From the sacred heights of Machu Picchu to the fascinating geography of the Peruvian coast, Peru offers travelers an experience that goes beyond tourist enjoyment. Each adventure is an opportunity to learn about its cultural legacy, immerse yourself in the authenticity of local communities and preserve its natural wealth.
Discover four destinations that protect these treasures and that have obtained international recognition for their outstanding sustainability practices.
Machu Picchu: a wonder of the world with recognition for sustainability
The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu has just received the certificate as a “Carbon Neutral Destination” once again, an achievement that places Peru at the forefront with respect to the issue of environmental sustainability and the fight against the effects of climate change.
To achieve this recognition, this wonder of the world that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year, has adopted effective measures to reduce its carbon footprint and offset remaining emissions, implementing sustainable practices such as solid waste management and promoting a circular economy. An important fact is that in 2021, this historic sanctuary became the first tourist destination to obtain this certification granted by the Green Initiative.
Machu Picchu is one of the most important religious, political and cultural centers of the Inca Empire. It is located on top of a mountain and impresses with its perfectly joined stone blocks and the incredible landscape that surrounds it. This historic sanctuary is one of the greatest symbols of what was the impressive Inca architecture and engineering.
Conservation and biodiversity in the Cavinzas Islands and Palomino Islets
The Cavinzas Islands and Palomino Islets are a natural treasure located off the coasts of Metropolitan Lima and Callao. This location offers magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and opportunities for watching seabirds such as seagulls, pelicans and boobies. During the tour, you can see more than 5,000 sea lions resting on its stones or swimming around it. To complete the experience, you can choose to swim alongside these curious mammals that steal the smiles and glances of tourists.
These islands this year became the first tourist destination in Peru to obtain the ITB Earth Award 2024, the highest award from Green Destinations, for their conservation and sustainable management efforts.
To reach this wonderful natural environment, you can take one of the boats of the authorized tour operators who have a contract with Sernanp. They leave from Plaza Grau in the port of Callao and from the Canottieri dock in Punta Callao.
Cultural heritage and ancestral traditions on the island of Taquile
Located on the majestic Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3,960 meters above sea level, the island of Taquile is a prominent tourist and cultural icon of the Puno region, attracting thousands of travelers interested in learning about its customs and traditions.
Renowned for its textile art and the cultural diversity of its more than 2,000 inhabitants, this destination fascinates tourists with its incredible landscapes that have the highest navigable lake in the world as a backdrop. In addition, during their tour they can observe the men and women of the area making colorful garments with their own hands, a practice inherited from their ancestors that has been included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.
Taquile has various tourism projects, such as community tourism, which aims to preserve the culture and natural environment of the region, and also generate income for the local community. For this and much more, this destination was chosen as one of the Best Tourist Towns in the World 2023 by the World Tourism Organization.
To reach the destination, you can board motorboats from the Puerto Lacustre in Puno to Taquile Island. A unique experience that takes place in an authentic and charming setting.
Ecoadventure in Lambayeque: Pómac Forest Historical Sanctuary
Home to the largest forest of carob trees in Peru and the world, this sanctuary is a destination that brings together nature, culture and sustainable activities. Located in the northern region of Lambayeque, this fascinating place has more than 100 species of birds, and is home to unique species such as the Peruvian tree-cutter, the Tumbes swallow and the rufous-crested tern, as well as various mammals and reptiles.
Surrounded by more than 30 adobe pyramids belonging to the Sicán or Lambayeque culture, the Pómac Forest Historical Sanctuary, in addition to being the owner of unparalleled scenic beauty, generates sustainable opportunities for local communities through ecotourism and the production of products derived from the carob forest.
This fabulous destination obtained international recognition in 2021 by being included in the “Top 100 Sustainable Destinations List” of the Green Destinations organization.
Connectivity
Currently, direct flights can be taken from Bogotá, Cali, Medellín and Cúcuta to Lima, and internal flights can be taken from the Peruvian capital to reach the regions of Puno, Cusco and Lambayeque. In addition, Colombians now have the opportunity to take direct flights from Bogotá to the city of Cusco.