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 - surf - riding - biking - paragliding
sandboarding - rafting - fishing

Trekking – Hiking

Peru offers the best opportunities for trekking and related sports.
Both in the highlands and near the coast, you will find beautiful trails with different degrees of difficulties. The most famous of the trails is of course the 'Inca trail', but there are many more trails that are less developed by tourism. These trails have a certain excitement, as you can walk for hours without encountering anyone along your path. This makes it the ideal opportunity to enjoy the peacefulness of nature and witness of all manner of natural marvels.
Most of the trails lead through impressing landscapes and small villages. They pass by ancient ruins or beautiful waterfalls. No matter what trails you decide on trying, you will surely enjoy exploring this amazing country and everything it has to offer!

Some of the trails can be managed without a guide while others request hiring a guide.

The most popular trekking areas:

Region Cusco: Incatrail - Salkantay - Choquequirao

Region Arequipa: Volcano Misti - Colca Canyon - Cotahuasi

Region Ancash: Santa Cruz Trek - Llama Trek

Amazon region: Chachapoyas

Region Cajamarca: Qhapaq Ñan

Region Lima: Marcahuasi - Canta

Region of Cusco

Inca trail
The Inca trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most famous trekking paths in Peru and whole of South America. The trail is part of the 23 000 km long road and path network, which was built by the Incas.
Every year more than 25 000 ramblers from all over the world come to walk on this famous path, formally connecting Cusco and Machu Picchu, located in the middle of highland rainforests. The Inca trail can be started at kilometre 88 and will last 4 days, but it can also be started at kilometre 104. The best season to hike it is in dry season (May to October) but it is open all the year, except for January.

Only guided tours are possible and reservations have to be made 4 weeks before starting the trail at the latest.
For the exact route please click here.

Salkantay
As an alternative to the sometimes crowded Inca trail a tour over the 6271 metres high Salkantay can be chosen.
Starting point is an ancient Inca path which leads through the snow-capped summits of Salkantay and Humantay (5917 metres) and through the canyon of the river Aobamba to Machu Picchu.
During the walk you can enjoy an amazing view over numerous summits which are located on the other side of the Urubamba river: Wayanay (5464 metres), Palcay (5229 metres) and Verónica (5750 metres).

Choquequirao
A tour to Chocquequirao which is situated in the South of Peru is still an insider tip for fans of trekking. Starting point of this interesting tour which takes 4 days, is the village Cachora in the province of Apurimac (6 hours far from Cusco). The tour ends at the impressive ruins of Choquequirao, an old Inca city.
The tour follows the valley of Apurimac first and then continues to the ruins.
Tours are available starting from Cusco or Cachora.

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Region of Arequipa

Misti
The volcano Misti (5825 metres) is the symbol of Arequipa.
Starting point for the tour is in Tambo Inca, on the second day the summit will be reached.
The second volcano, named Chachani (6075 metres) can be reached following a beautiful path which leads through the pampas de Arrieros.
Tours start in Arequipa.

Colca Canyon
The Colca Canyon, one of the deepest Canyons worldwide, features wonderful tours for ramblers. Starting point of most tours is the traditional Cabanaconde. After the descent you can chose different tours in the Canyon.
Simple accomodation facilities make tours of several days duration possible without the use of a tent. Numerous hot fountains along the way reinvigorate tired feet.
Guided tours including birdwatching (condors) can be booked in Arequipa.
We recommend a stop at the thermal springs in Chivay.

Cotahuasi Canyon
The Cotohuasi Canyon, is the deepest canyon of the world (3535 metres) and a 'must do' tip for all ramblers. Due to its bad accessibility, only few hikers find the way to this canyon which is located North West of Arequipa. Archaeological sites, hot thermal springs and amazing scenery make this tour a special experience.
Guided tours should be booked in Arequipa.

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Region of Ancash (Cordillera Blanca)

Santa Cruz Trek
The Cordillera Blanca with its snow-capped summits, 663 glaciers, 269 lakes, 41 rivers and 33 archaeological sites is a wonderful area for trekking tours. A well known trekking path is the Santa Cruz Trek, which lasts 4-6 days. Starting point is Yungay and the emerald lakes Llanganuco. For a longer tour you can walk around the 5947 metres high Alpamayo (12 days). Tours are organised in Huaraz.

Llama Trek
An interesting tour is the trek Olleros-Chavin. This ecological project is an initiative by the inhabitants of the Callejón de Huaylas and is part of the project "Llama 2000". The Peruvian highland is not imaginable without llamas and alpacas as they are like pets for the population there.
Starting point is Olleros which is situated 40 km South of Huaraz. The path leads through beautiful landscape, amazing villages and finally to Chavin de Huantar, an archaeological excavation, which is considered as one of the most impressive of the country and therefore was declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1985.

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Amazon region

Chachapoyas
Situated between the highland and the Amazon basin, this region ideally combines the beauty of its landscape with the charm of cultural events. Treasures of this area are its untouched landscape and its impressing archaeological sites. One of its best known trails leads to the famous fortress of Chachapoya in Kuelap, which due to its huge extension and beauty is often mentioned in the same sentence as Machu Picchu and Sacsayhuaman. Arrival by land passes via Chiclay or Cajamarca and takes about one day.

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Region Cajamarca

Qhapaq Ñan
The region Cajamarca offers fascinating ways to combine natural adventure and historic pathes. The organisation APERC restored the famous Qhapaq Ñan, an ancient network of paths used by the Inca. Your tour may follow one of the following topics: nature, geology, birds or history. Guided tours are available at Baños del Inca. In Cajamarca projects for sustainable tourism are developed which also allow tourists to get in touch with the native population.

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Region Lima

Marcahuasi - San Pedro de Casta
East of Lima, a street wiggles up through the fruitful valley Santa Eulalia to reach San Pedro de Casta. Outside the village the great ruins of Marcahuasi are located. After an ascent, this plateau can be discovered in a tour. Accommodation is available in San Pedro de Casta.

Canta
Frequently used as a destination for excursions undertaken by the limeños, Canta is situated at 2400 m altitude, just North of metropolian Lima. Its beautiful landscape and the ruins of Cantahuasi can easiliy be combined in one tour. Little untouched villages and waterfalls as well as green fields are prominent features of this amazing region. Arrival from Lima in three hours. Accommodation is availalble in Canta.

Furthermore other trekking regions are situated in Junín, Ica/Paracas, Huancayo, Huancavelica, Ayacucho and Piura.

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