Peru is home to 51 indigenous communities, all of whom have a unique culture and way of life. Among the 31 million people who live in Peru, about 80% identify as either mestizo (a person of combined indigenous and European descent) or indigenous. From the high Andes to the jungles of the Peruvian Amazon, there are many thriving indigenous people of Peru to get to know. Indigenous Mountain People Of Peru Living in the harsh, inhospitable landscape of the Andes requires a special level of toughness and adaptability - and the indigenous people of the Andes have this in spades. These communities have spent centuries living at high altitude, so they have a whole lot to teach us about survival amid harsh climates. Quechua The Quechua are often the first indigenous people of Peru that travelers get to know upon visiting the country. Most Quechua people live in the Peruvian Andes, though there are other Quechua communities in Bolivia and Ecuador as well. The Quechua people predate the Incan Empire, and their way of life continued on long after the empire fell. The Quechua people are the largest indigenous group in South America today. Most Quechua communities are in the high Andes and are focused on farming. The Quechua are known worldwide for their beautifully intricate textile arts, and for their ability to thrive in high-altitude environments. It’s important to note the distinction between the Quechua people and the Quechua language. Around 10 million people speak the language of Quechua, while not nearly as many identify as Quechua themselves. This is because many surrounding indigenous groups adopted the Quechua language over time as their own native languages began to fade out. Today, it’s widely spoken among many indigenous Andean communities. (It was also the language of the Inca!) There are