Peruvian Andes are not all about breathtaking views! There is no doubt they are beautiful, but believe me there is more than only the astonishing landscapes. What makes Peruvian Andes so special are the hundreds of kilometers of Inca trails, ruins of Inca cities, inspiring, warm-hearted and colourful people and rare to find anywhere else in the world numerous herds of camels.
What comes to your mind when you think of the mountains? Before I had a chance to get to know the Andes closer, I associated the mountains mostly with beautiful nature, astonishing landscapes, limitless possibilities, refreshing feeling of physical fatigue and relaxation at the same time. However, for the last couple of years the mountains mean a lot more than that for me. Let me introduce you to my world of Peruvian Andes!
Peruvian Andes – discover more than only breathtaking views!
System of trails stretching out from the ocean, through the Andes, until the jungle.
Over 40 thousand kilometers of the Inca trails located on the area of the former Inca Empire make huge impression on each and every visitor coming to see them, wherever in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and also part of Chile, Argentina and Colombia. The biggest and best-preserved part of this huge system of the trails is located just in the heart of Peruvian Andes.
Right there, the amusing Inca world together with picturesque Inca trails had been born. There is no doubt that every mountain lover will find himself delighted by the local nature and countless mountain trails.
Ruins of the cities located in the heart of the mountains
How is it possible to beautify the already beautiful one? It seems that the Incas knew the answer very well. It will definitely not be an exaggeration to say they were the masters in terms of beautifying their surroundings. Thanks to the Incas, the Andes look the way they do today. They are picturesque, magical and have unique architecture located in the heart of the mountains.
The Inca ruins in Chinchero
The unique character of the Andes was created thanks to harmonious combination of the effort of the human mind and the nature. This combination is easily recognizable in the countless fortresses and numerous towns located on the hills that together make up the strategic as well as magical Inca Empire architecture. There is perfection in every detail of the buildings. Every building has a meaning. There is no randomness involved. Cities like Pisac or Ollantaytambo are built on the shape of the lama or the famous Peruvian symbol – condor.
The authentic masterpiece of the Inca creators
The greatest masterpiece of the Inca creators is undoubtedly the famous Peruvian travel site, Machu Picchu. Located at the heart of the Andes and on the edge of the Amazon jungle, Machu Picchu still withhold the greatest secrets of the Inca Empire. While trekking through the numerous Inca trails, the Machu Picchu visitors get astonished by the overwhelming power of nature and diversity of Inca architecture.
Picturesque terraces that facilitate daily life of the local communities in the mountains
The whole region of Cusco and other parts of the Andes are widely covered by terraces of different sizes and shapes. The diversity and quantity of the terraces is just overwhelming! They do not only diversify and beautify the alpine landscapes but also facilitate daily life of the local communities. Without the existing terraces, the expansion of many Andean cities would definitely be limited and sometimes even impossible!
Llamas, alpacas and other camelidae on the trails
Each landscape in Peruvian Andes is being enriched by the animals living wild and reared in the mountains.
Right here, mostly in the southern part of the country, you can find the largest in the world herds of lamas, alpacas and vicugnas. It is just incredible to observe how well those animals match the Andean landscapes. Watching those herds while trekking in the mountains is one of my favourite things to do in the Andes.
Alpacas on the trail in Peru
Watch out, there is more than the mammals to observe in the Peruvian Andes! Although hard to spot, the proud condor loves the immense alpine walls, where he can easily give impetus to his long and dignified flights. The Peruvian condor, admired by the bird enthusiasts, is most commonly seen in the Colca Canyon in Peru.
Colourful costumes, colourful people
There is one more thing that definitely differentiate the Andean landscapes – its people. I must admit that the degree of costumes creativity and the diversity of the colours of Peruvian locals is just unheard of to spot in other alpine areas of the world.
It is hard to describe how perfectly the Andean people embellish the alpine landscapes. Colourful costumes and braw hats are the truehearted elements while trekking on the local trails.
Magical towns and villages
While trekking through Peruvian Andes, the other magical sites are the local towns and villages. They make up the perfect complement to every trip in the mountains. Maras salt mines and other interesting and widely spread touristic sites are the real icing on the cake when visiting the beautiful region of Peruvian Andes. These are the beautiful landscapes that might be observed while trekking towards Maras salt mines. There is also equally picturesque route leading to the agricultural laboratory of the Incas, Moray.
This is how the Peruvian Andes look like! How do you find them? Have they become more appealing and interesting after reading the article? I highly recommend visiting, discovering and touching the beauty of the greatest treasure of Peru! It is worth it!
