Recreation

Peruvians are mostly into vigorous sports such as soccer and volleyball, and then followed by indigenous sports such as bullfighting, horse racing and cockfighting. You can have an opportunity to witness some of the ancient and rural sporting events. In the present era, Tennis and basketball are also gaining a lot of popularity and Peruvians are taking to these sports with delight.

You will also notice that nearly all the Peruvian scattered around the world enjoy music and dancing. The Traditional Peru music is usually performed on flutes, panpipes, drums, rattles and a small harp. Lively music and salsa dancing are an ideal pastime for Peruvians.

The diverse ecosystems allow visitors to indulge in a number of outdoor activities. The rugged mountaineers, the mellow beachgoers, birders and jungle explorers could find a vacation to Peru worthwhile.

Mountain Climbing and Hiking

The Peruvian Andes are a rugged mountain range and is a challenging feat for mountain climbers and hence attracts many enthusiasts to this place. Tourists who enjoy outdoor activities could go on excursions over the Andes Mountains where somewhat few mountain ranges have been explored commonly. The mild weather, which prevails almost the whole year along with convenient access to distant sites, makes it an attractive proposition. It is an ultimate blend of a demanding and virgin terrain that makes Peru one of the most gorgeous and attractive destinations for all the mountaineers worldwide.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is another thrilling sport that is picking up in this country. You will notice that during the entire year there are more than thousands of bicyclists who visit the down canyons and cycle all over the country. This is a great way to see the natural beauty of the country and view the flora and fauna indigenous to this place. Virtually the whole country, only with the exception of the coastal desert and the Amazon plain, is considered to be ideal for mountain biking.

River Rafting

Peru has some of the most awesome whitewater rivers in the world. A roller coaster ride through these gorges will take you through some impressive scenery as the Andes plunge downward into the lush canyons of the Upper Amazon.

Rivers in Peru are more than 600 km long and the five largest rivers total up to approximately 7,000 km within Peru.

Sand boarding

Sand boarding has become popular on the sand dunes near Ocucaje, Villacuri and Ica. These are some of the most exhilarating areas where you can encounter some of the steep sandy slopes of the desert.

Bird watching

Peru boasts of 1780 species of birds that is approximately 18.5% of all the bird species on the earth and 45% of all neo tropical birds. A birding trip during any month would be a treat to birders as the breeding season continues all year round.

The main sites to visit in order to bird watch are the Manu, Tambopata & Madre de Dios, Abra Malaga, Iquitos & the Ballestas Islands.

Parapenting in Peru / Hand gliding in Peru

The Adventure Club Viento Sur

Located: at the Sol y Luna Hotel near Urubamba.

www.aventurasvientosur.com

This club arranges paragliding in the Sacred Valley near Cusco. You can be assured about your safety as the instructors of Club Viento-Sur are proficient flyers and have attained their licenses as authorized paragliding-instructors in Europe.

Other activities offered:

Mountain biking and horse riding.

Hot Air Ballooning in Peru

The one and only outfitter in service for hot air ballooning trips in Peru is the U.S. based business Globos de los Andes who have offices in Cusco:

Globos de los Andes

Calle Arequipa 271

Cusco

084 232352

www.globosperu.com

They arrange for balloon flights, though it's not on a regular basis. They are based mainly in the Sacred Valley, near Urubamba.

The cost is $60 for a tethered flight over the Moray Inca.

US$700 per person for an overnight stay that also includes local bed and breakfast with meals and also shuttles back with a striking morning flight over the Valley.

It is advisable that you contact them way in advance for further details and reservations.

Please note they do not offer flights over Machu Picchu.

Surfing in Peru

Very few people are aware of the fact that it was actually in Peru that humans first perfected the art of riding waves with the help of some external support. These were actually depicted on textiles and pottery dating back to pre-Hispanic civilizations. Peru has a number of beaches that are expansive and perfect for surfing all year round.

Peru is known as a top surfing destination. With over 2000km (1,200 miles) of Pacific coastline, Peru proffers a whole range of waves that also includes point breaks, left and right reef breaks and some giant waves up to 6 meters.

Perfect places for surfing in Peru:

Northern Beaches (north of Chiclayo)

Surfing in the north is recommended from October to March.

Water temperatures stay above 21°C through out the year.

Mancora: Has a reef break and is long left formed where waves can reach more than 2m. All types of surfers can surf in this area.

Los Organos is a reef-break, left, well formed where waves reach about 2m. Recommended for experienced surfers.

Cabo Blanco consists of a reef-break, perfect left pipeline from 1 to 3m. This can be slightly unsafe due to closeness of reef. This is for experienced surfers only.

Pacasmayo has a Point-break, left, long and well formed with pipeline section.

Puerto Chicama: Point break, rides of nearly a kilometer in length are probable, on a wave measured to be the longest in the world. Pipeline with 4 sections that reach 2m. Strong offshore winds. All surfers can surf here.

Southern Beaches (south of Chiclayo)

Most of the best surf in the south can be found to the south of Lima.

March through December are ideals months to surf with May being the most ideal month. Water is colder than the north (as low as 15°C) so a wetsuit is necessary.

Recommended beaches in the south include:

La Herradura: A good place for experienced surfers.

Punta Hermosa: Strong, huge and fast, tubular sections. Breaks all the year.

Punta Rocas: Reef-break, left and right, long big and strong with tubular section. Classic wave for beginners and also for advanced surfers.

Pico Alto: Outer-reef, right and left break. Can reach 8 to 10 meters (in May). Formed waves, strong, long with tubular section. Recommended only for professionals.