While walking holidays in Peru with Pura Aventura are a great way to experience the enchanting scenery of this South American country, there are a wide range of other activities on offer too. From mountain biking along the Inca Trail to rafting down the Apurimac River, Peru is an adventurer’s wonderland.
Hiking
There are a wide range of options for hiking in Peru, with the Colca Valley one of the most picturesque as many of the routes link up small colonial villages. As well as these quaint dwellings the area also boasts a chain of volcanoes dusted beautifully with snow throughout the year.
For those looking for something a little more adventurous there is the Cordillera Blanca – a mountain range which allows hikers to become climbers and scale the snow-capped peaks of the highest tropical mountain range anywhere in the world.
Of course the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu remains the most popular of all trekking itineraries in Peru and probably the whole of South America. This is because all of the hard work culminates in a view of the remains of the magical Incan city. An extra majesty is often lent by the wispy clouds that flank it, making it appear almost otherworldly.
Mountain biking
But there is another way to tackle the Inca Trail as opposed to relying on Shanks’ pony and that is mountain biking – a sport that is really starting to take off in Peru. The infrastructure has been put in place in order to maximise the interest in the sport with circuits set up for all abilities.
Using a simple A through to C system, beginners can identify the routes which suit them and move on to the more advanced ones when they feel more accomplished.
The Paracas Reserve is a particularly fun place to go biking as there are chances to hug the coastline around the peninsula or follow trails across the desert and ride through sand dunes. This part of Peru is a mountain biking heaven and perfect for cyclists wanting to let off some steam.
White water rafting
There are no fewer than 12 rivers in Peru that stretch for more than 600 kilometres in length each, making it a wonderful destination for white water rafting. The Apurimac River is particularly well placed near Cusco, which leads on to Machu Picchu, meaning that two aspects of a trip can be easily combined.
The Apurimac should not be underestimated as it is a challenging river, making it all the more exciting for those who wish to take it on. With rapids coming in quick succession and a number of other obstacles to overcome, it will certainly get the adrenaline running.
Cutting its way through the canyon, the scenery is also superb, with the walls stretching up to the sky and contrasting with the blue and white rapids of the river.
When thinking about travelling along a stretch of this waterway it is easy to forget the longer journey that the river is taking. Starting off thousands of metres above sea level up in the Andes, the meltwater collects to become the Apurimac, but further down the line it transforms into the Amazon.
Journeys such as these in Peru are worth taking, not just for the Incan cities which lie at the end, but also the thrill along the way.
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