Stunning Aerial Photography of Peru: 18 Must-See Images

If plain old words aren’t enough to inspire a trip to Peru, then maybe the following aerial images will help you make that final decision to jump on a plane and head to the land of the Incas.

We’ll start in the coastal capital of Lima before flying over the Andean highlands, then push further east into the vast lowland jungles of the Amazon River Basin. While most of these photos are meant to inspire, a few will show the human-inflicted scars that continue to appear across the three geographic regions of Peru.

01. Miraflores, Lima

Lima is a city of immense economic inequality. Observing the wealthy coastal district of Miraflores, particularly the Larcomar Shopping Complex, you can see the contemporary face of the Peruvian capital, with manicured parks and glass-fronted hotels that resemble those in developed nations.

However, venture further to the city outskirts, and you’ll witness dusty slums that cling to the desert landscape, the so-called pueblos jóvenes ​ (young towns) that are home to the capital’s poorest inhabitants, many of whom are immigrants from impoverished rural regions.

02. The Peruvian Coast

The Pacific waters along Peru’s coast are typically cold yet often perfect for surfers. For crystal clear swimming conditions, travelers will find better options along the coasts of Colombia or Brazil. However, for surfing, Peru provides consistent swells and ample waves suitable for both novice and expert surfers alike.

This same Pacific Ocean substantially enhances Peru’s growing culinary reputation, leading to sensational food along the coast. With delightful dishes ranging from rich shellfish broths to exquisite ceviches, the entire coast becomes a culinary playground for adventurous travelers.

03. The Nazca Lines

No aerial view of Peru is more renowned or enigmatic than that of the Nazca Lines. These enormous geoglyphs are best appreciated from the air, a perspective enabled by light aircraft offering short flights over the Nazca Desert.

04. Pan-American Highway Through the Southern Deserts

The Pan-American Highway, known as the Panamericana in Peru and South America, spans approximately 30,000 miles through North, Central, and South America.

The Peruvian segment of the Panamericana connects north to south along the entire eastern coastal strip of Peru, stretching from the Peru-Ecuador border in the north to the Peru-Chile border in the south. Most overland travelers in Peru will inevitably traverse the Pan-American Highway at some point, particularly heading south from Lima toward Arequipa, through desert landscapes like the one depicted above.

05. Cerro Blanco

Cerro Blanco, reaching heights of approximately 6,791 feet (2,070 m), is regarded as the world’s highest sand dune. Surrounded by arid mountains within a scarred desert landscape, it is located just east of the town of Nazca and is a popular destination for dune buggy rides and sandboarding.

06. The Peruvian Highlands

Travel east over the deserts and you’ll soon ascend into the Andes, a mountain range that runs like a backbone through Peru. The mountains, illustrated above, are situated between Arequipa and Cusco; when flying during the day, it’s always worth securing a window seat to catch such stunning aerial views.

However, it’s not only jagged peaks that characterize the Andes. The high plains of the Altiplano, or Andean Plateau, are found in southern Peru and eastern Bolivia, where you’ll discover the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca.

07. A Lake in the Central Highlands

The striking aerial image above features a high-altitude Andean lake located somewhere in the Pasco Region of the Central Highlands. Further north lies Cerro de Pasco, the capital of the Pasco Region and one of the highest cities globally. Notably, Cerro de Pasco operates as an important mining center, featuring a substantial open-pit mine (thus not as pristine as the aforementioned landscape).

08. Huascarán and the Cordillera Blanca

The Cordillera Blanca mountain range contains some of the highest mountains in Peru, including the country’s tallest peak, Mount Huascarán (22,132 feet). This range is situated in the Ancash Region of Peru and forms a part of the extensive Andes range.

With over 30 major peaks and numerous lakes and glaciers, the Cordillera Blanca draws mountain climbers and trekkers from around the globe. Huaraz, the capital of the Ancash Region, serves as the primary hub for adventures and excursions in the region, located approximately 175 miles (280 km) north of Lima.

09. The Road to Machu Picchu

Approximately 312 miles east-southeast of Lima lies the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. For many visitors to Peru’s most renowned attraction, the final leg of the journey takes you along the winding road in the image above, connecting the town of Aguas Calientes to the archaeological site.

10. Saqsaywaman

The archaeological site of Saqsaywaman is located just above the city of Cusco. Although not as famous as Machu Picchu, this expansive complex was equally significant to the Inca Empire, if not more so. The distinctive zig-zag walls in the above image illustrate the site’s unique architecture, and a closer view reveals the remarkable dry stone walls and their meticulous construction.

11. Urcos

The quaint market town of Urcos is situated about 26 miles (42 km) southeast of Cusco, along the Urubamba River (Vilcanota/Willkanuta), the same river flowing through the Sacred Valley.

According to local legend, the Inca Huascar possessed a splendid golden chain measuring hundreds of feet in length, which he ordered thrown into the lake near Urcos to prevent it from falling into the hands of Spanish conquistadors. The whereabouts of the chain remain a mystery…

12. The Tintaya Mine

This section features one of those aerial images previously mentioned in the introduction. Located around 100 miles south of Cusco, you will find the Tintaya Mine, a massive open-pit copper mine that commenced production in 1985.

At its peak, this mine produced 120,000 tons of copper yearly in both cathode and concentrate forms. It has witnessed intense protests in the past, with local residents and activists striving to hold the mine’s owners accountable for nearby river pollution. Currently, the Tintaya Mine is undergoing closure processes, which are projected to last until 2039.

13. Tambopata National Reserve

As we depart the highlands and venture further east, we arrive at the lush and expansive Amazon River Basin.

The aerial image above captures the Tambopata River winding through the Tambopata National Reserve, which safeguards an area of 274,690 hectares (1,060 sq miles) of lowland rainforest in the Madre de Dios Region of Peru. This reserve hosts many of Peru’s endangered and critically endangered animal species, including the giant otter and Peruvian spider monkey.

14. Iquitos

Situated deep within the Peruvian Amazon, Iquitos (population 435,000) holds the title of the largest city globally that is inaccessible by road. To visit, one must either fly in from Lima or travel by boat from Pucallpa or Yurimaguas (near Tarapoto).

Iquitos experienced rapid growth during the rubber boom of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Presently, its location along the Amazon River positions it as an ideal departure point for Amazon river cruises. The city is also a captivating destination, featuring a large traditional market, stilted river homes, and various other attractions.

15. Deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon

Human activities across the Peruvian Amazon — and the broader Amazon region — have led to significant environmental challenges, highlighting the adverse effects of oil and gas extraction, mining, and deforestation.

The above image depicts an area of deforestation in the Satipo Province of central Peru’s Amazon rainforest. Trees have been cut down and burned by migrant farmers, with the ash serving to enrich the soil. Deforestation in the Amazon jungle is primarily driven by land clearing for agriculture.

16. Scars Across the Jungle

In contrast to the wide and winding rivers that gently traverse the Amazon Basin, major road and pipeline projects swiftly carve a path through the otherwise untouched jungle.

The construction of the Interoceanic Highway connecting Peru to Brazil represents one current project that raises ongoing concerns regarding both environmental and social impacts on the Amazon. Additionally, pipeline projects from oil and gas companies like Petroplus contribute to extensive harm. The deliberate release of oil water, compounded by leaking pipes, inflicts severe damage on the rainforest’s fragile ecosystem, directly affecting the indigenous tribes that have inhabited the Amazon jungle for centuries.

17. The Nanay River

Concluding this aerial journey through Peru on a positive note, we present a photo capturing a grand meander in the Nanay River, which merging into the Amazon River at Iquitos. Despite the impressive dimension of this meander, the Nanay serves only as a minor tributary of the Amazon.

Stretching about 196 miles, the Nanay River does not make it onto the list of the ten longest rivers in Peru. The Napo River takes the tenth spot at 414 miles long, whereas Peru’s longest river, the Ucayali, flows for 1,100 miles. Meanwhile, the Amazon River stretches an astonishing 4,000 miles overall, with 443 of those miles encompassing Peru.