UJ #9 - Adventure in Peru
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Carlos Conan Muñiz<br />
Carlos Conan Muñiz<br />
EXCURSIONS IN 4X4<br />
We’re off to the central jungle. Yes, that marvellous<br />
zone of permanent sun and exotic foliage. Surrounded<br />
by mounta<strong>in</strong>s covered with brilliant and exotic<br />
flowers, and land perfect for farm<strong>in</strong>g and livestock.<br />
This is where the jungle meets the highlands, and travell<strong>in</strong>g<br />
by car shows clearly the change <strong>in</strong> altitude, the<br />
microclimates and the country’s diversity. From here<br />
you can reach the Tyrolean towns of Oxapampa, Pozuzo<br />
and Villa Rica, see waterfalls and caves, and follow<br />
a trail through the coffee grow<strong>in</strong>g areas that have<br />
been produc<strong>in</strong>g this crop for more than 130 years.<br />
Coffee was first brought here by the Spanish, and<br />
coffee grow<strong>in</strong>g was reactivated at the beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
the 18th Century by European immigrants. Accord<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to Karissa Becerra <strong>in</strong> Cafe de las Nubes del <strong>Peru</strong>,<br />
that the central jungle is perfect for grow<strong>in</strong>g special<br />
varieties; the area produces around 27% of all coffee<br />
grown <strong>in</strong> <strong>Peru</strong>.<br />
But transport is the first priority. Travel agencies usually<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude everyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the package: Pick-ups, guide<br />
and lodg<strong>in</strong>gs. They also choose routes to <strong>in</strong>clude<br />
places where you can experience th<strong>in</strong>gs first hand.<br />
In the case of coffee for example, the f<strong>in</strong>al dest<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
is usually Villa Rica, where one of the most important<br />
varieties is grown. This area has also ga<strong>in</strong>ed prestige<br />
<strong>in</strong> recent years, as it produces some of the best and<br />
tastiest coffee <strong>in</strong> the country. But before Villa Rica,<br />
two other towns on the route are worth a visit: San<br />
Ramon and La Merced. Here, certa<strong>in</strong> farms still belong<br />
to the descendents of orig<strong>in</strong>al Italian immigrants<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g the same fruit as <strong>in</strong> times past; they take <strong>in</strong><br />
guests who help <strong>in</strong> the harvest and experience much<br />
more than just their hosts’ excellent hospitality. Lima<br />
to Villa Rica is 367 kilometres and the journey takes<br />
approximately seven and a half hours. The road is<br />
surfaces as far as Reither Bridge and <strong>in</strong> perfect condition<br />
(95%), except for small sections that are unsurfaced<br />
and under repair.<br />
367 KM FROM LIMA TO VILLA RICA<br />
COFFE IS GROWN IN THE AREA SINCE<br />
130 YEARS<br />
HERE IS PRODUCED<br />
27% OF PERUVIAN COFFE<br />
Fernando Criollo<br />
Above: Endless adventure<br />
by 4x4. The central<br />
jungle offers <strong>in</strong>numerable<br />
activities such as<br />
abseil<strong>in</strong>g, walks to see<br />
waterfalls, mounta<strong>in</strong> bik<strong>in</strong>g<br />
and others.<br />
Below: Lush vegetation<br />
dom<strong>in</strong>ates the landscape.<br />
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