Colca cañón
Colca is one of the deepest ravines on the planet. It is set in arid countryside, spotted with little villages which have only recently met the outside world.
| Access Altitude | 3500m |
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Cotahuasi cañón
Cotahuasi is as deep as Colca, but broader, more remote and under the shadow of the 6000m Solimana and Coropuña volcanoes. The circuit includes a visit to the valley of the volcanoes.
| Access Altitude | 3500m |
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Arequipa city
Arequipa is a world heritage site, showing grand colonial architecture against a background of volcanoes. The surrounding countryside is of great beauty. Gastronomy, bull fighting.
| Access Altitude | 2000m |
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South to Tacna
A seldom-visited area of stark crags, wine production and history. Links to Lake Titicaca. Beaches, wine tasting, remote landscapes.
| Access Altitude | 2500m |
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Cusco to Puno
High altitude journey passing many archaeological and cultural sites. Lake Titicaca and its islands, wildfowl and boating. Antiquities, anthropology, vivid fiestas.
| Access Altitude | 4500m |
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Around Cusco
The Inca capital of Cusco and its Spanish remodeling. Culture and folklore here and in surrounding villages. Separate section on treks to Machu Picchu and the Cordillera Vilcanota. Mountain scenery, history and architecture.
| Access Altitude | 3500m |
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Cusco to the coast
Wild arid terrain with isolated Andean towns - Abancay, Andahuaylas, Andamarca - that cling to their heritage. Major and arcane festivals, archaeology and folklore.
| Access Altitude | 4000m |
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Pisco to Ayacucho
Following an important Inca route from the coast to high sierra. Passes Pampas Galleras vicuña sanctuary. Major Inca ruins, other archaeology. Handicrafts, colonial city.
| Access Altitude | 3500m |
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Huancayo to Ayachucho
Exceptionally wild mountain route to historic colonial town Huancavelica, then to ancient Ayacucho, colonial architecture, handicrafts.
| Access Altitude | 3700m |
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The Southern coast
River sports at Cañete and access to the Cordillera Yauyos. Desert coast to sanctuary of Paracas, the wines of Pisco and Ica. Archaeology at Paracas and the Nazca lines. Paracas sanctuary; wildlife and ocean trips.
| Access Altitude | 500m |
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Lima to Huancayo
Easy access to the highest road crossing in the world, drop to the fertile, attractive Mantaro valley. Jumping off point for many further links. Mountain scenery, colonial architecture, archaeology
| Access Altitude | 5000m |
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Cusco to Atalaya
A river trip through stunning scenery and outstanding biodiversity to the jungle township of Atalaya. Wildlife, scenery, anthropology
| Access Altitude | 2500m |
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Central selva alta
Drop from the scenic Mantaro valley to the beautiful subtropical Chanchamayo valley, then to lowland tropics at Satipo, by river to Atalaya. Includes Oxapampa and other areas of extreme biodiversity. At least five ecosystems, remarkable scenery, culture and anthropology. Caving.
| Access Altitude | 3000m |
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Junín to Huánuco, Tingo María or Huaraz
High altitude lake with wildfowl, major history. Stone 'forests', archeology, wildlife and trekking. Drop to arid colonial Huánuco. Here, there is a choice of route: high to the snow peaks of Huaraz, or into the jungle at Tingo Maria
| Access Altitude | 4500m |
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Tingo Maria to Pucallpa or Tarapoto
Sub-tropical town in the former heart to the cocaine trade. Caving and wildlife, butterflies and orchids. Either to Pucallpa through jungle, to reach the Río Ucayali. Fishing, river pass-times, river boats to Iquitos or Atalaya. Alternative is a tough, remote trip through wild Alta Selva to Tarapoto. Access to remote, wild National Park.
| Access Altitude | 500m |
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Lima to Trujillo
Northern coastal road, passing coastal settlements in desert, beaches and fine seafood. Moche archaeology around Trujillo. Colonial architecture and culture of Trujillo, once Perú's richest city. Typical Peruvian coastline, festivals in surrounding countryside.
| Access Altitude | 200m |
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Callejón de Huayllas
Cordillera Blanca snow peaks, nearby Callejónes de Huayhuash and Conchucos. Separate major section on trekking in the region. Major archaeological site at Chavin de Huantar, many smaller. Fishing, bird watching and river sports.
| Access Altitude | 4000m |
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Chimbote to Cajamarca
A challenging route that takes in varied wild scenery through undisturbed northern provincial life, a major archaeological site and several important provincial towns. Fishing and bird watching. Route taken by Pizarro to Cajamarca.
| Access Altitude | 3500m |
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Chiclayo to Chachapoyas
The remarkable archaeological, cultural and environmental riches around Chiclayo, gastronomy and ocean sports. To tranquil, cool Cajamarca, including description of the historic city. Across country through the remote, arid Marañón valley to mist forest in Chachapoyas, with fishing, orchids, butterflies, major archaeological sites.
| Access Altitude | 3500m |
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North to Piura, Tumbes
A desert crossing to the cotton town of Piura, with its beaches and remote mountains. Magicians and healers, mist-shrouded archaeological sites. Tumbes and its warm waters and beaches; probably the world's best sea food. Abiseo and Tumbes national parks: wildlife, river sports, trekking.
| Access Altitude | 250m |
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Northern routes to Tarapoto
A cross-country run to the edge of the jungle, focusing on the "orchid city" of Moyabamba and the mist forest around it. Bird watching centre, orchids and other wildlife. Possible river connections to Iquitos.
| Access Altitude | 3500m |
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Cuzco to Madre de Dios
Deep humid jungle, reached on precipitate roads through cliffs draped with ferns and orchids. Major wild life centre - birds, bugs, fish and many large mammals, fishing and river pass times. Local communities of anthropological interest.
| Access Altitude | 3500m |
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Iquitos & Amazonas
The tropical river city of Iquitos and its surroundings. Up river to the semi-flooded Pacaya Samiria national park and its indigenous communities. Tropical ambience, wild life, river pass times and travel, anthropology.
| Access Altitude | 250m |
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Metropolitan Lima
A brief overview of the history and attractions of Lima. Gastronomy, museums, history.
| Access Altitude | 100m |
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River connections
These are not described in detail, but are serviced by regular public transport.
| Access Altitude | 250m |
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Cañete to Satipo
Exciting routes from the coast to Huancayo, thence to the jungle town of Satipo.
| Access Altitude | 4500m |
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