Travel Peru - The Coast
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The Humbolt Current buffet the coastline with trailing cool, dry air. This dry air interacts with moist easterly pressure waves and becomes the coasts over-riding factor in regulating climate creating the arid environment of the coast. 
Cultural enclaves have had to deal with brief interruptions of coastal climate norms with intermittent warning of the sea by a phenomena called the "El Nino". Name after the Christ child because it usually arrives in late December. Normal marine ecosystems are often greatly modified witch includes dramatic changes affecting marine life. 
From Sipan near Lambayequ on the north, to Turjillo, Paracas and Nazca on the south documented evidence repeats the great success's numerous cultures have developed along the dry but potentially bountiful Pacific Coast.  "El Nino" nor the desert could sway the development of Peru's great cultures in fact most of flourishing prehispanic coca production was grown on the Pacific slopes in the cool, moist, Chala region covered by clouds. 
An ocean trench, deeper than Peru's highest mountain, Huascaran, 22,205 feet runs in close proximity to the shorelines. These depths, conflicting winds and air currents, and strong tidal surges create some of the most complex coastal interactions along the entire Pacific side of South America. 
One wave action, near Trujillo that has for centuries posed dangers to local craft is the six foot high wall of waters called the "mile long tunnel"
It curls south in an unbroken stroke for more than five thousand feet, then dissipates in a booming cloud of mist and sand, flopping on a beach strewn with discharged shells and remnants of the sea. 
Although many of Peru's cultural attractions are located on or near the coast, offshore islands and surrounding waters contain some of the richest marine mammal and birds population' along South America's western coast. 
    One hundred and sixty miles south of Lima is a raw landscape of constant wind, stark lighting and thundering waves, lies on of the most valuable and thrilling marine gardens in the world. The Paracas national Reserve. 
    Here, a cataclysmic shift of the Earth's surface eons ago, combined with the crossing of two great ocean currents, caused an aquatic greenhouse to blossom. In the Secondary Epoch, what was then the Pacific Coast Range of South American sank suddenly in the ocean, forming what we now call the Peruvian Trench. Today, scientist also call the isolated marine biosphere the "lungs" of the ocean: It is so oxygenated by the convergence of the Nino and Humboldt currents, that here breeds a superabundance of plankton and phytoplankton primal based of the oceanic food chain.  
    Common sights in the Reserve are Whales surging against the Pacific swell, a multitude of southern sea-lions fatly reclining, condors riding a thermal updraft into the heavens, and giant leatherback turtles gliding just below the surface of the sea; while in the green depths, a manta-ray's 30-foot wing span moves as a black cloud across the ocean floor, scooping masses of plankton to its wide mouth.

The North Coast of Peru

Often ignored by travellers, Peru?s north coast is possibly the most important archaeological area in the whole of the Americas. Even though the Incas have taken the lion?s share of archaeological attention in Peru, the prior cultures of the north coast were at least as important, and survived for a much longer period of time. The Moche culture developed near Trujillo and spread out over much of the north coast, lasting from 200BC to 800AD. The importance of this culture can be seen in its enormous adobe structures, such as those at Túcume, as well as the stunning treasures that have been discovered, including those of the Señor de Sipán, which can be seen in Lambayeque. The Moche temples have not survived well, as the ravages of time and the greedy hands of fortune hunters have damaged the structures? mud bricks. However, the ruins are still of great interest, especially for the wonderful colour friezes which survive, such as those at the Huaca de la Luna and Huaca El Brujo, both near Trujillo.

The decline of the Moche culture led to the rise of many other cultures on the coast, the most important of which was the Chimú culture, based principally around Trujillo. The most important Chimú site is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chan Chán, near Trujillo, the world?s largest adobe city. Here, beautiful mud-brick palaces and temples can be visited, many of which have survived in remarkable condition.

The archaeological importance of the north coast stretches far beyond just Trujillo and Chiclayo. Close to Lima are the important sites of Paramonga and Sechín, and other sites of interest include Pacatnamú. For travellers with an even a passing interest in archaeology, the north coast is an essential destination in Peru.

In addition to the north coast?s archaeological importance, the area is worth visiting for its coastline. Some of the world?s best surfing can be found on these shores, including the world?s longest wave at Puerto Chicama. Additionally, the fishing can also be excellent, and giant marlin can still be caught off Cabo Blanco in the north. The north is also home to Máncora and Punta Sal, Peru?s best beaches. Here, palm-fringed sandy beaches meet a warm, blue sea, making a wonderful resting point. The north coast is also the location of one of Peru?s largest, and oldest, cities, Trujillo, which is worth visiting for its colonial centre of beautiful balconies and churches.

Travellers to Peru who do not visit the north coast, or only see it through the windows of a bus from Ecuador to Lima, are missing out on one of the most fascinating areas of the whole country.

Tour Package for the Peruvian Coast
	Trujillo Packages		Nazca Lines Paracas - Ica Tour - Packages
	Lima Day tour Packages		Best of Peru Vacation - Packages
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	Surfing		The Peruvian  Coast