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CALLEJÓN
DE HUAYLAS
Suggested length of stay: 5 days
 This
valley lies 400 km northeast of Lima, wedged between the Cordillera
Blanca and Cordillera Negra mountain ranges. The Cordillera
Blanca, so-called for its snow-capped peaks, is the highest
mountain range in the Andes and the world's highest tropical
mountain region. The region is reached from the Peruvian capital
by the Lima-Pativilca road as far as the city of Huaraz, capital
of the department of Ancash. The journey takes around seven
hours by car or bus. Huaraz is the center of operations for
the region.
The Callejón de Huaylas offers
attractions, services and infrastructure for adventure sports
lovers. Climbers have at their disposal an expert rescue team
which is backed by a helicopter. The area features climbing
routes that take just a few days and others that can take
two weeks. In addition to mountain climbing, adventure seekers
can also try rafting, hang gliding, mountain biking, skiing
and trekking in the Callejon de Huaylas.
Visitors can tour the towns of Recuay,
Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz. Life here follows the old traditions,
and the local inhabitants rear livestock, sow their fields
and live tranquil lives.
The best time to visit the area is from
May to September. Visitors should take it easy the first day
of arrival due to the high altitude. Take along a heavy jacket
and warm clothing and plenty of water or other beverages.
Chincha-
Paracas- Ica – Nazca Circuit
Suggested length of stay: 4 days
 This
circuit along the south coast provides a combination of sun,
sea, beaches, history and traditions. But above all, the area
features marvelous landscapes, making it a major attraction
for a different kind of adventure.
The area is reached from Lima by road
down the South Pan-American Highway. First stop is the city
of Chincha (202 km, two-and-a-half hours), the cradle of Afro-Peruvian
culture.
Next stop is the Bay of Paracas (50 km,
30 minutes from Chincha), home to the Paracas Reserve, which
harbors a large variety of bird species, sea lion colonies,
penguins and many other species, making the areas one of the
country's richest in terms of biodiversity. The area is ideal
for adventure sports, eco-tourism and sailing. We recommend
the early morning boatrides around the Ballestas Islands.
Ica, (50 km/40 minutes from Paracas),
a festive region steeped in religious traditions, is the next
stop on the tour. Here, visitors can take in the Ica Cathedral
and the shrine of the Señor de Luren, the patron image
of the city. Further inland in the desert lies Lake Huacachina,
an oasis surrounded by vast, wind-sculpted sand dunes.
From Ica, visitors can board light planes
and fly over the Nazca Lines or continue along the road down
to the city of Nazca (140 km / 2 hours from Ica); by the road
in the Pampas de San José plains is a lookout tower
from where one can see part of the lines. Before returning,
visitors should not miss a tour of the traditional local vineyards
and taste some of Peru's finest wines and pisco, the country's
national beverage, particularly in the month of March, when
the area celebrates the Ica Wine Festival.
Huancayo
– Tarma- JAUja- Chanchamayo Valley
Suggested length of stay: 6 days
 Huancayo
can be reached by bus or car up the Central Highway, some
310 km from Lima (five-and-a-half hours). During the trip,
we suggest stopping briefly at Ticlio, at 4,818 meters, the
highest inhabited spot on Earth. In Huancayo, we recommend
a tour of the city: the Cathedral, the city squares (Constitucion
and Huanmarca) and the La Libertad hill overlooking the city
and the Mantaro Valley.
Just 22 km away lies Concepcion, an interesting
colonial province which features scenic countryside. Also
not to be missed is the Santa Rosa de Ocopa convent, which
was the base of the Church's efforts to convert jungle natives
to Christianity.
There are two good options for lunch:
Ingenio, which is famous for its trout farm and outdoor restaurants,
or Lake Paca near Jauja, where visitors can take boatrides
around the lake.
The road leads on to Tarma, where visitors
can feast their eyes on fields of bright flowers. From here
on, the landscape changes drastically as the road drops down
into the cloud forest. Chanchamayo Valley (La Merced), with
its emerald green countryside and steamy heat, lies two-and-a-half
hours away. The valley is a well-known fruit-growing area
studded with cascading waterfalls and dotted with orchids.
The best time to visit is from May to October. Remember to
take basic precautions against altitude sickness.
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