Peru
Peru is a country in South America that’s home to a section of Amazon rainforest and Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city high in the Andes mountains. The region around Machu Picchu, including the Sacred Valley, Inca Trail and colonial city of Cusco, is rich in archaeological sites. On Peru’s arid Pacific coast is Lima, the capital, with a preserved colonial center and important collections of pre-Columbian art.
Upcoming Trips
We’re in the process of planning our Peru trip. Please use the Contact Us form below to register your interest so we can email you an information pack when its ready. Thanks!
On this trip you can expect to:
- Help build a family a home in Peru
- Enjoy optional excursions including white water rafting, visiting Cusco and Machu Picchu, exploring the Amazon, or for the more adventurous walk the Inca Trail.
Contact us to make an enquiry!
Country Profile
| Population | 30.7 million |
| Border Countries | Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile |
| Capital City | Lima |
| Currency | Peruvian Sol |
| Language | Spanish (official) 84.1%, Quechua (official) 13%, Aymara (official) 1.7%, Ashaninka 0.3%, other native languages (includes a large number of minor Amazonian languages) 0.7%, other (includes foreign languages and sign language) 0.2% |
| Religion | Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other 3.3%, none 2.9% |
| Type of Government | Presidential Republic |
| % living in poverty | Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines: 21.8% Population living on less than $10 per day: 60.7% |
| Life Expectancy | 74.8 years |
| Infectious Diseases | Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever. Vectorborne disease: dengue fever, malaria, and Bartonellosis (Oroya fever) Zika risk. |
| Top Killers | Lower respiratory infections, heart disease |
| Literacy | Adult Literacy (over 15 years) 94.5% |
| Natural Resources | Copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas |
| Main Industry/Export | Agriculture: Artichokes, asparagus, avocados, blueberries, coffee, cocoa, cotton, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn, plantains, grapes, oranges, pineapples, guavas, bananas, apples, lemons, pears, coca, tomatoes, mangoes, barley, medicinal plants, quinoa, palm oil, marigold, onion, wheat, dry beans; poultry, beef, pork, dairy products; guinea pigs; fish.
Industry: Mining and refining of minerals; steel, metal fabrication; petroleum extraction and refining, natural gas and natural gas liquefaction; fishing and fish processing, cement, glass, textiles, clothing, food processing, beer, soft drinks, rubber, machinery, electrical machinery, chemicals, furniture. Exports: Copper, gold, lead, zinc, tin, iron ore, molybdenum, silver; crude petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas; coffee, asparagus and other vegetables, fruit, apparel and textiles, fishmeal, fish, chemicals, fabricated metal products and machinery, alloys. |