Would you like some outdoor adventures in South America? Peru would be a good choice! Peru is not just about Machu Pichu. Read about my thoughts of traveling in Peru.
Kayaking at Lake Titikaka
Have you try sea kayaking at high altitude? Check out Lake Titikaka in Peru! The nearest accessible city will be Puno, people usually travel there to access the lake. Situated at the border of Bolivia and Peru, it is a lake divided between these two countries. It is the world highest navigable lake at 3800 meters above sea level. Yes, that means you got less oxygen to work with and need more time to acclimatize to the high altitude. I spent two days exploring the Peruvian side of Lake Titikaka on my kayak. The Uros islands have some pretty lovely history and are part of the major tourist attractions in Peru. Home stay at Armantani Island was enriching. It was a good place to rest from hours of kayaking in the day and the ideal place to explore some local culture. Staying with the locals was the perfect time to practice my Spanish. Try playing soccer on this island with other travelers and locals, you will feel the effect of high altitude in your performance. I felt like a blown tire lying by the side of the freeway after ten minutes, totally exhausted from the game. Kayaking at such altitude is not an easy feat but it is a good workout for sure. Most tour companies offer one-man and two-man kayak, so pick your choice. You wouldn’t want to miss out such a cultural and adventurous opportunity in Puno area.
Have a break, have an orange while you enjoy the lake
Mountain biking in Cuzco
Next on the list is downhill mountain biking. I did it around Cuzco area for two days. Try to fly to Cuzco from Lima, it takes an hour or so. A bus ride will take twenty over hours! Depending on the routes you take, some parts offer spectacular views of the Andes mountains. I had awesome views of the Sacred Valley. You should be pretty familiar with a mountain bike before going on this because some segments are rather challenging. Remember safety is the most important policy! Most of the guided trails are run by companies in Cuzco. Check them out to get the best rates and services.
Hiking
You can’t miss hiking in Peru. Hiking in the Andes Mountains range is one of the most beautiful adventures. Many people do the famous Inca Trail to Machu Pichu. The Peruvian government limits the number of hikers daily to protect the trail. If you can’t get the trail permit, don’t worry! There are less crowded ones such as the Salkantay Trek and Lares Trek, but that doesn’t mean that these offer any lesser than the Inca Trail. Different trails offer different experiences. I completed the Lares Trek in four days, it was breathtaking. I had the opportunity to interact with the locals in Lares village. It is recommended that you are well conditioned before embarking on such hikes because they are pretty strenuous. The winter in Andes range can be pretty cold so be prepared for that.
Cuzco
If you are wondering where to start, check out gadventures, they provide one of the best of such adventures!