Destinations

Peru has 24 departments
and 1 Constitutional Province

Click each department,
you will find general information,
climate, access routes
tours, festivities and attractions
Location: The department of Tacna is situated in the extreme south of Peru, on the border with Chile.
Altitude: 318 masl (Ite) Lowest town. 3415 masl (Candarave) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 18,6ºC (22ºC maximum and 10ºC minimum).

Rain is unusual but the season with most humidity is from May to August.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land Lima-Tacna (1 293 km) on the South Pan-American Highway, about 18 h by car.
By air Daily flights from Lima to Tacna (flying time about 1 h and 35 minutes).
Location: The department of Madre de Dios is located in the southeastern part of Peru comprising jungle territories.
Altitude: 183 masl (Puerto Maldonado) Lowest town. 500 masl (Boca Manu) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 26ºC (34ºC maximum and 21ºC minimum).
Rainy season: December to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land The most recommended routes are as follows:

- Lima/Arequipa/Cusco/Puerto Maldonado (2 024 km). The trip takes about 44 h.
-Lima/Nasca/Abancay/Cusco/Puerto Maldonado (1 621 km). The trip takes about 39 h.
By air There are routine flights from Lima (about 1 h 30 min) and Cusco (about 45 min).
By land / by river From Cusco to Paucartambo - Salvación by land, from Boca Manu-Colorado on boat along the Madre de Dios river to Puerto Maldonado, the trip takes about 4 days.
Location: The department of Amazonas is situated in the northeast of Peru.
Altitude: 230 masl (Santa María de Nieva) Lowest town. 3 952 masl (Chuquimbamba) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 15ºC (24ºC maximum and 18ºC minimum).
Rainy season: December to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land The most advisable route is Lima- Chiclayo-Chachapoyas (1 225 km), about 24 hours by car. An alternative route is Lima-Trujillo-Cajamarca-Celendín-Chachapoyas (1 199 km), about 26 hours by car.
By air Although there are no regular flights, it is possible to contract flights for groups from Chiclayo (for further information, contact perú, Tourist Information and Assistance). There are also non regular flights to Moyobamba and Rioja.
Location: The department of Loreto is located in the north-eastern region of Peru.
Altitude: 70 masl (Amelia) Lowest town. 220 masl (Balsapuerto) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 28ºC (36ºC maximum and 17ºC minimum).
Rainy season: December to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
By air There are daily flights from Lima (1h and 45 minutes flight). There is also service from the cities of Tarapoto and Caballococha.
By river From port La Hoyada in Pucallpa (2,5 km from the city) it is possible to travel to Iquitos, by the Ucayali river, with stopovers in the Ports of Requena and Contamana.

There are two types of boats: - Speedboat: small but speedy boat. The trip takes 2 to 3 days depending on the river stream.

- Chata: A large boat with a capacity to carry about 250 passengers but traveling at a Slow speed. The trip takes from 4 to 7 days depending on the river stream.
Location: The department of Cajamarca is located in the central north western highlands of Peru.
Altitude: 420 masl (Tembladera) Lowest town. 3 502 masl (Hualgayoc) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 14ºC (21ºC maximum and 5ºC minimum).
Rainy season: December to March
By land Lima-Trujillo-Cajamarca (872 km) following the North Pan-American Highway and about 15 h car drive.
By air There are daily flights from the city of Lima (about 1 h 10 minutes).
Location: The department of Tumbes is situated on the extreme northern coast of Peru.
Altitude: 5 masl (Aguas Verdes) Lowest town. 134 masl (Cañaveral) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 24ºC (38ºC maximum and 19ºC minimum).
Rainy season: December to March
ACCESS ROUTES
By land Lima-Tumbes (1 270 km) along the North Pan-American Highway, approximately 18 h by car.
By air Flights from Lima (about 1 ½ h).
Location: The department of Piura is located on the coast, in the northern region of the country.
Altitude: 3 masl (Pita, Los Órganos) Lowest town. 2 709 masl (Ayabaca) highest town.
Average annual temperature:: 24ºC (35,2ºC maximum and 16ºC minimum).
Rainy season: January to April.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land Lima-Piura (1 035 km) on the Pan-American highway. The trips takes about 16h drive.
By air Daily flights from Lima with stopovers in the cities of Chiclayo and Trujillo (about 1 h 15 min).
Location: The department of Ucayali is situated on the left bank of the Ucayali river, in the mid-eastern jungle of Peru.
Altitude: 135 masl (Nueva requena) Lowest town. 350 masl (Esperanza) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 25ºC (238ºC maximum and 24ºC minimum).
Rainy season: November to March
ACCESS ROUTES
By land The most advisable route is Lima-La Oroya-Cerro de Pasco-Huánuco-Tingo María-Pucallpa 786 km, about 20 h by car.
By air Flights available from Lima to Pucallpa (approximately 55 minutes.).
By river The distance between Iquitos and Pucallpa by river is 1 021 km and the trip takes 4 to 5 days in winter and 6 to 8 days in summer, during the low water flow.
Location: The department of Puno is located in the south eastern region of the county on the Collao plateau, on the shore of Lake Titicaca.
Altitude: 820 masl (lanlacuni bajo) Lowest town. 4 725 masl (San Antonio de Esquilache) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 8ºC (19ºC maximum and 2ºC minimum).
Rainy season: December to March
ACCESS ROUTES
By land The most recommended is the Lima-Arequipa-Juliaca-Puno route (1 302 km) which takes about 24 h drive.
By air There are daily flights to Juliaca from Lima (about 1 h 45 minutes) and from Arequipa (about 45 minutes).
By railroad Trains offer service from Arequipa to Puno (258 km and about 8 h) crossing the highlands at Crucero Alto (4 490 masl).
Location: The department of Moquegua is situated on Peru's southern coast.
Altitude: 15 masl (Ilo) Lowest town. 3 756 masl (Ichuña) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 22ºC (25ºC maximum and 17ºC minimum).
Rainy season: January and February.
ACCESS ROUTES
Location: The department of Arequipa is located in the south part of Perú on the Western Andes.
Altitude: 9 masl (Punta de Bombón) Lowest town. 4 525 masl (San Antonio de Chuca) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 20º C (24 º C maximum and 5 º C minimum).
Rainy season: December to March
ACCESS ROUTES
By Land Lima - Arequipa (1 003 km) about 14 h drive.
By Air Daily flights depart from Lima (about 1 h approximately) and Cusco (about 30 minutes).
By railroad There is a service that links Arequipa with the cities of Juliaca, Puno and Cusco.
Location: The department of Lima is located in the central part of the country, comprising a coastal strip (facing the Pacific Ocean) and the highlands towards the east.
Altitude: 3 masl (Ancón) Lowest town. 4 278 masl (Tanta) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 19ºC (25ºC maximum and 13ºC minimum).
Rainy Season: There are no rains in Lima, the season with the highest humidity is winter which runs from June through September.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land Lima is linked by the Pan-American Highway with all the cities on the coast as well as with the coastal cities of Ecuador to the north and Chile to the south.
The Central Highway, the Marginal Highway and penetration roads provide access to most cities over the highlands and the jungle.
By air Lima is connected with the world's most important cities. It is the gateway to Peru's major destinations through Jorge Chávez International Airport.
Location: The department of Ancash is located north of Lima between the Pacific Ocean and the Marañon River.
Altitude: 4 masl (Chimbote) Lowest town. 3910 masl (Shilla) highest town.
Average annual temperature: It varies depending on the zone: 17ºC in the coastal zone and 7ºC in the highlands.
Rainy season: In the coastal zone rain is unusual; however, in the highlands is from November to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land The most recommended is the Lima-Pativilca-Huaraz route (408km) about 7 hours drive.
Other routes include:Casma-Huaraz (149 km) about 6 h 30 minutes drive.
Santa-Huallanca-Huaraz (277 km) about 5 h 30 minutesdrive
By air Non-regular flight services to Anta airport (Carhuaz). Flight takes approximately 35 minutes.
Location: The department of La Libertad is situated in the north of Peru.
Altitude: 3 masl (Salaverry) Lowest town. 4008 masl (Quiruvilca) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 18ºC (30ºC maximum and 16ºC minimum).
Rainy season: June to August.
ACCESS ROUTES
By road Lima-Trujillo (561 km) - approximately 8 h by car along the North Pan American Highway.
By air Daily flights available from Lima to Trujillo (approximately 45 minutes.)
Location: The department of Lambayeque is located in the northern part of the country.
Altitude: 4 masl (Pimentel) Lowest town. 3078 masl (Incahuasi) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 22ºC (33ºC maximum and 17ºC minimum).
Rainy season: February to April.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land Lima - Chiclayo (770 km), about 10 hours' drive on the North Pan-American Highway.
By air There are daily flights from Lima (about one hour).
Location: The department of Cusco is located in the southeastern region of Peru.
Altitude: 532 masl (Pilcopata) Lowest town. 4 801 masl (Suyckutambi) highest town.
Average annual temperature:: 11ºC (17ºC maximum and -02ºC minimum).
Rainy season: November to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land The most recommended is the Lima-Arequipa-Cusco route (1 650 km).
The trip takes about 24 h by car.
There is also another route from Lima-Nasca-Puquio-Abancay-Cusco (1 131 km).
This trip takes about 26 h by car.
By railroad There is a train service linking Cusco to the cities of Puno and Arequipa.
The trip along the Arequipa - Juliaca - Puno - Cusco route (735 km) takes about 17 h.
By air There are daily flights from Lima to Cusco (about 1 h).
Location: The department of Ayacucho is located in the Central peruvian Andes, and it also covers some areas of jungle in the northwest of the departament.
Altitude: 1 800 masl (Otoca) Lowest town. 3 645 masl (Chalcos) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 17,5ºC (24ºC maximum and 11ºC minimum).
Rainy season: November to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land The most recommended route is

Lima - Pisco - Ayacucho (573 km), via Los Libertadores, with a duration of about 9h by car.
Other routes include: Cusco - Abancay Ayacucho (598 km) with a duration of about 19 h. Huancayo-Ayacucho (257 km) with a duration of about 6 h.
By air There are flights from the city of Lima (about 45 minutes).
Location: The department of Apurímac is located in the southeast part of the Peruvian central Andes.
Altitude: 2 378 masl (Abancay) Lowest town. 3 952 masl (Pataycampa) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 18ºC (25ºC maximum and 12ºC minimum).
Rainy season: November to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land The most advisable route is Lima-Nasca-Puquio-Abancay (912 km), about 14 h by car.
An alternative route is Lima-Huancayo-Ayacucho-Andahuaylas-Abancay (905 km) via Los Libertadores, about 22 h by car.
By air Lima-Cusco (1 h flight) then by road on the Cusco-Abancay highway, about 7 h by car.
Location: The department of Huancavelica is situated in the central highlands of the Peruvian Andes.
Altitude: 1 900 masl (Ocoyo) Lowest town.
4 475 masl (Santa Ana) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 10ºC (20ºC maximum and 3.4ºC minimum).
Rainy season: December to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land Several roads gain access to this city:

Lima-Huancavelica (via Pisco 499 km) approximately 11 h by car.
Lima-Huancavelica (via Huancayo 446 km) approximately 12 h by car.
Ica-Huancavelica (346 km) approximately 12 h by car.
Ayacucho-Huancavelica (via Rumichaca 244,9 km) approximately 6 h by car.
Location: The department of San Martin is situated in the high jungle of northeastern Peru.
Altitude: 190 masl (Pelejo) Lowest town. 3080 masl (Agua Blanca) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 24ºC (30ºC maximum and 15ºC minimum).
Rainy season: December to March
ACCESS ROUTES
Location: The department of Huánuco is situated in Peru's central highlands.
Altitude: 167 masl (Honoria) Lowest town. 3 839 masl (Puños) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 20ºC (24ºC maximum and 18ºC minimum).
Rainy season: December to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
Location: The department of Pasco is situated in Peru's central highlands.
Altitude: 256 masl (Puerto Bermudez) Lowest town. 4 380 masl (Cajamarquilla) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 12,5ºC (22ºC maximum and 4ºC minimum).
Rainy season: October to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
Location: The department of Junín is situated in the middle of the Peruvian Andes.
Altitude: 313 masl (Puerto Prado) Lowest town. 4 505 masl (Morococha) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 13ºC (17ºC maximum and 0ºC minimum).
Rainy season: November to March.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land The most advisable route is along the Central Highway from Lima to Ticlio and Huancayo (310 km), a 5 ½ h drive by car, crossing the Andes through the Anticona pass (Ticlio).
Location: The department of Ica is located in the central south coastal part of Peru.
Altitude: 2 masl (Paracas) Lowest town.
3796 masl (San Pedro de Huacarpana) highest town.
Average annual temperature: 20ºC (30ºC maximum and 8ºC minimum).
Rainy Season: Rain is unusual and it only happens during the El Niño phenomenon.
ACCESS ROUTES
By land Lima-Ica (300 km) on the South Pan-American Highway about 4 h drive from Lima.
By air There is an air taxi service to Ica operating from Lima. Planes also overfly the Nasca Lines.
There are two airfields in the department of Ica:

- The airfield near Hotel Las Dunas, 5 km from Ica.
- The María Reiche Neuman Airfield at km 447 of the South Pan-American Highway (Nasca).