Peru Pur: Noah H's adventure through the heart of South America

A sun-drenched day in the majestic Andes, the colorful hustle and bustle on the streets of Lima and the fascinating ruins of Machu Picchu - Noah Holländer takes us on an unforgettable journey through the breathtaking country of Peru in his travel report "The Little Trip through South America". Accompanied by cultural treasures, culinary discoveries and unexpected encounters, Noah experiences first hand the diversity and uniqueness of this South American pearl. Immerse yourself in his experiences and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of Peru.

Peru Pur: Of Arrivals, Contrasts and Unforgettable Encounters

Landing in Lima on October 11th marked the start of my exciting journey through Peru. My friends Marek, Franzi and Nina were already waiting for me at the airport and together we headed straight to our hostel. Peru greeted us with a swirling mix of impressions and a lively atmosphere that quickly showed how diverse this country is.

Exploring the streets of Miraflores, the contrasts of Peru revealed themselves in all their splendor - a cultural mix of tradition and modernity. Our first hours in Lima were characterized by an atmosphere of confusion and vivid impressions that illustrated the uniqueness of the country.

The following day we joined a city tour organized by our hostel, which took us through the vibrant streets of Lima. The day ended with a pisco tasting where we met the charming Martin from Lille. His spontaneous decision to accompany us in the coming days promised new adventures and unforgettable encounters. So our journey through Peru continued amidst contrasts and fascinating experiences.

Paracas: Dusty streets, sea magic and culinary delights

On October 14, 2022, we continued our journey from Lima and took the bus to Pisco, from where a taxi took us to Paracas. The first impressions of the city were of dusty streets and corrugated iron shacks, which contrasted with the previous metropolises. In the evening we rewarded ourselves with a delicious Pisco Sour to immerse ourselves in the flair of Paraca.

The next morning we set off early and took a boat to the Ballestas Islands. There we were treated to a fascinating natural spectacle with pelicans, penguins, sea lions and Peruvian cormorants. After this unique encounter, we continued our exploration, this time on bikes through the desert, with a good headwind on the way to the Peninsula de Paracas. The view of La Catedral and Playa Roja rewarded the strenuous journey, and a refreshing break in the Pacific was a must.

The day ended with enjoying the sunset on a rooftop terrace, followed by a delicious curry with fresh mango. Paracas not only impressed us with its natural diversity, but also surprised us with its culinary excellence.

Huacachina: Between desert oasis, sand adventures and lost canyons

On October 14th we continued our Peruvian expedition from Paracas to Ica and finally to Huacachina. Our choice of accommodation was a lively party hostel that perfectly matched the atmosphere of the place. Huacachina, nestled among majestic sand dunes, presented itself as a picturesque oasis.

In the evening we climbed the sand dunes and ventured down on skis or snowboards. However, the adventure turned out to be "semi-successful" because every 50 meters we had to bring the equipment back into shape with "candle wax". Nevertheless, the wonderful sunset made up for the exertion.

The next day we overcame our hangovers to get up at 6 a.m. and board a rather old bus without a working speedometer or seatbelts to the Canon de los perdidos (the Canyon of the Lost). This dry canyon, discovered only a few years ago, offered us an impressive hike. After returning, there were again pisco and wine tastings in Ica.

The evening was crowned with another trip to the sand dunes to experience the breathtaking sunset. Huacachina turned out to be a place full of adventure and unforgettable moments in the middle of the Peruvian desert landscape.

Arequipa: About long bus rides, volcano views and haircuts at 2200 meters altitude

On October 18th, after a relaxing day in Huacachina, we set off for Arequipa shortly after 9 o'clock in the evening in an old bus. The bus ride, along the coast and through the desert landscape, was supposed to last 13 hours, but unfortunately it only ended after 16 hours - a bit of a disappointment.

When we arrived in Arequipa, we took part in a walking tour through the city. Surrounded by the majestic Misti and Chachani volcanoes, Arequipa is known for its frequent earthquakes that shake the ground several times a day.

The following day, Martin and I even ventured to visit the hairdresser - a truly adventurous undertaking in a city that lies at an altitude of 2,200 meters and is dominated by the shadows of two volcanoes. Arequipa welcomed us not only with architectural beauty, but also with the challenge of maintaining balance on wobbly ground.

Colca Canyon: Hiking adventure between condors and hot springs
On October 20th we set off from Arequipa at 3am to explore the Cañon del Colca – one of the largest canyons in the world and impressively larger than the Grand Canyon. The journey took us through breathtaking heights, even reaching over 5000 meters, and we made several stops, including at Cruz del Condor. There we observed majestic Andean condors, elegantly gliding through the air with a wingspan of around 3.3 meters.

After arriving in Cabanaconde around 9 a.m., we soon started hiking into the canyon. We descended in scorching heat, accompanied by a wild dog who not only showed us the way but also stayed by our side on the way back the next day. The hike initially went downhill, and halfway through we were able to admire the majestic condors again.

After 4 hours of intense heat, we finally reached our simple but charmingly furnished accommodation in the valley, where we enjoyed the hot springs to the fullest. The next morning we set off at 4:30 a.m. just before sunrise to beat the heat and catch the 9:30 a.m. bus in time. The climb, which covered 1200 meters in altitude, was noticeable due to the high altitude with headaches, slightly difficult breathing and increased urine production. On the way we met llamas, alpacas, Andean foxes and lots of donkeys – greetings go out to Peter and Tom. The Colca Canyon not only left its mark on the landscape, but also on our memories.

Salkantay and Machu Picchu: An adventure trip through the Andes
Early Monday morning, at 3:30 a.m., our next chapter in Peru began: the 5-day Salkantay Trek. After hours of driving, we took our first steps along the Inca streams and reached our camp in Soraypampa around midday. Before lunch we hiked up to the crystal clear Humantay Lake, surrounded by snow and mountains as the first snow of the day settled.

The next morning we set off for Salkantay at 6 a.m. in freezing temperatures. Our tents and sleeping bags were carried by mules while the "porters" climbed the mountain in sandals. At 4650 meters we had a breathtaking view of the snow-capped peak of Salkantay. The descent was quick, followed by lunch. Our chefs pampered us with delicious, typically Peruvian food throughout the entire trip.

After lunch the landscape changed to the rainforest, it became warmer and wetter. We reached our accommodation in Chaullay and rewarded ourselves with a Peruvian beer.

The next morning, again at 6 a.m., we hiked along a river deeper into the rainforest. We drove the last part to Lucmabamba by car. There we relaxed in hammocks, explored coffee preparation from picking to drinking, and spent the afternoon in the hot springs.

The following day we took a wonderful hike to Llaqtapata, with a view of Machu Picchu. On the final day we finally reached the impressive Machu Picchu, explored the area and climbed Machu Picchu Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views.

The five-day hike ended with the return journey to Cusco, through the rainforest and by train, but the memories of this adventure trip through the Andes will remain in our hearts forever.

Cusco: City of contrasts and colorful colors from Rainbow Mountain
We returned to Cusco on Friday evening and spent a relaxing evening, followed by a good morning of sleep. In the afternoon we joined a walking tour through Cusco, which turned out to be a bit boring. But the day took a spectacular turn as we enjoyed the sunset at the charming Limbus bar. We later met up with Adele and Alex at a vegan restaurant called Chia before ending the night with a drink.

On Monday we began our journey to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley at 4:30 am. After an hour-long hike, we reached the impressive Rainbow Mountain at 5015 meters. The mountain's diverse colors, only discovered in 2016, come from various minerals such as iron, sulfur, copper and magnesium. After another 30-minute hike, we reached the even more impressive Red Valley with its fascinating colors and breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers.

After a fortifying lunch, we returned to Cusco to begin our journey into the jungle of Puerto Maldonado in the evening. Cusco, a city of contrasts, offered not only historical treasures, but also a spectacle of color in the mountains that will remain in our memories for a long time.

Adventures in the jungle of Puerto Maldonado: heat, animals and an adventurous return journey
The bus ride to Puerto Maldonado, which was supposed to take 10 hours, turned into a 16-hour adventure due to landslides. The landslides were quickly cleared with a wheel loader, but the bus journey was not without its challenges, with scorching heat and winding roads.

When we arrived in Puerto Maldonado, we checked into the hostel and enjoyed delicious fruit juices. In the evening we organized a jungle tour for the next three days. The next morning we began our journey by car and boat into the jungle to the lodge, which was surrounded by fruit trees. A hike through the rainforest revealed the impressive biodiversity with various plants, trees, giant ants and monkeys. A 30 meter high observation tower at the lodge offered a fantastic view over the rainforest.

In the evening we ventured into the forest after dark and discovered, among other things, a tarantula and a poisonous scorpion. The next morning we went early by boat to a large macaw colony, followed by bird and capybara watching. In the afternoon we went looking for caimans, during which we discovered three of these fascinating animals.

On the last morning in the jungle we were able to observe two different species of monkeys. In the evening we set off on a long bus ride to Cusco and then on to Lima. The bus ride was a challenge with tropical temperatures, unpleasant smells and loud music. After 35 hours we finally reached Lima and took a rest day with surfing.

Chicama - The surfer's paradise with the longest wave in the world
On Monday evening we set off via Trujillo to Puerto Malabrigo, a place that makes every surfer's heart beat faster. Here, in Chicama, is the longest wave in the world. The next morning we rented surfboards and headed to the start of the wave.

Surfing Chicama was an unforgettable experience, with super long rides estimated by experts at 2-4km. But the challenge lay not only in the length of the wave, but also in the strong current from left to right. You needed a bit of luck to be at the point break at the right time. After a short lunch break, we ventured into the water again, this time just before sunset.

Puerto Malabrigo, a small town on the edge of the village with desert right on the doorstep, offered the perfect backdrop for this surfer's paradise. Chicama is appreciated not only by surfers, but also by everyone who wants to experience the fascination of the longest wave in the world.

Mancora - sun, beach and farewell to the surfer's paradise
The journey through the Peruvian surfing paradises ended in Mancora. From Chicama we took the bus overnight to Trujillo and finally to Mancora. When we arrived there in the morning we met Franzi and Nina again. In Mancora we enjoyed the sunny beaches and explored some cozy cafes.

Although Mancora is usually known as a big surfing and party town, we experienced a quieter side to this coastal town. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the picturesque surroundings. On Friday evening we set off by bus towards Cuenca and Ecuador, and thus ended our exciting journey through the different facets of Peru.

Final Thoughts on the Peru Adventures:

Peru, a country full of contrasts, presented us with a fascinating variety of wonders and adventures. From the majestic Andes to the heart of the rainforest to the endless coastlines with surfing paradises like Chicama - every stop was unique. The cultural richness of Lima, the historic streets of Cusco, and the breathtaking Machu Picchu will forever be etched in our memories.

The Colca Canyon and Salkantay Trek hikes took us through breathtaking landscapes as we experienced the highs and lows of Peruvian nature. The jungle of Puerto Maldonado revealed a seemingly endless diversity of species, from majestic parrots to fascinating caimans.

Surfing Chicama, with the longest wave in the world, was an unforgettable adventure that made us feel the pure freedom of the ocean. Mancora concluded our trip with relaxing beaches and a touch of melancholy.

Peru, with its rich history, breathtaking nature and hospitable people, has given us deep insights and unforgettable experiences. These adventures not only shaped our travel paths, but also forever connected our hearts to the magic of Peru.

Images (c) by Noah H. Texts (c) by Noah H.

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