ACTIVITIES IN PERU

Peru – a real paradise for any kind of vacation

Peru and its thousand faces: incredibly beautiful landscapes with a diversity of species in plants and animals, impressing sights from past ages and interesting, still kept traditions of ancient cultures. The vast diversity of natural conditions and different climates provides lots of opportunities for all sorts of adventure sports, attracting sport-enthusiastics from all over the world. Discover all the activities Peru has to offer you!

mountaineering - trekking - climbing - surfing - riding - biking - paragliding
sandboarding - rafting - fishing

Peru is a mountaineerers' paradise. The Andes allow an incredibly large number of sports. There are more than 56 mountains with an altitude of 6000 metres or higher.
The Andes are classified and distinguished into three different parts: the Cordillera Occidental (West-cordillera), the Cordillera Central (Central-cordillera) and the Cordillera Oriental (East-cordillera). The Cordillera Occidental is also known as Cordillera Negra (black cordillera), because there are no more glaciers.
The most interesting areas for climbers are in the Cordillera Central, the so called white cordillera, where Peru's highest mountain is located, the 6768 metres high 'Nevado Huascarán'.

Preparations - Regions

Preparations:

Climate and travel season:
Basically you can differentiate two seasons in the Andes, the dry season (April - November) and the rainy season (December - March). Only the dry season is recommended for climbing, the best month of all being June, in other months frosty nights make mountaineering impossible.

General information:

As a result of the retreat of the glaciers, pieces of ice can fall down. You should try to get information about the snow conditions in each region before you start your expedition.
There is no mountain security unit in Peru. Search and rescue service are available, but expensive. Like in any other country, in case of a damage all expenses have to be payed by the originator. Information from natives about distances should be considered critically. If in doubt, an agency with licensed employees will provide you with further information.

Mountain guides:

Every mountain guide in Peru has to have an authorization. The tourist office, some national parks or the house of mountain guides in Huaraz issue these authorizations. Mountaineers should insist in this offical authorization and check it.
Mountain guides in Peru are highly qualified and have to complete special courses.
The daily lump sum is about 60 dollars.
Trekking guides also know the trails, but they are not as qualified for mounting summits.
Your hired crew should consist of donkey drivers, bearers and a cook. They have the necessary experience and can help mountaineers in any case.
Personnel costs are about 5-20 dollars.

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Here you can find a selection of well known mountain regions:

Cordillera Blanca - Huayhuash - Arequipa - Cusco/Ausangate

Cordillera Blanca
The Cordillera Blanca in the region of Ancash is known as one of the best spots worldwide.
The moderate climate in this region and the easy access to the summits are only two reasons, but there are lots more. Huaraz is considered to be centre of mountain climbing. Many travel agencies are located there and offer everything you can wish for.
Starting points for the tours are Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz.

Huayhuash
Certain skillls are indispensable for the impressive summits of Huayhuash, snow and ice make it difficult to reach the summit of this mountain.
Starting point is Chiquián, which is 360 km North of Lima, but there are also tours organized starting from Huaraz.

Arequipa
Arequipa with it own volcano, the 5825 m high Misti, is also a popular spot for mountain climbers.
In the past, the Inca made human sacrifices on this summit and nowadays, the mountain is a great spot for beautiful tours lasting several days in duration.
Other popular summits are Ampato, Sabancaya near the Colca Canyon, and Copopuna near the Cotahuasi Canyon.
Tours to all interesting mountains can be organized in Arequipa.

Ausangate
In the south of Cusco the 6333 m high Ausangate is located.
Having a duration of 8 to 10 days, you should be in a physically good constitution and shape to take part in this tour.
After passing numerous passes and different climate zones, your effort will be awarded with incredible views of the sourrounding region.
The starting point for these tours is Cusco, where the tours are organised and mountain guides are recommended.

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