Outdoor sights in Peru
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Parque Nacional Manu
This vast national park in the Amazon Basin covers almost 20,000 sq km (12,427 sq mi) and is one of the best places in South America to see a stunning variety of tropical wildlife. Progressive in its emphasis on preservation, Unesco declared Manu a Biosphere Reserve in 1977 and a World Natural Heritage Site in 1987.
One reason the park is so successful in preserving such a large tract of virgin jungle and its wildlife is that it's remote and relatively inaccessible to people, and therefore has not been exploited by rubber tappers, loggers, oil companies or hunters.
At Cocha Salvador, one of the park's largest and most beautiful lakes, you'll find camping and guided hiking…
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Reserva Nacional de Paracas
The vast Reserva Nacional de Paracas is a desert reserve that occupies most of the Península de Paracas. Tour operators offer excursions; alternatively, hire a taxi in Pisco or take a combi into the village of Paracas and then walk - make sure to allow lots of time, and bring food and plenty of water.
Near the entrance to Paracas village, past Playa El Chaco, is an obelisk commemorating the landing of the liberator General José de San Martín. The combi continues further in and, if asked, will drop you in front of Hotel Paracas. Continue on foot either along the tarmac road south of Paracas, or the beach, looking out for seashore life.
About 3km south is a park entry poi…
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Islas Ballestas
Although grandiosely nicknamed the 'poor man's Galapagos,' the Islas Ballestas make for a memorable excursion. The only way to get there is with a boat tour, offered by many travel agencies. None of the small boats have a cabin, so dress to protect against the wind, spray and sun. The sea can get rough, so sufferers of motion sickness should take medication before boarding.
Wear a hat (cheap ones are sold at the harbor), as it's not unusual to receive a direct hit of guano (droppings) from the seabirds.
On the outward boat journey, which takes about 1½ hours, you can't miss the famous three-pronged Candelabra geoglyph, a giant figure etched into the sandy hills, which is o…
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Reserva Ecológica Chaparrí
This 34,000-hectare private reserve, located 75km east of Chiclayo, was established in 2000 by the community of Santa Catalina and the famous Peruvian wildlife photographer Heinz Plenge. This is one of the few places in the world where you can spot the rare spectacled bear in its natural habitat. This area is an ornithologist’s dream, with more than 140 species of birds, including rare white-winged guans, Andean condors, king vultures and several species of eagle. A large number of threatened species are also found here, including pumas, collared anteaters, and Andean weasels. Nearly a third of these vertebrates are not found anywhere else in the world.
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Yanahuara
The peaceful neighborhood of Yanahuara makes a diverting excursion from the city center. It's within walking distance: go west on Av Puente Grau over the Puente Grau bridge, and continue on Av Ejército for half a dozen blocks. Turn right on Av Lima and walk five blocks to a small plaza. At the side of the plaza there's a mirador (lookout) with excellent views of Arequipa and El Misti.
The round-trip walk from the city center should take around two hours, but there are also combis (minibuses) to Yanahuara from along Av Puente Grau (and returning from Yanahuara's plaza to the city) every few minutes to speed you along.
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Reserva Nacional Pampas Galeras
This national reserve is a vicuña sanctuary, high in the mountains on the road to Cuzco. It's the best place in Peru to see these shy animals, though tourist services are virtually nonexistent. Every other year, in late May or early June, is the biannual chaccu, when hundreds of Andean villagers round up the vicuñas for shearing and three festive days of traditional ceremonies, with music and dancing, and of course, drinking.
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Paucarpata
The rural suburb of Paucarpata , about 8km southeast of the city center, makes a pleasant country escape. Combis can be caught along Goyeneche, Independencia and Paucarpata, which is the eastern continuation of Mercaderes (25 minutes), or you can take a taxi. Paucarpata itself features an attractive colonial church on the main plaza and several good picanterías (local restaurants).
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Putucusi
For those who still have energy left for trekking, there are some good walks in the vicinity, including one up the steep Putucusi mountain directly opposite Machu Picchu; follow the railway tracks about 250m west of the station and you'll see a steeply ascending pathway. Parts of the walk are up ladder rungs, which get slippery in the wet season, but the view across to Machu Picchu is worth the trek.
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Cayma
Beyond Yanahuara is Cayma , another inner suburb of Arequipa's city center, nicknamed El Balcón (the Balcony) for its privileged views. To reach Cayma from Yanahuara, walk along San Vicente and then take Av Leon Velarde, or catch one of the regular combis marked 'Cayma' from Av Puente Grau.
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Parque de la Cultura
Originally known as Parque de la Exposition, the newly revamped Parque de la Cultura has Japanese gardens and a small amphitheatre for outdoor performances. It's a welcome relief from the crowds and traffic of Lima's boisterous center. Two of Lima's major art museums are in the park.
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El Parque de la Locomotora
About a 15-minute walk south of the train station, a British locomotive built in 1859 and used as a troop train in the War of the Pacific is the centerpiece of El Parque de la Locomotora, an otherwise empty roadside park.
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