Adventure
One has but to look at the natural features of Southern Peru -its variegated geography, the beauty of the scenery and the environmental diversity- to realize that coast, mountains and jungle are inextricably bound and intimately linked.
This vertical interaction and integration of a maximum of ecological levels conformed the broad base and shaped the foundation upon which every stage and phase of the development of Andean culture into a civilization has pivoted. View Map
In order to function efficiently and systematically, it required the implementation of a logistical infrastructure hitherto unknown. This in turn promoted the development of higher technical standards in architecture and engineering. The only way to achieve that was through fostering creativity and vision. These are generally spawned from the marriage of versatility and common sense, the children of courage and wisdom.
And it actually worked. Great spaces were spanned, insurmountable obstacles were bridged, roads, aqueducts, levees, tunnels, astronomical observatories and agricultural terraces were built.
The world for a brief moment became one. Jungle, Mountain and Seashore were linked and connected into one efficiently functioning system held together by an infrastructure designed to outlive time itself
Then the unforeseen and tragic end came. So quick and merciless that it was done with before most could even realize the fact.
But the infrastructure survived and outlived the lot of them, both conquerors and conquered.
The parts and components are all still there. They were, after all, built to last …
Go from one to the other, they all fit and connect; and here adventure rules.
Gear Up and Get Ready For IT !
Trekking
If you like your feet on the ground, trekking is the name of your game, in South Peru you can follow ancient Inka Roads, like the famous one to Machu Picchu, or the more recondite in the Vilcabamba Range, which will take you to Choquequirao, the Lares Valley or the Carabaya Range that joins Puno and Cusco, ending at the feet of majestic Ausangate. And all of these are just in Cusco and Puno!
River Rafting
If water is your choice of adventure Southern Peru has a lot of it to offer, from kayaking in the calm waters of Lake Titicaca or the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Nazca, to rafting the raging torrents of the ApurÃmac, Urubamba, Cotahuasi, Colca, Pachachaca or Tambo rivers; a descent of the mighty Tambopata River will give you the experience of a life time in the Amazon rainforest.
Mountain Biking
Southern Peru is also a paradise for mountain bikers, if you fancy two wheels. Be it along ancient trails, dirt roads or single tracks, up or down hills, across deserts, high plateaus or cloud forests, there is always somewhere here a place to get to on a bicycle.
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Bird Watching
Let´s not forget birdwatching, of which Southern Peru is a true paradise, be the coast, the mountains or the rainforest, hundreds upon hundreds of species, many of them endemic to this area are waiting to be seen and, why not, discovered.
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Peruvian Paso Horses
The Peruvian Paso Horses are well known all over the world, and the South of Peru is not an exception, come and enjoy their smooth ride along the coast and the montains.
Mountain Climbing
If you favor heights, you can climb many of the peaks and volcanoes in the area, Ausangate, Chachani, Ampato, Baul, Coropuna and the Misti, close to Arequipa, are just some of the many that are awaiting you.
Off Road 4x4
And, finally, if you prefer the comfort –and the woes- of a vehicle, you can visit very many of the abovementioned, as well as other beauties such as Tinajani Canyon or the hot springs of Tarata close to Tacna, aboard an all-purpose, all-terrain, anytime, anywhere 4x4.
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