Peru, a country with a rich history and breathtaking landscapes, hosts an impressive biocultural diversity. From the majestic Andes in the highlands to the lush rainforests of the Amazon basin, Peru offers a wide range of ecosystems and habitats. The flora is characterized by a variety of plant species, including countless medicinal plants in the Amazon region, as well as endemic flowers and cacti in the dry desert regions. The fauna is equally diverse, with an abundance of exotic birds like macaws and toucans in the rainforest, as well as large mammals such as pumas and tapirs. Peru's indigenous peoples, such as the Quechua and the Asháninka, have developed a close relationship with nature over centuries, preserving traditional knowledge about the use and protection of the environment. Despite challenges posed by deforestation, mining, and climate change, the protection and preservation of this diversity remain crucial for Peru's future and the well-being of its people and all humanity.
🌄🚌 This picture was taken in Huertahuayco, during my bus ride from Ica (Atacama Desert) to Cusco (Andes). The election posters were for the regional and local elections in 2018.
When I started using Instagram, I just came back from my best trip ever. I spontaneously traveled alone through Peru for 16 days and took a few thousand photos.😄🇵🇪❤️
👀 Until then, I had only used Instagram passively. I had a little problem because its name means "instant camera telegram" and from my point of view that's how it was primarily used. But that didn't fit my needs well... 🧃🐌
💡This is how I came up with the idea of a timeless Instagram, led by a giant sloth. It's so relaxed, grounded and full of adventure.😜
🕵️ The posts have been spread across the years and - unfortunately - Instagram deactivated the guides in December, but you can still view all Peru posts on my website (link in bio) at any time. Simply click on “Topics” and then “Peru” in the menu.
There might be a few more pictures to come. Sometime.
Sacred garden of the Coricancha temple. Spanish chroniclers describe it as a garden of golden plants with leaves of beaten gold, stems of silver, solid gold corn-cobs and 20 life-size llamas and their herders all in solid gold. Also many other animals like colibris, snakes, butterflies and even spiders formed a detailed garden of gold and silver. Gold was considered the "sweat pearls of the sun" and silver the "tears of the moon".🌞🌚
Coricancha "The Golden Temple" with Convent of Santo Domingo above. The Coricancha was the most important temple in the Inca Empire. It was destroyed during the Conquista. It must have been very impressive with lots of gold decorations. The remains form the foundation of the convent. There is a museum inside which also includes art collections (Cusco School and contemporary art). The green area is the sacred garden. The man in the white shirt is just leaving a small archaelogical museum, which is located directly under the garden.
That's on my way from Santa Teresa (Machu Picchu) to Cusco (capital of the Inca Empire). I traveled with a colectivo, that's what the collective buses are called in South America. The whole trip was an adventure. A little later, when it was already dark, we stopped in the middle of a winding road somewhere in the mountains. We had to push the bus for it to start again. Most of the other passengers, although native, hardly spoke Spanish. Not every Peruvian speaks Spanish as a mother tongue. Quechua is the most spoken language in some regions. When we finally arrived in Cusco, it was after midnight. I remember how excited I was when I finally got to the hostel.😁
That's on my way from Ica to Cusco, somewhere in the Andes. I think it was between Abancay and Cusco. With a duration of 18 hours, this was only my second longest bus trip in Peru. Ica is located near the coast in the Atacama Desert, Cusco is located at an altitude of 3,400 meters in the Andes. I traveled very long distances with the bus company Cruz del Sur. The service is comparable to that of an airline. There is food, internet, electricity, screen, movies, music and more. In addition, all bus stops are guarded and secured. ⛰️🚌🏜️
I took many blurry photos during my travel through Peru. I think they are somehow magical. This seemingly unreal grassland somewhere in the Peruvian Andes hides an equally magical secret. Do you see the cave? Take a close look! Do you see this bear-like creature secretly leaping out of the darkness? Ground sloth! The legendary Mapinguari! These mighty creatures, who dug impressive caves, are considered extinct. To this day, they are part of legends of the indigenous people. Their skin was riddled with bone plates and with their huge claws they were serious opponents. To be honest, I just added a small white dot to make it look like an animal. Don't believe everything! But thanks for the attention! 😜