Adventure Sports in Peru

Perú is considered by many as a paradise for the adventurous. The country is divided into three major natural regions: the Coast, the Rain Forest and the Andes. Each of them offer a unique mix of geography, traditions, food and ways of having fun. Nowadays, tourism is well developed, and thanks to the imagination of Peruvians and their spirit of adventure, many options are available, some of them pricey, but many of them quiet affordable with a reduced budget. Throughout this entry, I intend to list a few interesting activities that can characterize each of the 3 regions I spoke about.

Most likely, any traveler will start on Lima, since it's the obliged first stop for anyone coming on an international flight. If you book a tour you are prone to spend much more than what you should. My advice is to pick a hotel once you are in town(there are many on the best parts of town, not pricey-about 30 bucks a night- and very comfortable and clean) If you need references you are welcome to comment this blog or email me. 


Lima is located on the Pacific Ocean coast, and it exhibits some wonderful waves for those about to surf. If you really are into it though, you might wanna go a few hours north, to Mancora. That little town is considered as a surfers paradise(some actual pics above). If you are on the north beaches, women are beautiful, the weather is awesome and the food is excellent. Don't forget to try a good fresh ceviche.

If you are in the mood for a way hotter weather, then go visit Iquitos, Tarapoto, or Madre de Dios. Those towns are located in the Peruvian Rain Forest and you will find plenty of exciting activities in either of them. You can for instance get into the virgin Amazonia and spend a night(or more) in contact with mother nature(the most bio-diverse place on the planet). You can also travel by balsa raft down the Alto Madre de Dios River. You basically will float on a raft quietly down the river having a great opportunity to see wildlife. Trekking in this area is another popular option. Again, book your tours once you get to the actual city. One of these packages(the one's for the Amazonas) could probably cost you around 80 bucks for a couple of days if not less. Then again, it depends on wether you are looking for "adventure" or luxury.(we offer both)

If you would rather spend your time trying to conquer the ancient mountains, then you must go to the sierra. Peru has some wonderful mountains. Alpamayo for example(located in the town of Huaraz), is considered the most beautiful mountain in the world. A tour to this place can cost you between 500 and 800 bucks, it is very technical and I guess not for everyone, but there are many other options. 

If you have a smaller budget(say 200 bucks) you could book a tour to Chachani in the city of Arequipa(south of the country) It is also a very beautiful mountain, and though it is still pretty demanding, someone with an average ice climbing training shouldn't have problems. Also climbing the Misti volcano in Arequipa could be very appealing(only 40 to 80 $ per person) if you want to go up but want something not technical(still some good 18600 ft above the sea level). Above you can see pictures of El Misti and Chachani.

If you don't feel like going up, you have many great places to do mountain bike. It is a very inexpensive option, for you can rent a bike for a day with maybe 20 bucks and have plenty of fun. The place shown above is called "The Z" located in Mollebaya, Arequipa. The circuit is free, and only about 20 minutes from the city if you ride the bicycle all the way.

There is also water on the highlands, and what better place to enjoy a thrilling day going down a wild river than in Colca Canyon. The place got some bad publicity lately due to a guy getting lost, but if you go with a guide or even on your own and make sure to stay close to a group, you won't have any troubles whatsoever. A tour to the Colca Canyon, from Arequipa, including food, transportation(its 5 hours from Arequipa) and a very decent hotel plus the rafting, should cost near 100-150 bucks per person.

Of course, you also have the tour de force, I am talking about Cusco and Macchu Picchu. There you can do a nice 2 day trekking from Cusco to the sanctuary. That is probably one of the most expensive towns in the country due to its growing popularity. The Inca's trail(that's how this trekking is called) should cost somewhere between 200 and 400 bucks depending on the season and the agency. A new option for people interested in this area is called "Campamento Cola de Mono" which is a place on the way to Machu Picchu where you are harnessed and attached by pulley to a cable anchored to two different mountains. Then, you slide from one mountain to the other fast enough to feel like you are flying(about 45-50 miles per hour). This Canopy is Peru’s first, and South America’s highest. There are 2500 m of cables in six sections. Also, rafting is a good option on Cola de Mono. Once you are in Macchu Picchu you can try climbing the Huayna Picchu(here some pics and blog entry: http://giulianosalas.blogspot.com/2011/05/huayna-picchu.html)


So there you go, those are a few of the many options available for people wanting to get away, experience nature, have fun and have a thrill. I hope you enjoyed it and feel free to comment or ask for more info.