greatness of this site is still intact. Here is my modest contribution to the iconography of this place : the Machu Picchu picture gallery. The cordillera of Vilcanota, at the southeast of Cuzco, is less known and visited. So much the better. This place is, a few shepherds apart, uninhabited. The climate is very harsh : hailstorms and snowstorms are common. The trail altitudes vary between 15000 and 17400ft. Having said that, the most beautiful landscapes I saw in my life are there. Take a breath of fresh air, here is the Vilcanota cordillera picture gallery.
The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
The real Inca Trail is a walking route that leads through the mountains above the Urubamba river, following (at least partly) the course of an old Inca roadway leading to the city of Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Many countries have mountain ranges with beautiful scenery and Peru itself is richly blessed in this respect with many other areas for hiking. However the scenery is only one of the elements responsible for the magic of the Inca Trail. Can there be any walk anywhere in the world with such a combination of natural beauty, history and sheer mystery and with such an awe-inspiring destination? The various ruins along the way serve to heighten the hiker's sense of anticipation as he or she approaches what would surely find a place in any new list of archaeological wonders of the world - Machu Picchu.
Adventure travel in Peru
Database with descriptions and pictures of adventure travel destinations in this beautiful and interesting country.
