Alternative Adventures To Enjoy In Peru

When it comes to adventure travel destinations, Peru has always been up there as a leading country. With an array of treks that include the Inca Trail up Machu Picchu, it is brilliant for non-trekkers and trekkers alike. That said, in one trip, there is only so much trekking that you can do.

Fortunately, there are many other options for those who have trekked one too many trails and are looking for something a little different. Many people don't like advanced bookings, and this is another reason why the next alternative adventure activities are great because you can sort them out at short notice.

White Water Rafting

There are a number of areas where it's possible to do white water rafting in Peru. Cusco is the most common starting point for these types of excursions. From Cusco, one can take one or two day trips on the Urubamba River, some of which are suitable for beginners. For those with more experience and wanting something a bit more challenging and extensive, there are 3 day trips on the Apurimac River where you will travel through a gorgeous canyon.

It's also possible to raft in the Tambopata jungle which will include the opportunity to view a variety of wildlife including capybaras, giant otters, jaguars, tapirs and a multitude of birds. For serious rafters, though, a few tour companies offer an excursion in the Cotahuasi canyon. Here you will find Class IV and V rapids in the deepest canyon in the world.

If action and adventure is your thing, you will also find multi-activity tours leaving out of Cusco that include rafting, mountain biking and trekking. Company reviews are an important part of travelling within Peru because the quality of the guides and your equipment will have a huge bearing on safety and enjoyment.

Mountain Biking

The bottom line is, Peru offers absolutely gorgeous landscapes and varied climates for your enjoyment. The only question is, how you choose to see them. If trekking just doesn't move fast enough for you, there's always mountain biking with lots of chances for hair raising downhill runs.

If you just want a taste of it, there are half day and single day tours around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. A two day excursion will allow you to visit the Lares hot springs where you can relax and spend the night before heading back down ancient Inca trails. You can extend this trip to include Moras, Moray and Salineras. You can even get to Machu Picchu on a bike and if you want to go the whole hog, you can also cycle your way from Cusco to Lake Titicaca. There are multiple possibilities for biking along seldom used trails as well as through remote villages where people still live as they have for years.

Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca

Huaraz, located in the north of Peru, is the starting point for adventure trips in the Cordillera Blanca, the highest range in the Peruvian Andes. In addition to more than 30 peaks, there are hundreds of rivers, waterfalls and beautiful turquoise lakes in the National Park of Huascarán to enjoy. The vistas are truly breathtaking and different than you will find anywhere else in Peru.

This isn't only a location for fantastic hiking, it's also a great location for mountain climbing. It's recommended that this only be attempted by those with experience, however, as it is quite strenuous and can cause a person to suffer from extreme altitude sickness. Mountain biking, rafting, skiing and snowboarding are also possible in this area. Make sure that you find time to visit everything in this area, including the Chavin;n de Huántar where you can learn about the ancient pre-Inca civilization.


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Whenever people think of South America they are likely to think of Peru, and when they think of this country they think of Machu Picchu. While this is one of the best places to see, be sure to understand that there are alternative Peru adventure tours and Peru trekking tours for you to do in the country.