Peru is where serious adventure meets wild, unspoilt nature. For UK travellers who want two very different extremes without hopping continents, a combined itinerary through Ancash and Loreto delivers a travel story few destinations can match: towering Andean peaks and the living, breathing Amazon in one journey.
Ancash: Andean trekking at its best
The Cordillera Blanca, within Huascaran National Park, is a playground for anyone who likes their views dramatic and their walks high. Huaraz is the natural base camp for multi-day treks into landscapes of jagged, snow-capped peaks, glacier-fed lagoons, and turquoise tarns.
Starry skies in Ancash
Iconic routes such as Laguna 69 and the Santa Cruz Trek offer accessible but unforgettable high-altitude challenges, while the Huayhuash circuit rewards fitter trekkers with some of South America’s finest mountain scenery. Beginners and experienced hikers alike will find routes that suit stamina and ambition, all set against a backdrop of startling alpine beauty.
Loreto: rainforest biodiversity and river life
In stark contrast, Loreto is the Amazon turned up to full volume. The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve – often called the “jungle of mirrors”– is a vast wetland of oxbow lakes and flooded forest that hosts pink river dolphins, manatees, and an astonishing array of birdlife.
Peru's Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Small-boat river cruises, guided night walks, and stays in low-impact jungle lodges offer ethical wildlife encounters and opportunities to meet river communities, sample Amazonian cuisine, and learn about local conservation programmes.
Why combine Ancash and Loreto?
Peru’s unique selling point is straightforward: it puts world-class mountain trekking and exceptional Amazon biodiversity within arm’s reach of each other. While each region offers its own rhythm and allure, all routes lead through Lima, the vibrant capital and gateway that connects Peru’s diverse landscapes. It’s a journey of transitions: from the crisp air of the Andes to the humid symphony of the jungle – an experience that feels like travelling through several worlds, yet all within one country.
Peru's Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Seasonality
The ideal time to explore Peru’s highlands or navigate the Amazon is between April and October, when the weather is generally dry and perfect for trekking or river adventures. From November to March, the rains transform the scenery into lush green landscapes and bring fewer crowds – a wonderful time for those who prefer a quieter, more intimate experience. Peru welcomes travellers all year round, offering something unique in every season – so perhaps it’s time to start planning your next journey into the heart of Peru.
Shifting attention away from over-visited sites, such as Machupicchu, and venturing to regions like Ancash and Loreto both reduces crowding and redistributes economic benefits to less-trafficked regions. When booking, favour operators that limit group size, work with local communities and contribute to conservation efforts.
For inspiration and practical information, visit peru.travel
