Peru is filled with beautiful fantastic national parks, reserves and sanctuaries that have jaw-dropping scenery that tourists from around the world have been discovering lately as tourism in Peru has increased by 25% per year for the last five years. And the tourists love the beautiful sites they see as the satisfaction rating for tourists in Peru is 94%. Tourism is the 3rd largest and fastest growing industry in Peru. By protecting its natural wonders in national parks, reserves and sanctuaries Peru is also protecting its economy. These are the most beautiful national parks, reserves and sanctuaries in Peru.

Machu Picchu National Park

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Machu Picchu is one of the great wonders of the world and a huge tourist attraction located in south-central Peru on a mountain ridge 7,970 feet above sea level. Machu Picchu was built by the Incas around 1450 and was abandoned about a century later when the Spanish invaded the area and conquered the Incas. The city is a major revenue generator for Peru as 300,000 to 400,000 tourists from around the world come to Peru each year just to see Machu Picchu. Over the years proposals have been made to build a luxury hotel complete with shops and restaurants at the site as well as a cable car to carry visitors to Machu Picchu and a helicopter landing site was created by overturning a large rock but today tourists have to stay at hotels, lodges and other accommodations in the surrounding areas and take a bus, train, hike or join a tour group to see Machu Picchu.

Huascaran National Park

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Huascaran National Park is located in west-central Peru and contains the highest mountain in Peru and the 6th highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere which is also called Huascaran at 22,204 feet. In addition to high Andes mountains Huascaran National Park also contains well over 600 glaciers and 300 lakes. The park is a popular tourist attraction with hikers, campers, mountain climbers, horseback riders, skiers and ecotourism lovers.

Choquequirao National Park

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Choquequirao National Park is located in south-central Peru and contains the ruins of the Inca city of Choquequirao which is actually at a higher elevation 10,121 feet than Machu Picchu which is 7,970 feet. Choquequirao was built sometime in the 1400's and served as a refuge for the Incas when the Spanish attacked in 1535. To reach the city today tourists must make a two day hike from the city of Cusco or Cuzco which is a large city full of hotels and visitor accommodations. Plans are in the works to build a cable car and a train to Choquequirao to make the site more tourist friendly.

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Manu National Park

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Manu National Park is the largest national park in Peru and is located in the southeastern part of this beautiful South American country. Containing most of the watershed of the Manu River this huge national park is one of the most biodiverse parks in the world. Manu National Park contains over 15,000 species of plants and over 1,000 species of birds and is great park for bird-watchers. Tours are available to Manu National Park but due to its remoteness tourists can expect difficult travel conditions especially during the rainy season.

Ampay National Sanctuary

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Ampay National Sanctuary is located in south-central Per just north of the city of Abancay. Contained in Ampay National Sanctuary are two magnificent lagoons including the beautiful Uspaccocha Lagoon.

Paracas National Reserve

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Paracas National Reserve is a spectacular reserve located along the central coastline of Peru along the Pacific Ocean. Filled with great natural wonders Paracas National Reserve is also home to many species of birds and other wildlife as well as to the famous and mysteries Paracas Candelabra which is a Geoglyph located on the north face of the Paracas Peninsula. Guided tours of this magnificent area along the Pacific Ocean are available.

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Titicaca National Reserve

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Titicaca National Reserve is located in southeastern Peru along the northwestern shore of Lake Titicaca which Peru shares with Bolivia. Lake Titicaca is a very popular tourist attraction in Peru and Titicaca National Reserve was created to protect the unique ecosystems and landscapes of the world's highest navigable lake. Tours to the park can be arranged from the cities of Puno and Juliaca which contain plenty of hotels and accommodations for tourists.

Huayllay National Reserve

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Huayllay National Reserve is located in central Peru and contains the great natural wonder of rock formations known as the Rock Forest of Huayllay. The Rock Forest of Huayllay is a major tourist attraction in Peru and is especially popular with rock climbers and mountain bikers from around the world. Tours to Huayllay National Reserve and the rock forest and visitor accommodations are readily available from the town of Cerro de Pasco located about 15 miles north of the reserve.

For more see Beautiful National Parks in Argentina

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Sources:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Peru