Home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu, Peru boasts much more than rich history. The country also has a versatile geography, making it the perfect place for adventure.
From hiking in the imposing mountains or trekking the Inca trail to sandboarding on coastal dunes and canoeing in rivers, Peru is every adventurer’s dream come true.
Here are a few extreme adventures one can experience in Peru:
Trekking
Embark on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, a 39-kilometre trekking and camping trail. The longest trail starts in Pisacucho (82 km) on the Machu Picchu railway. The trail crosses through different ecosystems, colossal archaeological sites and terrain rich in flora and fauna, before arriving at the Machu Picchu citadel. A track leads off from this trail to Salkantay which is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range.
Surfing
Peru’s beaches are considered by experts to be among the best in the world. There are permanent surfing opportunities all year round, with small, big, long, tubular, high peak and bell waves, as well as plenty of waves that break closely one after the other.
The central coast has permanent surf during winter (April to September), while the north coast offers its famous swells between the months of October and March, turning it into a surfers’ paradise. The best beaches include Cabo Blanco, Lobitos, Chicama (with the longest left wave in the world), Huanchaco, Pacasmayo and Los Órganos.
Kayak
In the many less difficult rivers, where canoeing and rafting can also be enjoyed, tourists can travel by kayak. This is especially true for the peaceful lagoons located in various regions around the country, where there are plenty of boat hire services.
Kayaking requires basic control of the craft, which essentially depends on the balance of the person willing to take the risk of possibly falling into the waters of a lagoon. It is essential to know how to swim before embarking on a trip in a kayak. In Peru, kayaks can be enjoyed in the lagoons of the coast, mountain or jungle.
Mountaineering
The Cordillera Blanca (White Range) in Áncash, is the second highest mountain range in the world after the Himalayas and the Peruvian capital of mountaineering. It has more than 30 peaks that are more than 6,000 metres high. The Huascaran peak, standing at 6,768 m high, is truly imposing.
The Huascaran National Park (PNH) has 663 glaciers and offers good accessibility, an adequate climate and is close to communities offering guide, porter and rescue services.
Time to get on the next flight to Peru.
