Peru: A Country For Adventure

D. Silva - MLP

DREAMLAND MOUNTAIN. Imagine climbing that high

The White Mountain Range (Cordillera Blanca) in the department of Áncash is one the most sought after mountain chains by trekkers and mountain and rock climbers. Likewise, you will find rivers surging with white waters for rafting, paths for mountain biking, updrafts awaiting you to tame them on hang gliders and paragliders, and perfect beaches for doing all sorts of water sports. Under the blazing sun or the starry night’s sky, Peru is the place you’ve been looking for to enjoy an unforgettable stay.

- MLP D. Silva R Uccelli

/ PP

On On the the way to Machu Picchu th via Mollepata-Salkantay Mollepata-Salkantay

Stopping along the way, Huayhuash Range

TREKKING A paradise for walkers

To trek Peru is to journey through incredibly beautiful Andean countryside with a backdrop of everlastingly white mountains and crystal clear lakes, to walk along the Qapac Ñan (Inca Trail), that network of roads built by the Incas to unite their empire, and to see the culture of communities that adorn the pathways. There are trekking routes that take you on adventures through the White and Huayhuash Ranges in Áncash as well as many others in the department of Cusco that will lead you to Machu Picchu.

HISTORIC TRIP. Retrace the steps of the Incas

M. d’Auiol

/ PP D. Silva

Highest mountains

Mount Pastoruri, Áncash

aslsl 00 fas ,2200 asl / 22222,2 m iitt 6,77688 mas s mm uth su ut s uth án,, so arán ar carán sca u sc uasc 11. Hua fassll 828 fa maaslsl / 21,1,82 55 m m t 66,,665 mmi um th ssum th orth án nor scaarrán uasc 2. Hua 2. fassll 760 fa 76 masll / 21,1,76 4 ma 34 63 ,63 6,63 3.. Yeerruppajjá 6, 3 f ssll 074 fa 11,,07 massll / 21,07 425 ma 42 unaa 66,,425 opun op oorropun Cor 4.. C 4 976 ffaassll 97 0,97 maassll / 20, 3995 m miitit 66,,3 mm umm th sum doyy noorrth nndoy 5.. Huaand 5

J. Bartle

R. Uccelli

/ PP

HIGH ALTITUDE CAMP. Expedition in the White Range, Áncash

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING Touching the sky in the Andes

After the Himalayas, the Andes are the highest mountains in the world. One of those

Ascending Mount Huascarán, Áncash

mountains is Mount Huascarán, located in the White Range, which happens to be the highest mountain found anywhere in the tropics. Along with this record breaking mountain are dozens of others that surpass 5,000 masl (16,400 fasl). The Peruvian Andes feature mountains of different technical difficulty levels – from high to medium to easy – as well as the chance to make first assaults and to open new climbing routes.

MOUNTAIN BIKING Traveling the routes of the past

Part of the attraction to mountain biking through Peru is the opportunity to discover ancient

R. Uc

celli

Incan and pre-Incan trails, visit archeological sites and picturesque villages, as well as to ride through different ecological tiers in just a few hours. There is one route, starting in the town of Olleros, south of Lima, where you can descend 3,600 meters (11,808 feet) in a ride that is just 70 kilometers (113 miles) long. Pachacámac (Lima), Cusco, Puno, Arequipa and the Colca Canyon are also great places for cyclists.

P. Olivar

es / PP

Adventure in Viñac, Lima

White Range, Áncash

DISCOVERIES ON THE WAY. Cyclists passing by chullpas (storehouses) in Paucartambo, Cusco

W. Wust / PP

SURFING

Waves all year long

The Peruvian coastline is bathed by Pacific waves all year long. If you go north, the best surfing beaches are Cabo Blanco, Máncora, Lobitos, Chicama – which is famous for having the longest left hand wave in the world – Huanchaco, Pacasmayo, and Los Órganos. In the center of the country, great surf beaches are Punta Rocas, site of one World Qualifying Series surfing tournament, Pico Alto, whose waves are compared to those in Hawaii, Punta Hermosa, Señoritas, Caballeros and San Gallán Island.

G. Barandiarán / PP

PERUVIAN WAVES. Surng in Cabo Blanco, Piura

D. Garate / PP

H. Ple nge / P

P

Sunset in Puerto Chicama, La Libertad rtad

Queen of the waves, Sofía Mulanovich

dle / PP M. Twed

View of Costa Verde, Lima

PARAGLIDING AND HANG GLIDING Taming the wind

Free flight lovers will feel overjoyed by what they can do in Peru. The Sacred Valley of the Incas (Cusco) provides flyers the experience of soaring over Incan ruins, and, in the Huaylas Valley of Áncash, they can float on winds that blow between towering mountains. Likewise, along the Costa Verde boardwalk in Lima, you can fly above the ocean waves and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city.

ANDEAN AIR. Flying over the Santa River, Áncash

P. Olivares / PP

Archivo PP

Colca Canyon, Arequipa

Ucayali River

M. del

Solar /

PP

Lake Titicaca, Puno

P. Olivares / PP

R. Giraldo / PP

EXTREME ADVENTURE. White water rafting in the Santa River, Áncash

WHITE WATER RAFTING AND KAYAKING Through the world’s deepest canyons

The Peruvian Andes and their plunging canyons turn this country into a magnificent stage for rafting and kayaking. The most renowned rivers are the Apurímac in Apurímac (class II and V), the Cotahuasi in Arequipa (class V), and the Tambopata in the jungle. For kayaking, the best place is Lake Titicaca (Puno), the highest navigable lake in the world.

DIRECTORY • Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores. For information about peruvian consulates and embassies. www.rree.gob.pe

• INC – Cusco. Reservations for trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. www.inc-cusco.gob.pe

• Inrena – Instituto Nacional de Recursos Naturales. For information about protected areas and natural resources. www.inrena.gob.pe

• IGN – Instituto Geográfico Nacional. National maps and plans. www.ign.gob.pe

• INC – Instituto Nacional de Cultura. For information about nation’s cultural heritage. www.inc.gob.pe

• Canatur – Cámara Nacional de Turismo. Peru’s National Chamber of Tourism. www.canaturperu.org

Orient Express

• Apotur – Asociación Peruana de Turismo Receptivo e Interno. Association joined by companies specialized in Peruvian incoming and domestic tourism. www.apoturperu.org • APTAE – Asociación Peruana de Turismo de Aventura y Ecoturismo. Peruvian Association of Adventure Tourism and Eco-Tourism. www.aptae.org

• APATJ – Asociación Peruana de Albergues Turísticos Juveniles. Hostelling International Perú. www.hostellingperu.com.pe • Asociación de Guías de Montaña del Perú. Mountain Guides Association of Peru. www.casadeguias.com.pe • Fedepeci – Federación Peruana de Ciclismo. www.fedepeci.org