In Peru, there are many archaeological sites to explore and nature to enjoy, but there is something new that is worth your while: zip line or canopy. Cables are extended between two valleys, allowing you to fly past breathtaking landscapes, filling you with adrenaline. Strap into your harness and get flying!
Definition: zip line or canopy is a pulley suspended by declining cables. They are designed to be driven by the force of gravity, sliding down stainless steel cables from top to bottom. Attached by a harness, you will fly over incredible landscapes at full speed.
The Highest: Natura Vive in Pachar, Cuzco
Pachar is a small town just before Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. It located 1h30 from Cuzco, and here, at about 10,000 feet above, Ario and Natalia, both passionate about rock climbing, created a play space for rock climbing and adrenaline lovers.
Here are two options:
– The via ferrata: a 1,000 foot climb and a suspension bridge, with the help of metal steps. From there, rappel about 350 feet down.
– Canopy or zip line: 7 cables ranging from 500 to 2,300 feet long, with a total of 8,000 feet. It starts with a 30-40 minute walk to get to the first zip line. Going down doesn´t take much time. But, getting enough force to launch is another challenge. They say that after your first run, the rest of your experience is pure pleasure.
The tour lasts between 3-4 hours, depending on the size of the group. The best option, obviously, it is to combine both: go up with the via ferrata and go down with the zip line, a total of about 5 hours.
If you want to have an unforgettable memory, spend the night up in a transparent cube, suspended 1,300 feet above the ground, with a king size bed, “room” service, a bathroom and a starry night. They call it the Skylodge, a true experience.
The Best of the Inca: Cola de Mono in Santa Teresa, Cusco
Located on the Jungle Trail and is the alternative route to the famous Inca Trail. This trail passes through the outskirts of the Peruvian jungle. Generally, visitors travel to Santa Teresa by bus from Cuzco (7 hours) or go on a tour that includes biking and rafting, a trek, incredible thermal baths and for the gran finale, the Cola de Mono zipline.
Here, there are also 7 cables with a total distance of 8,200 feet. Some of the zip lines are short, but have steep slopes. The longer lines dominate the Sacsara River, 500 feet below. The excursion also includes a small tour of the via ferrata.
The tour lasts a total of two hours. Rafting is also available (make arrangements in advance) (50 USD). Cola de Mono is a large garden beside the river where you can also camp. Spaces are available for 20 Soles and 100 soles for the Deluxe package, which includes a mattress, pillows, blankets and breakfast. And after so much adrenaline, it wouldn´t be a bad idea to rent a thermal jacuzzi (100 soles/ group). If you want another chance to visit Machu Picchu, they also offer a trek to the Llaktapata ruins.
The Best of Lima: Lunahuana
This district, located about two hours south of Lima (3h by bus with Soyuz to Cañete and a short local bus ride), has always been the perfect place for adventure: sun, a beautiful valley, pisco, rafting and zip line. Fly over the Cañete river rapids, located near San Geronimo. It consists of a short 900 feet line there and a 1,000 foot line back. The full path has 6 different zip lines: 900, 1,000, 1,600, 500, 160 and 3,000 foot runs. Attainable speed: 25 mph.
Ideally, if you´re on time, continue the route to Nor Yauyos Reserve near Huancayo: a combination of the beautiful mountain ranges with spectacular waterfalls. There, you will need at least three days. Prices per person: 60 soles for the short path and 140 soles for the full path.
The Jungle: Erika Lodge, Manu Cultural Zone
To reach the mythical Manu National Park, you must go on a long tour. At least one week is necessary to venture out and enjoy the most biodiverse park in the world. The route is a total adventure because in one day you will go on hundreds of 13,000 foot to 1,600 zigzagged zip lines. In the lower jungle, next to the Koshñipata River, cross the spectacular Koñeq canyon and reach Erika Lodge and its private reserve.
This lodge is located about 40 minutes from Atalaya port (Pilcopata district), in the Manu Cultural Zone before the National Park. Here, you will cross from platform to platform using zip lines. There is an observation tower overlooking the Amazon jungle and a fun tour that ends with a rappel leading to the trails. There isn´t a very broad zip line, but its location makes it unique. You should know that it´s a plus to go on the tour to Manu.
A New Tour: EcoRutas, Tarapoto
This is a new tour in Tarapoto, where before, the adrenaline was in rafting. Currently, EcoRutas has come up with a new challenge: one cable with a 800 foot line and another with a 1,000 foot line. One line runs through the middle of the forests and the other is 30 feet above the Mayo River. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Churucyacu from Tarapoto.
Jr. Ramirez Hurtado 436, Tarapoto
