In this article, we will talk about the altitudes in Peru and their variations throughout its territory since Peru is one of the countries in South America with more altitudinal and climatic variations. This is because, in Peru, there is a variety of biodiversity in the ecoregion of the Peruvian territory (2 marine and 9 terrestrial ecoregions).

To understand the magnitude of the diversity of the geographic soils in Peru, you should know that there are three regions in Peru: Coast, Highlands, and Amazon Rainforest. In each of these three regions mentioned, we can find from 3 to 12 types of geographic soils that make it so that, despite being in the same region, its altitudes and climatological characteristics vary.

In the coastal region, there are no significant features to explain since the departments located along the Peruvian coast have an altitude of no more than 500 meters above sea level, reaching at most 800 meters above sea level in certain places such as the highlands of Casma on the north coast of Peru. Usually, travelers do not feel the variation of altitudes in this region since the width of its territory is at most 180 kilometers. We can conclude that the altitude on the coast does not represent a significant factor in the choice of travel packages they wish to make.

In the highlands of Peru, the issue of altitude becomes more complex due to the existence of the Andes Mountain Range that divides this region into six altitudinal floors ranging from 500 to 6768 meters above sea level (height of the Huascaran snow-capped mountain located in the Cordillera Blanca, department of Ancash). In the highlands, altitude is such an essential factor that it is common for travelers to suffer from altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is a physical discomfort that usually occurs at an altitude of more than 2400 meters above sea level and is characterized by headache, nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite. You should not be alarmed if you feel any of these symptoms because your body is in the process of adapting to the altitude of the highlands, but take precautions in case you have a travel program in Peru that includes visits to tourist destinations in Arequipa, Ancash, Cusco or Puno, which are the tourist departments with higher altitudes. If you have respiratory or cardiovascular problems, we recommend you consult your doctor before visiting Peru.

The altitude in the Amazon does not vary as much as in the highlands because there are only two altitudinal levels: High jungle and Low jungle. The maximum altitude is in the high jungle, with regions that reach 4000 meters above sea level. Still, it is worth mentioning that the main capitals of the departments preferred by travelers are located at altitudes no higher than 500 meters above sea level. This means that the altitude in the Peruvian Amazon is only essential for travelers if they wish to trek into the High jungle areas of Peru.

If you want to know more about the altitude of the tourist destinations in Peru that you will visit with your travel program, contact one of our specialists.