UJ #9 - Adventure in Peru

Carlos Conan Muñiz
Carlos Conan Muñiz
EXCURSIONS IN 4X4
We’re off to the central jungle. Yes, that marvellous
zone of permanent sun and exotic foliage. Surrounded
by mountains covered with brilliant and exotic
flowers, and land perfect for farming and livestock.
This is where the jungle meets the highlands, and travelling
by car shows clearly the change in altitude, the
microclimates and the country’s diversity. From here
you can reach the Tyrolean towns of Oxapampa, Pozuzo
and Villa Rica, see waterfalls and caves, and follow
a trail through the coffee growing areas that have
been producing this crop for more than 130 years.
Coffee was first brought here by the Spanish, and
coffee growing was reactivated at the beginning of
the 18th Century by European immigrants. According
to Karissa Becerra in Cafe de las Nubes del Peru,
that the central jungle is perfect for growing special
varieties; the area produces around 27% of all coffee
grown in Peru.
But transport is the first priority. Travel agencies usually
include everything in the package: Pick-ups, guide
and lodgings. They also choose routes to include
places where you can experience things first hand.
In the case of coffee for example, the final destination
is usually Villa Rica, where one of the most important
varieties is grown. This area has also gained prestige
in recent years, as it produces some of the best and
tastiest coffee in the country. But before Villa Rica,
two other towns on the route are worth a visit: San
Ramon and La Merced. Here, certain farms still belong
to the descendents of original Italian immigrants
growing the same fruit as in times past; they take in
guests who help in the harvest and experience much
more than just their hosts’ excellent hospitality. Lima
to Villa Rica is 367 kilometres and the journey takes
approximately seven and a half hours. The road is
surfaces as far as Reither Bridge and in perfect condition
(95%), except for small sections that are unsurfaced
and under repair.
367 KM FROM LIMA TO VILLA RICA
COFFE IS GROWN IN THE AREA SINCE
130 YEARS
HERE IS PRODUCED
27% OF PERUVIAN COFFE
Fernando Criollo
Above: Endless adventure
by 4x4. The central
jungle offers innumerable
activities such as
abseiling, walks to see
waterfalls, mountain biking
and others.
Below: Lush vegetation
dominates the landscape.
/85