Country has nearly 1,900 bird species along with archeological sites like Machu Picchu

El condor pasa over the Peruvian Andes regularly but it’s far from our only feathered friend that birdwatchers can see during their time in the Latin American nation, with Peruvian tourism board Promperu telling those on hand at a recent Toronto event that the country’s biodiversity is remarkable.

Promperu’s Canadian director Jaime Cardenas told the gathering that his homeland’s many climatic zones ensure that it’s home to a huge number of wildlife species, with visitors able to “find almost any mammal or reptile” in Peru and the number of bird species easily tops 1,000.

But there are other sides to Peru, he continued, citing the likes of archeology, with the Inca hilltop retreat of Machu Picchu particularly well known but Peru having many other intriguing ancient sites, among them Nazca, with the ancient Nazca Lines outlining huge images of a hummingbird, monkey and other creatures that can only be fully appreciated from passing planes.

Peru is also ethnically diverse, being home to many dialects, continued Cardenas, on a Promperu road show that was also visiting Montreal and Vancouver.

“It’s a very diverse country, not only in biodiversity but also in culture,” he stated.
Peru hosted 3.2 million visitors last year, up an impressive 29% increase from the previous year but below 2018’s figure.

Last year saw 75,000 Canadians visit Peru.

Peru bookings were up 29% in the first three months of this year, which Cardenas said was “good but still not enough. We still need your help.”

Among exhibitors on hand was Andrea Ferreyra of Lima-based Limatours, who said there is more to her homeland that the former Inca capital found in the Andes. “Peru is not only Cusco.”

Karin Mori of South American Tours in turn reported that 60% of Peru is Amazon Basin.

“We have almost 1,900 species of birds in Peru,” continued Mori, whose booth was decorated by among other things an image of a bird of paradise.

Oliver Eberlein, cofounder of exploor, said he relocated to Peru from his native Germany, helping create a company that offers, “German precision with Peruvian passion. We try to combine the best of both worlds.”

exploor seeks to avoid crowds, doing so by starting its days earlier or later than other tour companies, he reported.

Eberlein added that his firm works to make Peru a better place by undertaking the likes of planting trees in the Amazon and working with Indigenous women in a textile project. “I don’t want to brag but it’s pretty cool.”

The evening also saw Laura Marin of Panamanian carrier Copa Airlines report that Copa — a Star Alliance carrier that serves both Montreal and Toronto — has six daily Peru flights from Panama City.

Marin said those travelling to Peru from this country with Copa don’t have to go through Panamanian customs or immigration and free stopovers are available in the Panamanian capital.

Copa — which has over 100 planes — serves hot meals on flights of three or more hours and has received accolades for its on-time performance, Marin reported.

 Laura Albrow  of Air Transat noted that her airline has non-stop service to Lima from both Montreal and Toronto.

“It’s a long walk (for those not travelling by plane)'” she joked.

Air Transat has also won awards for its leisure service, she added.